On my trip back to the UK in November I had my first foray into Brazilian sparkling wine with the Miolo Brut Millesime 2008 which didn't set my world alight but was interesting enough for me to keep a sneaky eye on what else was happening in the Brazilian sparkling market.
I am going to ignore the Moscato's that people continually tried to force on me as the rest of this page would just be me writing "tastes like crushed up Love Hearts" over and over again.
On trying the Miolo again, I will say that my first assessment still stands but there were a couple of other sparkling wines that really stood out from the pack. Both made in Serra Gaucha which has the only two certified wine production areas in the country Vale dos Vinhedos and Pinto Bandeira.
130 Brut, NV, Casa Valduga
75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay traditional method sparkling wine which has spent 36 months on its lees. After trying the Miolo this felt alive in the glass. Vibrant, fresh and fruity this was a real pleasure to drink. At the moment it is pretty fruit driven with passion fruit, green apple, peach and lemon dominating. With a hint of toastiness the 130 is also creamy and soft in the mouth with some weightiness showing it has more to offer in the future. Very enjoyable glass of bubbles, it would be tough not to go back for a second glass.
Espumante Nature, Salton Geracoes, Antonio Domenico Salton Vinicola Salton
Another traditional method, three years on lees sparkling wine, this time a 50/50 split Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A much richer nose on this one with a fabulous leatherwood honey and beeswax approach nestling happily with fresh apples and ripe lemons. On the palate apples, lemons and stone fruits combined with brioche and leatherwood honey to create an interesting and complex sparkling wine that lingers on the palate. Delicious.
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