Scharffenberger Brut

This latest edition… is the best yet.

Here’s a polished, elegant wine, very dry, with delicate flavors of citrus rind, bread dough and yeast, toast and vanilla. It has a lightness and charm on the palate that make it irresistible.

Pale straw appearance. Medium-bodied. Moderately extracted. Roasted coffee, smoke, citrus fruits. Rich, roasted aromas have a smoky accent. Gernerous smoky citrus flavors expand on the palate and persist through the finish. Showing nice development.

Great price for a brut this classically structured. Made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it’s dry and crisp, with a fine mousse that gives it a creamy smooth mouthfeel. The pineapple, raspberry and vanilla flavors are delicious.

This is a pale, dry sparkling wine with a robust pinot noir scent. The yeastiness leaves an impression of smoky richness, with a stony mineral note. Delicious with wood-roasted oysters.

Bright aromas of green apple and lime lead to vibrant, layered flavors of citrus, anise and creamy vanilla. Drink now.

Pretty and clear, this Brut balances complex lemon and toast with a slight caramel character on the nose. The wine really shines on the palate, where rich berry character comes through. Quite dry, with persistent flavors. John Scharffenberger has taken this winery a long way with the infusion of capital from the French firm of Lanson/Pommery. He continues his strong showing in the Competition with three silver medals this year.

Medium light body. Medium acid and fruit. Honey, flowers, lemons, herbs. Very fine and elegant, nicely balanced, with a mouth- watering citrus twist. Quite similar to French Champagne.

Strikes a nice balance of ripe pear, spice, apple and creamy vanilla flavors. Elegant and spicy on the finish.

Grapey and simple, this wine melds a touch of cherry with pale apple flavors, finishing warm. Chill it for poached prawns.

Emits toast and yeast on the nose, but the fruit has a bit of a green edge. Still, it has pleasant nut, fig and citrus qualities.

Light, bright gold. Green apple and quinine on the citrus-accented nose. Very dry and nervy on the palate, which offers taut lemon and orchard fruit flavors and a hint of bitter herbs. Slightly pinched on the finish but there's good focus and cut here. This bubbly has a low 2.95 pH, which no doubt contributes to its racy character.

Distinctive for its baked pear, orange zest and spice notes with crisp apple and lemon flavors blended nicely, adding richness on the finish. Drink now.

Toasty and clean, this has a nutty, straw-like scent and a soft texture. Serve it with baked brie or baked ham with apples.

Okay, I’m not a huge fan of the retro label (a replica of the original 1981 label), but I sure do love the yeasty, traditional style of the wine, so I guess I’ll let it slide! Bold and doughy, with apple, canned pear and lemon notes.