Cava, prosecco, cider, a few brut and other new-year sparklers Uncorked
By: Ben Sigurdson Posted: 3:00 AM CST Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/12/2023 (1006 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As the clock ticks down on another year, many of us will look to either toast the arrival of 2024 or say good riddance to the year that was.

If you’re still in the market for such a celebratory drink, here are some sparkling wines and other fizzy drinks tasted over the past weeks to help ring in the New Year…

Top-tier tipples

Villa Conchi 2018 Extra Brut Imperial Reserva Cava (Cava, Spain — $27.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

There’s lovely bread dough and toasted nut on the nose of this vintage-dated Cava that comes with fresh and baked apple, and lemon zest.

It’s light-plus-bodied, with the palate delivering a creamy texture and medium acidity that brings brioche, red apple, lemon, toasted nut and chalky notes before the long, balanced finish.

All the elegance of entry-level French Champagne at half the price. 4.5/5

 

Fattoria Moretto NV Tasso (Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro, Italy — $32, Kenaston Wine Market)

This sparkling red wine is deep purple in colour, and aromatically offers blackberry, black cherry, plum and bread-dough notes.

It’s medium-bodied and off-dry with gobs of black licorice, blackberry, dark cherry and peppery notes with racy acidity, medium tannin and a medium-length, 11.5 per cent alcohol finish.

Great on its own or with charcuterie, medium-sharp cheeses or chocolate. 4.5/5

 

Llopart 2019 Brut Reserva (Corpinnat, Spain — $29.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

This vintage-dated Spanish sparkling is pale straw in appearance and brings aromas of bread dough, ripe red berries, red apple skin, lemon zest and subtle herbal notes.

It’s light-plus-bodied, dry and offers a touch of creaminess that adds elegance, with bread dough, red apple, lemon curd and secondary berry flavours before a long, complex finish. 4/5

 

Low Life 2022 Stride Sparkling Riesling (Winnipeg — $26, brewery, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Made using sustainably farmed grapes from Niagara and crafted at Low Life Barrel House’s facility at 398 Daly St. N., the Stride brings fresh floral, bread dough and spice aromas that come with lemon zest and green apple skins.

It’s light-bodied and dry, with delicate pear, floral, green apple and lemon zest notes, fleshed out by a creamy texture from nine months’ aging in a large oak cask called a foeder.

Nice complexity and length. 4/5

 

A taste of Italy

Santa Margherita Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Brut (Prosecco, Italy — $22.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Pale straw in colour, the Santa Margherita brings fresh floral, bread dough, subtle green apple and chalky notes on the nose.

There’s the slightest hint of sweetness on the light-bodied palate, with lemon zest, ripe green apple, tart peach and chalky notes coming with a subtle salinity.

More complex than your standard prosecco; also available in 375ml bottles. 4/5

 

I Clivi RBL brut nature (Friuli, Italy — around $35, Kenaston Wine Market)

Made from Ribolla Gialla grapes grown in northeast Italy, this bubbly’s pale straw in colour and offers lovely floral and chalky notes on the nose that come with green apple and lime notes. It’s lean, light-bodied and bone dry, with fine bubbles delivering lemon-lime, chalky, green apple and subtle toasty notes before a racy finish. Vibrant and lively. 4/5

 

Vigneti del Sole Treviso Prosecco Brut (Prosecco, Italy — around $23, private wine stores)

Made from the Glera grape, this Prosecco offers intriguing doughy and earthy notes that come along with the floral and pear aromas.

It’s light-bodied and off-dry, with pear and peach flavours, some yeasty, doughy notes, a hint of chalkiness and something just a little funky on the finish.

Intriguing, with more character than many proseccos. 3.5/5

 

Botter 2021 Brilla! Prosecco rosé (Prosecco, Italy — around $24, private wine stores)

Pear, floral, peach, green apple and subtle chalky notes are front and centre aromatically on this attractively packaged pale pink bubbly.

It’s light-bodied and off-dry, with peach, pear, lemon candy and chalky notes showing well, as well as red apple skin and a subtle peppery note.

Easygoing and fresh, it’s a crowd-pleaser. 3.5/5

 

Beer, cider and non-alcoholic options

Ones+ 2021 Sparkling Red (Summerland, B.C. — $7.50/250ml can, The Søbr Market, some private wine stores)

For the designated driver or those looking to take it easy on New Year’s Eve, this B.C. low-alcohol (0.5 per cent) sparkling red wine is made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and offers blueberry, cherry, floral and earth notes aromatically.

It’s bone dry, with the red and blue fruit flavours showing well with bright effervescence and modest tannin.

Also available in sparkling white and rosé from the Søbr Market; see them, or private wine stores, for the best selection of other low/no-alcohol fizzy wines. 3.5/5

 

Next Friend 2022 Fruit Utopia (Winnipeg — $17, Low Life, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Made using local apples, plums, cherries, chokecherries, hawthorn berries and rhubarb primarily sourced from backyard plants, this cider is bright red in appearance and offers a lovely nose driven by cherry, plum and tart apple notes.

It’s dry, tart and lively, with ripe cherry and apple flavours coming with underlying rhubarb flavours, an underlying tart cranberry note that comes with the racy acidity and a crisp, dry finish (it’s 6.5 per cent alcohol). 3.5/5

 

Nonsuch Brewing Co. 2023 Belgian Strong (Winnipeg — $15/750ml bottles, brewery, Liquor Marts, select beer vendors)

Medium copper in colour and slightly hazy, there’s a sweet dried fruit note on the nose that comes with caramel, fresh malt and tropical notes.

It’s light-plus-bodied and off-dry, with loads of delicious malt, dried fruit and malty notes before the medium-length finish (it’s eight per cent alcohol). 4/5

 

Other fun fizz

Magnotta NV 1925 Chardonnay (Ontario — $14.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

This handsome Ontario bubbly is pale straw in colour, and aromatically offers straightforward red apple and lemon notes with a subtle floral note in there as well.

It’s light-bodied and dry, bringing simple apple and lemon notes with vibrant acidity. On sale for $14.99 (regular price $16.99) until the end of December.

For a slightly sweeter option, try Magnotta’s more upscale Starlight, made from Riesling and Vidal grapes. 3/5

 

Sorevi Veuve du Vernay Brut (France — $15.99/3x200ml bottles or $16.99/750 bottles, Liquor Marts and beyond)

This French fizz is pale straw in colour with muted red apple, floral, pear and lemon zest aromas.

It’s dry and light-bodied with lively effervescence, delivering simple but crisp, fresh red apple and lemon flavours before a slightly chalky, somewhat tart finish.

Small-format bottles make for fun new year’s toasts, or try in fizzy cocktails. 3/5

 

Paul Mas Prima Perla Cremant de Limoux (Limoux, France — $19.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

This southern French bubbly brings red apple, fig, herbal and lemon notes aromatically.

It’s dry and light-plus bodied, with soft, fizzy effervescence and a chalky and mineral note that comes with red apple skin, lemon and bread dough flavours, along with moderate acidity and a medium-length finish.

Decent for the price, particularly as it’s on sale right now (regular $22.99). 3.5/5

 

uncorked@mts.net

@bensigurdson