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About Brut

About Brut
Brut is a term that defines dryness levels in sparkling wines; it is most famously used for Champagne, but it is a common term used around the world for most sparkers.

While Brut means "dry" for all intents and purposes, it can actually be off-dry or even lightly sweet. The definition of Brut for Champagne is between 0-12 grams of residual sugar, so Brut actually describes a range of sensations.

No matter how dry a Brut sparkling wine actually is in technical terms, it is generally dry enough to serve at the dinner table with most foods.

Top Picks for Brut

Gratien & Meyer NV Brut Sparkling Crémant de Loire AOC
90 points
$18
Best Buy
Gratien & Meyer
NV Brut Sparkling Crémant de Loire AOC
Straw color. Aromas of flaky croissant, toasted walnut, herb butter, and heirloom apple with a supple, crisp, effervescent, dryish light body and a stimulating, medium-long honeycomb and white strawberry finish. A buoyant cremant that dances across the palate before delivering a richly layered finish.
Awards: '2019 World Value Wine Challenge-Top 5 Sparkling Wine $20 and Under' Best Value French Sparkling Wine
90 points $18 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Biltmore Estate NV Methode Champenoise Brut Sparkling American
90 points
$25
Biltmore Estate
NV Methode Champenoise Brut Sparkling American
Pale straw color. Aromas of pear, candied walnut, pastry dough, and pressed flowers with a satiny, vibrant, effervescent, dryish light-to-medium body and an effortless, stimulating, medium-long lemon chiffon and kiwi finish. Stupendously bright and celebratory with memorable length; this is a great sparkler for the holidays.
90 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Gran Barón NV Brut Bio Cava DO
90 points
$14.95
Best Buy
Gran Barón
NV Brut Bio Cava DO
Golden straw color. Aromas and flavors of ripe tangerine, chamomile, honey, dried peach, caramel, and straw with a silky, vibrant, finely carbonated, dryish light body and a smooth, interesting, medium-length finish revealing nuances of toasted almond croissant with crunchy tannins and light oak flavor. A palate-pleasing Cava.
90 points $14.95 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Carter Creek Family Winery NV Brut Sparkling Temecula Valley
89 points
$24
Carter Creek Family Winery
NV Brut Sparkling Temecula Valley
Yellow straw color. Aromas of violet, mint, crumpets, and lemon curd with a satiny, vibrant, finely carbonated, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and an effortless, elegant, medium-long peach, persimmon, sea salt, and biscotti finish with a suggestion of oak flavor. A charming Temecula Brut sparkler with great acidity and beautiful, dancing aromas.
89 points $24
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Date Tasted:
Henkell NV Brut Sparkling Germany
89 points
$13
Best Buy
Henkell
NV Brut Sparkling Germany
Straw green color. Aromas and flavors of apricot preserves, lemon bar, white flowers, and wet slate with a round, vibrant, finely carbonated, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and an even, interesting, medium-long finish conveying notes of toasted fruit cake and lemon scone. A fresh and mineral-driven nose leads to a slightly toasty palate; elegant and friendly.
89 points $13 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Kreme De Cuvee 2019 Brut California
88 points
$14
Best Buy
Kreme De Cuvee
2019 Brut California
Pale golden straw color. Aromas of peach jam on toasted brioche, honeycrisp apple, toasted almonds, hazelnuts, and minerals with a satiny, vibrant, finely carbonated, dryish light-to-medium body and an effortless, stimulating, medium-length lemon curd, hints of candied ginger, and fondant finish with crunchy tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. A crisp and friendly Brut sparkler that offers great bang for your buck.
Awards: '2020 World Value Wine Challenge-Top 5 Sparkling Wine $15 and Under'
88 points $14 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Cool Woods NV Brut Sparkling South Australia
88 points
$12.99
Best Buy
Cool Woods
NV Brut Sparkling South Australia
Yellow straw color. Creamy, tropical aromas of papaya-apple custard and pineapple in yogurt with a supple, crisp, effervescent, fruity medium body and a tingling, interesting, medium-long coconut tapioca, quince, herbed meyer lemons, and starfruit finish. A tasty lightly herbal sparkler that will be nice at the table.
88 points $12.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Don Rodolfo NV Extra Brut Sparkling Wine Mendoza
87 points
$11
Best Buy
Don Rodolfo
NV Extra Brut Sparkling Wine Mendoza
Emerald straw color. Aromas of coconut jam, graham cracker crust, pressed flowers, and lime with a satiny, vibrant, effervescent, dryish light-to-medium body and a seamless, medium-length white peach, tangerine, and pastry crust finish with a suggestion of oak flavor. A well-behaved, gentle sparkler with soft fruit flavors.
Awards: '2020 World Value Wine Challenge-Top 5 Sparkling Wine $15 and Under'
87 points $11 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Days of Youth NV The Diver Brut Sparkling California
86 points
$12
Best Buy
Days of Youth
NV The Diver Brut Sparkling California
Straw color. Aromas of scones with cultured butter, orange marmalade, honey, and lime with a satiny, vibrant, effervescent, dryish light body and a smooth, engaging, medium-length pineapple and apricot finish with a suggestion of oak flavor. A fun toasty sparkler that hits all the notes.
86 points $12 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Carter Estate 2015 Brut Sparkling South Coast
86 points
$35
Carter Estate
2015 Brut Sparkling South Coast
Pale light amber color. Aromas of lemon peel, green apple, baked pear, lavender, and champagne vinaigrette with a satiny, vibrant, effervescent, dryish light body and a smooth, buoyant golden apples and buttery puff pastry finish with a suggestion of oak flavor. A fruit-forward, distinctive Brut sparkler.
86 points $35
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Date Tasted: