The Samognier
de Garde Brewing

Bottle at share. Pale golden with a a small bubbly head. White grapes are dominant in both the aroma and taste. The standard de Garde funk wraps this up. Nice sweet, smooth

Bottled in March, 2020 - consumed on July 6th, 2022. Poured from a 750mL capped-and-corked bottle into a wine glass.

Effervescent cap fizzles away before I can get a proper look. Brilliantly clear gold body appears nearly still. Faint vanishing lacing, light fast-running legs. Poor retention.

Delicate aromatics with faint winter fruit and wildflower notes behind a gentle peppery funk.

Medium-dry palate entry with complex minerality with hints of pear, peach, violet, and bloomy cheese. I've heard this grape varietal is delicate, but its unique character is surprisingly well preserved. Very low bitterness, lightly tart with hints of lemon zest. Finishes crisp, fruity, and dry. Faint touch of white or unripe young pu-erh. Subtle but special.

Mouth-feel is almost champagne-like, though the carbonation vanishes rapidly, almost into your sinuses before you can swallow.

Unusual, almost a wine/ale hybrid in some ways. Hard to rate - more than the sum of its parts. Would go well with seafood. For cheese, I think a tomme-style or a triple crème would pair well.

 

 

L: Golden blonde ale.
S: Strong grape notes that remind me of a sparkling wine.
T: A slow start of grape notes into a fizzy mountain and back into a clean grape note finish with barrel on the side.
F: A fizzy white wine, maybe a sparkling wine?
O: A simple but refined grape beer.

 

Sweet, white wine grape, and tart and funky nose! Yes! Taste follows with a fruity tart vibe that is so well-balanced throughout. This has outstanding depth and feel and finish! Great!