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Probably the best class I took in college was “Introduction to Wine,” taught by a pretty sophisticated sommelier. It was hands down a highlight of my college curriculum. To be honest, it was also super challenging. There are so many grapes in the world, so many wine regions, and a lot of rules. And if I’m being real, I’m a believer that some rules are made to be broken.
Libby is doing just that. The new wine brand is challenging traditional winemaking methods to combine modern technology and great-tasting grapes into a new type of bubbled wine. Libby’s makers believe in a wine that is full of flavor, better for you, and consistently crafted to perfection.
No More Champagne Problems
A “bubbled” wine is supercharged by bubbles. Traditional champagne and sparkling wine processes are long and shockingly dangerous, as they include multiple fermenting steps within glass bottles, the removal of sediments, and rotations of the bottles (which can lead to explosions) – among other steps.
Libby has invented a new process of blending fermented wine with bubbly water, capped off with a final carbonation. During this process, Libby does not add sugar to the mixture, which – in my humble opinion – should always be the case with wine. When grown correctly, grapes have the perfect amount of sugar, and we generally don’t need to interfere with that perfection. Libby’s standardized bubbling process not only quickens the process, but it also makes it more consistent across batches. The result is a light and bubbly wine – combine its two descriptors, and the name “Libby” was born.
Rosé All Day
I got both flavors Libby currently offers: the Rosé and White Blend ($18/bottle). I generally prefer deep reds and super buttery chardonnays, but the rosé is very fun! It’s bubbly without being overwhelmingly carbonated and is an easy sip. The flavor is light, but strong enough to enjoy the notes of its light red fruits. And, it’s crisp, but didn’t leave me super dehydrated like other rosés. Pair it with a prosciutto and parmesan, and you’ve got a spread that will leave your guests talking.
The White Blend is also a fun treat. Despite my love affair with buttery chardonnays, I also love crisp Rieslings. The White Blend is 56% chenin blanc grapes and 44% riesling grapes, which is probably why I am such a fan. This one gives more of a peachy taste with some notes of citrus, lending itself to a summery feeling, whether the weather agrees or not.
From Picnics to Parties
Whether you’re headed to an engagement party or just hanging out after work, Libby suits all occasions. The packaging is cute enough to bring it to a party or give as a gift, but the bottle cap makes it casual enough to just hang out with your bad self in the bathtub.
My husband and I took Libby on a picnic to the park. It’s finally sort of starting to warm up in the Midwest where I live and the rosé straight up tasted like summer. You know when you taste a food from childhood and it takes you back to a different time in your life? That’s what Libby did for us with summertime and warm weather. We really enjoyed just sipping, soaking in the nature around us, and spending time together.
Less Is Definitely More
I regularly have a glass or two of wine with dinner or when spending time with my friends. Sometimes, I talk myself into thinking the reds I drink are making me “heart-healthy,” but then I remember that wine can actually be pretty caloric in nature. It’s for sure a treat I will continue to enjoy, but it sure would be nice if wine had less calories and was in general a bit better for you. That’s one of the reasons why I was so excited to try Libby; it has fewer calories than a standard glass of wine. Libby has 75 calories per 5 oz serving, whereas most standard wines have about 115 calories for the same serving.
In addition, Libby has less alcohol content than other wines. At first glance, I wasn’t sure this was a good thing, but it helps keep the calories low and the feels good. The wine also has significantly less sugar and is gluten-free, so you’re less likely to feel a “wine bloat” after. Finally, Libby is non-GMO, meaning genetic engineering technology has not been used to make the wine. In other words, the grapes are not being tweaked to taste good, which is always a plus.
It feels like Libby has rewritten the rules of wine with me in mind. As someone in their late 20’s with a still-budding savings account (we’re ballin’ on a budget here) who wants to enjoy some of the finer things in life, Libby allows me the best of both worlds.
5 More Reasons to Love Libby:
1. At $18/bottle, Libby is an affordable alternative to similarly-priced grocery-store wine or champagne.
2. The grapes used in the wine are all California-grown, meaning you are supporting US-based farms and farmers.
3. Libby’s team is made up of experienced winemakers that used 17 harvests to perfect this product, so the wine is pretty practiced at this point.
4. The farmers utilize sustainable farming practices, such as minimizing waste and water use, so you can feel good about your carbon footprint when ordering.
5. You can purchase Libby as either a one-time purchase or start a subscription, which really puts and keeps you in the driver's seat.
