On Valentine’s Day, liquor stores and restaurants nationwide experience a surge in sparkling wine sales, yet it would be unfortunate to limit our appreciation of domestically produced bottles to special occasions.
Benjamin Bridge Nova 7.Supplied
Wineries from coast-to-coast have refined their approach to the labour-intensive “traditional method” of Champagne in which bubbles are captured during a secondary fermentation in bottle to produce sophisticated profiles that rival high-end labels from the celebrated region, particularly when factoring in price.
Here are four current releases that have impressed recently along with a fizzy and fruity favourite from Nova Scotia that always appeals.
Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 Sparkling 2024 (Canada), $25.95
Rating: 88
Nova 7 continues to be one of Canada’s most successful wines. A blend of muscat, ortega, riesling, l’Acadie and other hybrid grapes that flourish in Nova Scotia’s Gaspereau Valley, this off-dry and frizzante wine makes the most of its fruity and floral flavours that are pure and nicely balanced. This has 6.5 per cent ABV and 71 g/litre r.s. Drink now.
Available at the above price in Ontario, various prices in British Columbia and Alberta, $26.01 in Manitoba, $27.20 in Quebec, $27 in New Brunswick, $23.65 direct, benjaminbridge.com, $26.72 in Nova Scotia, $29.15 in Newfoundland.
Cave Spring Blanc de Blancs.Supplied
Cave Spring Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling (Canada), $32.95
Rating: 92
Produced from 100 per cent chardonnay grapes from the winery’s Beamsville Bench vineyard, this offers a satisfying mix of citrus, apple and toast flavours as part of its creamy and complex character. The mix of ripe fruit and acidity make for a sparkling that’s truly pleasurable.
This has 12 per cent ABV and 3 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2030. Available at the above price in Ontario or direct, cavespring.ca
Evolve Brut Libre.Supplied
Evolve Brut Libre 2017 (Canada), $34.99
Rating: 91
Evolve is a sparkling wine focused producer from the Okanagan Valley, which makes an impressive portfolio of bottle fermented bubbly like this rich and flavourful expression. A blend of chardonnay, pinot noir, pinot blanc and riesling, aged for five years after secondary fermentation to produce the bubbles, this reveals an impressive array of toasty and citrusy flavours with some riper pineapple and honeyed notes. This has 12 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price direct, timewines.ca
Fort Berens Blanc de Blanc.klawton5/Supplied
Fort Berens Blanc de Blanc 2022 (Canada), $39.99
Rating: 91
The second release of this chardonnay-based sparkling wine is made with grapes grown at the winery’s own Dry Creek Vineyard in Lillooet, British Columbia. Its crisp and vibrant character shows bright lemon, green apple and almond notes. The focused and fresh style works as an aperitif or a winning match with seafood or fried food dishes. This has 11.5 per cent ABV and 6 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2031.
Available at the above price direct, fortberens.ca, various prices in British Columbia.
Kew Pinot Meunier.Supplied
Kew Pinot Meunier Natural Brut Sparkling 2019 (Canada), $32.95
Rating: 90
The pinot meunier grape is a key variety used in winemaking in the Champagne region; however, the fruity red grape is often regarded as a blending component rather than a standout by itself. Beamsville-based sparkling wine specialist casts pinot meunier in a starring role in this rich and toasty bubbly that spent five years aging on the lees for added texture and complexity. The style is round, approachable and ready to drink. This has 13 per cent ABV and 2g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario, $29.19 direct, greatestatesniagara.com
