# Shuffle Sparkling (2021)

- **Producer:** Plēb Urban Winery
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** sparkling
- **Grapes:** Maréchal Foch
- **Region:** North Carolina, United States
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 10.5%
- **Average price:** €30
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, strawberry, blackcurrant, herbaceous

## About this wine

Plēb Urban Winery was established in 2017 in Asheville, North Carolina, by co-founders Chris Denesha and Lauren Turpin. Named after the plebeians of ancient Rome who celebrated agriculture and harvest, the winery focuses on sustainable, organic, and biodynamic viticulture utilizing high-elevation Appalachian vineyards. In October 2024, devastating flooding from Hurricane Helene destroyed Plēb's facility and cellar inventory, turning surviving bottles from historic vintages like 2021 into rare pieces of regional winemaking history.

## Interesting facts

- Named after ancient Roman 'plebeians' who worshipped gods of agriculture.
- Uses a continuous 'souped-up ripasso' method feeding fresh grape skins across 3 months.
- Secondary sparkling fermentation relies on tart verjus instead of added sugar.
- Bottles are historic rarities following the destruction of the winery in 2024.

## Food pairing

The bright acidity and lively effervescence cut effortlessly through rich fats and oils in pork, cured meats, and melted cheese. Gentle tannins and light body ensure the wine complements lightly spiced or savory BBQ without inducing alcohol heat.

## Wine making process

Crafted using a unique continuous skin-feeding process termed a 'souped-up ripasso' method. August-harvested Maréchal Foch skins are rehydrated and continuously augmented with soft-pressed skins from successive grape picks through October. Fermentation occurs with native yeasts and whole-stem inclusion through January. Secondary sparkling fermentation is achieved naturally in kegs or bottles using unfermented verjus as the tirage agent rather than commercial sugars. The finished wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered with minimal added sulfites.