SPARKLING WINES FOR YOUR NEW YEAR
Chateau des Charmes Brut NV ★★★★ $25.95 (Vintages) This Niagara sparkler is made from the time-honoured blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It is medium bodied and has a brioche richness. Pour it as an aperitif to start your party and keep pouring it for your appetizers or even your mains.
2027 Cellars Blanc de Blanc Queenston Road Vineyard 2013 ★★★★½ $29.95 (Vintages) An excellent sparkling wine from Niagara. Blanc de Blanc is made exclusively with Chardonnay. It’s bone dry and crisp with lemons, fresh bread, and a little note of ginger. If you like shellfish, it would be an excellent accompaniment.
Cave Spring Blanc de Blanc Brut NV ★★★★½ $29.95 (Vintages) Expect fine bubbles, stony minerals, bready notes, green apple, and citrus in this elegant Niagara wine. Try it with charcuterie since the refreshing acidity will cut the oiliness. It would make a nice brunch wine as well.
13th Street Cuvée Rosé Brut NV ★★★★½ $27.95 (Vintages) Medium bodied, it has hints of strawberries, charming minerality, good acidity, and fine mousse. The crisp fruit of this sparkler will pair well with spring rolls dipped in a Thai Chili sauce.
Rosehall Run Pixie Sparkling Rose NV ★★★ $19.95 (Vintages) If you like a medium sweet sparkling, try this one from Prince Edward County closed with a crown cap. It’s pale pink and light bodied with cherry cotton candy and strawberry flavours. Your fruit based desserts will thank you for it.
Kew Blanc de Noir Sparkling 2011 ★★★★ $29.95 (Winery, Online) A beautiful Niagara sparkling with a touch of copper colour. Made with 100% Pinot Noir (hence, Blanc de Noir), it shows Montmorency cherry and strawberry fruit. Try it with smoked salmon or Portobello mushrooms bites.
Henry of Pelham Cuvee Catherine Brut Rosé NV ★★★★½ $29.95 (LCBO) A medium bodied sparkling wine that delivers strawberries, raspberries, a little rhubarb, yeasty complexity, and very nice bubbles. Serve it as an aperitif or at midnight and your guests will be delighted.
Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne NV ★★★★½ $73.80 (LCBO) If you want to impress, go for one of my favs! The wine is medium to full bodied and you can expect lovely mousse with breadiness, citrus, and apple. It’s wonderful with brunch, appetizers, or just by itself.
Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut Champagne NV ★★★½ $49.95 (LCBO) Third largest seller globally, this is a good value for Champagne. It’s yeasty, lemony, with a taut green herbal edge and has a lovely mousse. Great match for sashimi.