Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/518118
june 2015 / the tasting panel / 81 A t this year's Kentucky Derby, there was more to celebrate than just running for the roses—there was Champagne, and lots of it, thanks to G.H. Mumm. "I won $50 on the first day and lost $30 on the second day, so I practically broke even," said Jo Adamo, VP of Marketing for Wine and Champagne PRUSA. Adamo was excitedly supervising some sabrage action under a canopy of stunning weather and conviviality at this year's Derby. G.H. Mumm has become the official sponsor, which Adamo says makes for "a really nice fit within our portfolio." With warm weather just around the corner, she offered up some picks that buyers might consider as a means of carrying on the fun spurned from the Derby, straight into oncoming summer nights. From sparkling wines and Champagne to domestic and international whites, these selects can serve as aperitifs or with an array of lighter-fare foods. Since sabering really is the best way to enjoy Champagne—and we are upon the season for it (though when is it not a good time to drink bubbly?)— she mentioned some sparklers that can help kick start any celebration or liven any old weeknight. The G.H. Mumm NV Brut Cordon Rouge, Champagne, France ($40) is the result of continued tradition thanks to Cellar Master Didier Mariotti. This flagship brut is a blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay—grapes sourced from some of Champagne's best terroirs like Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Vallée de l'Ardes, Côte des Blancs, Sézannais and Aube. A rich and creamy mousse meets lemon, grapefruit and stone fruit with a liveliness on the palate that finishes with hints of vanilla, honey and caramel. "This brut rosé is a great sparkling wine made in the méthode traditionelle and perfect for summer brunching," said Adamo. "I would also offer up the Mumm NV Brut Rose, Napa, USA ($22), which is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Pink coral colored, this brut is ready to drink, offering red berries, black cherry fruit and subtle citrus notes that round out a mouthwatering full-flavored and full-bodied sparkling wine." "And at the top of the list is the Perrier- Jouët Belle Epoque 2006 Brut, Champagne, France ($150) produced by Cellar Master Hervé Deschamps," said Adamo. This bottling offers generous white floral, stone and tropical fruit notes through a seamless finish, riddled with finesse. "We also tend to focus this time of the year on New Zealand wines. The country is continuing to see double-digit growth in the white category. Brancott Estate, the first winery to plant Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand, is a great value this time of year," Adamo said. The Brancott Estate 2014 "Flight Song" Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($15) "has a 9 percent ABV and is 20 percent lighter in calories, which is possible because our winemakers pick at much lower Brix levels," explained Adamo. Gentle pressing of the grapes gives way to stainless steel. The wine offers refreshing bursts of lemongrass followed by zippy grapefruit character on the palate. The 2013 growing season was warmer than normal, with less than average rainfall, but a cooler February mitigated even warmer March and April temperatures prior to harvest. The Brancott Estate 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($12) offers classic Marlborough expressions of the grape from gooseberry, golden stone fruit and melon notes through that crisp intensity you'd expect. "Back in May of 2014 we added Kenwood Vineyards to our portfolio," said Adamo. "The wines are fabulous, offering up classic varietal expressions of Sonoma County, like the Kenwood Vineyards 2013 Chardonnay, Sonoma, USA ($12), a great food-friendly white, that offers generous apple, lime and toasty vanilla notes—a perfect summer wine. We'd like to see more opportunities to get these wines into consumer's hands on the East Coast, from Florida up through New England." "More recently under Jacob's Creek, we launched 'Two Lands,' a collaboration with winemaker Ehren Jordan (formerly of Turley Wine Cellars and his current label Failla) and Bernard Hickin, Jacob's Creek's Chief Winemaker," explained Adamo. "Together, they produce Two Lands 2014 Pinot Grigio, South Australia ($14), a full-flavored expression of Pinot Grigio from South Australia," said Adamo. Late picks, some oak contact and lees stirring have resulted in a wine nearly Californian in style, with a weightiness, underscored by crisp acid- ity, pear, apple, quince and lemon notes. Their Two Lands 2014 Chardonnay, South Australia ($14) comes from parcels in Padthaway, Wrattonbully and Coonawarra regions, with some going through malolactic fermentation in contact with French oak, time on the lees, and some fermented with wild yeast—a touch of residual sugar remains for a fuller mouth-feel. Flavors are ripe melon, peach and zesty lemon. Two reds from the portfolio are slated to hit markets in June—a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Shiraz. PHOTO COURTESY OF PERNOD RICARD USA This brut rosé is a great sparkling wine made