Laurent-Perrier Brut Millésimé 2006 Champagne – Review

This is “POP or FLOP”, where we taste test sparkling wines so you don’t have to! This week we’ve got Laurent-Perrier Brut Millésimé (Vintage Brut) 2006 in our glasses! Is this vintage Champagne a bottle of bubbles you should POP? 💁 Or is it a FLOP? 🙅 Let’s see! [eltd_separator class_name=”” type=”normal” position=”center” color=”” border_style=”” width=”” thickness=”” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=””] [eltd_separator class_name=”” type=”normal” position=”center” color=”” border_style=”” width=”” thickness=”” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=””] Laurent-Perrier was founded in 1812 by André Michel Pierlot in Tours-sur-Marne. The village of Tours-sur-Marne is located at the crossroads of the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne and the Côte des Blancs, three big deal wine …

A Sparkling 3-Course Christmas Dinner!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! We #SparklingWinos love spending Christmas with family, friends and of course Milo the cat – despite him being a total grinch! This time of year we’re constantly asked: “what bottle of bubbles should I bring to Christmas dinner?!” Well, it really all depends on what you’re eating. Sparkling wine is extremely versatile and there are so many different styles… so the options are endless!

Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava – Review

This is “POP or FLOP”, where we taste test sparkling wines so you don’t have to! This week we’re sipping Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava! This popular Spanish sparkling is known the world over for it’s distinct black label bottle – but, is this a bottle of bubbles you should POP? 💁 Or is it a FLOP? 🙅 Let’s see… Freixenet (pronounced “fresh-eh-net”) is a large winery from Catalonia, located just to the north of Barcelona in the Penedès region of Spain. Cordon Negro Brut, introduced in 1974, is Freixenet’s most popular cava and is often referred to as the …

What do you mean “Champagne” isn’t a type of grape?

That’s right! Despite what some may think, Champagne is not a grape variety! In fact, the world’s most famous sparkling wine is made from a complex blend of various grape varieties, grown in certain vineyards within the Champagne region of northern France. So, which grapes go into Champagne and what are their roles in the blend (or “cuvée”)? Let us take you through in this quick 101, and hopefully the learning cuvée, errrrr curve, won’t be too high!

Juvé y Camps Brut Rosé Cava – Review

This is “POP or FLOP”, where we taste test sparkling wines so you don’t have to! This week we’re sipping Juvé & Camps Brut Rosé Cava! Is this a bottle of bubbles you should POP? 💁 Or is it a FLOP? 🙅 Let’s see…   [eltd_separator class_name=”” type=”normal” position=”center” color=”” border_style=”” width=”” thickness=”” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=””] Juvé y Camps is a family-owned winery located in the Penedès region of Catalonia (just outside of Barcelona). Founded in 1921 by Joan Juvé Baqués and his wife Teresa Camps Farré, they have been producing beautiful wines for three generations and have solidified themselves as one of the top quality …

Gifts that POP! Top 10 Sparkling Wine Gift Ideas

The holidays are all about family, friends and fun. But, in between celebrating, the gift giving part can be stressful – but, thankfully, we’ve got the answer: sparkling wine. We’ve put together this handy gift guide to help you cross a few names off your shopping list. From hipsters to party girls to new moms and your very discerning Millennial friends, here are our Top 10 Sparkling Wine Gift Ideas for everyone on your list. And the best part about giving sparkling wine this holiday season? They might just open it up and share with you! 😉 Grinch Grab/Secret Santa [one_half]   [/one_half] …

Pannier Sélection E.V. Brut Champagne – Review

This is “POP or FLOP”, where we taste test sparkling wines so you don’t have to! This week we’ve got Pannier Sélection Brut Champagne in our flutes! Is this a bottle of bubbles you should POP? 💁 Or is it a FLOP? 🙅 Let’s see shall we?   [eltd_separator class_name=”” type=”normal” position=”center” color=”” border_style=”” width=”” thickness=”” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=””] Pannier Champagne was founded in 1899 by Louis-Eugène Pannier. Pannier cellars are located in ancient stone quarries dating back to the 12th century in the Marne Valley of France (just an hour north east of Paris).  There is a carving of an archer in one of the …

A Sparkling Gourmet Food & Wine Expo

What’s better than gourmet food and wine? Well, probably having a little (or, a lot) of both under the same roof! We #sparklingwinos have been going to the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo in Toronto for the past six years. Every year, the expo is a little bit different but we always come across a new bite and beverage that piques our interest.

Wolfberger Brut Crémant d’Alsace – Review

This is “POP or FLOP”, where we taste test sparkling wines so you don’t have to! This week we’re sipping Wolfberger Brut Crémant d’Alsace! Is this a bottle of bubbles you should POP? 💁 Or is it a FLOP? 🙅 Let’s see…   [eltd_separator class_name=”” type=”normal” position=”center” color=”” border_style=”” width=”” thickness=”” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=””] Wolfberger produces a range of sparkling wines, crafted according to the traditional method defined by the Appellation d’Origines Contrôlées (AOC) of Crémant d’Alsace in France (close to the German border). Crémant d’Alsace can be made using Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois Blanc and Chardonnay. This one is made up …

Sparkling Winos #Champlamp Giveaway!

It’s (almost) the most wonderful time of the year! Snowflakes are falling, family and friends are calling, and you’re scrambling to bake cookies and tripping over people at the mall. We’ve all been there right? Sure giving presents is great, but getting them is even better! So we Sparkling Winos would love to light up your holiday season by giving away one of our awesome #Champlamps! That’s a lamp made from a Champagne bottle – get it? 😜