Weekly Wino: Best Bubbles Under 15 Bucks

Who loves bubbles? I do I do! I'm sure you do too. Who loves Champagne-Method-Chenin-Blanc-based-Loire-Valley bubbles UNDER FIFTEEN BUCKS?

Who doesn't?

Nowadays, it's hard to find anything decent under $15, much less high-quality sparkling wine. I am here to testify that it IS possible.

Can I get an AMEN?

That wine is today's special value--Chateau Moncontour Sparkling Vouvray Brut, '06. This wine is made from 100% Chenin Blanc (this girl loves CB), with second fermentation in the bottle (Traditional/Classic/Champagne Method), which lends complexity to an already sassy varietal.

The nose is nutty (thank you Chenin!) and yeasty, with a heart of apricot and citrus. The creamy heavy mouthfeel gains levity from the most elegant little bubbles. This is one of the best values around. I've had some other sparkling Vouvrays, but none has come so close to being this damn good.

This wine is super food-friendly, something that could accompany almost anything, but pair this with a bit of prosciutto, and you'll find yourself in hog heaven.

The Loire Valley is generally a place to go for great values, but when it comes to bubbly, you can't beat it, not even with a stick.

Chateau Moncontour Sparkling Vouvray Brut is available in Austin at VinoVino, Grapevine Market, Central Market, and Whole Foods where it should cost about 14 dollars.

Now go on, y'all have some shopping to do!

Please tune in on Wednesday when I will be posting about the Loire Valley and our visit to the Nicolas Joly winery. Woohoo!