Decanting Digest - 2 stellar sparking wines

If the last two years have taught us anything, it’s that supporting local matters. Huge corporations will largely weather this storm, but unless their communities rally around them, smaller businesses may not.

As we brace for another confounding holiday season, it’s hard to know what the next few weeks might hold. Whether celebrating the start of 2022 means gathering with those close to us or staying apart for a while longer to keep our loved ones safe, there’s one choice more of us could make: supporting our local wineries by popping a cork from a bottle produced right here in Ontario. 

Here are two of many stellar sparkling wine options available close to home, either by buying directly from Ontario wineries – and many continue to offer free shipping within the province – or by visiting your local LCBO.

Château des Charmes Brut Sparkling
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Vintages # 224766
Regular $25.95; on sale at LCBO for $21.95 until January 2, 2022

Château des Charmes is a family-owned winery that’s been established in Niagara-on-the-Lake for more than 40 years. Made with Chardonnay and Pinot noir, the traditional grapes of Champagne, this highly effervescent and pale yellow sparkling wine is made for celebration. Its Brut designation suggests it will be dry, though it isn’t overly so: a light and apple-laced nose gives way to flavours of fresh peach and even more apple on the palate. Though its profile isn’t especially complex, this makes it an approachable choice if you have a variety of tastes to please. Match it with light seafood or buttery pastry hors d’oeuvres.
Score: 7.5/10

Tawse Spark Limestone Ridge Brut Sparkling Riesling
Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario
Vintages # 370361
Regular $20.95; on sale at LCBO for $18.95 until January 2, 2022

Tawse is another family-owned winery that has been based in Vineland, Ontario, since the early 2000s and produces organic wines. This single-vineyard sparking Riesling is a gem, demonstrating wonderful depth at an affordable price. Its golden yellow colour and more delicate bubbles set the stage for a caramel apple nose and layers of lemon, raisin, and buttery pastry flavours. This has the backbone to stand up to some pre-dinner oysters or a post-meal cheese course, or you could simply pair it with the stroke of midnight.
Score: 8.5/10

Steph is a successful, established freelance writer and has been a wine aficionado for more than two decades. Connect with her on Twitter and Instagram.
Decanting Digest appears every other Wednesday.
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