Krobel: It is just not Champagne

When most of us think of champagne we are most likely to think of celebrations such as weddings, banquets and holidays. But, perhaps you have had champagne for brunch at a restaurant. It has become increasing common for restaurants to serve mimosa (champagne and orange juice) at Sunday brunch. If you have had American produced champagne chances are that it may have been produced by Krobel Champagne Cellars. Krobel sells the largest volume of traditional Méthode Champenoise sparkling wine in the US. 

Korbel Champagne Cellars © Spaswinefood

Krobel Champagne Cellars is a winery located in Guerneville, Sonoma County, California. Three Krobel brothers from Czechoslovakia established the winery in 1882. Since 1954 the Heck family has owned Krobel.  After acquiring Krobel the Heck’s refined the development of champagne for the American market and they also expanded production. 

Krobel Vineyard © Spaswinefood

The Krobel Winery is a pleasant place to visit. There is no tasting fee to sample four of its champagnes. Another plus is that while a bottle of champagne can be expensive Krobel champagne is quite competitively priced. 

Tasting Room © Spaswinefood

Yes, we did buy some champagne to drink later.

The champagne check out!!! © Spaswinefood

Cool display © Spaswinefood

Krobel relies on a semi-generic provison of US law to use champagne on most of its sparkling wine labels. While Korbel is best know of its sparkling wines it also produces brandy and still wines.


There is lots of wonderful variation in champagne these days. Below is one example:

Muscato Fizzante © Spaswinefood

With the popularity of champagne I wonder   “What makes a great champagne?”

Sharon

Sonoma County, California

September 2010
© Spaswinefood

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