Sparkling wines are always appreciated. They pair with many dishes and can be enjoyed on their own. I have two traditional method sparkling wines from Church & State Wines. A Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature 2018 made with Chardonnay grapes from their Black Sage Bench vineyard and a Gris de Noirs Brut 2019 made with Pinot Noir grapes from their Vancouver Island vineyard. Let me tell you about them.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Church & State Wines Gris de Noirs Brut 2019 (BC $TBD)
Fermented in stainless steel then left on the lees for 12 months in bottle. 102 cases made.
Appearance: A lighter tawny orange colour with quite prominent bubbles in the glass after being poured.
Nose: Lighter aromas of red fruits, red apples, and a touch of nuttiness. I also picked up some strawberry aroma with time in the glass.
Palate: Slightly off-dry, medium-plus body, round and soft with a thicker mouthfeel. A smaller creamy bubble. Red fruit, light toast and raspberry flavours on the palate with red cherries and apples toward the finish. Medium-minus tannins.
Finish: A medium-length finishing dry with light toast and tannins. Red fruit flavours and a touch of bitterness.
Rating: 
Medium-minus tawny orange. Lighter aromas of red fruit and red apples. Dryish, medium-plus body with a thicker mouthfeel. Smaller, creamy bubble. Red fruit, toast and a touch of raspberry on the palate followed by red cherry and apple to the finish.
Church & State Wines Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature 2018 (BC $32.88)
I read that this is the first vintage of their Brut Nature wine made with the traditional method. A very good first try. This wine was fermented in stainless steel and then spent 30 months on its lees in the bottle. 1019 cases were made.
Appearance: A medium straw colour with a green tinge.
Nose: Medium-intensity aromas of stone fruits, lemon and light toastiness. You also get pears and apple aromas with air.
Palate: Slightly off-dry, fuller body, round with a thicker mouthfeel. Very creamy medium-sized bubble. Pronounced apple with lesser amount of stone fruit, toast and apple blossom flavours on the palate.
Finish: Medium-plus length finishing dry. Lemon and stone fruit flavours with a mix of bitterness and tartness.
Rating: 
Bright medium straw with a green tint. Medium intensity nose with stone fruits and touches of toast and lemon. Off-dry, round, fuller body. Medium-plus acidity. Creamy medium bubbles. Apple with lesser stone fruit, toast and apple blossom flavours. Medium-plus length.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
I did not see the Gris de Noirs Brut 2019 on the winery website yet, but the Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature 2018 is there for online ordering. I assume the Gris de Noirs will be posted soon.
