Roederer Estate Brut

Roederer Estate Brut is an American sparkling wine in the dry Brut style. Bottles labeled this way usually sit at roughly 6 to 12 grams of residual sugar per liter, which tastes crisp rather than sweet. The listing doesn't give a blend, vintage, or dosage, so expect the usual profile for traditional-method American Brut: green apple, pear, and citrus peel on the nose. Many wines in this style also carry a toasty, brioche-like note from time on the lees. The body is typically light to medium, with fine, persistent bubbles and bright acidity that keeps the palate clean. There is no meaningful tannin, and oak influence in this style is usually subtle at most. The finish tends to be dry and refreshing, with a hint of almond or baked bread. The acidity and the bubbles cut through fat and salt, which makes this style a natural match for fried foods such as tempura, fried chicken, or potato chips. Raw oysters, smoked salmon, soft triple-cream cheeses like brie, and salted nuts also work. At a brunch table it suits eggs, buttery pastries, and lightly cured meats. Because it is dry, it pairs less well with sweet desserts, which can make the wine taste sharp. A fruit tart with restrained sugar is a safer choice. Serve it well chilled, around 42 to 48°F. In practice that means about three hours in the refrigerator, or 25 to 30 minutes in an ice bucket with water and ice. Colder than that mutes the aromas, and warmer makes the bubbles foamy and the alcohol more noticeable. Do not decant it, since that would release the carbonation. Open the bottle gently, easing the cork out with a soft sigh rather than a pop, and pour in two stages to control the foam. A tulip-shaped flute or a white wine glass both suit it. The narrower flute keeps the bubbles lively, while the wider white wine glass lets the fruit and bready notes show. Nonvintage Brut is generally made to be enjoyed within a couple of years of purchase, so treat this as a bottle to drink now rather than one to cellar. Store it cool, dark, and on its side until you chill it.