Category Archives: Sparkling Wine

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

FOWLES STONE DWELLERS CHARDONNAY PINOT NOIR SPARKLING WINE, NV, Victoria, Australia

04 Sunday Dec 2016

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stone-dwellers

Cost: $11.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Victorian
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fowles Wine
Alcohol: 12.6% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex, very dry, stone fruit character sparkler at a great price

Description: Deep straw with rose hue in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features pastry, lemon, peach pit, strawberry, green apples and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Instead of a cork, Fowles uses bottle cap to cap this sparkling wine

Drink now or in 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Jerk Chicken Pasta Salad.

Tasted: 16 October 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 430074

CREEKSIDE ESTATE THE TRAD 2011, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Tuesday Nov 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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No Unauthorized Reproduction @Jason Dziver

Cost: $28.95 (Clearance Price: $18.25)
Grape: 56% Pinot Noir, %44 Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Creekside Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Champagne style that is complex, smooth & delicious

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mouse. This wine features toasted oak, brioche, yeast, lemon pie, pear, green apples, honey, ginger, dill and honeydew on the nose. Medium+ body, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in 7-10 years on its own or pair it with Fresh Baked Clams.

Tasted: 30 October 2016

Best buy and top pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance Price: 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 390336

HUFF ESTATE CUVÉE PETER F. HUFF 2010, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

26 Wednesday Oct 2016

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Huff

Cost: $40.00 (Clearance price: $28.05)
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO  Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Huff Estates
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic old vintage Champagne style

Description: Old gold in colour with an intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features toasted oak, yeast, sourdough, brioche, lemon, green apples, grapefruit, mandarin, dragon fruit, orange rind, honey, sage, ginger and dill. Full body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: “This sparkling wine was handcrafted using 100% Prince Edward County Chardonnay & Pinot Noir. This wine underwent a second fermentation in the bottle and rested for 3 years on lees.” Huff Estates

Drink now on its own or pair it with Lithuanian Stuffed Eggs.

Tasted: 28 August 2016

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 198754

LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE D’IVOIRE BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE NV, Ac Burgundy, France

17 Monday Oct 2016

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louis

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Mostly Chardonnay with some white grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Louis Bouillot
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant substitute for Champagne at half the price

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light brioche, lemon, green apples, pear and white roses on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in 7 years on its own or pair it with Littleneck Clams Casino topped with Smoked Bacon, Charred Jalapeño and Burnt Lime.

Tasted: 25 September 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 48801

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE BRUT 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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balance brut

Cost: $23.15
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: White Wine
Location Niagara College Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple but pleasant sparkler

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features lemon/lime, white peach, green apples and light yeast on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years, on its own or pair it with baked three cheddar cheese.

Tasted: 21 August 2016

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

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

HANDSOME BRUT MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE NV, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

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Handsome

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $20.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Angels Gate
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality Blanc de Blanc at a good price

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light brioche, lemon/lime, pear, peach, green apples, kiwi, honeydew melon and honeysuckle on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years, on its own or pair it with Pear, Parmesan, Candied Pecan and Arugula Salad.

Tasted : 7 Aug 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 395160

DOMAINE ALLIMANT-LAUGNER BRUT CRÉMANT D’ALSACE MÉTHODE TRADITIONNALLE NV, Ac Alsace, France

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

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Allimant

Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16.00)
Grape: Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Allimant-Laugner
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, yet elegant

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light yeast, hay, lemon, pear, almonds, limestone and jasmine on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years, on its own or pair it with Smoked Salmon.

Tasted: 31 July 2016

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 17.5+/20

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

LCBO: 30593

SELKIE FRIZZANTE 2014, Malagash, Nova Scotia, Canada

22 Monday Aug 2016

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Selkie

Cost: $16.75
Grape: Nova Scotia blend of grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Malagash
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jost Wines
Alcohol: 8.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Reminds me of a sweet non-alcoholic sparkling wine you get at a supermarket

Description: Yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features orange, mango, yellow apples, bubble gum and orange blossoms on the nose. Medium body with fair acidity and an average length.

Negatives: Too sweet for me, even as an aperitif

Interesting Note: Selkies are mythological creatures found in Scottish, Irish, and Faroese folklore. Selkies are said to live as seals in the sea, but shed their skin to transform into their human form on land, dance along the moonlit shores, bask in the sun on outlying skerries, and be with their human loves.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Brioche Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

Tasted: 24 July 2016

Score: 7.5/10, Value: 7.5/10 Total: 15/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

LCBO: 441899

CHATEAU DES CHARMES BRUT MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE NV, VQA, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

22 Monday Aug 2016

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chateau des charmes

Cost: $23.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Des Charmes Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Solid, easy drinking sparkling wine made in the traditional style at a fair price

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toast, lemon, green apples, pear, lime, peach and white flowers on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 of years, on its own or pair it with Seared Scallops.

Tasted: 24 July 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 224766

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES BRUT ROSÉ 2012, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

11 Monday Jul 2016

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Chateau de Charmes

Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $23.95)
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.

Simple, easy drinking sparkling wine that is great for summer patio drinking

Description: Pink in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features mild yeast, strawberry, cherry, McIntosh apple and cotton candy. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years, on its own or pair it with a light Summer Spinach Strawberry Salad with Poppyseed Vinaigrette. 

Tasted: 26 June 2016

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

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

LCBO: 78055