Cabriz Espumante Bruto Branco Sparkling NV

$25.00

Portugal quietly makes some of Europe's best-value bubbles, and this is Exhibit A. Quinta de Cabriz, one of the Dão's flagship estates, makes this Bruto the slow way: traditional method, a blend of Encruzado, Bical and Malvasia Fina, with a minimum of twelve months resting in the cellar plus two more in bottle after disgorgement. Real method-champenoise character from native Portuguese grapes. Chill it hard for toasts, oysters, or a random Tuesday.

Pale gold with a green glint. Grapefruit, pineapple and peach on the nose, then red apple, pear and a whisper of toast on the palate. Supple, fresh, clean and crisp through the finish.

Fried chicken, oysters on the half shell, salty potato chips, or a soft Portuguese cheese.

The base wine comes from Dão vineyards on a mix of sandy, clay and chalky soils, which keep the acidity fresh. Classic-method secondary fermentation, at least twelve months in the cellar, two months in bottle after disgorgement. 12.5 percent alcohol.