Category Archives: Sparkling Wine

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

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCED BLANC DE BLANC BRUT 2014, Traditional Method, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

23 Sunday Jun 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $27.15
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Clean, dry but refreshing with cool climate flavours

Positives: Light gold in colour with a fine mousse that features light brioche, lemon, green apples, pear, grapefruit & dragon fruit.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with baked brie and strawberry jam.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: June 23, 2019

CHAPEL DOWN CLASSIC NON-VINTAGE BRUT, TRADITIONAL BOTTLE FERMENTED, NV, Tenterden, England

22 Saturday Jun 2019

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

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Cost: $49.00
Grape: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: England
Region: Tenterden
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chapel Down
Alcohol: 12.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant English sparkling wine that is a treat at the LCBO stores now, and worth the price

Positives: Light gold in with a fine mousse that features brioche, buttered toast, fresh baked bread, lemon, red apples, lemon grass, quince, English cucumber, strawberry and rose pedals on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Need to thank my daughter, Sarah, for this wine being my Father’s Day present.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with President Choice Maple flavoured bacon.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 22, 2019

LCBO: 635185

RIVAROSE BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ NV, IGP Salon De Provence, Mediterranee, Provence, France

22 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: 50% Grenache, %50 Syrah
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Salon De Provence, Mediterranee, Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rivarose
Alcohol: 12.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Refreshing Provence sparkling rosé that glides easily over the palate

Positives: Rose gold in with a fine mousse that features raspberry, pink grapefruit, nectarine, honey and almond nugget.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Established in 1909, Rivarose is situated in Salon De Provence, and is now Provence’s oldest and largest producer in sparkling wines.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with omelette.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 22, 2019

LCBO: 515288

PONGRÁZ CAP CLASSIQUE ROSÉ BRUIT NV, WO Western Cape, South Africa

08 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave de Pongráz
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best  traditional method rosés under $30, & this wine is under $20!. It’s an almost bone dry rosé with wonderful red berries & classic brioche

Positives: Copper in colour with a fine mousse. Wine features brioche, biscuit, raspberries, strawberries, dragon fruit and kiwi.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Original tasting review July 24, 2016

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with calamari.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 8, 2019

LCBO: 646968

 

ANTECH-LIMOUX EXPRESSION CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX BRUT 2015, Traditional Method, AC Limoux, Languedoc, France

02 Sunday Jun 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Mauzac
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Limoux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Antech-Limoux
Alcohol: 12.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

This pleasant vintage Blanc de Blanc is complex, creamy, fresh & clean

Positives: Light gold a green tinge with a fine mousse. Wine features light yeast, brioche, lemon-lime, honeydew melon, green apples, Spy Apple & Napoleon Custard.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with blackened Mahi Mahi.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 2, 2019

LCBO: 68239

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES BRUT SPARKLING WINE NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

26 Sunday May 2019

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

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Cost: $25.95 (Sale price until May 26, 2019: $22.95)
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Des Charmes
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently a stellar performer every year being bright, fresh & zesty

Positives: Light gold with a fine mousse that features brioche, light yeast, toasty apples, lemon-lime, green apples, peach, pear and lemon meringue on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Original tasting review July 24, 2016

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Devilled eggs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 25, 2019

LCBO: 224766

CALVET BRUT CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX ROSÉ TRADITIONAL METHOD 2016, AOP Bordeaux, France

12 Sunday May 2019

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dulong Calvet
Alcohol: 12 % Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but it’s pleasant & easy drinking

Positives: Light rosé colour with fine mousse. Wine features strawberries, cherry, light yeast and red apples.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with delicate tarts.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: May 12, 2019

LCBO: 624759

SEGURA VIUDA BRUT RESERVA CAVA, NV, DO Cava, Spain

07 Sunday Apr 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Cava
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Segura Viudas
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Fruit, freshness & complexity

Positives: Bright gold in colour with a fine mousse and a long creamy finish. The wine features toasty yeasty notes with lemon, green & yellow apples, pineapple, kiwi, pear, peach and macadamia nuts.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with clams casino.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 7, 2019

LCBO: 216960

BELCANTO DI BELLUSSI EXTRA DRY PROSECCO DI VALDOBBIADENE SUPERIORE, NV, DOCG Valdobbiadene, Treviso, Veneto, Italy

02 Tuesday Apr 2019

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Cost: $21.95 (Clearance Price: $17.60)
Grape: Glera
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Valdobbiadene, Treviso, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bellusi
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This easy drinking Prosecco delivers with full flavour and some added complexity

Positives: Bright straw in colour with a fine mousse and a long finish. Wine features peach, pear, orange, green apples, lemon, yellow plum and clay on the finish.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The Valdobbiadene area is widely considered to be the home of the finest quality Prosecco.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 2-4 years on its own or pair it with Grana Padano cheese.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy and Top Pick

Tasted: April 2, 2019

LCBO: 53215

FLAT ROCK CELLARS 2011 RIDDLED, Traditional Champenoise method, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

31 Sunday Mar 2019

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

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Cost: $34.95 (Clearance Price: $24.50)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Flat Rock Cellars
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A vintage Blanc de Blanc that is complex, elegant, creamy & delicious

Positives: Bright gold in colour with a fine mousse and a long finish. Wine features brioche, light yeastiness, toasted bread, green apple, pear, lemon, peaches, almonds and Easter lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Screw top used in order to maintain the freshness and eliminate the wine being corked.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with strawberries.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick and Best Buy at the clearance price

Tasted: March 31, 2019

LCBO: 383315