BUYING GUIDE The best wine, beer and spirits from around the world, critiqued by our expert tasting panel.

SPARKLING

MEZZA DI MEZZACORONA NV, IGT BIANCA VIGNETI DELLE DOLOMITI, ITALY ($20)

Pale yellow with adequate bubbles. Bouquet of apple, toast and a hint of cherry. Slightly sweet, like a Golden Delicious apple. Drink up. (RL)

BRUNDLMAYER ROSE SEKT NV, KAMPTAL AUSTRIA ($56)

A delicious and persistent blend of Pinot Noir, Zweigelt and St. Laurent. Light salmon in colour, creamy texture; bright delicate and pure flavours of red cherries, strawberries, wild berries, citrus and spice. Elegant and minerally with great balance and a mouthwatering finish. Shellfish, salmon tartar, roasted pork and poultry would all match nicely. A very well-made sparkling. (GB)

PIERRE GIMONNET ET FILS BRUT 1ER CRU CUVÉE CUIS BLANC DE BLANCS NV, CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE ($68)

Citrus peel and bready aromas with flavours of citrus, apple and spice. A light toastiness, great depth and creamy texture with lovely balance and length. Great with salty appetizers, seafood and very enjoyable on its own. 100% Chardonnay. (GB)

H. BILLIOT ET FILS BRUT RESERVE NV, AMBONNAY, CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE ($72)

Complex and textural with rich honey and nutty notes. Ripe flavours of apple, cherry, citrus and holiday spice with a long, lingering finish. Elegant and refined. A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. (GB)

AYALA BRUT MAJEUR NV, AY, CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE ($75)

Precise and focused with fresh notes of green apple, honey and fresh bread. Linear and bright with a lifted acidity on the finish. 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier. (GB)

DIEBOLT-VALLOIS BRUT ROSÉ NV, CRAMANT, CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE ($78)

Full of the flavours of strawberry, raspberry, tart currants, pomegranate seeds, blood orange and grapefruit citrus, with notes of spice. Fresh and vinous with a lively finish. A great texture and brightness to match with salmon, arctic char and beef or lamb crudo. 63% Pinot Noir, 27% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Meunier. (GB)