Right now Soter is very interesting for me. Looking to expand my sparkling wine palate into domestic U.S. sparkling wines if any of you have any suggestion I would appreciate it very much.
Second Roederer. In Oregon have been partial to Argyle extended tirage. But I think this is an area to keep an eye on in Oregon over the next few years. Bunch of established people/places pursuing sparking projects and some new producers focusing on it, like Mellen Meyer.
But I’m happy to see people mention Schramsberg. Last time I did a Napa visit (and that was 16 years ago mind you) it was one of the highlights. I remember them harping how they always declare a vintage even on their entry level bottlings and that stuck with me. This was before I ever heard of grower Champagne. I’m sure there are good arguments that Roederer might be “better” but I have a soft spot in my heart for Schramsberg.
Votes for Schramsberg, Roederer’s L’Ermitage and Ultramarine. The first two have a “big house champagne” style to them, whereas Ultramarine definitely has a “grower champagne” style.