Four great value sparkling rosés to enjoy with brunch | Canada Voices

Sparkling wine is an essential addition to any brunch menu, whether it’s served as the base for a Mimosa or as a glass of bubbly on its own. Personally, I would choose a sparkling rosé, as it combines the classic creamy and complex profile of a quality traditional method sparkling wine with alluring red berry flavours. Its fresh and fruity character makes it the perfect accompaniment to a wide array of foods, including most savoury, salty, spicy or sweet brunch staples. To my taste, the addition of bubbles injects fun into everyone’s favourite late-morning/early-afternoon meal. Here are four affordable recommendations to elevate your brunch experience.

Blue Mountain Brut Rosé 2022 (Canada), $35

Rating: 91

Blue Mountain’s Brut Rosé is made in a refreshing and focused style using the traditional method with secondary fermentation in the bottle. It is a blend of 70 per cent pinot noir and 30 per cent chardonnay from the winery’s vineyards in Okanagan Falls. Its crisp character reveals a sharp and sophisticated personality, with citrus and apple flavours complementing its subtle creamy texture, good structure and a clean finish. This has 11.8 per cent ABV and 10 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2030. Available at the above price direct, bluemountainwinery.com, various prices in British Columbia.

Bottega Vino Dei Poeti Brut Rose (Italy), $15.95

Rating: 88

This fruity and fragrant tank fermented sparkling wine is made from a blend of pinot noir and glera, the classic Prosecco grape variety. It has an appealing mix of red berry, apple and citrus flavours, with floral and honey notes. Its juicy and balanced style with a refreshing finish makes for crowd-pleasing selection for brunch or everyday enjoyment. This has 11.5 per cent ABV and 13 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario, $22.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $21.99 in Manitoba,

Cave Spring Brut Rosé (Canada) $39.95

Rating: 91

Cave Spring’s characterful sparkling rosé is made from 100 per cent gamay noir grown in the winery’s namesake vineyard in Beamsville. The base wine was barrel fermented and aged for eight months before undergoing secondary fermentation and ageing in the bottle for three years. The result is a bright, flavourful pink sparkling wine with notes of cranberry, raspberry and watermelon that add interest to citrus, biscuit and earthy notes. The palate is nicely balanced, with fresh acidity and a creamy texture. This has 12 per cent ABV and 4 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2031. Available direct, cavespring.ca

Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Rosé Brut (Canada), $29.95

Rating: 90

Over the years, the winemaking team at Henry of Pelham has refined this appealing sparkling rosé, building its complexity and texture. The base wine is predominantly chardonnay, a portion was barrel fermented to add richness and balance the zesty citrus notes, and pinot noir was added to impart cherry and berry flavours and colour to the finished wine. This Niagara-made bubbly was then bottle-fermented and aged for up to 24 months — long enough to add richness, but not so long that it takes on much toastiness or nuttiness from autolysis, which would compete with the fruit. This has 12 per cent ABV and 9 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2030. Available at the above price in Ontario, various prices in Alberta, $43.49 in Nova Scotia (harvestliquor.ca).