Category Archives: Sparkling Wine

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

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

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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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

KACABA EFFERVESCENCE SPARKLING ROSÉ 2019, VQA Ontario, Canada

07 Monday Jun 2021

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $32.15 (Sale price: $28.15)
Grape: 62.5% Pinot Noir, 37.5% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking, not complex, off dry sparkling wine that will please those that don’t like the toasty, yeasty, brioche Champagne style. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with fine mousse good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Wild strawberries, Bing Cherries, raspberries & sweet basil.

Negatives: Price point

Interesting Point: For a Charmat method sparkling wine priced at over $30 is way too much. Sale price brings it more palatable to buy, but still overpriced even at that point.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Ukrainian Beet Vinaigrette Salad – with fresh beets and pickled cucumbers

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: June 6, 2021

GLORIA FERRER BLANC DE NOIRS ROSÉ NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, Carneros, California, United States of America

13 Saturday Mar 2021

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gloria Ferrer
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body, full of flavour, good value. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Rose gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a mild intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, brioche, black cherry, strawberry, lemon meringue, red apples, cola & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Currently, the LCBO has the regular Brut Blanc de Noir with the SKU number listed below.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Spiced Pork Chops within Cherry Thyme pan sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: March 12, 2021 (Happy Birthday to me!)

LCBO: 925735

DOMAINE STE. MICHELLE BRUT SPARKLING WINE NV, Méthode Classique, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States of America

12 Friday Mar 2021

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Ste. Michelle
Alcohol:  11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body where its dryness is in between bone dry & sweat, so right down the middle. Very easy drinking & full of flavour. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense+ nose & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, brioche, pear, green apple, lemon & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Outside Cava’s that are also traditional method that are mostly priced under $20, it’s rare to see in an Ontario sparkling wine made the same way being under $20.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with calamari.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 11, 2021

LCBO: 557637

TENUTA DI COLLALBRIGO PROSECCO SUPERIORE EXTRA DRY NV, DOCG Conegliano Valdobbiadene, Veneto, Italy

07 Sunday Mar 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Glera
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Conegliano & Valdobbiadene, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tenuta di Collalbrigo
Alcohol:  11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body Prosecco that’s fresh & juicy. Great quality at a great price. 91/100

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, a medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Gala apples, pear, white peach, lemon-lime & clementine.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Their wines are the product of low-yielding vineyards in hills formed by Dolomites’ glacier movements. On average, their vineyards are 25-30 years old, & the soil composition is of clay & pebbles.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Wild Caught Poached Snapper with Lemon Browned Butter Sauce 

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: March 7, 2021

LCBO: 16603

CELENE CUVÉE ROYALE ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX NV, Traditional Method, AOC Bordeaux, France

14 Sunday Feb 2021

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc & Merlot
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Celene de Bordeaux
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A true representation of both Cab Franc & Merlot in a sparkling rosé. Nice, dry, light & tasteful. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Bright copper to salmon in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features redcurrant, black cherry, raspberry, mulberry, tamarind, blackberry & cassis.      

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: LCBO list the grapes used as Cabernet Franc & Muscadelle, however on the winery’s website, it Cab Franc & Merlot. And I confess, I bought this wine because I loved the bottle. Happy that the taste matched the elegance of the bottle.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with Seafood Stew with Fennel & tomatoes

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 14, 2021

LCBO: 16604