Category Archives: Sparkling Wine

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

STELLER’S JAY 2008 BRUT, Méthode Classique VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

13 Friday Jun 2014

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Steller's Jay
Cost: $25.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sumac Ridge, Constellation Brands
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. 

A lighter vintage style Champagne that’s easy to drink and it’s good

Positives: This creamy sparkling wine features light toast, brioche, Anjou pear, baked apple, pink grapefruit and lemon filling. Medium body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Aged en triage for a minimum 3 years, then hand riddled and disgorged.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or and pair it with oyster Rockefeller.

Tasted: 8 June 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 264879

TORRESELLA PROSECCO NV, DOC Veneto, Italy

25 Sunday May 2014

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Torresella

Cost: $19.99 Cayman
Grape Variety: Prosecco (Glera)
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto, Italy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Torresella
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse.

This Prosecco has depth and character

Positives: This wine features a creamy texture with pear, lavender, honeycomb, white raspberry and almonds. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with raspberry parfait.

Tasted: 25 May 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

FANTINI CUVEÈ COCOCCIOLA NV, Charmat Method, Abruzzo, Italy

09 Sunday Mar 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $23.99 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: Cococciola
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Abruzzo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fantini
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Straw colour with a medium+ intense nose and full mousse.

A good alternative to Prosecco utilizing the Cococciola grape

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

Negatives: None.

Interesting Notes:

  • Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s for recommending this wine.
  • In collaboration with Swarovski, a Swarovski crystal is impeded in the label.

Drink now on its own or pair it with grilled cheese with pear & ham.

Tasted: 9 March 2014

Best Buy

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

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

FREIXENET CORDON NEGRGO BRUT CAVA NV, Méthodo Tradicional, Spain

08 Saturday Mar 2014

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Cava

Cost: $13.95
Grape Variety: Macabeo, Xarel-lo & Parellada
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Penedes
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Freixenet
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Straw in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse.

A quality sparkling wine at bargain basement price

Positives: This wine features light yeast, green apple, grapefruit, almond butter, pear, peach, honeydew melon, lemon, green olives & limestone. Light to Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Grapes are hand picked and harvest starts in August with Macabeo and ends at the beginning of October with Parellada. Second fermentation takes place in the bottle.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with hickory smoked peppered bacon.

Tasted: 2 March 2014

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18.5/20

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

LCBO: 216945

FERRARI BRUT NV, Traditional Method, DOC Trento, Italy

11 Tuesday Feb 2014

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

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Ferrari

Cost: $25.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Trento, Italy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ferrari SPA
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.

Simply delicious! A nice balance between Champagne and Prosecco

Positives: This sparkling wine features light yeast, lemon, clementine, apple blossom, green apple, pear & wet stone. Medium body and with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I was able to purchase this at the Brampton LCBO for $20.80

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Arugula, prosciutto & Brie Panini.

Tasted: 11 February 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 52153

RIONDO SPAGO NERO PROSECCO NV, DOC Veneto, Italy

10 Friday Jan 2014

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

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prosecco-spago-nero-shadowed

Cost: $9.99 US
Grape Variety: Prosecco
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Total Wines & Costco, Florida
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Riondo
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Can’t beat the price with the quality that you get

Positives: This wine features pear, peach, coconut, key lime, & white blossoms on the nose. Light to medium body with medium good acidity & an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with creamy butternut squash soup.

Tasted: 10 January 2014

Amazing Buy & Top Pick

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

CHANDON ROSÉ NV MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE, California, United States

02 Thursday Jan 2014

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Cost: $32.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Moët & Chandon
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Salmon in colour with a medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.

A must buy if you go to Costco in Florida as it’s price is $12.99!

Positives: A fragrant sparkling that pairs well with a variety of foods. This sparkler features light yeast, strawberry, pink grapefruit, watermelon, cherry & roasted garlic on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Costco in Ontario doesn’t carry wine.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with bruschetta.

Interesting Point: Owned by the famed Champagne house; Moët & Chandon

Tasted: 2 January 2014

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

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

LCBO: 56341

DOMAINE CARNEROS BRUT BY TAITTINGER 2008, Method Champenoise, Carneros, California, United States

15 Sunday Dec 2013

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

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Carneros

Cost: $33.99 CI
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Carneros
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.

If you don’t want to pay triple the cost of a Taittinger vintage Champagne, yet have similar style & notes, this is one of the best.

Positives: This complex yet very smooth sparkling wine features yeast, lemon, brioche, Anjou pear, baked apples, tangerine, seaweed & wet stone. Medium body with good tannins and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Aged 3 years in the bottle before being released.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with truffle oil Parmigiano French fries.

Tasted: 15 Dec 2013

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5+/10 Total: 19+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+

MARQUIS DE LATOUR BRUT NV, Loire Valley, France

12 Thursday Dec 2013

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Cost: $16.99 CI (On sale $12.99 for the month of Dec 2013)
Grape Variety: Ugni Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Loire Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Remy Pennier
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and plentiful mousse.

Well this was a nice surprise. Crisp, clean & easy to drink & at $13 it’s an amazing buy.

Positives: This sparkling features honeydew melon, lime, green apples, peach, pear & lemon grass. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with arugula and cherry tomato salad with lemon and chili olive oil vinaigrette.

Tasted: 12 Dec 2013

Amazing Buy when it’s under $13, and Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LUNETTA PROSECCO NV, DOC Trentino, Italy

07 Saturday Dec 2013

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

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lunetta_prosecco_low_res

Cost: $22.99 CI (Sale for December 2013 $16.99)
Grape Variety: Prosecco
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Trentino
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cavit Winery
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and medium mousse.

A simple Prosecco that I would use in a Bellini

Positives: This sparkling wine features Easter lily & white tea on the nose with green apples, lime & peach on the palate. Medium light body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Price range should be around $10

Drink now on its own or pair it with poached eggs on a bed of wilted greens.

Tasted: 7 Dec 2013

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 7/10 Total: 15.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3