Have you ever heard of a sparkling wine called Charme de l’ile, Island Charm in English? It is not a wine from France. It is from Vancouver Island and can only be made on Vancouver Island using Island grapes. Just like Champagne can only be made in the Champagne region of France. Charme is also a nod to the method of production of this sparkling wine using the Charmat method. As you can guess, these sparkling wines are meant to be enjoyed fresh and not put away in a cellar for many years before drinking. Nova Scotia has something similar with their “Tidal Bay” wines.
Recently I tasted two Charme de l’ile sparkling wines from Duncan’s Blue Grouse Estate Winery: Blue Grouse Estate Winery Charme de l’ile Sparkling White Wine Brut, NV and Blue Grouse Estate Winery Charme de l’ile Sparkling Rosé Brut, NV. Let me tell you about them.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Blue Grouse Estate Winery Charme de l’ile Sparkling White Wine Brut, NV (BC $29.99)
This wine is a blend of Schonberger, Muller Thurgau, Bacchus, and Pinot Gris grapes. Winemaker’s notes, “The grapes are destemmed, juice pressed off the skins and then fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve aromas. The dry, finished wine was then mixed with a bit of sugar and yeast and allowed to ferment in a sealed tank. With nowhere for the carbon dioxide to escape, as the wine ferments for a second time, the pressure climbs as more bubblers are created. The bubbly wine was moved carefully to bottle and finished with a cork.”
Appearance: Clear, pale, straw-coloured with large bubbles that persist once poured.
Nose: Medium-intensity aromas, quite toasty (not from oak) with lesser amounts of apple, and a hint of petrol after swirling.
Palate: This wine is dry, medium-plus body, with pronounced flavours of crisp apple, citrus rind, and some bitter grape stem and a touch of minerality toward the finish. With some swirling, I also picked up a hint of pine needles. This wine has high acidity and leaves an acidic prickle on your tongue. There is a mix of creamy and biting bubbles that fill your mouth.
Finish: A shorter length finishing with toast, crisp apple, citrus rind, grape stem bitterness, and touches of minerality and pine needles.
Rating: 
– 
Blue Grouse Estate Winery Charme de l’ile Sparkling Rosé Brut, NV (BC $29.99)
This wine is made primarily with Gamay Noir grapes along with small amounts of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Winemaker’s notes, “Each lot of grapes is vinified separately and selected to blend into a juicy, vibrant wine. Once the blend is made, the wine undergoes a second fermentation in stainless steel tank – the result is a sparkling wine that captures the “Charm” of our wine growing region. A sugar dosage is added before the bottle is finished with a cork.“
Appearance: A lighter clear salmon colour. Quite bubbly when poured in the glass.
Nose: Medium-intensity aromas of red fruits, apples, and lees.
Palate: Dry, medium-plus body and pronounced flavour intensity. A round, thicker mouthfeel. High acidity, leaving a medium acidic prickle on your tongue. Creamy, medium-sized bubbles fill your mouth. Apples and red fruit flavours, plus some apple seed bitterness. Light tannins.
Finish: Medium-plus length, finishing with red fruit flavours and some bitterness.
Rating: –
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
Both wines are available for purchase online at the Blue Grouse Estate Winery website. This wine is also available for purchase at Everything Wine stores.
