The heritage of this beloved beverage dates back to 1872 in the Graves region of Bordeaux France. It was the only wine aperitif of the region blended with fruit macerations, at that time called Kina Lillet. The name Lillet comes from the ancestors of the merchants who came to the area in the 1600s.
The holidays are a time when sparkling wines get to shine. From classic Champagne to Prosecco and sparklers from England and the United States, it is a style that has been mastered around the globe. Below are the top sparkling wines from Ultimate Wine Challenge 2018 from 5 countries.
American brandy tends to take a back seat to European expressions, but things are changing. The Argonaut line from California exemplifies just how capable the United States is of producing world class brandy. With high scores of 95 and 92 Points, these are a sign of what is to come from the domestic brandy market.
Dessert wine continues to gain favor among new and younger drinkers, albeit slowly. Especially alongside a cheese plate, there are few pleasures that compare to a beautifully balanced sweet wine. The holiday season and cold weather offer even more encouragement to sink into one of these treasures, the top 6 of 2018’s Ultimate Wine Challenge, all scoring over 90 Points.