WIA awards, day two! If you’re new around here, WIA stands for Wine Intrigue Awards, and during the next few weeks we’ll revisit our best, most popular, most re-requested wines of the year. One last chance to grab your favorites!

“One of the most accessible and well-priced expressions of high-end Italian sparkling wines you can find…” - Wine Advocate

Agent Noir’s faithful old Bosch fridge just passed away quietly. First it was building materials, apparently, there’s an appliance shortage too.

With Halloween around the corner, you know what’s even scarier though? A Yellow Label shortage!

More on all that here hot off press just yesterday.

Yes, that ubiquitous overpriced ($60+ now!) Champagne is HARD TO FIND in the post-pandemic world.

Enter Franciacorta. From the winery who INVENTED it.

No, not Prosecco. Although there are a handful of fine examples of that stuff, most of it is BORING. With Franciacorta we’re talking the real deal, Champagne replicas that threaten the queen of bubbles throne, giving it a run for the money.

Like this twenty-five buck sparkling that BLEW OUR MINDS. At the everywhere else $40+ price it’s still a tremendous buy. With our slick deal today, you should not let 2021 go by without cases of this stuff in your lockers and home stashes. Many celebrations lie ahead, you don’t want to be caught unprepared.

You like ‘em crisp & fresh? Check. How about rich & doughy? Check-check. This actually combines the two stylistic opposites gracefully. First the nose. It’s citrus-laden, with hints of apple skin and just baked butter biscuit. The first sip is all about the fine mousse, almost creamy with joyful sparks that tickle the palate. Grapefruit, nectarine, pear, and green papaya are some of the layers that follow, with that brilliantly subtle cookie dough note enhancing the experience. Finishes clean and long, leaving a yearning for the next flute, and the bottle is gone before you know it.

Pairings? Pretty much anything goes. Though your favorite fried chicken sumpin sumpin would hugely benefit from popping one of these with it.

Oh, almost forgot. You want something crazy special at an equally insane discount? Check out the 2012 vintage Berlucchi we snuck into the Store today, it’s the one you want to save for a special occasion.

Did we mention the consistently glowing reviews? Don’t miss this one!

92 Points – Wine Enthusiast

“A blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Nero, this refined sparkler opens with heady aromas of white wild flower, citrus and a whiff of bread crust. On the lively palate, fresh acidity brightens creamy white peach, Golden Delicious apple and lemon drop. A brioche note wraps up the finish.”

91 Points – Decanter

“Aromas of green apple, pear and lemon zest lead to a creamy palate with sweet spices, apple, brioche and subtle tropical fruits. There’s a lemony character to the bright acidity, which helps to keep the richness in check and leads to a biscuity finish. Matured in bottle sur lie for at least 24 months. Drink 2020-2026.”

90 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“This is one of the most accessible and well-priced expressions of high-end (Classic Method) Italian sparkling wines you can find on the market today. The NV Franciacorta ‘61 Brut is fresh and zesty with a long and festive set of easy-drinking qualities. You get citrus, stone fruit and sweet almond all backed by persistent perlage. The wine represents a blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Nero aged on the lees for two years.”

90 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous

“The NV Franciacorta ’61 Brut blends power with richness and bright, primary fruits to create a wonderfully pleasing experience. Citrus-tinged apples and apricots mingle with dried field grass and hints of brioche. It’s teeming with energy but also soft and soothing, with a slightly exotic and almost-tropical note on the palate. Minerals and residual acids slowly fizzle out, leaving a complete fresh sensation. This is a blend of 90% Chardonnay to 10% Pinot Noir. Drink 2020-2024.”

90 Points – Wine Spectator

“A rich and creamy Franciacorta that remains fresh and graceful thanks to a backbone of mouthwatering acidity. Offers a crowd-pleasing mix of baked melon, lemon-infused pastry cream, chopped hazelnut and candied ginger. Drink now through 2023.”