Battle Of The Brut: Kingsley Vs. Opaline
Kingsley Brut Rosé VS. Opaline Brut Rosé
Kingsley California Sparkling Wine
GRAPES: Unknown
VINTAGE: Unknown
REGION: Healdsburg, California
ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE: 12.5%
PRICE: $6.99
Opaline Pinot Noir Brut Rosé
GRAPES: Pinot Noir
VINTAGE: Unknown
REGION: France (Specific Region Unknown)
ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE: 12.0%
PRICE: $7.99
As we continue with our Drink The Rainbow Series, I thought that we’d change it up a bit this week and sample two different sparkling rosé wines. I’m a girl who believes that you should have bubbles for every occasion and not limit them to celebratory instances. And as a good Southern girl, I ALWAYS have a bottle chilled for unexpected guests or when I just need a glass.
I thought it might be interesting to compare and sample two very similar wines from very different regions. Our first rosé, Kingsley, hails from California and is bottled by custom crush winery, Rack and Riddle. Rack and Riddle are known for producing many of the sparkling wines we know and love so when I found this at Trader Joe’s for $6.99, I grabbed a bottle immediately. Kingsley was produced using the Méthode Champenoise, which is not typical at this price point. Yet another selling point.
Our next contestant on Battle of the Brut is Opaline which hails from France (specific region unknown). This bottle caught my eye as it’s beautiful and quite unique. It’s rather a tough one to find in the Nashville market. I’ve spotted it on a handful of occasions, but if you spot it- snag it! If nothing else, the bottle alone is a conversation piece.
I poured glasses of each and hosted a side by side tasting. While I thought there would be some similarities, I was shocked at how different they were. However, there was a clear standout of the evening.
TASTING NOTES:
Both bottles have a lovely pale pink/salmon hue
Kingsley had significantly more bubbles than Opaline. In fact, they lasted the entire tasting, while Opaline’s bubbles fizzled.
Kingsley tasting notes: melon, yeasty bread, medium acidity; strawberry on the nose and in the mouth but citrus/lemon tartness and finish. Intense pucker factor.
Opaline tasting notes: strawberry and apple on the nose; well-balanced acidity; notes of sweetness in the mouth; semi-dry; definitely more depth
Verdict: Y’all, while these sparkling rosés may have looked similar, they couldn’t have tasted more different. As I sipped on the Kingsley, I was reminded of the Strawberry-Lemon hand cream Trader Joe’s currently has stocked. Certainly more bubbles but the flavor and acidity weren’t for me. Honestly, after that one glass, I poured out the bottle. And you guys know how it hurts my heart to waste wine. However, the Opaline was the standout of the evening. Not only was it well balanced and had more depth, but it will drink well solo or play well with others, including a fabulous charcuterie board. If you spot that gorgeous bottle in the store, grab one or two, and get chilling!
Until Next Time!