Vintages Release: September 15, 2018

• The following 2015 Gérard Bertrand ‘Thomas Jefferson’ Sparkling Wine Brut is produced méthode traditionnelle from a blend of—chardonnay, chenin blanc, mauzac, pinot noir. It’s named to recognize this early US president’s love for the sparkling wines from Limoux. This area was first mentioned as producing sparkling wine in the 1531 records kept by the Benedictine monks of the abbey of Saint Hilaire, just south of Carcassonne and they make claim to being the first producer of sparkling wine made in volume in France—before Champagne. The reasoning behind the ‘in volume’ is that sparkling wine can and does occur naturally under certain conditions.

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Gérard Bertrand ‘Thomas Jefferson’ Sparkling Wine Brut 2015
AOP Crémant de Limoux Blanc $19.95 (438838) 12.5% alcohol 

The price-quality balance tips well in your favour here; pick up a few. Honeysuckle and melon aromas abound on the nose of this clean and refreshing sparkling wine. This offers up a lively mousse when poured and a persistent stream of fine-bead bubbles in the glass. It strides over the palate with Granny Smith apple, lemon pie filling and notions of white grapefruit finishing with a crisp, lengthy aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)