BUYING GUIDE
The best wine, beer and spirits from around the world, critiqued by our expert tasting panel.
All wines listed are recommended by our experienced panel of tasters. Each wine is rated based on its varietal character, representation of style and/or region, balance and price-quality ratio. Readers should assess these, and all wines, using the same criteria. Browse our experts’ tasting notes to find the wines that may appeal to your taste or pique your interest to try something new. Afterall, one of the best parts about wine is the discovery. The prices listed are suggested retail prices and will likely vary from province to province. A large number of these wines can be purchased across Canada, so check with your local liquor board or private wine store for availability.
Our tasters are Tony Aspler, Gurvinder Bhatia, Tod Stewart, Michelle Bouffard, Ron Liteplo, Sean Wood, Crystal Luxmore, Tara Luxmore, Tim Pawsey, Michaela Morris, Jordan St. John and Jonathan Smithe.
*Available through private import and online wine clubs
SPARKLING LE CONTESSE DOC PROSECCO NV, ITALY ($11)
Imported for Costco. Unusually, this Prosecco undergoes only a single fermentation. Pale yellow with coarse bubbles, it has an austere but attractive nose of pineapple, apple and a bit of marshmallow. Slightly sweet, it tastes of apples, limes and oranges. Drink now. (RL)
KIRKLAND ASOLO DOCG PROSECCO SUPERIORE NV, ITALY ($11)
Pale yellow with coarse bubbles. Medium-intensity fruity nose of peaches, oranges and pineapples. Tart on the palate, tasting of peaches and apricots, with a custardy finish. Drink now. (RL)
VILLA TERESA DOC PROSECCO NV, ITALY ($14)
Made to biologique standards, this is very pale yellow, with coarse bubbles. Floral nose with some tangerine notes. Light-bodied with general citrus and apple flavours. Drink now. (RL)
LA MARCA DOC PROSECCO NV, ITALY ($14)
So pale it is almost clear, with ample fine mousse. Reticent nose hinting of lemons and limes. Quite tart, tastes like an unsweetened lemon pie, complete with the marshmallowy taste of the meringue. Drink now. (RL)
PARÉS BALTA CAVA PINK BRUT NV, SPAIN ($23)
Certified organic and biodynamic sparkling wine from higher elevation plantings in Cataluña. Aged on the lees for 18 months. This blend of Garnacha, Parellada and Macabeu is medium salmon in the glass. It sports a fine stream with a frothy mousse before lifted red berries with a crisp clean strawberry- and raspberry-toned palate with a touch of brioche. Excellent organic value. (TP)
JOIEFARM QUOTIDIEN BRUT 2018, CANADA ($24.26)
A very appealing, refreshing and delightfully effervescent Charmat-method sparkler. A blend of Riesling (70%) and Chardonnay (30%) presents with a persistent and lively mousse before a crisp, mouth-filling palate of citrus and tropical flavours wrapped in bright acidity through a gently toasty finish. (TP)
FITZ BLANC DE NOIR 2015, OKANAGAN VALLEY ($35)
From one of the Okanagan Valley’s few dedicated sparkling wine estates, a cooler site tucked under the west side mountains. A very lively stream of fine bubbles with a good mousse. Citrus and nutty notes on top followed by a mouth-filling palate of dark cherry and citrus with excellent depth and texture. Definite “pinosity” and good length with juicy acidity before lingering cherry chocolate and zest on the finish. (TP)
MEYER FAMILY VINEYARDS EXTRA BRUT NV, OKANAGAN FALLS ($40)
MFV’s inaugural sparkler yields a stream of fine bubbles and a persistent mousse, forward orchard notes with pear, green apple and touches of mineral and citrus in the finish, leesy notes and well textured with a creamy, lingering end. (TP)
LELARGE PUGEOT TRADITION BRUT, CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE ($65)
Located in Vrigny, this small Champagne house of 8.7 hectares, which has the organic and biodynamic certifications, is producing elegant bubbles from premier cru vineyards. Tradition is a blend of 65% Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir and 15% Chardonnay with 70% from the 2014 vintage blended with reserve wine. Tangy acidity balanced by complex notes of brioche and redcurrants with a delicate and fine mousse that caresses the taste buds. Well-integrated dosage and a lingering finish. (MB)