Although it’s not quite Christmas, it’s already time to kick off our search for the best wines for New Year’s Eve.  What better way to start than by book ending Rieslings with Wagner Sparkling Riesling.

Riesling in the Finger Lakes is an incredibly versatile varietal that produces phenomenal wines ranging from dry to sweet.  As we covered yesterday, it can also be turned into a delightful ice wine, perfect for dessert.  But what about a sparkling wine?  Of course it can, and leave it to the fantastically talented folks at Wagner to have given it a try.

Sight: Deep gold with plentiful bubbles.

Smell:  Honeyed sweetness and golden apples come out to start.  Touches of lemon and hints of clover come out richly on the nose.

Sip:  A subtle honey sweetness fades to bright lemon and yeasty note.  The honey notes are a highlight here, with notes of apricot, floral pops, and mineral elements.  The bubbles are aggressive but not overly so and relax.

Savor:  The ending is very lemon forward, and some of the yeast notes make an appearance.

Wagner Sparkling Riesling is a fun way to experience Finger Lakes Riesling with a little extra sparkle.  The flavor of honey is the highlight here, bringing together some of the citrus and apricot elements.  The barrel fermenting drives some of the fun yeast notes.  The high acidity is perfect for acid lovers, but folks that like sweet Riesling won’t find this is singing their tune.  That said, fans of Cava and Prosecco should be willing to give Wagner Sparkling Riesling a shot.

Verdict: Lemon, Floral, Apricot, Honey, Bright
Rating: 86
Price: $20
Finger Lakes, California
Blend: 90% Riesling, 10% Pinot Noir

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