Delmas Cuvee Berlene Brut 2007 Blanquette de Limoux (France)

This week’s sparkler is one for Champagne lovers. Historically, this region (Blanquette de Limoux AOC) in the Languedoc produced sparkling wine in what is known today as Methode Champenoise a century before Dom Perignon came on the scene.

The Delmas is silky, elegant, and every bit as good as Champagne, but costs under $20. A client of mine who had worked for Domaine Chandon (Napa) told me about it and purchased it from me regularly for her gallery. She also liked the fact—as do I—that this wine is made with certified organic grapes, and the winery has a sustainable practices certification.

My bottle, a 2007, has held up well after a couple of household moves and is a pale gold color. It’s an 80/20 percent blend of Mauzac and Chardonnay. The nose has a slight toast scent, then some caramel apple. Served icy cold, you get crisp green apple and a bit of lemon/citrus. It transitions to a taste of Champagne-like fresh bread and finishes clean with a tingle.

Pair with a creamy brie with toasted walnuts or almonds, parmesan, or a very mild bleu cheese; crème brulee; vanilla, sugar or almond cookies.