WEEKEND WINE PICKS
Graham Beck Brut Zero 2014, Western Cape, South Africa $24.99 I 89/100
UPC: 06004867001044 From a specialist Cap Classique producer, the Graham Beck Brut Zero is the ultimate no makeup sparkling wine. With no dosage or no added sugar, all that remains is the purest form of sparkling wine, in this case, an 85/15 mix of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the limestone-rich Robertson Estate and the decomposed granite soils in Stellenbosch. The secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle, and the wine rests on its lees for an impressive 60 months. Expect a subtle nose of redblue fruits, almonds and a light hint of spice that spills across a bone dry, creamy palate.
Blue Mountain Gold Label Brut N/V, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley $27.90 I 90/100
UPC: 626452601161 Gold Label Brut is a classic B.C. sparkler that over-delivers most every release and has been instrumental in the growing cadre of sparkling wine producers around the province. Made using the traditional method, the 53/43/4 blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris spend an ideal 24 months on its lees. It is then allowed to hang around the winery for another nine months to pull itself together after disgorgement. Just enough fruit to offset the leesy, toasty notes that give it the gravitas of real sparkling wine. The dosage comes in at eight g/l, adding enough sweetness to balance any bitter notes, giving it broad appeal. It's a bargain at $28 and sets the tone for a sparkler that rings all the bells.
Bottega Il Vino dei Poeti White Gold Pinot Nero N/V, Oltrepò Pavese, Lombardy, Italy $29.99 I 89/100
UPC: 8005829230470 The distinctive liquid metal that envelopes his bottles comes in different shades. The silver packaging of the White Gold is as mesmerizing as this 100 per cent Pinot Noir sparkler. The bead of bubbles is tiny, causing a persistent ring at the rim of the glass. The bouquet is delicate with clean, floral, white fruit aromas and flavours with a pinch of dried fruits and nuts. Dry, fresh and persistent, the finish is as clean as the bottle. It is a crowd-pleaser.
Ferrari Brut Metodo Classico N/V, Trento, Trentino-alto-adige, Italy $33.99 I 91/100
UPC: 8007355006017 Specially selected Chardonnay, all hand-picked across Trento's province, is the source of this tasty Brut that spends a minimum of two full years on its lees. And they have been making this wine for 118 years. Clean, fresh, leesy with light oven-fresh brioche notes kick off a stylish fizz that brings green apple and honey and almonds to the nose and palate. The simplicity and complexity seal the deal here. Finally, the packaging is a master class in simplicity and complexity that invites you always to have a bottle of this wine in the fridge ready to go.
Township 7 Seven Stars Equinox Brut Rosé 2015, Okanagan Valley $48.97 I 90/100
UPC: 626990024613 Seven Stars Equinox is sourced from Sperling Vineyards in Kelowna, and from the first pour, this is one intriguing rosé sparkler. The colour is perfectly hued along the light pink/orange vein. The nose is even better — complex, dry, earthy, and yeasty, reflecting 25 months of bottle aging. The attack is tight, the bubble bead firm and the flavours deliciously contained in its far north, citrus, red-berry style.