Freixenet Carta Nevada Sparkling

On October 6th, we were lucky enough to see some good friends get married. Mr & Mrs. AB received a whole case of Freixenet Carta Nevada Sparkling wine. They drank some straight from the bottle in their mirrored jacuzzi tub, so you know, not a bad time. This week we've asked them to share their experience (regarding the wine, of course) with us, along with a bottle of the bubbly.

Mrs. AB: I like it! I normally don't enjoy wine, but it's similar to Alexander Keith's Apple Cider, so that's a good thing.  It dances on your palette and finishes nicely, no bitter after-taste. You could serve it with cheese for a cocktail hour.

Mr AB: It's sweet with a tart aftertaste and dry finishing notes. A solid wine for watching Jersey Shore. Also makes a great sangria when mixed with cranberrry juice, berries, and oranges. Smells spicy, rugged like the Canadian Shield on a crisp winter day.

A: I found this wine to be effervescent. Sparkling, bright, one minute it's there, the next its gone. It is pretty citrusy on the palate, I got a bit of lemon off the top. It perhaps tasted a bit nutty, but that might have been the after-taste from the coconut on my frozen yogurt. I would drink this with cheesy appetizers, maybe involving asparagus or black olives?

M: A nice wine, not exactly an everyday, snuggle on the couch vintage, but good for celebrating with friends, whether that be an engagement-type celebration or a made-it-to-the-weekend-type. The bottle is frosted with a beautiful gold wrap, and would be a great gift without much more embellishment. As for price, there's nothing more budget than free.

Cat Tail Creek - Serendipity Rosé 2010

Made in Four Mile Creek, a VQA or Vintners Quality Alliance aka the peeps that make sure wine is a. made in Canada and b. not from a bath tub.

A says: This is a fruit-forward wine, with heavy raspberry, strawberry and cranberry tastes at the front. Almost a cotton candy sweetness while keeping a certain dryness that prevents it from being annoying. While not sparkling wine, it leaves a delightful sparkle on the tongue. It did not pair well with all-dressed Crispers but was a terrific match for chocolate-covered coconut balls from your local bulk food store.

M says: Rosés are not my go-to variety, but this one is great. A  really easy-drinking wine that's between sweet and dry (precise no?). It would be good to drink by itself, especially on a girl's night, or with a sweet treat. Basically a classy version of strawberry Wild Vines, need I say more?

A New Vintage

Here at Casa de Grad Student we believe that wine should be enjoyed by everyone, frequently. Not just by people who can afford fancy cheeses or Dom Pérignon, but by everyday hardworking, can-barely-afford-mac-n-cheese (grad student) people. So with that in mind, pick up your discounted bulk bin snack my friends and let's have a drink!