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Category Archives: Sparkling Wine

Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, Sparkling Wine, Frizzante, etc.,

BERNARD-MASSARD CUVÉE DE L’ÉCSSON BRUT SPARKLING NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, Luxembourg

16 Monday May 2022

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $20.95
Grape: 45% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Blanc, 15% Pinot Noir.
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Luxembourg
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bernard-Massard
Alcohol: 13.8 % Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but easy drinking & delicious: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon-lime, light brioche, green apples, pear, limestone

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with salt and vinegar chips.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 15, 2022

LCBO: 970970

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PEARMUND OLD VINE CHARDONNAY MERIWETHER VINEYARD 2018, Fauquier County, Virginia, United States of America

10 Sunday Apr 2022

Posted by Twilight Wines in Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages Online Exclusive
Country: United States of America
Region: Fauquier County, Virginia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pearmund Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Nice to see Virginian wines at the LCBO, especially such a delicious one like this one. This is like an aged Bourbon (minus the high alcohol) as it’s smooth, complex, balanced, tangy, citric, spicy & smoked. Score: 99/100.

Tasting Note: Medium bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Kumquat, lemon zest, green apples, pear, peach, grilled pineapple, hazelnut, nutmeg, dill, ginger, honeycomb, butter toast, vanilla & smoked fall leaves.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:
• Meriwether Vineyard is the 1st East Coast vineyard nominated as Grand Cru Vineyard from the American Grand Cru Society, as well as Virginia’s oldest Chardonnay vineyard that was established in 1976.
• The Winery sells this chard for $34 (+tax) US, so it’s a great price for LCBO to sell.
• Don’t over chill this wine in order to bring out all the complexity of the Chard.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Turkey dinner

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 9, 2022

LCBO: 21833

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GRUET BRUT NV, Méthode Champenoise, New Mexico, United States of America

03 Sunday Apr 2022

Posted by Twilight Wines in Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: New Mexico
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gruet Winery
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Finesse & elegance sparkling wine at half the price of more well-known Napa sparkling wines. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, sourdough bread, light yeast, lemon zest, green apples, pear, ginger & limestones.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This is Gruet’s 2nd entry to LCBO. I reviewed their rosé earlier, & that was very good as well.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Homemade Oven Baked Garlic Parmesan Fries

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 3, 2022

LCBO: 21172

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STEORRA PÉTILLANT NATUREL SPARKLING WINE 2016, Monterey County, California, United States of America

21 Monday Feb 2022

Posted by Twilight Wines in Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $34.95 (Clearance Price: $28.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Monterey County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Copper Cane Wines by Joe Wagner
Alcohol: 12.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic vintage Champagne Blanc de Blancs style. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with a fine mousse, good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour bread dough, brioche, lemon curd, green apples, toasted almonds, pear, peach, honeycomb & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Joe Wagner used only naturally occurring sugar of Chardonnay from one vineyard & each bottle is numbered. This one is: 03.521

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Quiche Lorraine

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick


Tasted: Feb 20, 2022
LCBO: 20177

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GIUSTI BRUT ASOLO PROSECCO SUPERIORE D.O.C.G, Italy

31 Monday Jan 2022

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Glera
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Societa Agricola Giusti Dal Col Srl
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.
One, if not the best Prosecco I’ve tasted. Beautifully made, delicious, elegant & full flavoured Prosecco. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Medium straw with a green ting in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon/lime, pear, green apples, thyme & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Glera grapes from vineyards located in Veneto, in the hilly area of Montello and the Asolo hills, in the municipality of Nervesa della Battaglia and precisely in the vineyards of the estates ” Aria Valentina, Abbazia and Sienna located on the southern side of Montello. Primary fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature by selected yeasts. The second fermentation takes place at a low temperature in autoclaves.” Giusti Wines

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Crispy Baked Scallops with panko, Parmesan Cheese, paprika, butter and olive oil

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 30, 2022

LCBO: 16555

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VEUVE AMBAL CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE GRAND CUVÉE BRUT NV, Methode Traditionnelle, AC Burgundy

14 Sunday Nov 2021

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.50 (Sale Price until Nov 28, 2021: $17.50)
Grape: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Aligoté, Gamay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgunday
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Veuve Ambal
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid delicious, elegant Crémant de Bourgogne Brut. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Deep straw in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Yeast, brioche, pear, green apples, lemon drops, honeydew melon, ginger, toasted almonds & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Family run winery since 1898, is now the largest producer of Crémant de Bourgogne.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 14, 2021

LCBO: 429688

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ANTHONIJ RUPERT L’ORMARINS CAP CLASSIQUE BLANC DE BLANCS 2013, W.O Western Cape, South Africa

02 Tuesday Nov 2021

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: W.O Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rupert Wines
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A true expression of a vintage Blanc de Blancs at great price. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, light yeast & toast, kiwi, green apples, lime, pear & oyster shells.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The L’Ormarins range was initially established as a Cap Classique range, named after French Huguenot, Jean Roi’s hometown Lourmarins in Provence.” Rupert Wines

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 10 years on its own or pair it with Blue Point Oysters.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 31, 2021

LCBO: 15681

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CHÂTEAU MONCONTOUR TÊTE DE CUVÉE VOUVRAY SPARKLING WINE, NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, AOC Vouvray

24 Sunday Oct 2021

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Vouvray, Loire Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Moncontour
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Easy drinking but with complexity. This delicious Brut wine is juicy with tropical fruit notes. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Deep straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, light yeast, baked apples, mango, peach, lemon, kiwi, roasted nuts, limestone & jasmine on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This wine matures at least for 20 months in bottle after the second fermentation and before disgorgement in cool cellars carved out of the limestone cliffs beneath the Château.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Vegetables & Goat Cheese Tart.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 24, 2021

LCBO: 207936

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STEORRA BRUT SPARKLING NV, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, United States of America

22 Friday Oct 2021

Posted by Twilight Wines in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: 58% Chardonnay, 32% Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Copper Cane Wines & Provisions
Alcohol:  12.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Lots of sour notes, which is unusual for a sparkling wine, but I got used to it & in the end this isn’t a bad wine. In addition, this wine needs food to soften the sour notes. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, an intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour dough bread, sour sop, light toast, yeast, grapefruit, lemon rind, apple, pear & honeycomb.

Negatives: Lots of sour notes

Interesting Point: This sparkling is made in the Charmat method where secondary fermentation takes place within the tanks. Winery is owned by the famous California wine maker, Joseph Wagner.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years & pair it with Hunan hot & sour chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: Oct 17, 2021

LCBO: 19310

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CUVÉE JEAN PHILIPPE BRUT 2018, Méthode Traditionnelle, AOC Blanquette de Limoux, France

02 Saturday Oct 2021

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Mauzac & Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Blanquette de Limoux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Rosier
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Rich & creamy with slight sweetness & good acidity.  Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Yellow straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dry apple peel, brioche, light toast almonds, lemon, pear, green apples, peach, honeycomb & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The vines from which this seductive blanquette originate are located on the hills to the west of Limoux, and more specifically in the commune of Villelongue d’Aude, an ancient fortified village constructed in a ‘circulade’ (a traditional village of the area built in concentric circles).” Domaine Rosier

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Honey Garlic Roasted Pheasant.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 26, 2021

LCBO: 467217

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Edward Rasiulis, Sommelier, Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers

What is Twilight Wines?

Twilight is sometimes defined as when something is approaching its end, especially in a gentle or peaceful way. It is universally known as that optimum moment between day and night, light and darkness. Twilight is that point when we have learned the lessons we are apt to learn and have spun our last breath, and told our last tale: our twilight years. It is that moment when everything and everyone is at its finest, when the earth and all its occupants pause for just a fraction of time in anticipation of what comes next. That is the moment at which all wine should be drank and with a little insight and a lot of luck, fate will allow us the moment in which this will occur. The luck my friend’s is totally of your own creation. Here in my domain, Twilight wines. I will endeavour to impart that insight.

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