*** I received this wine as a sample. ***

Last night was President Obama’s State of the Union (SOTU) address.  Regardless of who the President is, people all over America watch the SOTU.  However, in DC, it isn’t just a speech…it’s an “event.”  Capitol Hill staffers leave work between 5 and 6 (which is early) because of Secret Service security sweeps and road closures around the Capitol.  Many Washingtonians gather with friends at local bars to watch the speech in the same way that many Americans gather on Sundays to watch football.  Or, often, people will attend a friend’s viewing party where SOTU drinking games are played.

In January 2000, six months after I moved to the DC area and long before I started working on federal policy issues, I experienced my first Washington SOTU address.  Of course, it was at one of the drinking game parties.  As hard as it is for me to believe, this year was my 12th SOTU, and while it couldn’t quite compare to the excitement of that first one, there is always an energy and magnetism around the event that I enjoy.  I didn’t attend a party or head to a bar, but I did decide to drink something nice while I watched at home.  So, I opened a bottle of bubbly!

The Lucien Albrecht Brut Blanc de Blancs (winery, snooth) was 100% Pinot Blanc and had a medium straw color.  On the nose, there were hints of buttered biscuits and lemons.  In the mouth, there were limes, lemon custard, and a toasty, yeastiness.  The wine had more fizz than sparkle in the mouth, along with a bright acidity and a light-to-medium body.

Is this worth a glass after work? Sure…you won’t be drinking anything out of the ordinary, but you’ll have a decent, reliable glass of wine.  At a SRP $17, this was a very fresh, enjoyable, and affordable bottle of sparkles.  I ended up having several glasses; the first was with the lobster tails and fresh green beans that Hubby made for dinner.  The delicate flavors mixed with the fattiness from the lobster’s butter were the perfect combination with the acidity and delicate flavors of the bubbly.  Afterwards, the wine went well with the pre-SOTU commentary, as well as with the speech itself.

While I enjoyed the Blanc de Blancs, if I were choosing between the it and the Lucien Albrecht Brut Rosé, I would spend a few dollars more and grab a bottle of the pink bubbly.  Maybe it was the dinner combination or maybe it was the fact that I was pseudo-working when I opened this bottle, but the Rosé just had a little extra something that I preferred.

Question of the Day: Did you watch the State of the Union address last night? If so, did you enjoy an adult beverage while watching?

 

Suggested Retail Price: $17
Received as a sample.
Overall: 3 Corks