Markus Huber Layla Dealcoholised Sparkling
Markus Huber Layla Dealcoholised Sparkling is a medium sweet, medium-bodied sparkling from Muscat (Traisental, Austria), in the sparkling style. Acidity is gentle; oak influence is none. Good with aperitif, fruit dessert, eggs, oysters. No need to decant. Critic score 92/100 (merchant-reported). Cheapest offer £15.22 at 8wines UK.
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruffino Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry Ruffino · Veneto | £14.40 | |||
| Bailly-Lapierre Cremant de Bourgogne Chardonnay Brut Bailly-Lapierre · Burgundy | £14.20 | |||
| Allimant Laugner Cremant d'Alsace Brut Allimant-Laugner · Alsace | £17.50 | |||
| Antica Fratta Franciacorta Essence Saten 2020 Antica Fratta · Lombardy | £27.19 |
Drink it now. No need to decant. Markus Huber, the tenth generation of a family of winemakers, decided to found his own winery in 2000, taking over his parents' four hectares of vineyards (until then used only to supply wine to the family restaurant) in Lower Austria, a relatively unknown wine-growing region. Since then, Markus has made the most of the exceptional terroir at his disposal, producing wines of great elegance and even being awarded Best Estate/Winemaker in Austria in 2015. The Gelber Muskateller grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness from various vineyards, characterized by north-south exposure, a continental climate, and deep loess soils that lend the wine great freshness and minerality. After harvesting, gentle pressing, and several hours of maceration on the skins, fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. The finished wine is then left to mature before being de-alcoholized via reverse osmosis. Layla is a non-alcoholic sparkling wine with a fruity and stylish character. Its bright, pale straw-yellow color is enhanced by a fine perlage. On the nose, it reveals a broad and lively aromatic profile with notes of lemon balm, yellow apple, Muscat grape, and mandarin peel, followed by gentle, spicy hints. On the palate, it is fresh and harmonious with a delicate fruity juiciness and a pleasant minerality. It has a medium-long, citrusy finish. It makes a delicious aperitif and pairs well with salads, avocado toast, and spring dishes. Alternatively, enjoy it with a light Sunday brunch.