Last weekend we fuelled up our new Mini Cooper (…the jury is still out on her name!) and headed out to Wine Country Ontario for a little road trip to celebrate my (Jeff’s) birthday. Mike was kind enough to be the DD, as I tasted through an assortment of beautiful bubbles at some of our favourite local wineries. Here’s a little re-cap of our sparkling weekend!
The Sparkling Wines of Italy
Like Champagne in France, Italian sparkling wine has become synonymous with Prosecco – but that’s not all that the country has to offer when it comes to bubbly! From the “Metodo Classico” Champagne-like wines of Franciacorta, to the perfect pizza pairing sparkling reds of Lambrusco, to wines cellared in the sea in Ligura (not kidding! 😳), Italy’s sparkling wines are as unique and diverse as the country’s cuisine.
Easter Bubbles for Every Budget & Palate
It’s Easter already! Spring has sprung and there’s a sense of celebration in the air… and with celebration comes sparkling wine! While Easter bunnies and chocolate eggs are fun, nothing can beat a perfectly chilled glass of bubbly with family and friends.
Rosehall Run “Ceremony” Blanc de Blanc Brut – Review
This is “POP or FLOP”, where we taste test sparkling wines so you don’t have to! This week we’re sipping Rosehall Run’s “Ceremony” Blanc de Blanc Brut! Is this a bottle of bubbles you should POP? 💁 Or is it a FLOP? 🙅 Let’s see shall we… Rosehall Run is located in Ontario’s Prince Edward County appellation. Dan Sullivan and his family selected the location of the winery in the early 2000’s because of its proximity to Lake Ontario and the remarkable Hillier clay soil, which is scattered with numerous rock and shale fragments on a limestone base. This soil is similar in …
Graham Beck Brut Sparkling – Review
This is “POP or FLOP”, where we taste test sparkling wines so you don’t have to! This week we’re sipping Graham Beck Brut Sparkling! Is this a bottle of bubbles you should POP? 💁 Or is it a FLOP? 🙅 Let’s see… Graham Beck is one of South Africa’s premiere (and most prominent) sparkling wine houses, producing exceptional Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wines in South Africa’s Western Cape. Méthode Cap Classique (or “MCC” for short) is a South African term used to denote that the wine is produced in the “traditional method” with the second fermentation taking place in the bottle (the same way Champagne is made in France). Graham Beck produces …
A Sparkling Review of the Cuvée 2017 Grand Tasting!
This year, we had the opportunity to attend the Cuvée 2017 Grand Tasting, hosted by Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) in Niagara Falls, Canada! We were honoured and delighted to take part in the Grand Tasting, which celebrates excellence in Ontario winemaking and features a stunning array of award-winning VQA wines. And luckily for us, the bubbly was well represented! 🍾
10 Fantastic Sparkling Wines Cheaper Than a Pitcher of Beer
St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner – and nothing says Luck o’the Irish quite like shamrocks, top hats and pitchers of green beer, right?! 🍀 But what does a #SparklingWino do on St. Paddy’s Day? While we probably shouldn’t dye our Champagne green, we can certainly join in the festivities and raise a glass to the dude that got rid of the snakes in Ireland (or something)! 🐉 So, to help you navigate the greenest, most Irish day of the year, we’ve handpicked 10 Fantastic Sparkling Wines Cheaper than a Pitcher of Beer.
Why Ontario Sparkling Wines are the Best, Eh!
That’s right! There’s more to Canada than maple syrup, polar bears and a hunky Prime Minister! The country is home to a diverse array of climates, with certain areas (like southern Ontario) on the same ideal grape growing latitude as southern France. Fortunately for us Toronto based #SparklingWinos, that means we’re able to produce world class wines in our own backyard!
Pommery Brut Royal Champagne – Review
This is “POP or FLOP”, where we taste test sparkling wines so you don’t have to! This week we’re sipping Pommery Brut Royal Champagne! Is this a bottle of bubbles you should POP? 💁 Or is it a FLOP? 🙅 Let’s see… The Pommery Brut Royal Champagne is produced by Champagne Pommery in Reims. We all know a certain Veuve that took control of a major champagne house, but did you know that another Veuve – the Veuve Jeanne Alexandrine Louise Mélin Pommery – took control of the Champagne Pommery house in 1860? Louise was an early #GirlPower pioneer, not only because she ran a business at …
8 Sparkling Rosé Wines Under $30 for Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and nothing says LOVE quite like pink bubbles! 💘 🍾🙌 So whether you’re celebrating with your significant other, your friends, family, or… your cat – we recommend pouring yourself a glorious glass (or 4) of sparkling rosé to mark the occasion!