Raventos Muntanya Brut

Raventos Muntanya Brut is a sparkling wine listed from Massachusetts in the United States, and the Brut designation tells you the style: dry, with little perceptible sweetness. The listing doesn't name the grape blend, vintage or production method, so the notes below describe what dry sparkling wines of this type usually offer, not a measured profile of this bottle. Expect fine, persistent bubbles, bright acidity and a crisp, clean finish. Typical flavors in the style are green apple, pear and citrus peel, sometimes with a light bread-dough or almond note if the wine spent time on its lees. New England growing conditions tend to favor high natural acidity, which suits sparkling wine. Sparkling wines don't carry tannin and rarely show noticeable oak, so the texture comes from the acidity and the bubbles. That acidity makes it a useful table wine as well as an aperitif. Brut sparkling cuts through fried and salty foods, so it works with clam strips, fish and chips, tempura, kettle chips and fried chicken. Oysters and other raw shellfish are a natural match. It also suits soft, creamy cheeses such as brie or fresh goat cheese, and egg dishes at brunch. If you want a tighter pairing, choose lightly salted, simply prepared food and avoid anything sweet, because a sweet dish makes a dry wine taste thinner and sharper. Serve it well chilled, around 40 to 45°F (4 to 7°C). A couple of hours in the refrigerator, or about 30 minutes in an ice bucket with water and ice, will get it there. Colder than that mutes the fruit, and warmer makes the bubbles feel coarse. Do not decant it, since that would release the carbonation. Open the bottle by holding the cork and turning the bottle slowly so it comes out with a soft sigh. Pour into a tulip-shaped glass or a white wine glass, which holds the aromas better than a wide, shallow coupe. A flute keeps the bubbles lively but gives the nose less room. Treat this as a drink-now bottle. Nothing in the listing points to a style built for long cellaring, and non-vintage Brut is generally at its freshest within a few years of release. Keep it upright or on its side in a cool, dark place until you chill it.