Category Archives: Sparkling Wine

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

ZUCCARDI CUVÉE SPECIAL BLANC DE BLANC NV, Champenoise Method, Tupungato Vineyards, Mendoza, Argentina

29 Monday Apr 2013

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Zuccardi Blanc de Blanc

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance $17.30)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintage
Country: Argentina
Region: Tupungato, Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Zuccardi Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Straw in colour with fine mousse and medium+ intense nose.

Classic Blanc de Blanc Champagne style

Positives: A simply delightful sparkling (ok it’s really yummy) featuring toasted bread, baked apple, brioche, quince, pear, orange peel and a kiss of honey. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long, long, long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: 58 months on the yeast. This is what I describe as a 2-bottle wine, i.e. easy to drink 2 bottles in one sitting. I found this gem at the Crossroad LCBO (HWY 401 at Weston Rd). Luckily I bought all 3 bottles that they had. Buy it if you find it! I also really like the bottle shape and the classic label.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with wild mushrooms, rosemary infused cream fresh mozzarella, arugula, and truffle oil shaved Parmesan pizza. If you go to Grand Cayman, visit The Ritz Carlton Hotel, Periwinkle Restaurant where you’ll find this gem of a pizza.

Tasted: 28 April 13

Top Pick and Best Buy

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5+/10 (10/10 Clearance price) Total: 19+/20

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

LCBO: 227447

CATHEDRAL CELLAR BRUT SPARKLING WINE 2009, Méthode Cap Classique, Western Cape, South Africa

07 Sunday Apr 2013

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Cathedral Sparkling

Cost: $16.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintage
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: KWV
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose & a fine mousse.

Positives: Grapefruit, lime, dried parsley and grapefruit pith on the finish. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A bitter finish.

Interesting Point: When paired with Bergeron Classique Gouda the bitterness is diminished.

Drink now with food to mask the bitterness.

Tasted: 7 Aprl 13

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 296426

CHARLES DE FÈRE, BLANC DE BLANC, BRUT RÉSERVE, MÉTHODE TRADITIONELLE, NV, Loire Valley, Charentes, and Gers, France

17 Sunday Mar 2013

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Charles de fere

Cost: $19.85 (Cayman)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay, Uni Blanc, Chenin Blanc & Colombard
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Tortuga Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Loire Valley, Charentes, Gers
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Charles de Fère, Boisset Family Estate Winery
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ straw in colour with medium+ intense nose and fine mousse.

Can’t disagree with a French Blanc de Blanc made in the traditional way for under $20.

Positives: Very doughy on the nose and taste along with subtle notes of melon, nutmeg, green papaya, ginger, ripe apple and dill. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: About Charles de Fère

“Charles de Fère came to life in 1980 when an innovative sixth generation winemaker from Champagne, Jean-Louis, decided to start his own sparkling winery in a town called Fère-en-Tardois, just outside Champagne. He set out with a vision of crafting high-quality sparkling wines from grapes grown throughout France, strongly believing that a more diverse sourcing strategy would allow him access to the best possible grapes each year. Northern vineyards brought freshness and elegance, while southern vineyards provided beautifully ripe fruit, body and smoothness to the wines. In honor of his son Charles, he named his winery Charles de Fère, meaning “Charles from Fère.”

Today, Charles de Fère wines are crafted in Burgundy at the Boisset family’s
state-of-the-art sparkling wine facility. True to its roots, Charles de Fère’s grapes
continue to come from diverse terroirs throughout France, ensuring the best
possible fruit for consistently excellent sparkling wines at a great value.” Boisset Family Estate Winery

Drink now on its own or pair it with cheese and tomato omelet spiced with red pepper flakes & shallots.

Tasted: 17 Mar 13

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

CRANE LAKE BRUT SPARKLING WINE, NV, METHODE CHAMPENOISE, California

13 Wednesday Mar 2013

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Crane Lake
 
Grape Variety: Chardonnay blend
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Drank: American Airlines business class
Country: USA
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Crane Lake Winery
Alcohol: 11.5 %

Description: Pale straw in colour with fine mousse & a medium+ intensity.

I was surprised that American Airlines had a decent sparkling wine in business class that was produced in the Methode Champenoise.

Positives: This dry & crisp sparkler features lemon, baked apples, Anjou pear, brioche, chalk & a slight yeastiness. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I like that AA uses glass instead of plastic cups to to serve their wines.

Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with a Spanish omelette.

Tasted: 12 March 2013 (Happy Birthday to me!)

Score: 8.5+/10

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

WOLF BLASS YELLOW LABEL SPARKLING WINE NV, South Eastern Australia

17 Sunday Feb 2013

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WBL_Sparkling_Brut_web

Cost: $17.95 (Sale price until March 3, 2013 $15.95)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: South Eastern Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mildara Blass Limited
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and average mousse.

Positives: An easy drinking sparkling wine, and a good substitute if you don’t like Proseccos. Wine features pineapple, pear, lemon/lime and granny smith apples.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with smoked oysters.

Tasted: 16 Feb 13

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 (8.5+/10 sale price), Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 649996

DR. LOOSEN SPARKLING RIESLING DEUTSCHER SEKT NV, Germany

17 Sunday Feb 2013

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Dr. Loosen
 
Cost: $13.95
Grape Variety: Riesling
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: Germany
Region: 
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Weingut Dr Loosen
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Pale straw in colour with a medium intense nose.
 
I was a little disappointed in the sparkling from Dr. Loosen as I expected better quality. On the plus side, my mother and aunt who are not Champagne lovers really loved this wine.
 
Positives: Light crisp wine featuring lemon/lime, chalk, green apples and pink grapefruit.

Negatives: Has a slightly bitter after taste.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Chinese food

Tasted: 15 Feb 13

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 296095

SEGURA VIUDAS ARIA, NV, Traditional Method, Catalunya, Spain

12 Saturday Jan 2013

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Segura

Cost: $19.95 (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Macabeau, Xarel-lo & Parellada
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott
Country: Spain
Region: Catalunya
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Segura Viudas
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with lots of mousse and a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: A nice easy drinking sparkling wine featuring lemon, ginger, light yeast, green apple & nectarine. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair with as a brunch option especially with bacon.

Tasted: 12 Jan 13

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

ROEDERER ESTATE BRUT SPARKLING NV, Anderson Valley, Mendocino, California

10 Monday Dec 2012

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Roederer Estate Brut Sparkling, Anderson Valley, Mendocino, California, Usa Bottle

Cost: $24.90 Clearance Price (Reg: $28.95)
Grape Variety: 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Anderson Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Roederer U.S. Marketing Inc.
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Gold in colour with fine mousse and a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: I just love this sparkler, which is one of my top 10 in this category. The clearance price even makes it more attractive. This easy drinking creamy sparkling wine serves up lemon, apple, biscotti, lemon curd, pink grapefruit, yeast, limestone and a touch of rosemary.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with anything, but if you need something, I paired it with Beausoleil cocktail oysters and it was heavenly.

Tasted: 9 Dec 12

Top Pick and Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 294181

CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT SPARKLING WINE NV, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario. Méthode Traditionelle

20 Tuesday Nov 2012

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Cave Spring Blanc De Blancs Brut, VQA Niagara Escarpment Bottle

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location bought: LCBO
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave Spring Cellars Ltd
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with fine mousse & medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: A simply delightful sparkling that I could just drink everyday. Features lemon, green apple, brioche, some yeast, baked apples, Anjou pear, mandarin & limestone. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I was able to pick up this sparkling at clearance price at LCBO in Brampton for $20.80, which would make this a Best Buy & a Top Pick.

Drink now on its own or pair it with arugula & prosciutto pizza.

Tasted: 18 Nov 12 (congrats to the Argos in making it to the Grey Cup, which I’ll be seeing them there ) If they win I’ll drink another of this sparkling to celebrate)

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 213983

REYES D’ARAGON BRUT RESERVA CAVA 2009, Spain

28 Sunday Oct 2012

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Reyes D'aragon Brut Reserva Cava 2009, Spain Bottle

Cost: $13.95
Grape Variety: 70% Macabeo, 30% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: Spain
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Langa Hnos
Alcohol: 11.7% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Yellow colour with fine mousse and a highly intense nose.

Positives: You get a lot for your money in this easy drinking Cava. This sparkler features brioche, baked apples, clementines, macadamia nuts, melon, & lemon. Medium body with a nice creamy feel, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Slight oxidative nose with slight wateriness on the taste.

Drink on its own as an aperitif or pair it with a variety of olives and Spanish prosciutto.

Tasted: 26 Oct 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO# 194803