90 Points, Smart Buy, Wine Spectator #1 Sparkling Wine, Top 100 Values of 2016, Wine Spectator Double Gold, 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Tasting Notes
Aromas of green apple, citrus, and minerality make for a delightful start to this traditional sparkler. Our Brut NV offers bright, crisp acidity complimented by a touch of yeast on the delightfully long finish. A classic house style!
Brut NV was our first wine released in 1989. As the predominant grape used in Champagne, we wanted our first sparkling wine “to express the finesse of Chardonnay.” -Laurent Gruet
Specs
Variety Blend: 80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir
AVA: 100% American
pH: 3.07
Acidity: 7.6 g/L
Alcohol: 12%
RS: 8 g/L
Fining: Sterile Pads
Filtering: Diatomaceous Earth
Aging: Aged en Tirage for a minimum of 18 months
Gruet Blanc de Blancs
Top 100 Wines of 2020, Wine Spectator 91 Points, Tasting Panel Top 100 Values of 2020, Wine Spectator
Tasting Notes
Gruet Blanc de Blancs is a Brut-styled sparkler, medium lemon in color with a fantastic bead in the glass that remains incredibly lively throughout the palate. Aromas of intense brioche, followed by green apples, lemon zest, honeysuckle, and tropical fruit.
Pair this wine with an aperitif, crustacean, seafood, goat cheese, and Mediterranean dishes.
Specs
Variety Blend: 100% Chardonnay
AVA: American
pH: 3.20
Acidity: 7.6g/L
Alcohol: 12%
RS: 8 g/L
Aging: Aged sur lees for a minimum of 24 months
What’s Included
6-bottles:
3x Gruet Brut Sparkling
3x Gruet Blanc de Blancs Case:
6x Gruet Brut Sparkling
6x Gruet Blanc de Blancs
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $210/case MSRP
About The Winery
Winery: Gruet Winery
Owners: The Gruet Family
Founded: 1984
Location: New Mexico
Founded in 1984, Gruet Winery specializes in Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines. Family-owned and run, the New Mexico-based winery produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay-based sparkling wines and a small collection of still wines, with roots originating from Gilbert Gruet’s Champagne house in Bethon, France. More than 25 vintages later, Gruet Winery has achieved unprecedented acclaim and remains a favorite of the nation’s top sommeliers.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Okay, I received a bottle of the Blanc de Blancs today for rattage. However, it came only a bit over an hour ago, so I was not able to chill it completely. I’m sure that impacts a lot of what I am going to say.
Firstly, this is the second time I have ratted a bubbly from this Maker and as someone who previously avoided anything with sparkles, I have to say for these guys I will again make an exception in the future. The sweet one earlier was pretty damned awesome
This one is more subtle. It is very nearly clear to my old eyes On the nose it is very light, not heavy or cloying, just a bit of light apple. It sparkled well but did loose the sparkle quicker than I would have expected, which I attribute (rightly I dunno) to it not being really cold when I sampled it.
It is also not heavy on the palate, again i get the apple like fruitiness but very mild with a very light acidity on the finish.
This might be sacrilege but I could see it being made into a sparkling sangria or a mimosa of some sort I don’t have any fruit currently but blueberries, and that doesn’t feel like it would work.
I would drink this with a light meal, maybe a strawberry salad? or even this awesome pomegranate salsa that one of our farmer’s market vendors makes
I would definitely buy some if I wasn’t in the middle of moving again - back home to the Inland Empire. Central Coast was just not for me.
Gruet Winery Brut American Sparkling Wine - Méthode Champenoise (NV)
Anyone remember that episode of Boy Meets World when Cory & Shawn find the answer key to the IQ test in the trash the day before the exam? Just me? eh… understandable. Anyway, I think that describes my experience a bit here.
Alice reached out to ask if I could provide some last-minute rattage for this offer. (Thank you!) At the time, I knew nothing about it except that it would require some refrigeration. Grabbed from my local Brown Outpost this evening, I immediately opened the box in the parking lot and felt like I had been delivered the Early Edition.
Here’s the be all and end all: buy this wine.
No need to take it just from me, check out what @PeterW wrote earlier today:
I was in a monthly tasting group of. Davis classmates 40 years ago.The host chose the theme, and Kent Rasmussen loved obscure varieties and regions. No one else was exposing us to Michigan Chardonnay or Missouri Norton. Kent took a fair bit of ribbing, because often the most positive comment about a wine might be “interesting”. So tonight’s wine is not from a well known wine producing state. The first time I had it I hadn’t even been aware that vineyards or wineries existed in that state. To top that, the wine was not only good, but REALLY good! I was shocked; this wine was actually closer in style and quality to its European counterpart than many California versions.
I agree, it’s very good. So good that I have many bottles in my “cellar” right now. So good that multiple Gruet varietals are regularly sought when we need a bit of bubbles around here. So good that it’s my regular gift for whenever friends and family have a life event that deserves some celebration: generally inexpensive enough that I don’t have to ration it out and of high enough quality that recipients are continuously thankful and impressed.
I’ve been regularly buying Gruet whenever I can since the days of the old site. It regularly retails for about $17/bottle in my local, regional grocery stores. This option isn’t a screaming deal, but it is a good one.
I promise I will come back later on 12 August 2023 to provide a real and full report, including pictures, flavor descriptions and maybe even mix in more than just the bottle of Brut I received today (let’s see what’s on hand!)
For now though, life is life-ing and I need a bit of rest. I’m taking advantage of the fact that this is a weekend sale and will still be up when I return (unless it sells out?)
@Aureliano checking back in to say a bit more about the wine. Unless it’s the champagne that has a red soft cross label on the can, I usually drink the sparking stuff on the dry side. As mentioned elsewhere in this thread, Gruet’s Sauvage is a good stand-in. Sampling the Brut for rattage, this bottle holds to expectations set by previous enjoyment and the description on the label.
Bright, mineral, tart apple. There is still a hint of sweetness, but nothing overpowering. Delightfully refreshing.
As @pmarin wrote, this is a fine default option. Keep it around and have a low-stakes but quality item so you don’t need to hesitate in deciding to celebrate some of those smaller, more everyday successes in life than can get overlooked now and again. We’re looking at some of our own here in the next few weeks, and if all I have available is Gruet Brut, I wouldn’t be disappointed.
Also, don’t forget to checkout the discussion on the clue thread regarding this offer–great clarification on production of this American Sparkling Wine!
Thanks again to Alice, WD, Gruet & the Casemates community. Cheers, all!
@Aureliano@pmarin I have determined, after 65 years of study, 28 of them with a pacemaker, that there is no prize for living the longest. I like Gruet, my cardiologist and electrophysiologist be damned
This is a fine default sparkling to have around (both of them) but I already have quite a bit from many past purchases. Now for the next offer (almost sure we will see something again closer to end-of-year holidays) if it includes the Sauvage, pretty sure I will be in!
At least two bottles from my last purchase of this were flat. Bubbles were for the most part non existent. First time that has happened and what used to be an auto buy is no longer. Curious if others have had a similar experience
@losthighwayz I have not experienced that but probably have not bought in the last few offerings due to sufficient surplus inventory. To say again, unless there is a Sauvage in it…
I opened a bottle of the Blanc de Noir last week and it was very good. Excellent bubbles. If this included the Sauvage I likely would have get a case, even though I have about 6 left, and no room.
I haven’t checked in with Casemates for well over a year (out of sight is out of mind). It figures that one of my favorites is on sale, so I guess I’m in for a case.
Just looking at what I have on hand (because I never can resist an offer of Gruet), I am confused by Blanc de Blanc and Sauvage. Originally, they seemed like two separate wines, but some of my bottles of Sauvage specifically say “Blanc de Blanc.” None of this will change the fact that I’ll order another case tonight, but I’d love some clarification.
@agailb
Blanc de blancs means it’s white bubbly made from white grapes
Blanc de noirs means white bubbly made from red grapes
Sauvage is Gruet’s term for zero dosage - i.e. after they get rid of the yeast plug the wine they add has no sugar. You’ll also see this called Brut nature, brut zero, savage brut, non-dosage, and others.
@klezman Thank you for the clarification. I have Sauvage Blanc de Blanc and Sauvage sparkling rosé, but haven’t seen a Sauvage Blanc de Noir yet. Back in the day, it was just Sauvage with no further info.
@agailb@klezman Also from many brands, a Blanc de Blancs tends to be sweeter than a Brut. But technically it just means “made from white grapes” and does not in itself represent sweetness (as opposed to Brut, Demi Sec, etc). In this Gruet the description says the Blanc de Blancs is Brut style indicating it may not be as outwardly sweet as from other brands.
I did not know there was a Sauvage Blanc de Blancs. I think my older purchases are just plain “Sauvage.” Maybe that’s what’s now labeled that way. But in any case this offer seems like it is not that, but their regular Blanc de Blancs.
EDIT: note the wine specs (thanks for including that in description) note both the Brut and Blanc de Blancs are RS 8g/L. I was surprised by that because normally I would have thought they would be different, but the “Brut-styled” seems to be confirmed by this spec. Still not as “dry” as a Sauvage/Brut nature/no-dosage/etc.
@agailb@pmarin According to one site, the decoder is:
Brut Nature = no added sugar and under 3 grams/litre of residual sugars
Extra-Brut = between 0 and 6 g/litre of residual sugars
Brut = less than 12 g/litre of residual sugars
Extra sec (or Extra Dry) = between 12 & 17 g/litre of residual sugars
Sec (or Dry) = between 17 & 32 g/litre of residual sugars
Demi-Sec = between 32 & 50 g/litre of residual sugars
Doux = more than 50 g/litre of residual sugars
(There is a tolerance of +/- 3g on the figures of residual sugars : i.e. a brut may have 15 g/litre)
Thank you both for a real education on this subject. I also looked at the clue thread (for the first time) and was quite surprised by the information regarding the source of Gruet’s grapes. Makes sense, but I had no idea that there wasn’t a beautiful big vineyard hiding somewhere in Albuquerque. I guess I should do more reading rather than just hitting the “buy” button and waiting for UPS!
Gruet Brut Sparkling
90 Points, Smart Buy, Wine Spectator
#1 Sparkling Wine, Top 100 Values of 2016, Wine Spectator
Double Gold, 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Tasting Notes
Specs
Gruet Blanc de Blancs
Top 100 Wines of 2020, Wine Spectator
91 Points, Tasting Panel
Top 100 Values of 2020, Wine Spectator
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $210/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Sep 11 - Tuesday, Sep 12
Gruet Mixed Sparklings
6 bottles for $79.99 $13.33/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $149.99 $12.50/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
NV Gruet Brut
NV Gruet Blanc de Blancs
Gruet Blanc de Blancs
Okay, I received a bottle of the Blanc de Blancs today for rattage. However, it came only a bit over an hour ago, so I was not able to chill it completely. I’m sure that impacts a lot of what I am going to say.
Firstly, this is the second time I have ratted a bubbly from this Maker and as someone who previously avoided anything with sparkles, I have to say for these guys I will again make an exception in the future. The sweet one earlier was pretty damned awesome
This one is more subtle. It is very nearly clear to my old eyes On the nose it is very light, not heavy or cloying, just a bit of light apple. It sparkled well but did loose the sparkle quicker than I would have expected, which I attribute (rightly I dunno) to it not being really cold when I sampled it.
It is also not heavy on the palate, again i get the apple like fruitiness but very mild with a very light acidity on the finish.
This might be sacrilege but I could see it being made into a sparkling sangria or a mimosa of some sort I don’t have any fruit currently but blueberries, and that doesn’t feel like it would work.
I would drink this with a light meal, maybe a strawberry salad? or even this awesome pomegranate salsa that one of our farmer’s market vendors makes
I would definitely buy some if I wasn’t in the middle of moving again - back home to the Inland Empire. Central Coast was just not for me.
POPSOCKETS! SPA KITS! POLLY POCKETS! AWESOME!
Gruet Winery Brut American Sparkling Wine - Méthode Champenoise (NV)
Anyone remember that episode of Boy Meets World when Cory & Shawn find the answer key to the IQ test in the trash the day before the exam? Just me? eh… understandable. Anyway, I think that describes my experience a bit here.
Alice reached out to ask if I could provide some last-minute rattage for this offer. (Thank you!) At the time, I knew nothing about it except that it would require some refrigeration. Grabbed from my local Brown Outpost this evening, I immediately opened the box in the parking lot and felt like I had been delivered the Early Edition.
Here’s the be all and end all: buy this wine.
No need to take it just from me, check out what @PeterW wrote earlier today:
I agree, it’s very good. So good that I have many bottles in my “cellar” right now. So good that multiple Gruet varietals are regularly sought when we need a bit of bubbles around here. So good that it’s my regular gift for whenever friends and family have a life event that deserves some celebration: generally inexpensive enough that I don’t have to ration it out and of high enough quality that recipients are continuously thankful and impressed.
I’ve been regularly buying Gruet whenever I can since the days of the old site. It regularly retails for about $17/bottle in my local, regional grocery stores. This option isn’t a screaming deal, but it is a good one.
I promise I will come back later on 12 August 2023 to provide a real and full report, including pictures, flavor descriptions and maybe even mix in more than just the bottle of Brut I received today (let’s see what’s on hand!)
For now though, life is life-ing and I need a bit of rest. I’m taking advantage of the fact that this is a weekend sale and will still be up when I return (unless it sells out?)
Buy the wine.
Thank you Alice, WD & Gruet!
cheers,
@Aureliano checking back in to say a bit more about the wine. Unless it’s the champagne that has a red soft cross label on the can, I usually drink the sparking stuff on the dry side. As mentioned elsewhere in this thread, Gruet’s Sauvage is a good stand-in. Sampling the Brut for rattage, this bottle holds to expectations set by previous enjoyment and the description on the label.
Bright, mineral, tart apple. There is still a hint of sweetness, but nothing overpowering. Delightfully refreshing.
As @pmarin wrote, this is a fine default option. Keep it around and have a low-stakes but quality item so you don’t need to hesitate in deciding to celebrate some of those smaller, more everyday successes in life than can get overlooked now and again. We’re looking at some of our own here in the next few weeks, and if all I have available is Gruet Brut, I wouldn’t be disappointed.
Also, don’t forget to checkout the discussion on the clue thread regarding this offer–great clarification on production of this American Sparkling Wine!
Thanks again to Alice, WD, Gruet & the Casemates community. Cheers, all!
@Aureliano At a certain age, just being still alive and relatively healthy for another day is one of “those smaller, more everyday successes in life”
Especially according to my new cardiologist, who, to no great surprise, advised me to reduce my amount of celebrating with such substances.
@Aureliano @pmarin I have determined, after 65 years of study, 28 of them with a pacemaker, that there is no prize for living the longest. I like Gruet, my cardiologist and electrophysiologist be damned
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations).
Gruet Mixed Sparklings - $10 = 6.24%
This is a fine default sparkling to have around (both of them) but I already have quite a bit from many past purchases. Now for the next offer (almost sure we will see something again closer to end-of-year holidays) if it includes the Sauvage, pretty sure I will be in!
At least two bottles from my last purchase of this were flat. Bubbles were for the most part non existent. First time that has happened and what used to be an auto buy is no longer. Curious if others have had a similar experience
@losthighwayz I have not experienced that but probably have not bought in the last few offerings due to sufficient surplus inventory. To say again, unless there is a Sauvage in it…
I opened a bottle of the Blanc de Noir last week and it was very good. Excellent bubbles. If this included the Sauvage I likely would have get a case, even though I have about 6 left, and no room.
I haven’t checked in with Casemates for well over a year (out of sight is out of mind). It figures that one of my favorites is on sale, so I guess I’m in for a case.
Just looking at what I have on hand (because I never can resist an offer of Gruet), I am confused by Blanc de Blanc and Sauvage. Originally, they seemed like two separate wines, but some of my bottles of Sauvage specifically say “Blanc de Blanc.” None of this will change the fact that I’ll order another case tonight, but I’d love some clarification.
@agailb
Blanc de blancs means it’s white bubbly made from white grapes
Blanc de noirs means white bubbly made from red grapes
Sauvage is Gruet’s term for zero dosage - i.e. after they get rid of the yeast plug the wine they add has no sugar. You’ll also see this called Brut nature, brut zero, savage brut, non-dosage, and others.
@klezman Thank you for the clarification. I have Sauvage Blanc de Blanc and Sauvage sparkling rosé, but haven’t seen a Sauvage Blanc de Noir yet. Back in the day, it was just Sauvage with no further info.
@agailb yeah, without further info you can just assume it’s a combination of Pinot noir and chardonnay, maybe meunier.
@agailb @klezman Also from many brands, a Blanc de Blancs tends to be sweeter than a Brut. But technically it just means “made from white grapes” and does not in itself represent sweetness (as opposed to Brut, Demi Sec, etc). In this Gruet the description says the Blanc de Blancs is Brut style indicating it may not be as outwardly sweet as from other brands.
I did not know there was a Sauvage Blanc de Blancs. I think my older purchases are just plain “Sauvage.” Maybe that’s what’s now labeled that way. But in any case this offer seems like it is not that, but their regular Blanc de Blancs.
EDIT: note the wine specs (thanks for including that in description) note both the Brut and Blanc de Blancs are RS 8g/L. I was surprised by that because normally I would have thought they would be different, but the “Brut-styled” seems to be confirmed by this spec. Still not as “dry” as a Sauvage/Brut nature/no-dosage/etc.
@agailb @pmarin According to one site, the decoder is:
Brut Nature = no added sugar and under 3 grams/litre of residual sugars
Extra-Brut = between 0 and 6 g/litre of residual sugars
Brut = less than 12 g/litre of residual sugars
Extra sec (or Extra Dry) = between 12 & 17 g/litre of residual sugars
Sec (or Dry) = between 17 & 32 g/litre of residual sugars
Demi-Sec = between 32 & 50 g/litre of residual sugars
Doux = more than 50 g/litre of residual sugars
(There is a tolerance of +/- 3g on the figures of residual sugars : i.e. a brut may have 15 g/litre)
Thank you both for a real education on this subject. I also looked at the clue thread (for the first time) and was quite surprised by the information regarding the source of Gruet’s grapes. Makes sense, but I had no idea that there wasn’t a beautiful big vineyard hiding somewhere in Albuquerque. I guess I should do more reading rather than just hitting the “buy” button and waiting for UPS!