Most sparkling wines are made primarily from white grapes. When only a red grape is used, such as Pinot Noir, it usually has minimal skin contact to result in a finished wine that is either clear (called Blanc de Noirs) or with a pink color as in a rosé.

Thornton Winery has been making Cuvée Rouge sparkling wine for many years. It differs from a Blanc de Noirs or Rosé sparkling wine in that it is made from only red grapes and is a full colored red wine, that happens to contain bubbles! Over the years we have used Pinot Noir, Syrah and Sangiovese and the grape(s) used and the blend in this non-vintage sparkling wine often varies from year to year. We finish it with enough sweetness to balance the tannins present from the red grapes, resulting in a full-bodied, delicious red sparkling wine.

Aroma: Violets lead to plums, blackberries, and dark red cherries.
Palate: Cherries, strawberries, black raspberries, and black forest cake dominate here. The finish is a balanced blend of acidity and sweetness, with light tannins and persistent fruit.
Pairing: Chocolate cake, blackberry tart, fruit trifle and fresh fruits.