Want your New Years’ Eve to literally pop off? Insert some VQA sparkling wines of course! The increase in sparkling Ontario options over the last five years is worthy of a toast in and of itself. See here for more pink-hued proof. Now without further adieu, here’s what we’ll be uncorking this holiday season!
1. Whitecap 2014 Method Charmat
from Hinterland Wine Company
We love everything they do at Hinterland but for this round up, we’re going with our first love: the Whitecap, so named for the iconic whitecaps of Lake Ontario. You know the ones. Wine-wise, think peaches and bright tropical fruits that give this bubbly a crisp yet creamy finish. A difficult balance to achieve, but no surprise that Hinterland nails it. Bonus – you can stock up on their wines at the Evergreen Brick Work’s Farmers’ Market all winter long!
2. 2014 Spark Limestone Ridge Reisling
from Tawse Winery
We found this sparkling wine a few holiday seasons ago and we’ve been hooked ever since. Winemaker Paul Pender and the Tawse team are on their third round of this sparkling Riesling now, which is made with grapes from their certified Organic and Biodynamic Limestone Ridge Vineyard. Think apples, citrus and a good dose of minerality. Owing to last year’s cold winter and reduced harvest, you can expect this year’s Spark to be packed with concentrated flavour.
3. 2013 Progression Sparkling
from Lighthall Vineyards
We enjoy any winery that suggests pairing their bubbles with pizza, so we’re giving a four cork salute to the folks at Lighthall Vineyards in PEC. Their Progression Sparkling with notes of white pear and apple is made with their own Vidal grapes using the Charmat Method. If you hit the winery, keep an eye out for their awesome Blue and Brie-style cheeses. And yes, they go great with their sparkling wine.
4. Handsome Brut
from Angels Gate Winery
We love the branding of this Angels Gate option and their cheeky website, which describes their Handsome Brut thusly: “Sparkling personality. Dry wit. At home in pinstripes, equally dapper in demin. Chilled out and charmingly tasteful”. Sounds like the perfect party guest to us!
5. The succinctly named Brut
from Ravine Vineyard
The newest kid on the cellar block, Ravine recently released their first foray into the sparkling scene and we can’t wait to try it. If it’s anything like the rest of their line-up (and we’re betting it is), this is going to be a wine we’ll be sipping into 2016 and beyond.