Nicolas Feuillatte Brut

This 375ml half bottle of Brut sparkling wine is listed under the Massachusetts appellation in the United States. Brut is the dry style of sparkling wine, so expect crisp, low-sugar wine with bright acidity, fine persistent bubbles and flavors of green apple, citrus, and pear. Depending on the grapes and how long it spent on the lees, you may also find a touch of toasted bread or brioche. The listing doesn't give the grape blend, vintage, or dosage figure, so treat those notes as the usual profile for Brut, not a measured description of this bottle. The half-bottle size suits a small group. It pours about two generous glasses or three smaller ones, which makes it a practical choice for a toast for two, a dinner starter, or a bottle you want to finish while the bubbles are lively. Open it once and drink it, since an opened sparkling wine loses its fizz within a day even with a stopper. Serve it well chilled, around 42 to 46°F (6 to 8°C). A couple of hours in the refrigerator, or about 30 minutes in an ice bucket of half ice and half water, gets it there. Don't decant it. Pouring it into a decanter would strip the carbonation. Use a tulip-shaped sparkling glass or a white wine glass rather than a wide coupe. The narrower opening keeps the aromas concentrated and the bubbles lasting longer. Hold the cork as you ease it out so it releases with a soft sigh rather than a pop. Brut's acidity and dryness make it a strong match for salty and fried foods such as oysters, shrimp, and fries. It also works with soft cheeses like brie or fresh goat cheese, smoked salmon, and light egg dishes. Its crispness cuts through rich, buttery sauces as well. It's meant to be enjoyed now. Non-vintage Brut is made for immediate drinking, and keeping it for years isn't likely to improve it.