Instead of champagne, try
traditional method
sparkling wine:
Champagne is the king of
all sparkling wines. The
Champagne region in France
is where the style of wine is
believed to have originated.
Today, the same production
method (“methode champagnoise” or “traditional method”
on a label) is used in many other regions
using the classic grapes of champagne –
chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier –
or grapes that are local to the region making
the wine. Some other famous traditional
method sparkling wines include cava (from
Spain), Franciacorta (from Italy), and there
are even some amazing bubbles coming
from the United Kingdom, just to name a few.
Because of Canada’s cool climate, we are
also well suited to making world-class
traditional method sparkling wine.
Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine 2008
Blanc de Blanc “Carte Blanche”
Niagara Peninsula, Canada
$44.95
This sparkler made from 100% chardonnay is a stunner.
I would expect in a blind tasting, many would assume it to be
champagne. Aged on lees for 54 months, it is yeasty, toasty
but with plenty of orchard fruit character and complexity.
The Speck family is making some of Ontario’s best sparkling
wines. If you were to look for a vintage-dated, blanc de blanc
champagne, you would likely pay in well in excess of $100,
so this wine is a phenomenal value. Consider having this as
an aperitif alongside hot crabmeat dip.
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Instead of Burgundy or
Barolo, try Priorat:
Although “young” in wine
years, Priorat has quickly
catapulted itself to Spain’s most
important quality wine region
in a mere 35 years.
Garnacha and Carineña
(Grenache and Carignan
respectively in French) from
old vines combine to create
powerful yet remarkably
elegant wines due in large part to the unique
schit-slate soils called llicorella. Often
regarded as Spain’s answer to Burgundy in
France and Barolo in Italy, these are ageworthy reds that often require time to show
their true beauty. Spain’s most iconic red
wine, L’Ermita made by Alvaro Palacios, is
likened to the Bordeaux first growth châteaus
at easily half of the price.
2011 Alvaro Palacios Les Terrasses Velles Vinyes
Priorat, Spain
$46.95
Made by one of the original pioneers of the region, this wine
is coming from the 60+ year old Carignan and Grenahce
vineyards. Exploding with exuberant flavours of cherry, spice,
and licorice, this wine has impressive length and depth of
flavours. It will age easily for over a decade [