5 Stellar Canadian Sparkling Wines

No need to shell out the big bucks to get your hands on a bottle of authentic champagne for New Year’s or any celebration. Why not explore the sparklers being produced in your own backyard? Pockets of Canada are blessed with a terrain and a climate similar to the Champagne region in France. For this reason, it’s not surprising that over the last couple of decades, Canadian sparkling wine has been catching the interest of the international wine community. Ontario, BC, and Nova Scotia have emerged as the top contenders in an increasingly competitive field. To help you separate the good from the ugly, we’ve compiled a list of the best Canadian sparkling wines you can get your hands on tto toast with a glass of bubbly.

5 Stellar Canadian Sparkling Wines

BENJAMIN BRIDGE

2019 BRUT ($52.50)

Billed as “Nova Scotia’s ultra premium sparkling wine house”, Benjamin Bridge has made quite a name for itself in the Maritimes and beyond. Located in the heart of Gaspereau Valley, this relatively young winery produces a wide variety of world-class wines. Each of their sparklers is produced using the Traditional Method, including the 2019 Brut. Boasting a punchy aroma of white flowers, lemon zest, and fresh-baked brioche, this bubbly is a delicious (albeit somewhat pricey) addition to your celebrations.

CAVE SPRING VINEYARD

BLANC DE BLANCS ($49.95)

This stunner from Cave Spring is made entirely from Chardonnay grapes grown on the bench lands of the Niagara Escarpment. Produced using the Traditional Method, the Cave Spring NV Blanc de Blancs smells baked pear, lemon meringue, walnuts, kumquat, and cinnamon; with nuances of wet stone, sea breeze, oatmeal and brown sugar. This wine is best consumed 2025 through 2030, but will hold through to at least 2035.

 → Looking for holiday cocktail ideas? Check out our 8 Must Have Warm Cocktails for Winter Entertaining here!

L’ACADIE VINEYARD

VINTAGE CUVEE ROSE ($25.99)

L’Acadie Vineyard is another award winning winery located in Gaspereau Valley in Nova Scotia. Just this year it’s 2020 Vintage Cuvee Rose receives top marks for this sparkler aged in bottle 17 months to complete its harmony goal with juicy cherry and strawberry flavours and a hint of brioche. Drink fresh and recently disgorged for best enjoyment.

CIPES

BRUT N/V ($43)

Hailing from Okanagan’s Summerhill Pyramid Winery and first produced in 1991, Cipes Brut is lovingly styled to express the unique beauty and character of the Okanagan Valley. This Canadian sparkling wine has aromas of Honeycrisp apple, white flowers, and lime zest. The palate is fresh and vibrant with juicy green apple, pear, lemon meringue and a hint of toasted brioche. It’s 70% Riesling, 20% Pinot Blanc, 10% Chardonnay, and 100% organic grapes grown in organic Okanagan vineyards especially suited for sparkling wine grape production.

HENRY OF PELHAM FAMILY ESTATE

CUVEE CATHARINE ROSE BRUT ($24.30)

A favourite sparkler from the Niagara-based Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery, this blushing beauty is made using handpicked Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes and produced using the Traditional method. Wine connoisseur David Lawrason likened this bubbly to “a delicate raspberry pastry.” While it has undeniably sweet undertones it still boasts a crisp, acidic finish as befitting its Brut status.