Andre Extra Dry

Andre Extra Dry is an American sparkling wine labeled Massachusetts. The "Extra Dry" on the label is easy to misread. In sparkling wine terms it means a touch of sweetness, sitting between Brut and Dry, so expect a softly fruity wine rather than a bone-dry one. Styles like this usually show ripe apple, pear and citrus-peel notes with a hint of white flower. The body is light and the bubbles are lively, with moderate acidity that keeps the sweetness from feeling heavy. The label doesn't name the grape or the production method, so treat those as unconfirmed. That gentle sweetness makes it a good match for salty and spicy food. Try it with salted popcorn, fried chicken, potato chips, soft cheeses like brie, or mildly spiced dishes such as pad thai or sweet-and-sour pork, where a little residual sugar softens the heat. It also works with fruit tarts, shortcake and other desserts that aren't too sweet. A wine this fruity can taste thin next to a dessert sweeter than itself, so pair it with something lighter. It is a natural base for mimosas and spritzes too. For those, use about two parts sparkling wine to one part juice so the bubbles aren't lost. Serve it well chilled, around 40 to 45°F, which in a home fridge means roughly four hours or an hour in an ice bath. Colder serving keeps the sweetness in check and the bubbles fine. Don't decant it, since that would flatten the mousse. Open it by holding the cork and turning the bottle slowly so it releases with a sigh rather than a pop. A tulip-shaped flute or a white wine glass works well. The flute keeps the bubbles going longer, and the wider white wine glass gives the fruit more room. Drink it now. This bottle isn't meant for cellaring, and it will taste freshest and fruitiest when kept cool and upright, away from light and heat, and opened within a year or so of purchase. Once opened, a sparkling wine stopper will hold the carbonation for a day, but it is best finished the same evening.