Ästad Vingård 16 Mousserande ~ Halland, Sweden

The Vigneview Verdict

I love exploring new wines and I’m happy to say that I’ve found a keeper in Sweden!

Drum roll please…

Let me introduce you to a bottle of Ästad Vingård 16 Mousserande which is a Brut Nature sparkling wine made entirely from the Solaris grape. This sparkling wine was made according to the traditional Champenoise Method using only the finest free run juice which was fermented in a combination of steel tanks, a concrete inert egg vessel, and lightly toasted new French oak barrels. The second fermentation took place in bottle for at least 18 months before disgorgement and no sugar was added during dosage. Ästad is currently experimenting with bottle ageing, as no really one knows how this grape variety develops over time.

In this case, the label tells all! Ästad’s sparkling wines are all vintage wines, clearly showcasing the year (eg: 16 for 2016). Additionally, three line graphs show the sunshine, temperature and rainfall patterns throughout the 2016 vintage. Such an impressive way of showcasing the grape’s journey throughout the growing season!

When our tasting host, Helena, poured this beautiful sparkling wine, I was so impressed with its pale yellow clarity and vibrant effervescence. Subtle notes of citrus blossoms lure you in along with green apple and a hint of marzipan. On the palate, this sparkling wine further delights with vibrantly, refreshing zesty lemon and grapefruit notes along with newly ripened orchard fruit on a tongue tingling finish. A truly delicious sparkling wine that I’m sure will only continue to impress with further ageing. Such a treat to try this Swedish bottle of bubbly!