Hey look, say what you want, this stuff is pretty damned drinkable. Yeah, yeah, I had my doubts, too.
In college, back in the eighties, I was introduced to "champagne." Specifically, Korbel Brut (which is not champagne, although they somehow manage to call themselves champagne, further adding to the miseducation of Americans, and others, I'd think, probably even including Lauryn Hill). Korbel was very very fancy. It was sophisticated. It was exciting. It was, perhaps, the first sparkling wine that I'd ever had. And for those reasons, it will always have a special place in my heart. But, I don't think I'll ever drink the stuff again.
Indeed, ever since my mid-twenties, when I was starting to get into wine a bit, Korbel was relegated to Sunday morning mimosas. In fact, I don't have a problem to this day with using Korbel Brut for that application. But, if I want an inexpensive sparkler, it's going to be a prosecco from Italy, or a Cava from Spain -- each of which is more exciting, to my palate, and cheaper, than Korbel Brut. Hell, I don't even visit Korbel when we travel to Napa. Or Sonoma. Or wherever the hell they bottle the stuff. But, after tonight's bottle, I might be paying them a visit during my next trip.
Firstly, to pay respect where respect is due (or perhaps the phrase is "give credit where credit is due"?), my friend Priscilla from California has been talking up Korbel Brut Rose (the pink stuff) for some time now. Claims of its drinkability and quaffability and affordability have piqued my interest for probably well over a year now. But, every time I've remembered to pick up a bottle when I'm at the wine store (which is twice a week often weeks), I can't find the damned stuff. I finally found a bottle at Shopper's Vineyard in Clifton which, by the way, is a very decent wine store. And like an idiot, I bought only one ($10.99).
Since it's kind of summer here in NJ, i figured tonight would be a good night to crack open the bottle. Our meal of grilled chicken thighs and cannelloni beans, and a green salad, seemed a good match for what I had hoped would be a bright and fun sparkler. And I was right.
Korbel Brut Rose doesn't have any of that sort of "stemminess" that I associate with some roses and some roses sparklers. It has just enough sweetness to make it pleasant, and a very light effervescence. Hints of strawberry on the nose and palate and some decent acidity make this a very summer-friendly and summer-appropriate wine to my mind.
Highly recommended for summer parties, summer dinners, and summer mornings. Tell me I'm wrong.
