Category Archives: Sparkling Wine

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

GRAHAM BECK MÉTHODE CAP CLASSIQUE, BRUT ROSÉ PINOT NOIR & CHARDONNAY, NV, Western Cape, South Africa

02 Sunday Aug 2026

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance Price: $20)
Grape: 52% Pinot Noir, 48% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Graham Beck Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautiful sparkling that’s elegant & silky smooth. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Silver pink in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intensity on the nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, strawberry, McIntosh apple & oyster shell.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: ““Whole bunch pressing of both varietals ensured that only the quality juice went into fermentation. The two varietals were then fermented separately. The unique silver-pink hue is obtained from an enzymatic reaction during the transport of the Pinot Noir fruit to the cellar. This lends sufficient time for the gentle colour extraction of this Rosé NV. After fermentation, the portions are blended and then lightly fined and bottled for the second fermentation. A long lees time resulted in subtle yeasty characters, with a burst of berry and cherry flavour.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Charcuterie Board.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Aug 2, 2026

LCBO: 175588

GRAY MONK ODYSSEY ROSÉ BRUT MÉTHODE CLASSIQUE 2023 VQA Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada

23 Thursday Jul 2026

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Gray Monk Winery, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $29.00
Grape: 55% Gamay Noir and 45% Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, BC
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Gray Monk Winery
Alcohol: 11.2% Alcohol/Vol.

This versatile dry brut rosé is simply eloquent. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Light copper in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, low to medium intensity on the nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, cherry, rhubarb, pink grapefruit & brioche.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “The base wine underwent a traditional second fermentation in bottle and was aged sur lie for 24 months to enhance texture and complexity. After aging, it was disgorged and finished with a proprietary dosage to achieve a precise balance of acidity and subtle sweetness.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Charcuterie Board.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 19, 2026

GRAY MONK ODYSSEY TRADITIONAL BRUT 2021, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada

24 Sunday May 2026

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Gray Monk Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: 34% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir, 32% Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Gray Monk Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Best valued vintage Champagne style wine that I have tasted to date. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, yeast, lemon, Anjou pear, green & red apples, peach & buttered toast.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or 8 – 10 years on its own or pair it with ocean East Coast Oysters.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 24, 2026

QUEEN BEE BLANC DE NOIRS, 2018, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

23 Monday Feb 2026

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

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Cost: $34.95 LCBO, $32.98 Costco, $30.95 Winery
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages, Costco, Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Lakeview Wine Co.
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality dry, traditional method sparkling wine at a good price. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light cooper in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, MacIntosh apples, white cranberry, blackberry, fennel, roasted almonds & orange zest.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Add a blackberry to your glass with the sparkling wine. You hopefully will enjoy how it taste.

Winemaker’s Note: “Gently whole bunch pressed to avoid colour and tannin extraction. Primary fermentation in stainless steel at relatively cool temperatures, and then triaged six months later for second fermentation in bottle. On lees for over 48 months before being disgorged.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Duck Risotto.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 22, 2026

LCBO: 45580

QUEENSTON MILE VINEYARD 2018 BLANC DE BLANC, Traditional Method, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

28 Sunday Dec 2025

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

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Cost: $49.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Queenston Mile Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body with elegance. So far, the best Canadian vintage Blanc de Blanc I’ve tasted. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, yeast, lemon meringue, green apples, Quince, clementine, toasted almonds, buttered toast, honeycomb & yellow flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “100% chardonnay harvested from the Estate vineyard September 9, 2018. Primary fermentation was conducted at cooler temperatures in stainless steel to preserve delicate fruit flavours. Triage bottling for secondary fermentation on March 14, 2019, then left for on the lees in bottle for over 50 months to create complexity and luxurious character.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 8 years on its own or pair it with brunch.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 28, 2025

NIAGARA TEACHING WINERY COMMENCEMENT BRUT SPARKLING WINE, NV, Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada

27 Saturday Dec 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Not Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Vidal
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Not worth it.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, pear & orange pith.

Negatives: Plain with slight bitterness

Interesting Point: Taste was very plain with a slight bitterness. Only way this wine is palatable is in a mimosa. However, there are a lot better sparkling wines at a better price to do that.

Winemaker’s Note: “The wine was produced using Cuve Closed Method, completing its secondary fermentation in tank, then bottled under pressure to maintain the natural effervescence.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 3 years and mix it with orange juice or any other juice.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: December 20, 2025

QUEENSTON MILE SPARKLING PINOT NOIR, Pétillant Naturel – Ancestral Method, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

17 Monday Nov 2025

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Queenston Mile Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Interesting, but in a good way. A rustic style sparkling. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Cloudy bloody Mary in colour with good acidity, low intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, rhubarb, Fuji apple, strawberry, Oyster mushrooms

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Don’t disturb the sediment in the bottle before opening as if you do (and I did), it will uncontrollably bubble over.

Winemaker’s Note: “100% Pinot noir harvested September 22nd 2020 from Estate Vineyard. Bottled during wild fermentation on October 14th 2020. This wine was left unfiltered on its lees for extended ageing in bottle.”

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

My Opinion: Recommended

November 16, 2025

SIEUR GAILLARD EXCELLENCE CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX, MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE, NV, Entre-deux-Mer, Bordeaux, France

09 Sunday Nov 2025

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

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Cost: $20.00
Grape: Sémillon, Muscadelle and Cabernet Franc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Prague
Country: France
Region: Entre-deux-Mer, Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Sieur Gaillard
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegance in a bottle. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, a medium+ intense nose, & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, golden apples, pear, honeydew melon, light yeast & vanilla.,

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Harvested by hand. Primary fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature, secondary fermentation and aging on the lees for 12 months in bottles.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Eggs Benedict.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 9, 2025

HENRI D’AUGAN BRUT CRÉMANT de BORDEAUX ROSÉ, TRADITIONAL METHOD, NV, AC Crémant de Bordeaux, France

20 Monday Oct 2025

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $22.95 (Clearance: $18.95 & $15.05 depending on the store)
Grape: Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Semillon
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Henri D’Augan
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A versatile, elegant, easy drinking sparkling brut rosé. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light copper in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Peach, pear, honeydew melon,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: It’s a steal if you can get it at $15.05 as I did.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Spanish Eggs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 19, 2025

LCBO: 42003

KACABA IRRESISTIBLE JOANNE’S BLEND SPARKLING ROSÉ 2023, VQA Ontario, Canada

11 Friday Jul 2025

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

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Cost: $30.15
Grape: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A refreshing off-dry sparkling rosé perfect for the patio. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Pink in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, Bing cherries, rhubarb & MacIntosh apples

Negatives: On the pricy side.

Interesting Point: Make sure the wine is very cold to bring out the freshness of the fruit.

Winemaker’s Note: Charmat method

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Korean BBQ chicken wings.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 6, 2025