Sparkling wine time is here. And I’m late to the party. My apologies. We’re a tad backed up here in the executive suite at Hired Belly HQ. Plus most of the staff has been down with the flu…
Sparkling has evolved. These days—from Cava to Sekt, Prosecco, Crémant (and, yes, Champagne) you can pretty well take your pick. Not to mention that here in British Columbia we’re making more and more good bubbles. The fact is there really are very few ‘bad’ bubbles. But just as in still wines, some bottles deliver more than others.
A few factors should dictate as to where you spend your sparkling dollar. Above all, who’s going to be drinking it? If Uncle Fred can’t tell the difference between Cava and Champagne or just doesn’t care, then it’s obvious. Save your hard earned Champers for later!
Sparkling every day!
The best news about sparkling wine is that we’re popping our corks not only at New Year’s but year round. Bubbles are no longer just for celebrations. They’re making more appearances at the table. There’s good reason for that. Sparkling wines are the most flexible and food friendly around. How come? Most offer a decent amount of acidity. That makes them perfect for contrasting with rich dishes or just as happy with oysters on the half shell. Pizza, pasta, chips ‘n dip—whatever takes your fancy. Sparkling wine will almost always do it proud! Which is why you should have at least one bottle of sparkling in your fridge at all times. Seriously!
Prosecco comes of age
Bottega Gold comes in all shapes and sizes
Earlier this year I was lucky to spend a day with Sandro Bottega at his family’s winery in the heart of Italy’s Prosecco country. We tasted a wide range of wines, including, of course, the odd Prosecco. ;-).
Sandro has transformed the winery his late father established in 1977. He’s added a distillery and acquired wineries in Valpolicella and Montalcino to make Amarone and Brunello. But Prosecco—especially the celebrated Bottega Gold—is at the core. Bottega’s Bacur Gin has just landed …
A tasting at Ana Spinato turned out to be one of the year’s best …
In the same week I visited Ana Spinato, where we also tasted Prosecco and more. In fact the set tasting, with carefully chosen meats and cheeses, was one of my highlights for 2018. The discovery here was semi-sparkling, strawberry toned Raboso, which I truly hope we’ll eventually see in B.C. (along with other Rabosos). It’s perfect with pancetta and other meats.
Blue Mountain kicks it up. Again
A trio of Blue Mountain Recently Disgorged (RD) Sparkling wines
You’ll (always) find Blue Mountain Brut on my perennial list below. However, in mid-November I was wowed by the winery’s newest Recently Disgorged releases. Reserve Brut 2009 and Blanc de Blancs, at around $40-$45, represent extraordinary value for these wines which are the apex of BC sparkling. I scored them both at 93 points, the 2013 Rosé RD 91 points. Consequently, if you’re a BC sparkling wine lover you will want to track them down. And if you want to learn more about the blossoming BC sparkling wine scene, read my Quench story.
You’ll be amazed at how much is going on.
British Bubbles on the rise…
Gusbourne English Sparkling wine. Only in Toronto. Pity…
It’s still a rare bird around these parts. But English sparkling wine is popping up with regularity. And when Cactus Club wine guru Sebastien LeGoff hands you a glass of crisp Gisbourne Blanc de Blancs 2013 (so far available only in Toronto) you know something’s up. Here’s to more English sparkling in 2018. Although I know that Nyetimber’s also around, it would be nice to find even a couple more producers out there. Anybody listening?
Based on these and other tastings, here are my last-minute sparkling picks for New Year or any time of year. These wines are all good value for money. (There’s even one here for Uncle Fred!) You’ll find a few of them are hold-overs from last year’s picks. I make no apologies. Those wines are stalwarts in my opinion. And they’re always on my ‘go-to’ list.
Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve
Yes, I’ll confess to a certain bias for this house and its style. But it just seems to get better every time I try it. From the toasty brioche and tropical aromas to the quite substantial and well textured palate there’s a seamlessness and finesse to this Champagne that, for me, makes it textbook. BCLS $69.99 92 pts.
Blue Mountain Brut Rosé 2013
Arguably one of the best sparkling méthode traditionelle rosés you’ll find anywhere. A classic blend of mainly Pinot Noir with Chardonnay sports a stream of fine bubbles with lively mousse, lifted strawberry and cherry notes with a gently earthy hint before a well structured palate defined by good acidity and citrus notes. $32.90 91 pts
Agusti Torello Mata Cava Brut Reserva 2013.
Vintage Cava takes things to the next level. A blend of indigenous Macabeu, Xarello and Parellada delivers fine bubbles, toasty notes on top with a hint of sage, followed by a well balanced apple toned palate with a touch of citrus, good mouthfeel and acidity with a lengthy end. BCLS $29.49, 91 pts.
Bottega Prosecco DOC Treviso Il Vino Dei Poeti Brut
Up front floral and orchard fruits with a vibrant stream of bubbles and good mousse precede a rounded and gently creamy palate of apple, citrus and pear notes through a lingering close. 90 pts. BCLS $17.49
Bottega Prosecco Superiore DOCG Treviso Il Vino Dei Poeti Gold Brut
From all Valdobianne grapes, persistent, fine bubbles in the glass with up front white flower, citrus and orchard notes before a gently creamy, mouth-filling, well structured palate with apple, pear and almond hints before a lingering gently zesty finish. BCLS $27.49 91 pts.
Anna Spinato Spumante Brut Rosé Organic
Great value for an organic sparkler. A lively stream of bubbles yields a solid mousse. Red fruit and floral notes precede a subtle, raspberry and strawberry toned palate. Fun and flexible. BCLS $15.99 90 pts.
Anna Spinato Moscato Organic
Excellent, off dry but not too sweet Moscato with fresh and fruity personality, citrus and stone fruit on top before a gentle peach and lemon toned zesty palate makes for the perfect partner to custard and pastry desserts. BCLS $15.99, 90 pts.
Parés Baltà Cava Brut
Dedicated organic producer uses bees to pollinate and sheep to graze and fertilize its vineyards. Floral on top, more subtle, rounded and creamy, toasty notes, quite light on the palate—and certified organic. PWS $22 90 pts.
Haywire The Bub.
Arguably the best Bub to date sports fine persistent bubbles, a yeasty toasty top, with citrus and leesy notes on the palate plus pleasing ‘pinosity’ and mouthfeel, all wrapped up with a mineral background, lively acidity and strong finish. $29.90 92 pts.
Villa Conchi Cava Brut Seleccion.
Good value Cava shows up front toasty notes and orchard fruits before a clean and fruity palate with apple and citrus notes. BCLS $16.99 89 pts.
Segura Viudas Brut Reserva
IMHO, the best mid-priced Cava in the market, and one of the most consistent for a mega producer. It’s the fallback fizz in our house, as you get a pretty decent wine for the dollars. Good mousse, citrus and tropical notes with just the right amount of heft and acidity to make it a truly flexible food partner for everything from curry to crab. BCLS $15.99 90 pts.
Villa Sandi Il Fresco Rosato Spumante Brut NV
Light and lively blend of Glera and other local grapes delivers plenty of bubbles with appealing apple notes on top before a subtle citrus toned palate and crisp, clean end. Everything Wine 17.49 89 pts.
Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut
The perfect party quaffer, easy sipping bubble with orchard notes before apple and citrus hints on the fresh palate before a good close. BCLS $12.99 89 pts
An enjoyable read. Alas, I am not at home at the moment so my enjoyment was somewhat muted by the lack of one of these delights in hand.
I was glad to see the addition of the Cristalino which has only just recently been brought to my attention. What are your thoughts on the NZ Sophora? It’s my new favourite at that price point.
Cheers, Tim.
Happy New Year! Ching, ching!
Hi Sam, Thanks! Yes I have tasted the Sophora wines when they first came in and liked them. Time to revisit. cheers! TP