DOUBLE the FUN with EVERYDAY BUBBLY
This is the season to pop open the bubbly. Too many people avoid sparkling wine the rest of the year because they think that the occasion doesn’t warrant it. Which is a lot like waiting till your friends are dead to say how much you love ‘em. Do it now. Not the entire bottle – just a glass a day – to celebrate the day. Buy a champagne stopper – refrigerated, open sparkling wine keeps well for 4 to 5 days. The two great everyday sparkling wines are Prosecco from Italy and Cava from Spain.
Val d’Oca Prosecco delivers wonderful mineral zest and refreshment – dancing between purity and drinkability. An everyday bubbly that’s sure to liven up your after work mood. A consistent best-in-class for over a decade.
Val d’Oca 08 Prosecco Brut, Valdobbiadene, Italy 340570 $16.30
Cava is the official term for sparkling wine from the Catalan region of Spain. They use the traditional Champagne method of second fermentation in the bottle so there’s a yeasty tang which adds to the refreshing experience. Cava is very everyday and affordable. And Segura Viudas is one of the best value wines in the world. Period. It should be the first thing in your shopping cart.
Segura Viudas Brut, Spain 158493 $14.95
Wolf Blass is a master at creating wines with great drinkability and his bubbly has the just-right feeling for parties and celebrations. Refreshingly crisp with lovely delicate flavours. French styling with the Aussie sense of fun. Good stuff.
Wolf Blass Brut ‘Yellow Label’, Australia 649996 $17.95
Also recommended:
Colio Estate CEV 08 Sparkling ‘Lily’, VQA Ontario 509083 $14.85
(Also check out ‘Lily’ Pinot Noir red sparkling $16.45)
Barefoot Bubbly Pinot Grigio, California 106088 $12.95 (not quite so dry as the others recommended here)
ed on expectations around grape varieties and forget to notice the obvious. The main message in a wine. Over the years I’ve noticed that the Aussie blend of Sem/Sauv often comes across as something other than an expression of these grapes. Something better – such as really good house wine. Refreshment, tasty flavours and a nice hit of life-is-good. Chill, unscrew and you’re on your way. The Wolfman’s wine could take you through dinner but don’t be afraid to change the tune and refrigerate the bottle for tomorrow’s cocktail hour.
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