Category Archives: Sparkling Wine

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

13th STREET PREMIER CUVÉE 2008, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

13 Monday Oct 2014

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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13 street cuvee

Cost: $34.95 (Clearance: $24.50)
Grape Variety: 51% Pinot Noir, 49% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently a quality Ontario sparkling wine

Description: Straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features mild toast, Easter Lily, lemon drops, ginger, pink grapefruit, green apples and limestone. Medium to medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Although this sparkling wine has been aged three years and made in the traditional method, not a lot of yeast and brioche notes, which should please those that want quality Champagne style but don’t like those notes.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with delicate cow’s milk cheeses

Tasted: 5 Oct 2014

Best Buy at the clearance price

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9+/10), Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 142679

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES ESTATE BOTTLED SPARKLING ROSÉ 2010, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

04 Saturday Oct 2014

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Chateau Des Charmes Rose

Cost: $28.95 (Clearance Price: $23.75)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling wine Méthod
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Des Charmes
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A simply delightful sparkling wine, which is not surprising from Château Des Charmes

Description: Salmon in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This sparkling wine features brioche, yeast, strawberry, raspberry, nectarines, clementines and Cambozola. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: In experimenting with different Champagne/Sparkling wine glasses, the thinner, longer style ones gave this sparkler a sharper note that may not be inviting to some pallets.

Interesting Note: Bottle fermented and aged on sur lie (on the yeast) for two to three years

Drink now or in the next 3 years or pair with Smoked Salmon Bruschetta.

Tasted: 28 Sept 2014

Best Buy on sale price

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 9+/10), Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 78055

BRUT EXCELLENCE DE CHANCENY VOUVRAY 2011, Méthode Traditionnelle, Ac Vouvray, France

19 Friday Sep 2014

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

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Brut Excellence

Cost: $25.99 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: Chenin Blanc
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s
Country: France
Region: Vouvray, Loire Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: De Chanceny
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking sparkling wine that I would love to drink on a regular basis

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This creamy and smooth sparkling wine features peaches, lemon lime, tangerines, candied fruit and macadamia nuts on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I love the shape of the bottle

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Red Snapper Thai Ceviche

Tasted: 19 Sept 2014

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

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

MAGNOTTA CRACKLING GAMAY ROSÉ NV, Charmat Method, VQA, Ontario, Canada

14 Sunday Sep 2014

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

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Magnotta Gamay

Cost: $10.15 (Sale price September 2014: $8.15)
Grape Variety: Gamay Noir
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 11.9% Alcohol/Vol.

An off dry spritzer that’s a really nice wine to bring to a party

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a low intense nose and creamy mousse. The simple but flavourful wine features strawberry and cherry. Medium+ body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with Cayman Style Ceviche (Fresh Snapper, Vinegar, Lime Juice, Tomato, Red Onion, Cilantro & Scotch Bonnet)

Tasted: 11 Sept 2014

Best Buy

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

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

DR. LOOSEN RIESLING SEKT NV, Charmat Method, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany

07 Sunday Sep 2014

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Dr Loosen Sparkling

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Riesling
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Germany
Region: Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Loosen Brothers
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple but flavourful off dry & easy drinking sparkling that’s nice to drink

Description: Gold in colour with a medium intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features peach, lime, honeydew melon and Kiwi. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: This year’s version is so much better than last years.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with caviar topped poached eggs on a bed of wilted greens.

Tasted: 31 Aug 2014 (Happy Birthday to my friend Dave whom I’ve known for 44 yrs)

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

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

LCBO: 296095

MAGNOTTA VIDAL CLASSIC 2013, Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada

21 Thursday Aug 2014

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

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Magnotta Vidal

Cost: $9.15
Grape Variety: Vidal
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 12.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A Spumante but with a bit more oomph

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and a creamy mousse. This simple but flavorful wine features Anjou pears, Spy apples, orange and honeydew melon. Full body with good acidity and a good long length

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or add orange or peach juice.

Tasted: 18 Aug 2014

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

MIRABELLE BRUT ROSÉ NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, California, United States

17 Sunday Aug 2014

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Mirabelle

Cost: $38.95 (Clearance price $27.30)
Grape Variety: 58% Chardonnay, 42% Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Schramsberg
Alcohol: 12.8% Alcohol/Vol.

At the clearance price it’s worth buying it

Description: Light copper in colour with medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. A simple sparkling wine featuring yeast, brioche, cherry, wild raspberry and lemongrass. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with sweet potato fries.

Tasted: 13 Aug 2014

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8/10 (Clearance Price: 8.5+/10) Total: 16.5+/20

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

LCBO: 329813

MAGNOTTA BLANC DE NOIRS NV, Méthode Classique, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

13 Sunday Jul 2014

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

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d_swbldenoir

Cost: $21.15
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir with a dosage of Cabernet Franc Icewine
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 13.6% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Salmon in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse.

A simple sparkling with nice flavours & easy to drink

Positives: This wine features MacIntosh apples, strawberry, raspberry, cantaloupe and a hint of honey. Full body with good acidity and a fairly long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 1. It was better in a wider base Champagne/Sparkling glass than the slimmer style. 2. Made with a touch of icewine.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or and pair it with bacon wrapped seared scallops served on a bed of cantaloupe with caramelized shallots.

Tasted: 13 July 2014, Congrats to Germany on their World Cup Win!

Best Buy

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

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

PERLAGE CANAH BRUT PROSECCO VALDOBBIADENE SUPERIORE, DOCG Veneto, Italy

06 Sunday Jul 2014

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Prosecco

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Prosecco (Glera)
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Periagi
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse.

Smooth, more substance than a regular Prosecco & it’s delicious

Positives: This wine features pear, peach, green apple and honeydew melon. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Organic agriculture and hand picked

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or and pair it with grilled cheese sandwich.

Tasted: 1 July 2014, Happy Canada Day

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 358390

SAN VERANZIO FORTUNATO VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE EXTRA DRY 2012, DOCG Veneto, Italy

25 Wednesday Jun 2014

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Prosecco

Cost: $14.25
Grape Variety: Prosecco (Glera)
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Terre Di San Venanzio Fortunat
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and creamy mousse.

Simple, easy drinking, full of flavour & perfect to bring several bottles to outings

Positives: This wine features honeysuckle, pear, green apple, lemon, peach, pear & some limestone on the finish. Medium body, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or and pair it with cured meats.

Tasted: 23 June 2014

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO: 359638