Gruet Winery’s NV Blanc de Noirs recently received a rating of 90 points from Wine Spectator. This is the first wine from New Mexico to receive a 90 point rating from this prestigious organization. Gruet has come a long way from its humble beginnings in Ingle, New Mexico to the world class wine producer it is today. Gruet is distributed in 49 of the 50 states, with some of our largest markets being New York, California and Nevada. The award winning wines from Gruet have played a huge role in making New Mexico synonymous around the country with affordable, quality wines. The terroir of our vineyards in Ingle, New Mexico provide excellent growing conditions with a combination of rich soils, warm days and cool nights. Laurent Gruet, our experienced and passionate winemaker, as once again proven that a high quality wine product can be achieved here in New Mexico.

California and New Mexico can always deliver the goods when it comes to sparkling wine at a fair price. Exhibit No. 1: this week’s collection of newly released wines.
When you’re looking for value in bubbly, always think non-vintage (NV). The entry-level wine for most producers, “non-vintage” actually means the wine includes a range of vintages. One vintage—typically a three- or four-year-old wine—dominates, but producers blend in older wines to fill out weak spots and, more importantly, to maintain a house style.

Leading the pack this week is the Roederer Estate Brut Rosé NV, a rich and lively pink bubbly from Mendocino County. Roederer’s sister winery, Scharffenberger, offers two of the best value bubblies of the year with its NV Brut and Brut Rosé.

Gruet shines again this year with its Blanc de Noirs New Mexico NV, a crisp and focused sparkler. Its NV Blanc de Blancs and Brut Rosé are solid values at $14. Gruet, for the uninitiated, may be located in toasty New Mexico, but its vineyards are located at a brisk 4,300 feet up.

GRUET Blanc de Noirs New Mexico NV Score: 90 | $14
Elegant and focused, with creamy vanilla and apple aromas and rich yet crisp flavors of baked pear and cinnamon bread. Drink now through 2014. 20,000 cases made. —T.F.