Kosher Sparkling Wines

[Josh Kramer]

What are people's most enjoyable mid-range kosher sparkling wines in the $20-$30 range? Has anyone tasted the Gilgal Brut? There is what seems like a good sale on it, and wondering if its worth stocking up on.

[David Raccah]

Josh - stocking up may be a bit too kind for the wine - but it is a very solid wine. Along with Hagafen Brut - which is in that price range and of course, the Yarden Blancs de Blanc - which can be found in that price range. I still like the Drappier more, but that is not in your price range.

David

[Josh Kramer]

Thanks David. I can get it for about $17 a bottle, which I think is pretty decent, and serves a purpose more as a decent party drink. (Hence the reason to "stock" up on it - they won't last that long!). I actually have a 2005 Yarden Blanc which I haven't yet tried.

[David Raccah]

Look I enjoyed two bottles of the Gilgal Brut - it is a bit sweet - but it is 100% FINE, filled with tart and bright fruit, very nice mousse, a hint or two of toast and marzipan. A fine wine indeed. For 17 bucks - stock up for a year - and finish it by then. It may well last longer than that, but it may not be a FINE to VERY FINE wine after that.

[Alexander F]

Is it (Gilgal) sold as Golan Brut in Israel? I agree with David, Drappier is a different league. For the price ($17), it is indeed a good value. Question is whether r u looking for a decent brut or for Champagne. Personally, I prefer Golan Moscato for everyday and a real champagne for occasions. Dalton Moscato is also very solid effervescent wine. They r sweet, so dry Cava is also a variant.

[David Raccah]

yes - Gilgal in America is Golan in Israel. Sure, there are bubbly and extra bubbly Moscato wines - including a few wines from tabor, Teperberg, and others, but they are not dry to dryish sparklers. But sure, sparklers are both sweet, semi-sweet, brut, and bone dry.

[Gabriel Geller]

yes - Gilgal in America is Golan in Israel. Sure, there are bubbly and extra bubbly Moscato wines - including a few wines from tabor, Teperberg, and others, but they are not dry to dryish sparklers. But sure, sparklers are both sweet, semi-sweet, brut, and bone dry.

Firstly, please let me correct you: Gilgal is Gamla in Israel, NOT Golan. Secondly, there are now in Israel 3 sparklers (Moscato not included) from GHW: Gamla (Gilgal) Brut, Gamla Hashmura Brut (I guess that if they'll export the brand it will be called Gilgal Reserve in the states) and Yarden Blanc de Blancs.

Now Josh, there are indeed a sparkling wine from Teperberg, Brut, but it is not to my licking, too sweet for my palate. Tishbi make a Brut as well that is quite decent and IMHO a valid option that is still reasonably priced. Having not enjoyed the Gamla Bruts in many years (I had the Yarden Brut from the 2000 and 2001 vintages a few months ago, both were alive and kicking - and great! ), I can only say that whereas the 2005 Yarden Blanc de Blancs is excellent, the 2007 is AWESOME, without a doubt the best QPR kosher sparkling Champagne-style wine on the market.

Best,

GG

[David Raccah]

Indeed - thanks Gabriel for catching my mistake. There are other options that Andrew has said are good as well - but I forget the names. There are Cava and Prosecco sparklers that taste fine as well, though they use different grapes than do the classic sparklers based on the Champagne recipe.

I like the Elvi Wine Cava and a couple of Proseccos.

David

[Elie Poltorak]

EN Fuego cava is passable if you really want to keep the budget low.

[Josh Kramer]

Thanks all for input. I actually ended up finding the Gilgal Brut for $13 so bought a case and will see how they are. Now, just gotta make a party!

[David Raccah]

Where did u buy the Gilgal for 13 bucks a pop?

[Josh Kramer]

David, I got it at shopperswines.com, $22 down to $13.

[Yossie Horwitz]

At $13 it is certainly a great deal but it is a quaffer, sparkling style, nothing compared to the Yarden 2005 (or the 2007 which was even better but isn't in the US yet). Those are wines to truly "stock up" on as they have some real aging ability and its important to always have some sparkling wine around for that random Wednesday evening with potato chips . Best kosher sparklers are the Drappier (I liked the D'Or better) and the Luis de Sacy (although some folks here aren't as enamored with it as I am). The Adar Cava is like the Gilgal, a well made and refreshing sparking quaffer. The Gamla Hashmura is different than the Gilgal (which is the "regular" Gamla) - also slightly better made - more "put together". In any event, you can't really beat $13, but I would get some Yarden Blanc de Blanc as well (and maybe a bottle or two of the "real" stuff)...