CIGAR CIGAR - FINE Magazine

Spark of Terroir Luxury Lifestyle LivingSpark of TerroirLet locally produced sparkling wines shine this season.By Gregory ThornquestResolve to be unique this year.Although Dom Pérignon ismagnificent and derives from aholy place overlooking the Marne Valleyin the heart of the Champagne region ofFrance, it’s an obviously uncreative choice.And just as Dom Pierre Pérignon strived tocreate “the best wine in the world,” you canpassionately search for the bubbly that givesyou true fulfillment—instead of falling backon what others expect.So as the orchestra of champagne flutestoast this holiday season, let the musicresound over a newfound love for locallyproduced sparkling wines. Ring in the NewYear with the chiming of challises as youtoast to your bountiful findings of sparklingwines from the Temecula Valley.Sophisticatedly positioned within an hour’sdrive of San Diego, Los Angeles and PalmSprings, the Temecula Valley AmericanViticultural Area is one of the fastestgrowingwine regions in the country. ItsMediterranean climate is ideal for producingvarietals such as Rhône, cabernet sauvignonand zinfandel, as well as Viognier, syrah andpinot gris. And many wineries have masteredthe art of producing sparkling wines.Although the term “champagne” is usuallyreserved for French sparkling wines of theChampagne region, Thornton Winery(thorntonwine.com) in the Temecula Valleyhas assimilated the word into its everydayexistence. From its award-winning CaféChampagne Restaurant to its ChampagneJazz Concert Series, Thornton is no strangerto la méthode champenoise. It produces awide variety of widely recognized sparklingwines.Opened in 1988, Thornton “combinesOld World style with New World taste,”finding excellence with its Brut Reserve1996, which won the Platinum Award atthe Critics Challenge International WineCompetition and the Gold Award at theSan Diego International Wine Competition.It also boasts the Thornton Cuvée Rouge,Non Vintage, which won Best of Class at theTemecula Valley Wine Society Competition.Acidic wines such as the Thornton NV Brutare exceptional with sour or salty food, as thewine’s acidity cuts the saltiness. For a moreunique experience, let your pallet be thrilledwith Thorton’s sparkling wines flavored withpeach, pineapple and pomegranate.If flavor to your dry brut life is what youTH ORNTON WINERY62 FINEsd.com | facebook.com/FINEmagazines