Well my time here in Paris is over and what better may to go than with sparkling wine, a Cremant d’Alsace. Cremant goes through the same process, as Champagne except there is one difference, location. In France and all of Europe for that matter, wine cannot be legally called Champagne unless it is in fact from Champagne. Sparkling wines from outside Champagne in France will usually go by Cremant. Of course there are going to be slight differences in taste due to the terrior. Sparkling wine is popped during times of celebration. This is the end of a great three months and the start of something new as I move to Long Island’s wine country.

I chose this wine because with the unofficial start of summer Alsace is perfect. The white wines here are well known with the Rieslings and Gewurztraminers, and their sparkling wines prosper as well. Another key point is these wines are not expensive at all. Alsace is respected but it doesn’t have the same prestige as Champagne, Burgundy, or Bordeaux. This is great for you. In the US a typical bottle will be between $12 to $20.

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The 2005 Bordeaux reviews have not been unkind to the region. And with that said I decided I wanted to find out what everyone is talking about. I choose a wine from Graves, Albert Duran, 2005, Chateau Beauregard Ducasse. With Graves‘ dignified reputation, and eloquence about it, it seemed like a good way to start. I wouldn’t say that 2005 is a year of extra outrageous wine, but I would say that it does bring together. I certainly have tasted the same quality in a table wine at a café in Paris. It has an easy drinking-ness around it that makes you want to open a bottle with friends and just chill out. I would say that this is a conversation wine, not for the fact that you will be discussing the wine, but you will be talking amongst yourselves and indulging in each others banter. This wine makes me want to call up a friend and chat. I just might, actually.

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When buying a bottle of Champagne, if the label says from “Champagne, France“,“methode traditionelle”, or “Méthode Champenoise”, the wine is in fact truly a “Champagne“. All other wines are “Sparkling Wine”. While this does sound somewhat snobbish and aristocratic, it does serve a good purpose in protecting the brand of the area. Another example of this type of “rule” that you may be more familiar with is the Vidalia Onion, which you can easily cook with champagne, or sparkling wine, to create some great hors d’oeuvres for this New Year.

You have to check out these Champagne Onion recipes we found over at The Gilded Fork. I’m going to make them tomorrow, and have a good idea at the different flavors I can create by using different combinations of sparkling wine and onions.

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It is amazing just how selective memory can be, and in this instance, I refer to the American pistol whipping of France for their opposition to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, which culminated in the bizarre use of the term ‘freedom fries‘, which I never quite understood. However, history is kind to the righteous, and France has made it through their election with Sarkozy in power, who I’ve been rooting for; whilst America is close to the end of its war on terror, and the decision to invade Iraq is as unpopular as ever. Indeed freedom fries seems a peculiar thing for the American public to have embraced, especially seeing as much of America’s initial freedom is owed to France for their support during the civil war when America was but a baby.

Sarkozy winning will have numerous impacts on the wine industry, as the man has vowed to take numerous steps toward reinstating French national pride in his first 100 days. Sarkozy has thus far broken many conventions, and with unconventional campaigns to win popularity like the Disco Sarkozy website, lovers of French wine can look forward to his promise to allow French wines more advertising, and to make the strategy for all AOC wines more modern and less restricted in their marketing approach.

Grape Thinking would like to say a heartfelt ’salut!’ to Nicholas Sarkozy, and looks forward to France regaining its much deserved stature.