Category Archives: Sparkling Wine

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

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

≈ Leave a comment


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

≈ Leave a comment


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

≈ Leave a comment


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

≈ Leave a comment


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

VIENI BRUCE TRAIL SPARKLING ROSÉ NV, VQA, Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Not Recommended, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $15.95
Grape: 52% Pinot Noir, 28% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple sparkler

Description: Pink snapper in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and medium mousse. This wine features yeast, cherry, strawberry and red apple. Medium+ body with average acidity and length.

Negatives: The nose may detract some people.

Interesting Note: Uses classing Champagne grapes, and a dollar goes to the Bruce Trails conservancy

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Spinach and Smoked Salmon Salad with Lemon Dill Dressing.

Tasted: 21 July 2017

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17+/20

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

JACOB’S CREEK CHARDONNAY PINOT NOIR BRUT NV, Southeastern Australia

17 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $14.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: Southeastern Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jacob’s Creek Winery
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice flavoured, inexpensive dry sparkler that is an excellent replacement for Prosecco.

Description: Light gold in colour with a light to medium intense nose and medium mousse. This wine features light yeast, lemon, yellow apple, pear, lime and orange rind. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years

Tasted: 1 January 2018

Best Buy

Recommended

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

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

LCBO: 210633

TRIUS BRUT ROSÉ MÉTHODE CLASSIQUE NV, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $32.95
Grape: Red blend
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages, The Wine Shop & Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Trius Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant dry rosé sparkling wine

Positives: Salmon in colour with a fine mousse. Wine features light yeast, wild strawberry, white currants, white cranberry and pink grapefruit.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 16, 2018

LCBO: 184309

HENKELL BLANC DE BLANCS DRY/SEC NV, Germany

14 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $15.95
Grape: White grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Germany
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henkell
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rich, creamy, fruit driven & easy drinking sparkler that will please those that don’t like a yeasty, toasty sparkling/Champagne

Description: Bright yellow gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features golden apples, peach, pear, orange and lime. Medium+ body with average acidity and length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Pretty bottle

Drink now or in the next couple of years

Tasted: 7 January 2018

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17+/20

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

LCBO: 463349

M`A`N MÉTHODE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT NV, Coastal Region, South Africa

09 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $17.75
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Coastal Region
Format: 750 mL
Producer: MAN Family Wines
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This sparkling wine won’t blow away people, but it’s fairly priced and enjoyable

Positives: Yellow in colour with medium mousse. This wine features light oxidative characteristics, Granny Apples, lemon/lime, quince and peaches.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The winery is named after the first initials of the 3 winemakers wives names.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 9, 2018

LCBO: 556670

BOHIGAS RESERVA BRUT CAVA NV, DO Cava, Spain

07 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $18.95 (Clearance Price: $15.20)
Grape: 50% Xarello, 30% Macabeo, 20% Parellada
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cava
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fermi Bohigas
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A dry, versatile sparkling wine that’s easy to drink

Positives: Well balanced sparkling wine with some depth. A nice mix of yeast, citric fruit and white fruit.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 5-7 years.

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 18, 2018

LCBO: 401216