Easter is just around the corner, and whether you're celebrating with friends, family or flying solo and enjoying the abundance of chocolate eggs, we've got your sparkling needs covered! 😉
Hey, you don't even need to be celebrating Easter to check out this sparkling list of bubbles! If you're kicking off the (much delayed appearance of) spring, passing the sparkling after Passover, or just looking for a bit of fizz filled inspiration... you've come to the right place!
From a culinary perspective, Easter can be a bit complicated. Many European traditions have made their way over to us here in Canada... from dyeing and hiding Easter Eggs, finding and/or eating the Easter bunny (thanks, Nonna!) and enjoying a fresh hot cross bun. But in all seriousness, when dinner is served you're likely to see a variety of foods: from fried fish, to chicken in many forms, to ham and stewed rabbit or lamb. And the side dishes? Likely to feature eggs, roasted vegetables, casseroles and if you're Polish (or from that part of Europe), sour rye soup with kielbasa and eggs (which is much more delicious than it sounds). 😂
So, what do you grab before heading over to your parents for a Good Friday fish fry or an eclectic Easter Dinner?
Sparkling wine, of course! Being so food friendly and versatile, bubbly can hold its own with fried food, roasted vegetables and meats and is perfectly palette cleansing when it comes to (delicious) fats. So, in the spirit of this festive holiday, here our are recommendations to help you get your sparkle on over the long weekend:
13th Street Cuvée Rosé (NV)
From: 🇨🇦
$27.95
This dry, aromatic sparkling wine from Niagara's 13th Street Winery is medium bodied and flavourful with a bright acidity, making it the perfect pairing for richer aromatic dishes, like stewed rabbit, lamb or a ham roast.
Hinterland 2017 Ancestral
From: 🇨🇦
$25.00
Hailing from Prince Edward County, this Gamay Noir based sparkling wine is fruity and off dry, and is made in the ancestral method. A definite crowd pleaser and a beautiful choice for an Easter brunch.
Pierre Sparr Cremant d'Alsace Brut Reserve (NV)
From: 🇫🇷
$19.95
Rich and complex, this wine offers the citrus notes you'd expect in a wine from the Alsace, and the toasty notes you'd expect in a high quality traditional method sparkler. The bracing acidity makes it a perfect match for fatty dishes you may encounter, like fish and chips or that weird Polish sausage soup we mentioned (that is absolutely delicious, FYI).
Santa Margherita Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore (NV)
From: 🇮🇹
$19.95
A mouthful of a name, but trust us... you'll be more than happy with a mouthful of this delicious wine! Fresh and fruit-forward, this Prosecco is a sure fire crowd pleaser, and pairs perfectly with seafood dishes common on Easter tables.
Graham Beck 2011 Brut Zero
From: 🇿🇦
$23.95
This MCC from South Africa is rich, aromatic and brimming with personality. The bracing acidity and tart, citrus character is best matched with fresh seafood or go in the opposite direction and serve with creamy cheeses, like brie, if that's what the Easter Bunny brought ya!
Codorniu Seleccion Raventos Rosé Cava (NV)
From: 🇪🇸
$16.00
A medium bodied and flavourful rosé Cava from Spain, this traditional method sparkler benefits from a bit of lees aging, which imparts a biscuity note on this otherwise fruit forward bubbly. Enjoy as an aperitif, baked cod or mild chicken dishes.
Benajmin Bridge Méthode Classique (NV)
From: 🇨🇦
$32.95
We love a good Nova Scotia bubbly, and what better of a conversation starter at Easter? This sparkling wine is made from a blend of reserve wines and hybrid varietals. The complex, yet fresh profile will do well with creamy dishes or fresh seafood. Mussels, anyone?
Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut Champagne (NV)
From: 🇫🇷
$86.95
Nothing says a celebration quite like Champagne, and Bolli does it best! 😍 The Special Cuvée is bursting with citrus and baked apple aromas, with a rich autolytic character on the palate allowing this wine to hold up against grilled seafood dishes, baked ham and chicken dishes. Hopefully the Easter Bunny will leave us some this year! 🤞
