N Collection Brut Bubbles

After two decades in the winemaking industry, Natalie launched a new wine label. This venture is unlike anything she or her family have previously undertaken. Her goal with this label is to explore Washington State for high-quality, finished bulk wines, which she will purchase, bottle, and present to all of you. She remain dedicated to her family’s passion for making these wines accessible to everyone at fair prices.

I absolutely adore sparkling wine! I mean, I truly LOVE it! However, I have never had the opportunity to create it myself due to the lack of essential equipment, such as a pressurized tank and a specialized corker on the bottling line. Many wineries produce their wine and send it to another facility that can add carbonation and bottle it for them. While I have thought about that route, I prefer the traditional method for making sparkling wine. It requires more time and effort, but I believe it results in a far superior product! Here’s a fantastic article that explains the various methods of crafting sparkling wine: https://winefolly.com/deep-dive/how-sparkling-wine-is-made/.

Natalie’s Tasting Notes

I sampled ten different sparkling wines from three distinct sources to determine my favorite. I specifically sought a wine that was either Extra Dry or Brut (drier than Extra Dry). Among my tastings, I tried two rosé wines and eight white wines, ultimately falling in love with the flavor profile of the white blends. The sparkling wine I selected is, of course, crafted using the traditional method and has a brut sugar level, making it nearly completely dry. This wine is a blend from various AVAs and vintages, which is why we have labeled it as Columbia Valley without a specific vintage. It comprises 61.8% Chardonnay, 12.7% Pinot Noir, 7.7% Pinot Gris, and 17.8% other white varieties. I found the inclusion of Pinot Noir particularly intriguing, as the wine is  pale yellow, with no hint of pink.  I’ve already enjoyed numerous bottles myself, and I am confident you will love it too! Aromas of tropical fruit with cream followed by flavors of bright peach and stonefruits and lime with kiwi nuances and a creamy mouthfeel lingering.

Winemakers

Mike Conway & Natalie Conway-Barnes