Sparkling wine is so “in” right now. And when you try the Sparkling Rosé made by Denis Hoey of Odonata Wines, you’ll be thrilled to bits. It’s light, refreshing and simply delicious.
“Bubbles are for every occasion in our family,” says Hoey. “From any old Wednesday night to a birthday, it’s always a good time to pop a bottle.” He and his wife Claire have two small boys and a busy winery and tasting room to run, so I’m sure they’re ready to pop some open most days of the week.
Made of 100 percent Sangiovese grapes from the Machado Creek Vineyard in Santa Clara County, this festive pink bubbly—made in the classic méthode champenoise style—will first tickle your nose and then delight your tongue with flavors of cherry pie and a touch of cream. “The palate is filled with crisp mouthwatering acidity, along with strawberry and citrus,” says Hoey.
This 2015 Sparkling Rosé ($38) is also an amazingly flexible wine—pairing well with many kinds of food. And when the weekend rolls around, it’s a perfect time to treat yourselves and uncap a bottle of this rose-hued sparkler. It’s easy to open as there’s no cork involved, and the bottle closure is SIP (sustainable in practice) as Hoey always keeps the environment in mind. “It’s a playful closure, but serious wine inside,” he says.
At the end of July, Hoey closed his Santa Cruz tasting room on Mission Street to focus more on his property in Salinas. This is a lovely spot to hang out and try all of his wonderful wines, including his other sparkling wine, a 2015 Riesling.
Odonata Wines, 645 River Road, Salinas. Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 566-5147, odonatawines.com.
Capitola Art & Wine Festival
The Capitola Art & Wine Festival is all set to take place in Capitola Village on Sept. 8 and 9. Admission is free, but there’s a fee for wine tasting. Purchase a festival glass ($12) and then get tasting tokens ($1 each) at a Glass & Token Booth. Tastings vary between two to four tokens. Visit CapitolaArtandWine.com for more info.
