With the end of the year near my mind and my appetite is still pretty focused on Sparkling Wine. Mumm Napa Valley is one of the California producers that’s been providing consistent and well priced Sparkling offerings. They’re a go to producer in California. Today I’ll look at one of their current releases. Sometime soon I’ll also be looking at a couple of selections from GH Mumm as well, so please stay tuned.
The Mumm Napa Valley Cuvée M was produced using fruit sourced from over 50 vineyards. This selection is a blend of Chardonnay (48%), Pinot Noir (43%), Pinot Gris (6%), and Pinot Meunier (3%). Each lot was kept separate during the first fermentation. Aging on yeast then occured for approximately 18 months. After final blending and dosage another it’s allowed to resolve itself in bottle for another 3 months prior to release. This offering has a suggested retail price of $20.
Aromas of lemon zest and ginger fill the nose of Cuvée M. Flavors of Asian pear, yellow cling peach, nectarine and recurring wisps of crème fraiche are readily apparent through the medium bodied plate of this wine. Biscuit, brioche, elements of yeast and a wallop of spices all emerge in the substantial finish which lingers well after you swallow the last sip.
Cuvée M from Mumm Napa Valley is an excellent value. It outshines its $20 price point by leaps and bound. While it’s surely delicious on its own, this is precisely the sort of Sparkling wine that comes to mind for me when I have Brunch in mind. When you take into account the modest price, it's also one most can indulge in regularly.