WEEKEND WINE PICKS
HAYWIRE VINTAGE BUB CHARDONNAY — PINOT NOIR 2013, OKANAGAN VALLEY
$34.90 I 92/100
UPC: 626990194170
The vintage Bub is fermented in concrete and stainless steel before going to bottle in November 2015. The extra age comes to life in its earthy, wild-mushroom bread dough nose with fresh green apple peel and citrus notes. With precision and length this is a sparkling wine you can serve blind and surprise the B.C. wine doubters. Winery direct and private wine shops.
CALMEL AND JOSEPH BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX BRUT N/V, LIMOUX, LANGUEDOC, FRANCE
$28.99 I 90/100
UPC: 3760044791179 Blanquette de Limoux differs from the region’s other Crémant offerings as it must consist of at least 90 per cent Mauzac — a rare indigenous grape — before adding 10 per cent of Chardonnay and/or Chenin Blanc. At Calmel & Joseph the additional fruit is all Chardonnay. Expect a fresh, dry sparkler that opens with a mineral wet stone nose that previews a flash of tropical fruit aromas and baked apple notes with a light citrus theme. Just a hint of nutty lees evens out the balance and the finish. Pleasantly fresh with a twist of exotic fruit and a dusting of austerity. Sophisticated bubble.
JAILLANCE CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX BRUT ROSÉ CUVÉE DE L ‘ABBAYE N/V, BORDEAUX, FRANCE
$24.99 I 88/100
UPC: 3416145020600 Three years down the road the Crémant de Bordeaux Appellation, established in 1990, has upped its game. It’s all Merlot and its aged for 18 months in a cool cellar carved out of a quarry. It’s the texture and elegance here that attracts. There is an ethereal, herbal, red fruit character that barley penetrates the outer layers of the wine, but, overall, it’s a very acceptable bubble wellsuited to food. Try this with a mixed charcuterie plate or seafood fritters. Ready to drink.
JANSZ PREMIUM CUVÉE CHARDONNAY — PINOT NOIR N/V, TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA
$27.99 I 88/100
UPC: 9311789078601 This is a superstar sparkler and it’s been the same price for several years. Love the red apple, cherry, stony and mineral palate with bright acidity. The textures are round but kept in check by a tight rope of acidity. Made in the champagne method, this blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot meunier from Tasmania makes an impressive statement in the glass. Good value.
BOTTEGA GOLD PROSECCO SPUMANTE BRUT N/V, TREVISO, VERONA, VENETO, ITALY
$29.99 I 88/100
UPC: 8005820230333 Expect a fresh, concentrated nose of yellow apple, ripe pear and light toast throughout a creamy floral package. The golden bottle not only moves this wine faster than its opponents, but it also protects the wine from light, preserving freshness and extending bottle life. The palate is more of the same creamy, baked pear, citrus rind, peach, almond and apple skin flavours. It’s made in the Charmat method, yet remains restrained in style with a drier profile best for food.