Can We Talk?
Why do we only drink Champagne and other sparkling wines when we are celebrating???
Well I’m here to say if we have to find a reason, maybe we just start celebrating life cuz this shit show of a pandemic is not going to get us down. Ok?
REALLY, I want to understand why the reluctance? It could be that once opened, sparkling wine can go flat but with the correct stopper a bottle of bubbly can last another day or two. There are many options but this could solve your problem. Personally, I would just decide that the bottle should be finished:)
Next, I think when many people think of sparkling wine they think champagne and the high price tag that follows. This also is incorrect because there are many options we can all enjoy. I’m going to give you a “sparkling wine for dummies” outline so you can join my sparkling revolution!
First of all let’s talk champagne. Champagne is from Champagne France and if you want to go down that road of Dom Perignon, Veuve Clicquot , Louis Roederer and all the other historical brands then you’re going to pay more than your typical bubbly. Is it worth it? Depends who you talk to but there are many other sparkling wines done in the same “traditional method”. Check out the web site Wine Folly for a great breakdown of all methods for sparkling wine.
If you really want that “French” experience check out a Crémant which is a French sparkling wine done in the traditional method but not produced in Champagne. Crémant de Saumur, Crémant de Vouvray, and Crémant de Loire are great examples. Won’t have the prestigious name but you’ll have money left over for dinner!
Another sparkling wine to look for is Cava from Spain. Again, this is made in the traditional method but is made from Macabeo, Parellada and Xarello grapes. I’m sure you’ve seen Freixenet and Codorniu in the LCBO but I would check out a smaller producer. As with Cremant you’ll be able to buy dinner:)
Another popular option is Prosecco which I’m sure you’ve all heard of. Light, bright and bubbly this is one of Italy’s versions of sparkling wine but other than bubbles that’s where it ends. This is meant to be enjoyed in it’s youth and if you’re not a fan of the toasty dryness of traditional style wines then this may be for you. Produced in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions of Italy, this wine is made from the Glera grape. Instead of the second fermentation done within the bottle, prosecco is done in large stainless steel tanks and could be ready for consumption in as little time as 30 days. Hence the lower price point.
There are many other countries that produce sparkling wines but I wanted to give you the condensed version so we could get to the point of this blog.
ONTARIO MAKES SPARKLING WINES !!!!!
Specifically the Niagara Escarpment and they’re really good! With a similar climate, soil and grape varietals as Champagne(chardonnay and pinot noir) this would seem like an obvious region for growing excellent sparkling wine.
So let’s think local for Valentine’s Day and for every other day that ends in “Y”.
Here is my list of local wines to explore….
Thanx to Giuliana for her suggestions for this list..in no particular order
Cave Springs 2013 Blanc do Blanc CSV-$44.95
Kew Vineyards 2019 organic riesling sparkling-$19.95
Henry of Pelham Rose Brut VQA-$32.95
Westcott Vineyard 2019 Violette Sparkling Brut-$25.99
The Good Earth Aria Sparkling Rose-$29.95
Flat Rock 2015 Crowned Rose-$$45.20
Angel’s Gate 2014 Archangel Chardonnay Sparkling VQA-$29.95
Redstone Winery 2016 Limestone Vineyard
This is by no mean’s exclusive as there are many excellent choices. I was able to find the 4 bottles at the LCBO close by but if you go to the a wineries website, you will be able to see what’s available and with a few clicks and your visa card you’ll be able to have it delivered right to your home! Easy eh?
I guarantee you won’t be disappointed and I think we all need to celebrate life right about now so….
Cheers
Catherine and The Travelling Vines
