Valentine’s Day is a special day, and enjoying a glass of sparkling wine with your significant other is a great way to cap, or start, the evening together. Below are 6 different sparkling wines that I tried last year, from BC and overseas, that I think are exceptional. Enjoy these wines on their own, with an appetizer, your main course or dessert, or in the bathtub if you dare.
6 Sparkling Wines For You to Enjoy
jy. Ancient Method Sparkling, BC – Light, toasty, honey nose with some citrus, but more stone fruit. Dry, medium intensity fruit flavour, with quite creamy, small bubble. Lees and ripe stone fruit flavour. Medium acidity. Very nice mouth feel due to the creaminess of the bubble and the sur latte. Later on you get some apple and a hint of ginger spice on the palate. The wine from the winery costs $39.90, and you can purchase it through www.okanagancrushpad.com. It is also available in select dining establishments (e.g. Joey), and some private retail stores. Rating: 
Giusti Asolo Prosecco DOCG Brut NV, Italy – This bubble has a mixed light floral and stone fruit nose. Dry, with high acidity. Small creamy bubble. Fresh stone fruit, mineral, and creamy bubble on the palate followed by some toastiness. An excellent wine. Rating: -
Giusti Asolo Prosecco DOCG Extra Dry NV, Italy – While the Brut contains 5 grams of residual sugar, the Extra dry has 10 grams. That being said, the wine still feels quite dry, but you do get a hint of sweetness. This wine has a very light stone fruit nose. Medium plus acidity. Very tiny, biting bubble. Tart red apples followed by stone fruit flavours. Rating:
Monmousseau Touraine Cuvee JM Brut 2011, France ($23.99) – This sparkler is made with 100% Chenin Blanc grapes and is made according to the Methode Traditionnelle (Champagne method). This wine had a bright medium lemon colour. Citrus, toast, lees and some saltiness on the nose. Medium body; dry. Very citrusy followed by green apples and lees. A hint of toasted oak and some nuttiness too. Tiny bubble. Rating:
Bottega Gold Brut Prosecco NV, Italy. The wine has a light intensity nose of flowers and citrus, with a hint of lime in the background. Dry, with medium plus acidity and light body. Aggressive, medium-sized, creamy bubbles. Citrus, apple, a hint of lime, and some lemon rind on the palate. It’s very recognizable with its metallic gold-covered bottle. Rating:
Montenisa Franciacorta Brut DOCG, Italy – Who says that the only sparkling wine Italy can make is Prosecco? I bring forth “Franciacorta”. This sparkling wine is made with Chardonnay grapes and uses the Champenois method (2nd fermentation in the bottle) to make the wine’s bubbles. This wine has a light toasty nose. Medium minus body with a fine mousse. Peach, apples and toast on the palate. Top quality. Rating:
