One last post before the Christmas shenanigans begin!
I’ve been drinking quite a bit of sparkling wine lately, including the CedarCreek Home Block Sparkling Brut which retails for $24.99 and is available at Save On Foods and a selection of speciality wine stores. The Home Block Sparkling Brut is made from 100% Muscat Ottonel using the charmat method, with six months on the lees.
The charmat method of producing sparkling wine differs from the traditional method in that the second fermentation is completed in a large, pressurized tank, rather than in individual bottles. The charmat method is thus more cost effective and less labour intensive than the traditional method, which is used to make sparkling wines such as Champagne. Wines made using the charmat method often have less lees contact (contact with the spent yeast cells from the second fermentation process) and larger, coarser bubbles than the traditional method produces.
The CedarCreek Home Block Sparkling Brut would make an excellent accompaniment to a holiday brunch. It has aromas of honey, jasmine, apricot and Asian pear.
This wine is off-dry with a foamy mousse and medium acidity.
The palate offers flavours of blossom, tangerine and pear with apricot jam on the lingering finish.
Wishing you all a very, merry Christmas! I hope you will be able to spend time with friends and family during the festive season – may your holidays be filled with love, laughter and great wine!