Korbel Natural

Korbel Natural is a bone-dry California sparkling wine made by méthode champenoise, bottled at approximately 12% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This Pinot Noir–Chardonnay blend has earned multiple Double Gold medals, including a 94-point score at the 2019 San Francisco International Wine Competition and Double Gold at the 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~12%  |  Origin: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California  |  Style: Natural (Extra Brut)  |  Producer: Korbel Champagne Cellars

Production & Heritage

Korbel Champagne Cellars was founded in 1882 by Bohemian brothers Francis, Anton, and Joseph Korbel in Sonoma County's Russian River Valley — one of California's premier cool-climate growing regions. The Natural expression is produced using traditional méthode champenoise, with secondary fermentation occurring inside each individual bottle rather than in pressurized tanks. The blend of 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay is finished at just 7.5 grams per liter residual sugar, making it one of the driest wines in Korbel's portfolio and placing it firmly in the extra brut category.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe apple and fresh citrus lead the nose, followed by subtle undertones of toasted almond. A faint floral quality develops as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is crisp and bracing, with green apple and bright lemon flavors hitting immediately. At mid-palate, the Pinot Noir component adds a whisper of red fruit complexity, while the low residual sugar keeps the profile lean and focused. Lively, persistent bubbles carry the flavors evenly across the palate.

Finish: Clean and dry with moderate length, ending on a streak of finely ripened fruit and a delicate almond note. The acidity lingers pleasantly without sharpness.

How to Drink Korbel Natural

The low residual sugar and bright acidity make this an ideal sparkling wine to drink well chilled on its own — pour it between 40–45°F for the best expression of its dry character. A Classic Champagne Cocktail (sugar cube, Angostura bitters, and a lemon twist) works here because the wine's dryness balances the added sweetness without turning cloying. In a French 75, the Natural's citrus backbone pairs naturally with gin and lemon juice. For a low-intervention serve, a Kir Royale made with a small measure of crème de cassis highlights the wine's red fruit undertone while preserving its crisp finish.

Best For

• Hosting a brunch where guests prefer dry over sweet sparkling wine
• Pairing with raw shellfish or a seafood-focused dinner
• Gifting someone who enjoys traditional-method sparkling wine at an approachable price
• Toasting at celebrations where crowd-pleasing quality matters

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Korbel Natural taste like? Korbel Natural is a crisp, bone-dry sparkling wine dominated by green apple and citrus flavors with a subtle toasted almond note and clean, refreshing finish. Its 7.5 g/L residual sugar puts it well below the threshold of brut, making it noticeably drier than most popular California sparkling wines.

How does Korbel Natural compare to André Brut? Both are widely available California sparkling wines, but Korbel Natural is produced by méthode champenoise (bottle-fermented) while André uses the Charmat (tank) method, resulting in finer bubbles and more complexity in the Korbel. Korbel Natural is also significantly drier, with roughly half the residual sugar of a typical André Brut.

Is Korbel Natural good for sipping on its own? Yes — its dry profile, persistent mousse, and layered fruit-and-almond character make it well suited for drinking neat as an apéritif or alongside a meal. Serve it well chilled for the best balance of acidity and flavor.

Where is Korbel Natural made? Korbel Natural is produced at Korbel Champagne Cellars in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, California. The winery has operated from the same site since the Korbel brothers founded it in 1882.

What foods pair well with Korbel Natural? Fresh oysters on the half shell complement the wine's briny acidity. Smoked salmon or sushi-grade fish match its citrus and green apple notes. Aged Gruyère or Comté cheese echoes the toasted almond quality, while light poultry dishes like roast chicken with herbs work well with its dry, balanced finish.

What sizes does Korbel Natural come in? Korbel Natural is most commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Korbel Natural worth the price? Korbel Natural positions as a value-tier méthode champenoise sparkling wine, and its bottle-fermentation process and multiple competition gold medals place it above most tank-method sparklers in the same price range. For a traditionally made dry California sparkling wine, it represents strong quality for the money.

Why Korbel Natural?

What distinguishes the Natural from the rest of Korbel's lineup — and from most sub-premium American sparkling wines — is its genuine méthode champenoise production paired with a very low 7.5 g/L residual sugar level. That combination delivers the kind of dry, structured sparkling wine typically associated with much higher price points. Its competitive record supports that claim: a 94-point Double Gold at the San Francisco International Wine Competition and Double Gold at both the 2021 San Francisco Chronicle and 2021 Sonoma County Harvest Fair competitions. Built on a Pinot Noir–dominant blend from one of California's most respected cool-climate valleys, the Natural is an unusually serious wine from a producer many underestimate.