2011 Is Here!

Hello Wine Lovers!
I can't believe 2011 is here already. It seems just like yesterday 2010 opened up the year with everyone a little on edge. Lets face it, the economy hasn't exactly been stellar, unemployment is at an all time high, and oil prices keep rising and costing us all more at the pump! That being said, lets all look to a brighter 2011 and lots of exciting wine to drink and explore. I am writing about Korbel Sparkling Chardonnay today with New Year's Eve upon us. At $8.99 a bottle and the clean crisp taste of 100% Chardonnay, you can't go wrong with this beauty. You will find this wine, not only a great opening to your party or dinner, but also a nice accompaniment to your dinner. In other words, it will stand up to food. A little history of Korbel for you to sound wine savvy with your friends...

Korbel Winery was established by Bohemia-born Francis Korbel and his brothers, Joseph and Anton, in 1882 and is the oldest continually operating champagne house in North America.During the late 1870s, the Korbels harvested prunes, beets, wheat, corn and alfalfa, and operated a commercial dairy. During this time, they planted their first vineyards and began experimenting with different grape varieties, including Pinot Noir – early evidence of the Korbels’ ambition to become champagne producers. Pinot Noir was an unusual variety for California; it was known primarily as the principal grape of the Champagne region of France. In 1882, the three brothers began a small wine-making operation at their ranch and produced some 20,000 to 30,000 gallons of wine from their vineyard yields. KORBEL wines were so well received that two years later the brothers closed their dairy, converted all of their ranch lands to vineyards, and devoted all of their energy to wine-making. A tradition that was to become a legacy was well under way.The Korbel Winery continued to grow throughout the 1880s. It was during this time that the Korbels sent for winemaker Frank Hasek in Prague to come to the United States to be their champagne master. Employing the time-honored French method of producing champagne, méthode champenoise, the Korbels quietly but aggressively experimented with cuvées. By the mid-1890s, the Korbels shipped their first California champagnes, and by the turn of the century KORBEL was an internationally known, award-winning label.Taking advantage of Sonoma County's ability to produce high-quality pinot noir and chardonnay grapes, Adolf introduced KORBEL Natural', KORBEL Blanc de Blancs (100% chardonnay) and KORBEL Blanc de Noirs (100% pinot noir) – all of which he created using champagne yeasts he had developed himself. KORBEL. It is a name that tells the unique story of two families – their dreams, determination and dedication – and it is a name that stands for over 125 years of fine méthode champenoise California champagnes.
All KORBEL champagnes are made according to the traditional méthode champenoise technique, where the champagne is fermented inside the same bottle from which it is served. This time-honored process takes almost a year to complete. But the results are worth the wait. The taste of the méthode champenoise style is famous for its delicate nuances along with producing the countless streams of dazzling bubbles in every glass of KORBEL California Champagne.
The next time you come across a display in your local wine shop or supermarket, pick one up, you won't be disappointed!
Happy New Year!
Cheers!
J