Bubbles on the brain...

Perhaps it is the fast approaching New Years Eve, or tonight's #winechat on Twitter, or the long bubbly-soak I took post-gym, but I cannot seem to stray from the subject of sparkling wine, so I gave in and popped the cork on a Cremant de Bourgogne and I'll tell you about a few other values to help you celebrate this festive season.

Paul Delane - Cremant De Bourgogne - Burgundy, France - $17.60
Honeydew melon, lime blossom, brioche and apple nose. Pleasing, fresh lemon-lime citrus palate.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=214981

Tawse Winery - Spark Rose - Laundry Vineyard - 2009 - Niagara, Ontario - $39.95
Very delicate, persistent bubbles. Nose of green apple and citrus. Long, elegant finish.
tp://www.tawsewinery.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&page_id=89


Previously reviewed sparklers to help make your selection easier:

Charles Baur Cremant D'Alsace , Alsace, France - $ 18.95 Green apple and slight biscuit nose translates on palate. Creamy mouthfeel with lovely lemon finish.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=185678
http://www.vinscharlesbaur.fr/gb/boutique/cremant-alsace/cremant-alsace-brut-medaille-or-au-concours-effervescents-du-monde-en-2010-750ml.html

Delmas Cuvee - Tradition Brut - Blanquette de Limoux, France - $ 18.95
Nose of green apple and brioche with a creamy palate of apple with a lime finish. Elegant.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=179978
http://www.blanquette-delmas-bio.com/la-gamme-delmas


Roederer Estate - Brut - Sparkling, Anderson Valley, CA $28.95
Mineral, biscuit, apple and lemon aromas. Refreshingly crisp citrus finish. Incredible value.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=294181
http://www.roedererestate.com/TechSheet.php?Wine=113

Henry of Pelham - Cuvee Catharine Rose Brut - Niagara, Ontario - $29.95
This is a Fav and a staple for me - crisp wine with biscuity, floral and gentle cherry notes on the nose.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=4051
http://www.henryofpelham.com/wines.php?sub_id=23


The Grange of Prince Edward - Sparkling Brut 2007 - PEC, Ontario - $29.75Fresh notes of lemon and grapefruit with tinge of biscuit. tangy, long finish.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=183228
http://grangeofprinceedward.com/grange-wines/


Fielding Estate- Sparkling Riesling, Niagara, Ontario - $28.15
A nice twist to use Riesling grapes, fresh apples and lemon freshness - beautifully balanced and a great value.
http://www.fieldingwines.com/page/whites

13th Street Winery- Premier Cuvee Brut- Niagara, Ontario - $29.95
Nose of mineral, lemon zest and orchard fruit with lengthy finish.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=142679

Featherstone - Joy - Blanc de Blancs - Niagara, ON - $34.95

The name is right, what a Joy! Citrus and green apple notes. Delicate mousse and lovely minerality on the palate. Long finish. Very limited production.

http://www.featherstonewinery.ca/wines.html

Time to start thinking Turkey Wines...

...or in my case Tofurky...regardless, the holidays are fast approaching and I have three beautiful wine suggestions to go with your Christmas meal.

Featherstone Winery - Canadian Oak - Chardonnay - 2009, Niagara, ON - $21.95

I love this wine - it is special because it is fermented with wild yeast & in local oak barrels. It has a rich mouth feel, slight spice & caramel with long citrus fruit finish. Well balanced & complex.

http://www.featherstonewinery.ca/wines.html

St. Urbans-Hof - Riesling Kabinett - 2009 - Mosel, Germany- $21.95

Such a beautiful wine. Enticing aromatic nose.Complex and rich with but very bright fruit. Long, clean finish!

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=216622

http://www.urbans-hof.de/en/aktuelles/aktuelles_2.html

Akarua - Bannockburn - Pinot Noir - 2009- Central Otago, NZ - $36.95

Delicate red cherry, earth & a touch of spice on the nose. Red fruit palate with wonderful acidity. Very elegant wine.

http://www.akarua.com/wines/

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=79541

Something that Sparkles for the Holidays!

Challenged by "Blogger's Block" after a month away studying, I wondered how to dip my toe back in. Then it hit me, something as light and sparkly as Christmas twinkle lights. Bubbly! Best of all, great value for money bubbly, and in the big scheme of celebrational, traditional method, sparklers - hardly much money at all.

Roederer Estate - Brut - Sparkling, Anderson Valley, CA $28.95
Mineral, biscuit, apple and lemon aromas. Refreshingly crisp citrus finish. Incredible value.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=294181
http://www.roedererestate.com/TechSheet.php?Wine=113

Featherstone - Joy - Blanc de Blancs - Niagara, ON $34.95
The name is right, what a Joy! Citrus and green apple notes. Delicate mousse and lovely minerality on the palate. Long finish. Very limited production.

http://www.featherstonewinery.ca/wines.html

Hidden Gem - Chateau des Karantes - La Clape

Chateau des Karantes (AOP Languedoc, La Clape) is tucked away in park setting, very close to the sea and not far from Narbonne. The topography is interesting as it is set along a rugged escarpment. They have gites to rent if anyone wants to stay in the vineyard. Stunning views of the vineyards and the sea. Equally lovely wines.

Below are my suggestions of for Karantes QPR wines. Watch for them across the US (as they have a great agent) and at SAQ, none have been purchased by the LCBO yet - more's the pity.

Bergerie Rosé - Mouvedre, Grenache, Syrah 7.80 E

This Rosé is a beaut! Red currant, citrus, herbal and slightly savoury.
http://www.karantes.com/nos_vins/bergerie_rose.html

2010 Chateau des Karantes Blanc - Blend of Bourboulenc, Grenanche Blanc, Roussanne, Vermentino -13E

Very fresh, white peach with delicate sage.
http://www.karantes.com/nos_vins/chateau_des_karantes_blanc.html

2005 Chateau des Karantes Rouge - Syrah Grenache, Mourvedre - 15E

Ripe black fruit. Dusty garrigue to add savouriness. Lovely!

http://www.karantes.com/nos_vins/chateau_des_karantes_rouge_2005.html

2009 Chateau des Karantes Rouge - Syrah Grenache, Mourvedre - 15E
Cherries, black fruit, pepper - tannins youthful but will age beautifully.
http://www.karantes.com/nos_vins/chateau_des_karantes_rouge_2009.html

2008 at SAQ (Quebec)

http://www.saq.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/GeneralContentView?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&page=/nh/accueil&langId=-2

Vin de Liqueur - Granache Noir - 17.00 E

Beautiful sweet wine with excellent acid balance to give a long finish. Aromas of cocoa, cassis and prune. http://www.karantes.com/nos_vins/vin_de_liqueur.html

Yes, you can get a decent bottle of wine for under $10.00

October marked a year of my blog. For years I have been tasting and making notes but sharing it was a big step for me. It seemed odd to think anyone, beyond friends and colleagues, would want to hear what I had to say about wine, but I loved the idea of sharing. Anyway, I have had a great time and made connections with incredible people so I am very pleased I made the leap.

In the spirit of this I will go back to the root of the blog, serious QPR wine. Great to bring to or put out at upcoming Holiday parties.

FARNESE MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO - 2009, ITALY - $9.85
Spice & blackberry aromas. Plum, spice and fruity flavours on the palate with firm tannin backbone. Great value for the price

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=612788

http://www.farnesevini.it/eng/prodotti.asp?id=vini