The Holiday season is coming up whether it is Christmas or Hanukkah, or another celebration. A celebratory drink for many of us is sparkling wine, which can come from different countries, at different price points; but all are enjoyable! Prosecco, Champagne, Cava, Cremant and more are terms you may hear relating to different sparkling wines. I recently had a chance to try some of the latest vintages of sparkling wines coming into the Vancouver market, and thought I’d share my top 5 with you so you can enjoy some bubble with confidence, with family and friends. There are of course others, so please enjoy the sparkling wines you already know, but maybe I can introduce you to some new ones.
My Top 5 Sparkling Wines for the Holidays
- Champagne Bauchet Seduction Brut, NV, France ($55.99) – How can you pass up Champagne called “Seduction”? This one is a rose. It has a light bready ose. Dry, light body, with red fruit flavours like strawberries, followed by Delicious and McIntosh apples. Light bodied with very fine bubbles. Rating:
- Laurent-Perrier Rose, NV, France – This bubble is made with 100% Pinot Noir grapes from Grand Cru vineyards. Light toast and red fruit aromas. Medium body, dry with a creamy bubble. Red fruits and sour red cherry flavours. Rating:
- Monte del Fra Scianco Spumante Brut Custoza, Italy (~$24) – Nice ripe candied pear aroma, which continues to the palate. Medium body with small bubble, soft mouth feel. Very tasty at a nice price. Rating:
- Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rose, NV, France ($64.99) – Light strawberry nose. Light body, round mouth feel, with creamy medium sized bubbles. Red cherries and red fruit on the palate. Rating:
- Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 2002, Italy ($82.12+tax) – Toast and apple on the nose. Dry with very high acidity. Small bubbles. You first get apples on the palate followed by toastiness. A complex, quality Prosecco. Rating:
Bonus Recommended Wine
I know I said top 5 wines, but this one I just had to fit into the discussion. It is from the Gancia winery from Italy, which made the first ever Prosecco.
- Gancia Rose Brut, NV, Italy – Fun, candied cherry aroma in the glass, with more on the palate. In addition you get some candied apple flavour. Off-dry with small bubble and medium acidity. What is nice about this wine is being a rose, you get some drying tannins on the finish. How often have you seen a Rose Prosecco? This is a first for me. Rating:
