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Have you ever wished for a sparkling wine that combines the prestige of Champagne with the distinctive character of German Riesling? I recently had the pleasure of discovering such a gem when I invited Amar from Bubbels van Amar to my podcast “Sparks by VinoVonk” to share his passion for sparkling wines and introduce me to the exceptional Barth Riesling Brut.<\/p>\n
While many associate sparkling wines primarily with Champagne, Amar has made it his mission to showcase exceptional bubbles from across Europe. His journey began in the summer of 2023 during a vacation in Italy at a wine resort, where, while enjoying a glass of Ca’ del Bosco Cuv\u00e9e Prestige Brut with his wife, he conceived the idea of importing high-quality sparkling wines. Within two months, Bubbels van Amar was born.<\/p>\n
“I specialize in sparkling wines, not just from Champagne, but from across Europe,” Amar explained during our tasting. “I love to find the most beautiful pearls from Europe and give them a stage here in the Netherlands.” His portfolio includes sparkling wines from Luxembourg, Germany, Italy, Austria, and more\u2014including an intriguing Sauvignon Blanc sparkling from Austria that he’s particularly excited about.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/vinovonk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/bubbels-van-amar-1.jpg” title_text=”bubbels-van-amar-1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/vinovonk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/bubbels-van-amar-2.jpg” title_text=”bubbels-van-amar-2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/vinovonk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/bubbels-van-amar-3.jpg” title_text=”bubbels-van-amar-3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The Barth Riesling Brut comes from winemaker Mark Barth, known in Germany as “The Riesling Master” for his pioneering work with the Riesling grape. Based in Hattenheim in the Rheingau region (the second-largest wine region in Germany), Barth has earned a reputation for innovation while maintaining a deep respect for tradition.<\/p>\n
What truly sets Barth apart in the German wine landscape is his achievement as the creator of Germany’s first and only sparkling wine to earn the prestigious VDP Erste Lage and Grosse Lage classifications, traditionally reserved for still wines. This breakthrough places his sparkling creations in the same conversation as Germany’s most revered still Rieslings.<\/p>\n
“Mark is always working to innovate with the Riesling grape,” Amar noted during our conversation. “This commitment to innovation while honoring the grape’s characteristics is what attracted me to his wines.”<\/p>\n
The Riesling Brut exemplifies traditional craftsmanship with a sustainable approach. Produced through classic bottle fermentation (the same method used for Champagne), each bottle spends 24 months aging on the lees at constant temperature before being hand-riddled and disgorged.<\/p>\n
As Amar explained, “The 24-month aging is specifically chosen to maintain the typical aromas and crisp character of the Riesling grape while still developing enough structure and complexity from the second fermentation in the bottle.”<\/p>\n
What further distinguishes this sparkling wine is Barth’s unwavering commitment to 100% ecological and vegan production, which is certified on the bottle label. This ecological approach is particularly impressive in the Rheingau, which isn’t known as a particularly dry region, making organic viticulture more challenging.<\/p>\n
When we opened the bottle during the podcast, I was immediately struck by the beautiful color and explosive bouquet\u2014like a large bunch of flowers\u2014with typical Riesling aromas of apple, lime, peach, and honey notes.<\/p>\n
The taste was equally impressive: distinctly Riesling but with beautifully integrated bubbles. Unlike some sparkling wines that show heavy toast or oak influences, this wine showcases the fruit and natural characteristics of the Riesling grape.<\/p>\n
What particularly impressed me was the retention of Riesling’s crisp acidity despite the second fermentation in the bottle, which often softens acidity. It maintained that refreshing, vibrant character that makes it so food-friendly and enjoyable.<\/p>\n
“Here you really taste that crispness and fruitiness with a light elegance,” Amar noted. “The typical Riesling grape is definitely recognizable, combined with a beautiful structure from the aging.”<\/p>\n
Despite being what Amar described as the “entry-level” sparkling wine in Barth’s lineup, I found the quality to be exceptional, especially at its consumer price point of \u20ac19.95. As Amar pointed out, sparkling wine production is labor-intensive, which naturally positions it at a higher price point than still wines, but for this quality, the price represents excellent value.<\/p>\n
Most Champagnes are aged on the lees for around 15 months (the minimum requirement), while this Barth Riesling Brut spends a full 24 months developing complexity\u2014an impressive commitment to quality at this price point.<\/p>\n
The lively character and bright acidity of Barth Riesling Brut make it exceptionally versatile at the table. While many people think of sparkling wines primarily as aperitifs or celebration drinks, Amar emphasized that high-quality bubbles like this one can be enjoyed throughout a meal.<\/p>\n
“What I stand for, which you also see in my tastings, is that I serve them throughout the meal,” Amar shared. “Besides often being fresh, there are increasingly beautiful, complex bubbles with long fermentation in the bottle that pair beautifully with dinner.”<\/p>\n
Its lightweight yet flavorful profile would pair beautifully with delicate fish dishes like pike perch or bass. The classic sparkling wine pairing with oysters works brilliantly here, with the minerality and citrus notes creating perfect harmony. For a surprising but delightful combination, try it with lemon spaghetti, where the shared citrus notes create a remarkable resonance.<\/p>\n
Amar sees a bright future for specialized sparkling wines. After just a year and a half in business, his company is growing rapidly, reflecting the increasing popularity of quality bubbles. “People want more of an experience, which is what I stand for,” he explained. “Just as Barth innovates, I expect many other wine producers in different countries to innovate within sparkling wine as well.”<\/p>\n
Barth Riesling Brut represents the exciting future of German sparkling wine\u2014rooted in tradition yet innovative in approach. Through meticulous production, ecological commitment, and a deep understanding of Riesling’s potential, Mark Barth has created a sparkling wine that stands proudly in its own category.<\/p>\n
Ready to explore beyond the usual sparkling wine options? You can find this Barth Riesling Brut and other exceptional sparkling wines at BubbelsvanAmar.nl<\/a>, where Amar offers not only online purchases but also personalized advice and tasting events.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/JeERMbpqLTs” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section] [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Have you ever wished for a sparkling wine that combines the prestige of Champagne with the distinctive character of German Riesling? I recently had the pleasure of discovering such a gem when I invited Amar from Bubbels van Amar to my podcast “Sparks by VinoVonk” to share his passion for sparkling wines and introduce me […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4860,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"googlesitekit_rrm_CAow1aS7DA:productID":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[1331,1337,1332,1338,1335,499,1334,1336,1292,1333,929],"class_list":["post-4864","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-winereview-reviews-by-vinovonk","tag-barth-riesling-brut","tag-bubbels-van-amar","tag-german-sparkling-wine","tag-jeroen-vonk","tag-mark-barth-winemaker","tag-organic-wine","tag-rheingau-sparkling","tag-riesling-sparkling","tag-sparks-by-vinovonk","tag-vdp-classification","tag-vegan-wine"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ background_color=”#f9f5f0″ custom_padding=”20px||20px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nLees ook<\/h4>\n
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