4.5 Review: Gruet Blanc de Noirs
What would you say if I told you New Mexico is the source of some of the best sparkling wine in the US? Would you believe me? Would you think I’ve lost it?
Well, here we are and that’s exactly what I’m saying.
Gruet Winery
The producer I’m talking about is Gruet (pronounced: groo-ay) and their vineyards are located in the high elevation desert south of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The soil there is sandy loam and the climate is apparently quite good for growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier — the grapes Gruet uses in their sparkling wines.
It’s no coincidence they chose the same primary grapes used for Champagne production. The founder of Gruet Winery, Gilbert Gruet, produced Champagne in Bethon, France for over 30 years prior to starting Gruet Winery in New Mexico in the 1980s. The Gruet et Fils Champagne house in Bethon still bears his name, although it’s now run as a cooperative.
The wines produced at Gruet Winery in New Mexico, follow the same traditional processes Gilbert Gruet followed in France. The results are outstanding American made sparkling wines that consistently win awards in international tastings against sparkling wines from around the world.
In addition to being outstanding sparkling wines, Gruet’s wines are also very reasonably priced. I can often find their non-vintage sparkling wines for $15 per bottle, which is less than half the cost of most Champagne. Every now and then I’ll come across nice a bottle of Champagne on sale for $30 and inevitably I decide not to buy it because I know I can get two bottles of Gruet for that much — and I know the Gruet will not let me down.
Blanc de Noirs
The particular wine I’m highlighting today has long been a favorite of mine. It’s the Gruet non-vintage Blanc de Noirs. If you’re not familiar with that name, it translates literally to “white of black” but more specifically means a white sparkling wine made from Pinot Noir grapes. Although Pinot Noir is a red grape, that color is in the skins, not the juice, and by pressing out the juice and only fermenting it without the skins a winemaker is able to produce a white wine. This one is made with 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay.
Tasting Notes
The nose of this Blanc de Noirs has a wonderful, yeasty fragrance along with pear, almond and hazelnut aromas. On the palate it delivers crisp granny smith apple, Anjou pear, lemon, hazelnut and saline flavors. The mouthfeel is very bubbly and creamy. It finishes with lingering pear, hazelnut and salty mineral flavors.
Wine: Gruet Blanc de Noirs
Varieties: 75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay
Vintage: Non-vintage
Alcohol: 12%
Rating: 90
Average price: $15.00
What others say about this wine:
This video was produced by Gruet about their winery.
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