Pol Roger Brut Reserve

Listed as Pol Roger Brut Reserve, this is a 750ml bottle of brut sparkling wine, and the listing gives its origin as Massachusetts, United States. The details don't name the grapes, vintage, dosage or production method, so the tasting notes below describe what brut-style sparkling wines usually deliver, not a measured profile of this bottle. Expect a dry finish with crisp, fairly high acidity, fine persistent bubbles, and a fruit profile of green apple, pear and citrus. Many wines in this style add a light bread-dough or toasted-brioche note from time on the lees, though that depends on how this one was made. Oak is usually absent or very restrained in brut sparkling wines, and tannin is not a factor. Body typically runs light to medium, with the acidity doing most of the work on the palate. Serve it well chilled, around 42 to 47°F (6 to 8°C). A couple of hours in the refrigerator, or about 20 minutes in an ice bucket with water and ice, gets it there. Colder than that mutes the aromatics, and warmer makes the bubbles feel coarse and the dryness more austere. Decanting isn't needed and works against a sparkling wine, since it releases the carbonation. Pour it straight from the bottle after opening it slowly so the cork eases out with a sigh instead of a pop. For glassware, a tulip-shaped flute or a white wine glass with a modest bowl is best. The tulip shape holds the bubbles and still leaves room for aroma, and a wider white wine glass shows more of the fruit and bready notes. Avoid the shallow coupe, which lets the aromas and carbonation disperse quickly. Its dry, high-acid style suits salty and fried foods best. Try it with oysters, tempura, fried chicken, potato chips, soft-ripened cheeses such as brie, or smoked salmon on blinis. It also works with sushi and light seafood pastas. If the bottle turns out to have a touch of residual sweetness, it will handle mildly spicy dishes too. Treat it as a drink-now bottle. Most brut sparkling wine is made for release-day enjoyment, and the listing gives no vintage or ageing information to suggest otherwise. Keep it upright or on its side in a cool, dark spot, and drink it within a year or two of purchase for the freshest fruit and liveliest bubbles.