Category Archives: Sparkling Wine

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

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

24 Sunday Oct 2021

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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

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

22 Friday Oct 2021

Posted by 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

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

02 Saturday Oct 2021

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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

PONGRÁCZ BRUT PINOT NOIR/CHARDONNAY CAP CLASSIQUE, NV, W.O. Western Cape, South Africa

19 Sunday Sep 2021

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: W.O. Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caves de Pongrácz
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality, complexity & delicious to drink all at an amazing price. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Baked apples, light yeast, brioche, green apples, kumquat, kiwi & honeycomb & limestone.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: In my opinion Pongrácz produces the best sparkling, in the traditional method, at an amazing price, bar none. Check out my review of their rosé sparkling wine. In addition, I love the shape of their bottles.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 8-10 years on its own or pair it with red onion vinaigrette.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 19, 2021

LCBO: 404111

PIERRE JOURDAN BELLE ROSE SPARKLING WINE, NV, Méthode Cap Classique, Western Cape, South Africa

26 Thursday Aug 2021

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Haute Cabrière, Franschhoek
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple yet elegant brut rosé sparkling wine. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Pale copper in colour with good acidity with fine mousse, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, cherry & red apples.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Beautiful Rose!” said the grandmother of our Cellar Master when she saw the colour.

South Africa is producing the best rosé sparkling wines at great prices

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with whipped Ricotta cherry crostini.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Aug 15, 2021

LCBO: 18569

CHEVALIER MONOPOLE DRY ROSÉ SPARKLING WINE, NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, France

25 Sunday Jul 2021

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: White & Red Grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Maison Chevalier
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant, easy drinking off-dry rosé sparkling wine with substance & a nice flowery nose. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberries, Fuji apples, raspberry, sweet cherries, cranberries & roses on the nose.   

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Natural fermentation in VAT with an aging of 3 months.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with baked Brie with raspberries.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 25, 2021

LCBO: 485920

CELENE AMÉTHYSTE BRUT BLANC DE NOIRS, Méthode Traditionnelle, NV, AOP Crémant de Bordeau, France

21 Wednesday Jul 2021

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc & Merlot
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Celene Bordeaux
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A creamy dry sparkling wine that shows a lot considering this wine is under $18 & made in the traditional method. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, low intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, brioche, yeast, green apples, pears, redcurrants, clementine, kiwi & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Celene’s sparkling wine bottles are stored in underground cellars dug in the 18th century in the limestone rock of the Right Bank of the Garonne. In these galleries, which are naturally thermoregulated at 13°C, the second fermentation in the bottle will then begin, which corresponds to the foaming process. This stage is crucial : the fineness of the bubble depends on its success. The foaming lasts about 6 weeks during which the still wine is transformed into sparkling wine to reach up to 6 bars of pressure in the bottles.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with escargot in garlic butter & shredded cheese.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 18, 2021

LCBO: 19031

CHATEAU ST. JEAN BRUT CUVÉE SPARKLING WINE NV, California, United States of America

18 Sunday Jul 2021

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Cost: $27.80 (Clearance price $22.30)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau St. Jean
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, yet pleasant sparkling that shows tropical fruits & freshness. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green & yellow apples, green mango, pineapple, peach with a touch of vanilla & honey as well as yellow flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chateau St. Jean sparkling wines are crafted using the Cuvee Close or Charmat approach, dating to the 1880’s, with a goal of having the Brut Rose as a refreshing and delicate wine.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with apple & honey roasted chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 18, 2021

LCBO: 978659

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

05 Monday Jul 2021

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

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Cost: $25.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: New Mexico
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gruet Winery
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant dry sparkling rosé wine. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Rosemary gold in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherries, wild strawberries, raspberries, green mangos & green apples.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This wine is made in the Saignée method by adding 2% still Pinot Noir to the blend & aged in Tirage for a minimum of 18 months. The winery roots originating from Gilbert Gruet’s Champagne house in Bethon, France. It’s nice to see a New Mexico wine at the LCBO stores now.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Summer Strawberry Gazpacho (with strawberries, tomato, red wooed, cucumber, minced garlic, thyme, olive oil and balsamic vinegar).

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 4, 2021

LCBO: 15686

GEMMA BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ NV, Traditional Method, Limari Valley, Chile

27 Sunday Jun 2021

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Limari Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Spumante Limari
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant quality dry rosé sparkling wine at a great price. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Pale bronze in colour with good acidity fine mousse, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lightly toasted, brioche, yeast, cherry, red currants, strawberries, raspberries, green & red apples.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This organic sparkling wine was aged in bottle for at least 24 months.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Eggs Benedict with Plantain Tostones and Hollandaise

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 27, 2021

LCBO: 18558