/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23336503/acastro_220321_5092_0001.jpg "The best fitness trackers and watches for 2024")
Despite considered efforts by the wine trade to make sparkling wine an everyday pleasure, champagne and other fizzy expressions are closely associated with luxury and celebrations. Bottle sales soar during the festive season, with another noticeable bump around Valentine’s Day. Most wine lovers don’t consider Tuesday night to be saluted with the pop of a cork. Pity.
Champagne and other quality bottles are expensive, but you don’t need to spend a lot of money for a satisfying glass of bubbly. That’s how prosecco and cava have become bestselling sparkling wines around the world. For around $20 a bottle, Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava remains my recommendation to anyone looking for good-value fizz.
Impressive bottles from Canadian producers start around $30 and climb depending on the mix of grape varieties used and how long the wines remained in the cellar before release. Quality has soared from coast to coast, with outstanding bottles on offer from cellars in British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia. Three examples are featured in this week’s lineup.
But if you’re looking to invest in a blue-chip bottle, I’ve singled out four impressive bottles from Champagne for anyone looking to celebrate the season in style.
Made in a range of styles from refreshing to complex, these are made to impress from sip to sip. Just be sure to serve them in a white wine glass so you can better appreciate the complex character. Traditional flute glasses feel festive and prevent the bubbles from fading too rapidly, but they don’t enhance the aroma and flavour that you spend your money on.
13th Street Blanc de Blancs (Canada), $29.95
13th Street in west St. Catharines, Ont., produces an array of stylish and refreshing sparkling wines, including this zesty bubbly made from early harvested chardonnay grapes. It’s made in a dry style but isn’t so austere that you need to rim your glass with antacids. The bright and citrusy expression is enjoyable on its own or works as a great accompaniment to appetizers or a meal. Drink now to 2028. Available at the above price in Ontario or direct, 13thstreetwinery.com.
Artemivske Victory Red Semi-Sweet Sparkling (Ukraine), $18.95
This frothy blend of cabernet, merlot and saperavi comes from Artwinery, which was founded in 1950 and remains one of Ukraine’s largest sparkling wine producers. Made in a balanced, off-dry style, this reveals black cherry, plum and cranberry notes with some spicy notes on the lingering finish. Pair with blue cheese, chocolate or barbecue. Available in Ontario.
Blue Grouse Charme de l’île Sparkling NV (Canada), $29.99
Sparkling wine production is a growing part of the Blue Grouse operation, which continues to build on the success of the Charme de I’île label. This pleasant tank-fermented sparkling wine is made from a blend of schonburger, muller thurgau and other grapes grown in vineyards on Vancouver Island. It offers balanced and easy-to-appreciate citrus and apple flavours as part of its fresh fruity character. Drink now. Available direct, bluegrouse.ca.
Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut Champagne (France), $99.95
Bollinger Special Cuvée always delivers its rich and flavourful style thanks to the effective use of barrel-fermented reserve wines. Its classic full-bodied character is nicely integrated and honeyed with depth and persistence. The style continues to be a benchmark for rounded yet refreshing sparkling wines around the world. Drink now to 2027. Available at the above price in Ontario, $109.99 in British Columbia and Manitoba, various prices in Alberta, $97.50 in Quebec, $107.50 in New Brunswick, $109.14 in Nova Scotia, $110.89 in Prince Edward Island.
Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve Champagne (France), $94.95
Heidsieck multivintage Brut Réserve always impresses with its rich and complex character. The powerful toasty and yeasty aroma makes a positive first impression, with a luxurious mix of butter, lemon and spice flavours broadcast via creamy and rounded texture. Drink now to 2027. Available at the above price in Ontario, $89.99 in British Columbia ($86.99 until Dec. 28), various prices in Alberta, $81.75 in Quebec.
Gaston Chiquet Blanc de Blancs d’Aÿ Grand Cru Brut Champagne (France), $91.95
Made in a refreshing and refined style, this chardonnay-based champagne is produced with grapes grown in the village of Aÿ in the Vallée de la Marne region. There’s focused citrus, stony and biscuit notes on the nose and palate, with a fine mousse and crisp finish. Drink now to 2030. Available at the above price in Ontario, $93.99 in British Columbia (Marquis Wine Cellars).
Labrusca Lini 910 Lambrusco Rosso Secco (Italy), $19.95
Red sparkling wines offer unexpected joys in the form of ripe red fruit and savoury notes. This expressive and enjoyable Lambrusco has been made by Lini in Emilia-Romagna since 1910. It’s perfect for a party and should command a place right beside the charcuterie board. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario, $25.99 in British Columbia ($22.99 until Dec. 28), various prices in Alberta.
Lanson Le Black Création Champagne (France) $72.50
Lanson’s traditional black label brut champagne provides user-friendly information about the grapes and vintages used to create the base wine. The current release is Création 258, which is based on pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier from the 2018 vintage with additional reserve wines used to add depth and complexity. Lanson’s style is pure and pleasurable, with satisfying flavours suggesting citrus and honey with toasty and nutty accents. The creamy texture is nicely balanced by a crisp, refreshing finish. Drink now to 2029. Available at the above price in Quebec, various prices in British Columbia (private stores) and Alberta.
Terravista Proyecto Terruno Sparkling Albarino 2024 (United States), $35
The winemaking team at Terravista looked to vineyards in California and Washington State to replace the Spanish grape varieties from their Naramata vineyard lost to frost in 2024. Their first release is this off-dry, tank-fermented albarino, which was made from grapes sourced from Grand Island Vineyard in Clarksbury, Calif. Grapes were harvested Aug. 12 and pressed before the juice was transported to the Okanagan winery for fermentation in a combination of concrete and stainless steel tanks. The style is fresh and approachable, with appealing citrus, apricot and floral notes. Drink now. Available direct, terravistavineyards.com.
