Category Archives: Sparkling Wine

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

STREWN SPARKLER NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

17 Sunday Feb 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $24.00
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delightful crisp & refreshing sparkling wine made in the Sancerre style rather than NZ

Positives: Pale yellow with a green tinge and fine mousse featuring light yeastiness, lemon/lime, pear, green apples, pink grapefruit, flint and limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Made in the Cuvé Close (Charmat) method

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 17, 2019

DUFOULEUR PÈRE & FILS BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, Aoc à Nuits-Saint-Georges, Burgundy, France

10 Sunday Feb 2019

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Aligoté
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: à Nuits-Saint-Georges, Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dufouleur Pere & Fils
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple yet pleasant sparkling wine made in the traditional method

Positives: Pale gold in colour with fine mousse that features light yeast & buttered toast, lemon, peach, pear and Spy apples.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with strawberries

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 10, 2019

LCBO: 631762

HAUTE COUTURE FRENCH BUBBLES BLANC NV, Méthode Traditionnelle , France

10 Sunday Feb 2019

Posted by in Not Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $20.00)
Grape: unknown
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Haute Couture Bubbles
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple wine made for those that like sweetness in their sparkling wine and none of the yeastiness

Positives: Gold in colour with average mousse that features peach, pear and golden apples

Negatives: Not worth the price

Interesting Point: More like a Prosecco rather than a sparkling wine made in the traditional method.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: February 10, 2019

LCBO: 617258

CHANDON BLANC DE NOIRS NV, California, United States of America

27 Sunday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $32.95 (Clearance price: $26.75)
Grape: Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chandon Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A wonderful, dry yet bright sparkling wine made in the traditional method

Positives: Pale gold in colour with fine mousse and featuring cherry, strawberry, white currants, white peach, light brioche & yeast, limestone and rose petal on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: US Operation of Moët & Chandon

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 of years on its own or pair it with grilled chicken with chimichurri sauce.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: January 27, 2019

LCBO: 100693

RAVENTOS i BLANC ROSÉ BRUT 2014, Conca Del Riu Anoia, Spain

12 Saturday Jan 2019

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, On The Fence, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $37.50 US
Grape: Xarel-lo, Macabeu, Parellada, Monastrell
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: The Tasting Room & Wine Cellar
Country: Spain
Region: Conca Del Riu Anoia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Raventós i Blanc
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A very dry rosé Cava that is on the higher price range

Positives: Wine has a light salmon colour with a fine mousse and features raspberry, kiwi, white peach, pear, tangerine and rose petals on the nose.

Negatives: Price

Interesting Point: Winegrowers since 1497

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

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: January 12, 2019

CHANDON ROSÉ VN, Méthode Traditionnelle, California, United States of America

05 Saturday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: 50% Chardonnay, 44% Pinot Noir, 6% Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Moët & Chandon
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Refreshing, dry sparkling rosé that is not complex, but it is very pleasant to drink

Positives: Salmon in colour with a fine mousse that features lightly toasted, strawberry, raspberry and lime.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with smashed twice fried green banana.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: January 5, 2019

LCBO: 405555

VIENI SPARKLING ROSÉ BRUT 2012, VQA Ontario, Canada

01 Tuesday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $29.95 (Sale price: $19.95)
Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Riesling
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but a most pleasant & diverse sparkling rosé

Description: Copper in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features yeast, Anjou pear, wild strawberries and McIntosh apples. Full body with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Original price was $29.95, somewhat over priced, but bang on with their sale price of $19.95

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Red Snapper Ceviche with Shallots and Mango.

Tasted: 23 July 2017

Best Buy at the sale price

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Sale price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

My Opinion: Recommended at $19.95

VIENI BOLLICINE 2014, CHARMAT METHOD, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

01 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 85% Chardonnay, 15% Riesling
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

High quality at a good price

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light breaded yeast, green & red apples, pear, pink grapefruit, lemon rind, strawberry Medium body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Creamy Lobster Bisque served with Arugula Salad and warm homemade Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia.

Tasted: 21 July 2017

Best Buys

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

CHEVALIER MONOPOLE BRUT ROSÉ NV, France

28 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chevalier
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

I think this is one of the smoothest, full flavourful rosé sparkling that I’ve tasted, plus you can’t beat the price made in the traditional method

Description: Light cooper in colour with a medium to intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light yeast, strawberry, rhubarb, nectarine, clementine, lemon/lime, Spy apple, Anjou pear and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Monopole on French sparkling/champagnes means that the grapes are exclusively owned by the winery and not purchased elsewhere and brought to the winery.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Lobster Fettuccini with Creamy Spicy Sun Dried Tomato Sauce.

Tasted: 20 Aug 2017

Top Pick, Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Score: 9+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 485920

VIENI MOMENTI ROSÉ SPARKLING WINE EXTRA DRY NV, Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Blend
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, balanced, pleasant & all at a good price

Description: Pomegranate in colour with a light intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features light yeast, cherry, strawberry and red currants. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 – 5 of years on its own or pair it with Duck Terrine with Cranberries and Pistachios.

Tasted: 30 July 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4