Top 10 sparkling wines that cost less than $30 at the SAQ
It’s the festive season once again, and that means more people are buying sparkling wines. There are more than 200 sparkling wines available under $30. So, what to buy? Here are 10 that I would gladly serve at my next party. All sparkling wines should be served at 8C and are meant to be drunk immediately.
1 Cava, Brut, Selección, Villa Conchi, Spain sparkling, $15.30, SAQ #12956456. Finessed bubbles, browning apples, citrus and a solid mineral finish. Comfortable and a crowd pleaser. Grape variety: macabeo, parellada, xarel-lo, chardonnay. Residual sugar: 12 g/L. Food pairing idea: Apéritif, spicy shrimp.
2 Cava, Brut, Parés Baltà, Spain sparkling, $16.75, SAQ #10896365. Organic. Like biting into a fresh apple; so crisp. Dried flowers, hint of almond. Not the most elegant, but much complexity and flavour. Grape varieties: parellada, macabeo, xarel-lo. Residual sugar: 5 g/L. Food pairing: apéritif, smoked fish.
3 Prosecco, Foss Marai, Italy sparkling, $19.90, SAQ #12580250. Nuanced fruit with pear and peach. Large bubbles and with a dry finish. Classic festive Prosecco. Grape variety: glera. Residual sugar: 11 g/L. Food pairing: apéritif.
4 Crémant du Jura, Brut, Blanc de Blanc, Domaine Baud, France sparkling, $21.35, SAQ #12397501. Great Jura showing classic hazelnut and brioche, with a mineral finish. Textured and rich, this is perfect to serve with heavier canapés. Residual sugar: 4.3 g/L. Grape variety: chardonnay. Food pairing idea: apéritif, lobster, foie gras.
5 Crémant de Limoux rosé, La Rose No 7, Domaine J. Laurens, France sparkling, $21.65, SAQ #12575274. Bright field fruit, with strawberry leading the way. Touch of herbs adds complexity; like their non-rosé, very classy. Residual sugar: 12 g/L. Grape varieties: chardonnay, chenin blanc, pinot noir. Food pairing idea: apéritif, bruschetta.
6 Crémant de Bourgogne rosé, Perle d’Aurore, Louis Bouillot, $22.60, SAQ #11232149. Though more nuanced than previous vintages, this remains the standard inexpensive rosé. Delicate fruitiness, textured, but with refined bubbles. Residual sugar: 12 g/L. Grape varieties: pinot noir, gamay. Food pairing: apéritif, salmon tartare.
7 L’Hereu Conca del Riu 2015, Josep Maria Raventos i Blanc, Spain sparkling, $23.05, SAQ #12097946. Unbeatable for the price. Subtle notes of apple and pear wrapped around a core of minerals and bitter nuts. The bubbles show great finesse and exceptional depth. Buy this. Grape variety: macabeo, parellada, xarel-lo. Residual sugar: 4.8 g/L. Food pairing: apéritif, terrines, smoked fish.
8 Trento, Brut, Méthode Traditionelle, Ferrari, Italy sparkling, $24.95, SAQ #10496898. Refined with Champagne-like bubbles. Salty mineral finish that is dry and finessed. Brioche notes as well. Grape variety: chardonnay. Residual sugar: 7.3 g/L. Food pairing: apéritif, raw oysters, cold seafood like shrimp and mussels.
9 Vouvray, Brut, Épaulé Jeté, Catherine et Pierre Breton, France sparkling, $27.80, SAQ #12100279. A personal fave. This is so interesting. More floral than previous vintages, with apples and a fresh mushroom note. Substantial mouth; great with a meal. Grape variety: chenin blanc. Residual sugar: 8.8 g/L. Food pairing: apéritif, foie gras, pasta with clams.
10 Montlouis Mousseux, Triple zero, Domaine la Taille aux Loups, France sparkling, $28.45, SAQ #12025301. Ultimate oyster wine. Bone dry, super mineral, with just a hint of apple and stone fruits. Salty finish. Makes you want oysters. Grape variety: chenin blanc. Residual sugar: 1.6 g/L. Food pairing: apéritif, raw oysters.