#WineWednesday: Wines for the Holidays – Domestic Sparkling

By / Wine + Drinks / December 11th, 2013 / 3

Last week we looked at bubblies from the home of sparkling wine: Champagne, France – the place where Dom Perignon and Louis Roederer cavort with the likes of Baron Rothschild and Laurent Perrier … but you don’t have to go across the pond to drink bubbles, in fact we have a pretty good sparkling wine tradition right here at home.

So this season, if you’re looking to impress your guest with homegrown bubbles why not look to these producers as your reliable alternatives to the French stuff – and for fun, see if they can really taste the difference.

Sumac Ridge 2008 Steller’s Jay ($25.95) – B.C.

Nice and toasty with elements of almond and hazelnut along with great fruit and that signature brioche and biscuity-ness found in good bubbly.

Henry of Pelham Cuvee Catharine Rosé ($29.95) – ONT

Red berries mixed with lemon-lime and minerality all finishing with an element of toasty-ness; continues to be a trusted rosé year after year.

Hinterland 2011 Blanc de Blanc ($35.00) – ONT

This one’s layered and lovely:  bracing acidity, fresh mac apple, vanilla-hazelnut-biscotti and lime – a bubbly meant to sip with good friends and loved ones.

Benjamin Bridge 2007 Methode Classique Reserve Brut ($74.95) – N.S.

This winery is putting Nova Scotia on the map for sparkling and you can really taste the reason why.  Classic sparkling.

Gray Monk 2009 Odyssey Rosé (19.99) – B.C.

Strawberry, rhubarb and cherry with some bitterness from the acidity to keep it honest.

Jackson-Triggs 2010 Entourage Grand Reserve Brut ($22.95) – ONT

This one doesn’t say rosé on the label but it certainly has the colour – lovely acidity balances out the floral, light raspberry, hints of vanilla, almond and lemonade flavours and great aromas.

For more wine suggestions, see our other #WineWednesday posts.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael is an award-winning journalist: Promoting the Promoters Award Cuvée 2010 and Ontario Wine Awards Journalist of the Year 2012.  He is also a national and international wine judge - Ontario Wine Awards, All Canadian Wine Championships; Best of Riesling — Germany; Essencia do Vinho — "Top Wines of Portugal".  He is currently the President of the Wine Writers Circle of Canada and the wine columnist for Ottawa Life and Grand magazine as well as regular contributor to Tidings, and Grapevine ... his reviews have also appeared in the LCBO Vintages magazine. Michael has also added a YouTube channel to his activities where he reviews bottles of great Ontario wine on a weekly basis. In whatever he does, it is Michael’s desire to educate, inspire and encourage others to grow their own love and enthusiasm for wine – and to realize that it is their palate that ultimately makes the decision.

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