Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been tagged as “chardonnay”
If you’re a Chardonnay lover, the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4C) is the place to be! This year’s event was nothing short of spectacular, bringing together producers and enthusiasts from around the world to celebrate the versatility and brilliance of this beloved grape. From deep dives into climate change and winemaking techniques to exclusive tastings and unforgettable winery visits, here’s a recap of our incredible i4C 2024 experience.
The International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4C) is always a highlight on the Wine Country Ontario calendar, and this year’s event was extra special—it marked the long-awaited return of in-person celebrations! Over the course of a jam-packed weekend, we immersed ourselves in the world of cool-climate Chardonnay, experiencing world-class wines, exceptional food, and insightful discussions with top winemakers and industry experts.
After two years of postponements, we were beyond excited to finally take part in the ICCWS, which took place in the Niagara Region and was hosted at Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI). This multi-day conference brought together world-class winemakers, researchers, and industry professionals to discuss the latest advances in viticulture, winemaking, business, and sustainability for cool-climate wines.
We interrupt your daily sparkling wine browsing with a special announcement: today, we’re going in depth on some exceptional still wines. That’s right: still wines. 😱 No effervescence, not a bubble in sight… unless you take into account the sparkling storyteller and prolific winemaker that is Thomas Bachelder. Last month, we sat down on Zoom with Thomas as part of a virtual tasting, and we discussed his latest release – “La Violette” – only the second release since being granted a retail license in 2019. Though we endured some technical difficulties which precluded us from creating a video of the experience, …
This past weekend we had the pleasure of attending the 2018 International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4C) – and what a whirlwind it was! 😍 Not only did we get the chance to attend as Sparkling Winos (where, spoiler alert, we tasted some pretty spectacular Blanc de Blancs from around the world), but we also had the opportunity to capture and share the event through Wine Country Ontario’s social media channels which helped us to focus our time on the absolutely amazing things happening right here in our beautiful province. (Note: in case you missed our social media takeover, check …
This is “POP or FLOP”, where we taste test sparkling wines so you don’t have to! (Tough job, we know! 😉) This week we’re sipping the 2013 Carneros Blanc de Blanc from Frank Family Vineyards in California! A beautiful Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling Chardonnay that is riddled by hand! So, is this Cali sparkler a bottle of bubbles you should POP? 💁 Or is it a FLOP? 🙅 Let’s see…
This year, we Sparkling Winos had the privilege of attending the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (aka “i4C“) in Wine Country Ontario! It’s no surprise that i4C has been described as “Christmas in July” or the “Woodstock of Chardonnay”. With over 50 wine makers in attendance (and 150+ selected cool climate wines on offer) i4C is truly an epic celebration of all things cool… and the highlight of the summer calendar here in Niagara!
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!