Chandon Étoile Brut is the prestige non-vintage sparkling wine of Domaine Chandon in Napa Valley, made in the traditional method and bottled at 12% ABV.
It is blended from each vintage's highest-quality blocks from the house's Los Carneros vineyard, together with a wide range of library base wines from many years, then aged a minimum of five years on its lees.
That long ageing gives Étoile a creaminess and depth well beyond most American sparkling wines, with toasty brioche and nutty notes around ripe pear, citrus and baked apple, and a fine, persistent mousse.
Carneros, at the cool southern end of Napa and Sonoma where breezes and fog roll in from San Pablo Bay, is ideal for the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that make great sparkling wine.
Domaine Chandon was founded in 1973 by Moët & Chandon bringing Champagne methods to Napa Valley. Étoile, meaning star, is the cuvée that shows those methods at their most ambitious, and it makes a superb alternative to Champagne for any celebration.
Traditional-method sparkling wine is made the same way as Champagne: a still base wine is bottled with a little yeast and sugar, and the second fermentation in the bottle creates fine, persistent bubbles. Time resting on the spent yeast, the lees, adds the toasty, brioche-like notes that set these wines apart from tank-fermented styles.
Specifications
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Producer: Domaine Chandon, Napa Valley, California
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Style: Traditional method sparkling, non-vintage Brut
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Vineyards: Los Carneros plus library base wines
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Ageing: Minimum 5 years on the lees
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ABV: 12%
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Serve well chilled, at about 45 to 48°F, in a tulip glass. It pairs well with oysters, crab, fried chicken and soft cheeses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chandon Étoile Brut?
Domaine Chandon's prestige non-vintage sparkling wine from Napa Valley.
How long is it aged?
A minimum of five years on the lees.
How is it made?
In the traditional method, with a second fermentation in the bottle.
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