The truth is that end-of-year festivities remain a fantastic time to pop open the fizz.
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Loyal readers will know of my penchant to opt for bubbly all year long.
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In sum: sparkling wine is an amazingly versatile pairing partner that will make most meals shine.
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However, old habits and all that jazz, the truth is that end-of-year festivities remain a fantastic time to pop open the fizz. Whether to ring in the new year or simply to serve alongside takeout pizza in your PJs, here are three bottles of bubbly ready to get festive with as we wrap up the year:
Sidrería Izeta IZ Basque Natural Cider, Spain
($17, available at select private liquor stores)
Of course, it’s not only wine that sparkles. No reason you can’t get festive with a bottle of cider.
In fact, you could open a bottle of Spanish cider and wholly dive into Spanish tradition by eating 12 grapes as the clock rings midnight on New Year’s Eve. Or not.
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Regardless, this bottle of Sidra from Spain’s Basque Country offers a fun sip. Made from 100 per cent locally grown apples, it’s full of apples and funk, and actually less fizzy and more prickly on the tongue.
Use the included pouring stopper to fully aerate the cider and enjoy its engaging richness before a tart, bracing finish.
Bottom line: B, goes great with new year’s fondue.
Tinhorn Creek 2018 Blanc de Blanc, B.C.
($45, available through the winery and select private wine stores)
Adding to the list of terrific local sparklers, this year Tinhorn Creek released their inaugural bottle of bub. The venerable southern Okanagan winery’s Blanc de Blanc (it’s made from 100 per cent Chardonnay grapes) follows traditional method production of secondary bottle fermentation.
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A subsequent 36 months spent aging on lees — as the winery points out, the same minimum aging time required for vintage Champagne — helps this elegant sparkler develop layers of complexity, with lemon and buttered toast aromas leading to nuances of brioche and mineral.
It’s quite focused overall, though a richness builds to complement a lingering, fresh and fruity finish.
Bottom line: A, elegant fizz.
Ferrari N/V Brut, Italy
($31.99 on sale until Dec. 30, No. 366427)
Keeping to a sparkling Chardonnay theme, Ferrari’s classic Brut hails from the Trento region of northern Italy. It’s also made following the traditional method, and sees on average 24 months of bottle conditioning on lees.
Green apple and citrus meet mineral and brioche in this fresh but intense, robust and ultimately easygoing sparkler that makes for a solid choice for a new year’s toast, whether with a special someone or a gathering of friends.
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Sip on its own, with a splash of fruit liqueur for an impromptu sparkling cocktail or as a dining companion with everything from raw oysters to fried chicken.
Bottom line: A-, solid all-around bottle of bubbly.
The Swirl: Small Gods’ New Year’s Eve
There are lots of events taking place on New Year’s Eve, but if you’re in or around Sidney as 2023 winds down and looking for a night out consider the “intimate evening of food, drinks and live music” taking place at Small Gods Brewing Co. (9835 Third St.).
From 8 p.m., guests will ring in the new year with a welcome beverage, a spread of cheese, charcuterie and desserts, and live music and bubbles from Unsworth Vineyards at midnight.
Tickets are $60 (plus taxes and fees). For complete details head to https://smallgods.ca/blogs/news/small-gods-new-years-eve.
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