Herzog NV Special Reserve Méthode Champenoise Chardonnay Russian River Valley Sparkling Wine 750ml

Herzog’s Special Reserve Méthode Champenoise is a kosher sparkling wine made the same way as Champagne. It’s 100% Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley, a region renowned for sparkling wine because it pairs warm days with cool, fog-drenched evenings that keep acidity high. The Special Reserve series, in Herzog’s words, “curates California’s most regarded wine growing regions and small lot artisan winemaking.” The wine is made by the traditional method: the second fermentation that creates the bubbles takes place in the individual bottle, and the bottles are then turned by hand for at least a year so the yeast infuses the wine evenly. The winery acknowledges it is “more timely and costly” but says it “produces the tightest bubbles and the cleanest flavors and textures a sparkling can have.” The bottle celebrates over 180 years of Herzog family winemaking, a heritage that began in Europe and now runs through Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard, California, one of the leading kosher wine producers in the United States. The tasting notes describe a wine that is “elegant and fresh on the palate, crisp and lively notes of green apple, lime zest and lemon custard with hints of candied ginger and sugar cookie on the finish.” It’s vegan, OU kosher, mevushal, and Kosher for Passover, which makes it a rare kosher sparkling wine with a traditional-method pedigree, and a natural choice for a Seder, a wedding toast, Rosh Hashanah, or any celebration where you want a serious bottle of bubbles for a kosher table. Origins & Craftsmanship Herzog NV Special Reserve Méthode Champenoise Chardonnay is produced by Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard, California, from 100% Chardonnay grown in the Russian River Valley, Sonoma County. It is made by the méthode champenoise: secondary fermentation in the individual bottle, with the bottles turned by hand for at least a year. It is OU kosher, mevushal, Kosher for Passover, and vegan. 750ml. Critics Reviews No numerical critic scores are published for this wine. Herzog (official tasting notes): “Elegant and fresh on the palate, crisp and lively notes of green apple, lime zest and lemon custard with hints of candied ginger and sugar cookie on the finish.” Tasting Profile Nose Fresh green apple and lime zest, with lemon custard. Palate Elegant, fresh, crisp, and lively, with green apple, lime zest, and lemon custard, carried by tight bubbles. Finish Clean, with hints of candied ginger and sugar cookie. Quick Overview Category Details Style Traditional Method Sparkling Wine — Blanc de Blancs, Non-Vintage Appellation Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California Variety 100% Chardonnay Producer Herzog Wine Cellars — Oxnard, California Family Heritage Over 180 years of Herzog family winemaking Method Méthode champenoise; bottles hand-turned for at least a year Kosher OU Kosher, Mevushal, Kosher for Passover Vegan Yes Style / Identity A crisp, citrusy, traditional-method kosher sparkling wine Aromas & Flavors Green apple, lime zest, lemon custard, candied ginger, sugar cookie Bottle Size 750ml Food Pairings Smoked salmon and fresh seafood Sushi and light appetizers Roast chicken Soft cheeses and fruit desserts Serving Note Serve well chilled as an aperitif or a celebration toast.