WHAT’S IN A NAME

What’s in a sparkling wine name?

THERE are few Sparkling Wines that put names on their labels, so when you find one that matches your name, you are automatically going to want to taste it.

These bottles can come from all over the world, for example, Jordan has come here from Austria, Claudia has traveled all the way from South Africa and Victoria is visiting from Slovenia.

I remember enjoying a bottle of Victoria with a friend of the same name, it was a wonderful surprise to her and made the moment that much more memorable, it’s just like listening to a song with your name in it, like Jolene by Dolly Parton, Hey Jude by The Beatles and Oliver’s Army by Elvis Costello & The Attractions.

Victoria

This 2010 Sparkling Wine is from the region of Podravje in Slovenia and was brought to us by the Vina Kauran winery.

Victoria is a name known by many, especially in England, with a queen bearing the name with honour; it only makes sense when you find out what the name means.

Coming from the Latin language, Victoria in Latin translates to Victory, and to add even more to this great name, Victoria was also the name of the Roman Goddess of Victory.

Vina Kauran – Victoria 2010 Tasting Notes – “Alive with flavours of yellow stone fruits, prune, floral and a touch of sweet citrus.”

This Slovenian Sparkling Wine won a Silver Medal in the Fireworks Category at The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly Awards 2019.

Jordan

This Sparkling Wine is from Austria, run by Simone Jordan, the Jordan Wine Estate create a range of wines, from whites, reds,

What’s in a sparkling wine name?

By Oliver Walkey

sparklings and rosés to indulge in.

Jordan is not just a name, it is also a country in the Middle East and a shoe brand, but what’s the meaning behind the name?

The name comes from the Hebrew language and there are two meanings behind it, the first is ‘one who descends’ and the second is ‘to flow down’, it is nice to find out what a name can mean, this is something that can really help in choosing a name for a newborn.

It is possible that the first person to be called Jordan lived in Italy during the Roman Empire.

Jordan is now a unisex name, meaning that it can be given to either a boy or a girl, it originally started out as a male name but has grown in popularity as a girl’s name as well.

Weingut Jordan – Black Edition VeltinerSekt Brut Tasting Notes -

Aroma – “A light, fresh aroma of green fruits.”

Taste – “Light green fruits with a touch of citrus on the palate.”

This Austrian Sparkling Wine won a Bronze Medal in the Light & Fruity Category

Claudia

This Sparkling Wine is from South Africa, and the winery that created this bottle is Domaine Des Dieux.

Started by ‘two wine lovers with a dream’ in 2002, it was with hard work and dedication that in 2006 their vines were ready and then in 2010 they released the first bottle of their Claudia Sparkling Wine after 3 and a half years on the lees and 1 year on the cork, I have the 2013 bottle here.

In my opinion, Claudia is a lovely name, a t The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly Awards 2019.

with there also being a song called Claudia, which was a song by FINNEAS just last year (2019), but the meaning behind the name is not so lovely, Claudia in Latin means Lame.

Domaine Des Dieux – Claudia Brut MCC 2013 Tasting Notes

Aroma – “Ever so slight burnt toast, melted (anchor) butter with oaky and brioche notes.”

Taste – “An elegant expression of well aged bubbles, including yeasty, yellow stone fruits with slightly burnt toast and citrus in the length. A lovely 2013 Vintage.”

This South African Sparkling Wine won a Silver Medal in the Vintage Category at The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly Awards 2019.

My Desert Island Fizz

Michael Edwards

Great Champagnes from latest available vintages

We ask well-known wine professionals to choose, instead of music, their three favourite sparkling wines to take with them if ever they find themselves ‘Robinson Crusoe’d‘ We start with our good friend and most well-respected sparkling wine author, Michael Edwards, who shares with us the the hree labels that he’d have accompany him on that lonely imaginary island:

My Desert Island Fizz

Great Champagnes from latest available vintages

Hommage à William Deutz Meurtet and La Glacière 2012 Since the arrival in 2003 of Michel Davesnes as cellar master, quality is surging, based on a new ultra-modern cuverie, where non oxidative wine making in stainless steel allows for ultimate fruit expression. Last year, 2019, saw the launch of two 2012 parcels of Aÿ single- vineyard Pinot Noir for what is said by certain authorities to be the best year for Pinot since 1952. Meurtet is delicate visually, especially the finesse of its tiny filigreed bubbles. There’s substance and structure behind the discretion, bolstering a top Champagne that nonetheless speaks gently. Yellow fruits,& Bigareau cherries beguile the nose; racy mineral tension frame texture and mouthfeel. A gastronomic wine for tuna steaks & lightly hung game. Despite its name, La Glacire is actually a warmer site – shimmering golden yellow hue, reflections of copper: ripe fruits aromas, warm and immediate, reflecting a superb harvest at perfect maturity. An opulent classic to come. Drink 2020 – 2035.

Michael Edwards and Claude Giraud at 2017 Glass of Bubbly Awards

Vignerons since before the French Revolution, the Bruns are a wellknown family in Aÿ with a visceral love for the little town that was a cradle for the original sparkling Champagne, then made purely from Pinot Noir. The great great grandfather of Roger Brun, was a cooper and red-wine maker while working for Moët & Chandon during the phylloxera crisis of the early 1900s. Philippe Brun, Roger’s son, has been in charge of the business & winemaking at the house since I first met him 14 years ago, the start of a personal friendship still very warm today. A charismatic largerthan- life figure and former rugby player, he is one of the most generous producers I know, generous with inside information about what is going on in Champagne; he’s an invaluable source of the truth about the most recent harvest in Champagne, where his vat House presses the grapes for such giants as The LVMH titans. Behind his bluff muscular frame is a fine engineer’s mind, who worked in California before returning to the family Domaine.

Besides a full range of classic Champagnes,

the pride of place must go to his slice of the superb early ripening site of La Pelle in the best hillsides southfacing slopes above the village cemetery. A usually powerful Blanc de Noirs, it was subtle and complete in the excellent slightly cooler 2013 Vintage. Deep burnished gold, profoundly scented, its aromatic fruitiness tinged with the voluptuousness of the terroir, wondrous vinosity. Should be reserved for the greatest dishes, rich seafood or any sort of meat. Not a dancehall Champagne. Outstanding.

Henri Giraud Fût de Chêne multi vintage base 2013 plus a Solera of fine older vintages

Claude Giraud ‘s family had been winemakers in and around Aÿ since the 17th century – today he owns some of the finest vineyards, spread across 30 parcels in 14 lieux-dits (named sites). With such fabulous grapes, Claude is a committed exponent of oak from the local Champenois forest of the Argonne, where the wood’s impact is gentle and less smothering of the wine. Here the grape mix is 75% Grand Cru Pinot Noir 30% Chardonnay. As a multi-vintage, the base wine is 2013, the Solera has manifold portions of fine vintages that include 2004 and 2002 + 1998 one of my favourites. The result is terrific complexity The oak gives deep gold hue and rich tones of patisserie and spices. Also, citrussy lighter fresh scents of lime & lemon from the Chardonnay as well as peach and quince from the Pinot. Gastronomic wine Drink 2020-2035