Domaine Bousquet is located in the Gualtallary Valley, a scenic, remote, arid terrain high in the Tupungato district of the Uco Valley in Argentina’s Mendoza region, close to the border with Chile. With altitudes ranging up to 5,249 feet, Gualtallary occupies the highest extremes of Mendoza’s viticultural limits. Having purchased the bare land in 1997, today, Domaine Bousquet has a striking modern winery, complete with a hospitality area and restaurant, and the property accounts for 667 acres planted under vine.

Domaine Bousquet is Argentina’s largest exporter of wines made from certified organic grapes. All wines are made from 100% certified organic fruit. They are known for producing a wide range of premium red, white and rosé wines, in addition to these two wonderful sparkling wines.

Méthode Traditionnelle Brut Rosé ($18)

This Brut Rosé sparkling wine is produced from 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay (two of the traditional grapes used in Champagne). The grapes are manually harvested and undergo cold maceration for 24 hours before being fermented for 15 days. After six months of aging on lees, the second fermentation takes place in the bottle in the traditional method.

This sparkling rosé is pale copper in color with dusty aromas of tropical fruits and citrus. On the palate it is subtle grapefruit flavor, good acidity and so of a sweet/tart finish.

ABV = 12%, Total Acidity = 8.75 g/L, pH = 3.05, Residual Sugar = 8.1 g/L

Méthode Traditionnelle Brut ($18)

This Brut sparkling wine is produced from 75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir, just the reverse proportions of the sparkling rosé. The grapes are manually harvested and undergo cold maceration for 24 hours before being fermented for 15 days. After six months of aging on lees, the second fermentation takes place in the bottle in the traditional method.

This sparkling brut is pale gold in color with faint aromas of yellow apple and almond. On the palate it has delicate flavors of tropical fruit, good acidity and a pleasant aftertaste.

ABV = 12%, Total Acidity = 8.92 g/L, pH = 3.05, Residual Sugar = 8.1 g/L

These two sparkling wines from Domaine Bousquet are perfect for celebrating the holidays and affordably priced, making them this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Samples Provided by Domaine Bousquet and Origins Organic Imports