Have you heard the story of the discovery of Champagne? Dom Pérignon, a French Benedictine monk, finds fizzy wine in 17th-century cellar and declares, “I am tasting stars.” Unfortunately, it’s also entirely fictional. He was instrumental in setting down many of the quality standards still used in sparkling and still winemaking today. Actually, some of those were to prevent still wine from inadvertently becoming sparkling!
The fact is, for centuries, bubbles were considered a winemaking flaw. Before temperature control, wines that seemed to be finished in the fall often started re-fermentation in spring. Carbon dioxide built up, causing the fragile bottles to explode.
Then the real breakthrough came from England. In the 1600s, English glassmakers were producing stronger bottles using coal-fired furnaces. This allowed any re-fermentation to safely complete in bottle, trapping the carbon dioxide rather than shattering glass. By the time Champagne producers began embracing bubbles in the 18th century, the technology to manage them existed.
Champagne’s true genius wasn’t single invention; it was refinement of the sparkling wine process of blending, riddling, and disgorgement to get rid of the yeast to produce the wine we know today. However, the myth endures because we do love a good story.
Ratings: 5 stars: Outstanding; 4 stars: Very good; 3 stars: Good; 2 stars: Moderately good; 1 star: Not very good, but not bad; No stars: Poor.
Wending Home Pinot Gris 2021 ★★★★ $27.95 (Vintages, Winery)
This Niagara expression is firmly rooted in the French style delivering a more full bodied experience. Crafted by veteran winemaker Ron Giesbrecht, Wending Home’s pink-hued, award winning wine (Bronze at the Decanter World Wine Awards) opens with lemon pulp, pear, and grapefruit peel, supported by a mineral backbone and subtle notes of mango and gentle spice. It’s a great palate refresher alongside charcuterie and cheese, and an excellent partner for lemon sauced chicken or seafood, especially shrimp.
The Tragically Hip Fireworks Sparkling 2023 ★★★½+ $26.95 (Vintages, Winery)
Backed by Canada’s iconic rock band, The Tragically Hip, this Niagara sparkler makes a great choice for your table. Crafted mostly from Chardonnay with a touch of Riesling, it’s made using the Charmat method, which keeps those bright, fresh fruit flavours of lemon and yellow apple front and centre. A little aging on the lees adds a creamy texture that rounds it all out beautifully. Pair it with your favourite fried appetizers or soft cheeses or simply enjoy a glass on its own. Either way, it’s a hit worth playing on repeat.
Kaiken Ultra Malbec 2021 ★★★★+ $21.95 (Vintages)
This Malbec earned an impressive #30 spot on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 for 2024 and it’s easy to see why. Sourced from the Uco Valley, it delivers generous blackberry, plum, and black raspberry jam, woven together with notes of rosemary, sage, thyme, cedar, leather, and vanilla, grounded by an earthy core. The tannins are present but polished, giving the wine structure without rough edges. Built to cellar and evolve well into the 2030s, it’s equally rewarding right now, especially alongside a steak with chimichurri sauce or a plate of empanadas, if patience isn’t on the menu.
Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale 2021 ★★★★+ $29.95 (LCBO), $28.48 (Costco)
A Chianti that has been part of the Tuscan landscape since 1927, though the current expression leans into a more modern, fruit-forward style, blending Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Expect flavours of red cherry, raspberry, and plum along with earth, rosemary, and leather. Dry and sitting comfortably between medium and full-bodied, it’s an ideal match for Italian dishes built around tomato sauce, especially a pizza topped with pepperoni and bacon.
M. Chapoutier Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem 2020 ★★★★+ $23.95 (Vintages)
Here we have an upper-tier Côtes-du-Roussillon Villages built primarily on Syrah, supported by Grenache and a touch of Carignan. It’s an intensely flavoured, dark, and delicious step up from the standard Côtes-du-Roussillon offerings. Full-bodied yet balanced, the wine shows a mix of fruit and savoury notes: plum, dried strawberry, and black currant mingled with black pepper and classic garrigue herbs like rosemary and sage. This is a red made for the table, shining alongside hearty stews, tomato-based braises, and red meats, with grilled lamb chops being a particularly natural match.