July 9, 2011

Henkell Trocken Sekt

About four or five times a year I wonder out loud to anyone in earshot, "Why do we only drink champagne to celebrate something? Why can't we have it as an everyday house wine?" But do I ever do anything about it? No. At least, not until now. The Henkell was the only cold wine I could find in the house, and none of the reds had screwtops, so I quietly popped the cork (kids just went to bed) and had some sparkling wine for no reason.

To be honest this has been a favorite of mine for a long time, pretty much since I started drinking wine. I'm sure a lot of it is the association with hundreds of memories experienced while holding a glass of Henkell Trocken. Hey, it was a fine day today so let's celebrate. Somebody famous, a writer but I can't remember who, once said he has a glass of champagne every morning to start the day, just because he can.

In case you didn't know: "champagne" refers to sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France only. Apparently everything else is properly called "sparkling wine" or some local variation. Even sparkling wines from elsewhere in France can't be called champagne.

Henkell Trocken is amazingly consistent: I don't remember ever having a bottle that tasted different from what it tastes like now. Medium bubbles, dry but with a very little honey sweetness and a creamy finish. Nicely acidic, this can be sampled on its own or with any cheese, seafood or curry dish. Once in a while I get to try some more expensive champagnes, and while I do appreciate them I think I like good old Henkell as much as any of them.

89 points. Usually around $11-12 at Superstore.