What Carolyn Pours: Areté Brings A Little Sparkle To Any Occasion

Sparkling wine has the ability to elevate the everyday. There is something about the bubbly effervescence that always brings pure pleasure and that makes me want to drink some regularly and not just on special occasions. A glass of sparkling at the end of the day is like a small celebration even when nothing special is happening. It is like lighting a candle at the dinner table on a Tuesday and makes the moment feel special. 

Although it is sometimes hard to find a really good inexpensive sparkling wine for less than $50, this bottle of 2023 Areté from Iris Vineyards in Oregon’s the Willamette Valley hits all the right notes. Readily available for around $40 this blanc de noirs elevates any occasion. 

The term brut blanc de noirs on the label is French for “white from blacks,” and in a sparkling wine it means the wine is made from dark skinned grapes;in this case pinot noir. 

The juice is pressed very gently so it has little or no contact with the skin of the grape, resulting in a beautiful pale gold wine. One of this winery's guiding philosophies is Areté, which is an ancient Greek concept meaning “excellence through continuous improvement.” 

The vineyards at Iris are dry farmed, meaning that the grapes are grown without regular irrigation. In a region like the Willamette Valley, winter and spring rains are plentiful. Most wine critics agree that this style of farming encourages deep root growth which results in fruit with greater complexity and most importantly a strong sense of place.

Another thing I particularly liked about this wine is its mousse, the foam and bubbles that you see when the wine is poured into the glass. I believe one should always splurge on some nice champagne flutes when drinking a sparkling wine, because then you can truly see the meaning of what is typically referred to as persistent mousse. 

This wine has an aroma of strawberries and passionfruit, both of which I love, and may be why I immediately ordered a few more bottles to have on hand. It also has a refreshing bright acidity, which, if you are a dry white wine lover, you will really enjoy. 

What makes a sparkling wine unique is its combination of freshness and texture resulting in a perfect pairing to oysters, seafood and creamy cheeses. A favorite pairing of mine is to sip it while enjoying some buttery popcorn, another reason not to save it for a special occasion. This is the kind of wine that makes any time you sip it a celebration. Areté lives up to its name while remaining a wine meant to be enjoyed, not just admired.

If you would like to try this wine for yourself The Wine Seller in Port Townsend usually has some available or can order it for you. Ordering directly from IrisVineyards.com is also an option. Cheers!