Mumm’s the Word
You will often hear folks refer to sparkling wine as “Champagne,” but this is an accurate description only if that bottle is from the French region named Champagne. There was a time when no other sparkling wines could come close to the quality produced in France, but that’s not true today. California sparklers can deliver the complexity, richness, and length of finish to rival those made by the French.
Mumm is one such producer to try for your next sparkling wine. Located in Napa Valley and growing fruit in vineyards in the southern, cooler part of the valley, Mumm offers many different wines to please your palate. A visit to the winery is not only refreshing but also enlightening when it comes to the production of their wines. Just recently, I took their tour and found it well done and informative.
Predominately, Mumm uses Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes to produce their sparkling wine. Rarely, the blends include Pinot Meunier. Mumm also includes small amounts of Pinot Gris in some of their wines.
One of the most interesting aspects of sparkling wine is the process by which carbon dioxide is dissolved in the wine. Mumm produces their sparkling wine by the Méthode Traditionnelle, which is the same process used in Champagne. Secondary fermentation, which takes place in the bottle, is the beginning of the process to dissolve the carbon dioxide. The removal of the yeast “cap” is fascinating, as they freeze the neck of the bottle to remove it and then re-cork the bottle. Here is a link to their video on the process. https://www.mummnapa.com/about/methode-traditionnelle.
Have you ever wondered how many bubbles are in a bottle of sparkling wine? (Yes, it has been studied.) None, if the bottle is not opened, since the gas is still dissolved in the wine. Upon opening, a bottle contains about 100 million bubbles. The bubbles are significant in sparkling wine. It has been said that the quality of the wine is reflected in the size and quantity of the bubbles. A high quantity of smaller bubbles reflects a better quality.
Sparkling wine is not just reserved for special events and holidays today. It is a wonderful apéritif to start a meal and a perfect accompaniment to many dishes. Don’t hesitate to try some wonderful blends by a variety of producers. Mumm is a great example of the quality that is available in our marketplace today.
Enjoy!
