Zesty & Zingy Levels in Sparkling Wines

Many Champagne and sparkling wines will offer a citrus burst, that expression of lemon zest, lime peel, tangerines, pink grapefruits and more. Refreshing and invigorating, some of us look for this feature in wines knowing that a zesty acidity will liven the palate and also enable it to pair well with many styles of foods.

The ‘Zesty & Zingy’ category (A wine that will likely be citrus flavoured with a definite zing to it) at the Glass of Bubbly Champagne & Sparkling Wine Awards is all about finding those wines which offer out fresh citrus/zesty/tangy tastes. This is usually a pleasant taste sensation, not too sharp nor sour and is combined with other flavours and aromas – We are not talking about simply freshly squeezed lemon juice that is reacted to by weird facial expressions! We can also get a burst of zestiness from green apples, kiwis, pineapple, gooseberry and more.

 

To test out this category we decided to taste a couple of Gold Medal Winners and the Trophy Winner from the 2020 Awards:

Full list of Gold & Trophy Winners:

2020 Trophy Winner – ‘Zesty & Zingy’

Raimes – Classic 2015: “English country garden aromas from nettles to the fresh vegetables on the allotment. A vegetarian quiche, gooseberry, freshly cut grass and more. All this for the amazing aromas! Invigorating and fresh flavours. Freshly cut grass, orchard fruits, kiwi, citrus, touch of savoury pastry, foliage, vegetal and more. Most pleasant and deserved Trophy Winner at the 2020 Glass of Bubbly Awards in the category of ‘Zesty & Zingy’.”

Gold Medal Winners 2020 – ‘Zesty & Zingy’

Champagne Phal B. De Beaufort – Origin Elle Bouzy Brut Nature 2009: “This Champagne has an incredible 9 year of lees ageing. The nose is a blast of zesty yellow fruits from citrus to apricot, it is most refreshing initially with a gradual emergence of red berries and pastry notes with length in the glass. There are many layers expressed in the flavour of this Champagne with a once again zesty / mineral style at first that mellows to deliver acidic red berries / citrus / white floral / flaky pastry and a dry, crispy length. The wine improves immensely as it reaches room temp.”

Martincic – Quattro Momenti: “Soft and silky white floral, yellow fruits including citrus, touch of pastry. A soft and refreshing citrus acidity initially flowing to yellow floral and minerals at the close. Ideal for certain types of food pairings.”

Schlumberger – Chardonnay Reserve: “Smooth and near creamy green fruits and plenty of floral on the nose. Touch of citrus zesty initially which mellows pleasantly to silky white floral and citrus Pleasant, soft, easy to drink.“