The Christmas holidays and New Years Eve are fast approaching, and with that, you will probably be invited to parties, or invite people over to your party. But what wines to serve? I always like to have at least one sparkling wine at my parties, usually served at the start of the evening. There are a ton of choices of sparkling wines, covering Champagne, Cava, Cremant, Prosecco, and more. Some are made from the traditional champagne grapes of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and/or Pinot Meunier, but not all. Have you ever had a sparkling Riesling? Don’t be afraid to try.
Recently there was the latest IVSA in Vancouver, where agents show the latest vintages of various wines they carry. The November event is always sparkling wines, although all wines and spirits are welcome. I sifted through sparkling wines from around the world, and made my list of the top 6 sparklers I think you should try. Prices from $22.99 upward. Cheers!
Champagne Gatinois Ay Grand Cru Brut Tradition, France (BC $59.99) – A blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay grapes. Quite a bit of lees (dead yeast) on the nose. Yes it is a good aroma. Very creamy bubble with nutmeg, lees, and red apple flavours, with a finish of toast and citrus.
Luc Belaire Rare Rose, France (BC $34.99) – This is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah grapes. Very light salmon colour. A very nice nose, with aromas of red cherries and sweet apple. Medium body, slightly off dry, with higher acidity. Sweet apple and red cherries with some bitterness on the finish. Quite mouth filling. Small, light, creamy bubble. Delicious.
Giusti Rosalia Prosecco, DOC, Italy – Rosalia Prosecco is 100% estate fruit and 100% Glera (Prosecco) grapes from their vineyards. Nice flowers and citrus on the nose. Light body, high acidity and light small bubble. Light flavours of citrus, lees, and some bittnerness. Dry. Elegant.
KESSLER Jägergrün Riesling Brut, Germany (BC $30) – A new winery for me, but I learned that this winery was founded in 1826, and is the oldest sparkling wine producer in Germany. This wine has very light stone fruit, apricot and petrol aromas. Dry with higher acidity. Stone fruit flavour with very small bubble.
Ruggeri Giustino B Prosecco, Italy (BC $39.99) – Made from the Glera grape. This wine has light peach and orange aromas. Lighter bodied. Off-dry with light citrus and stone fruit flavours. Very good quality.
Graham Beck Non-Vintage Brut, South Africa (BC $22.99) – In South Africa, they call their sparkling wines, “Methode Cap Classique“. Graham Beck is a long-time quality producer of sparkling and still wines, and they have a commitment to protecting the biodiversity of our planet. A blend of Chardonnay: 53%, and Pinot Noir: 47%. This wine was light honey and stone fruit on the nose. Lighter bodied, dry with small creamy bubbles. Citrus with some toastiness. Mouth watering finish. Good quality.
Enjoy the holidays!
