Les Etoiles 2013 Method Traditional – Hinterland Wine Company ($39)

This boutique winery found in the picturesque Prince Edward County (in a small town called Hillier) has three sparkling wines – four if you include their recently sold out Blanc de Blanc – a red and a wild ferment cider that is worth the trip to what seems like the back of beyond to many city folk. The Les Etoiles is made from hand-picked Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, and produced with the method traditional familiar to anyone who has sipped a Champagne.

Tasting Note by Rick VanSickle – Score 92

“Made in the traditional method, this is a blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir. The nose shows grapefruit, pear, brioche, toast and smoky-flinty notes. It’s racy on the palate with a healthy, persistent stream of bubbles that accent flavours of fresh grapefruit, pear, citrus and that vein of flinty minerality.”