Happy New Year from InSpiirit! Make this the Decade to Experience Canadian Bubbly!!
Happy Holidays! As we inch closer to a new decade, we at InSpiirit want to wish everyone a happy and successful new year. Thank you for your support and patronage over the past few months. We look forward to meeting your beverage needs here in South Western Ontario for many years to come.
With the New Year close we wanted to offer a brief history of the beverage that is a key element to New Year’s celebrations, Champagne! In addition, we wanted to discuss some of the amazing sparkling wines from the Niagara region that would go great with any celebration throughout the year.
In his article for VinePair, Tim McKirdy discusses the history of Champagne and how it became the drink we use to toast special occasions. As with many of our customs, drinking Champagne come from royalty. The French Royal family had connections to the Champaign region as early as 492 AD. However, it was not until 1700’s that the region produced something similar to the bubbly beverage we know today. The style really took off when King Louis XV declared that the wine from the region had to be shipped in glass bottles. His friend and advisor, Madame de Pomadour would host grand parties where the Champagne was served to the wealthy and elite from all over of Europe. This appreciation made its way all the way to the United States when George Washington served Champagne at formal state dinners.
Overtime, due to increased supplies and distribution chains, Champagne became much more affordable to the middle class. With an abundance of product to sell, Champagne houses in France began to mass-marketed Champagne as the drink of celebrations such as Christmas and New Years’, as well as engagements and weddings. Please read more about the history of Champagne here.
Though not “Champagne” (to be called Champagne it must be made in the Champagne region of France) the Niagara region offers several excellent and award-winning sparkling wines. InSpiirit is fortunate to represent several. Please find a list of these delicious sparkling wines below and if you are interested in learning more please contact us.
Megalomaniac
· Bubblehead-This rich pink bubbly is made from Pinot Noir grapes which produces a delicate mousse perfect for any occasion.
· Sparkling Personality-The Riesling grapes for this wine are among the first picked every season. Fruit forward with a hint on sweetness makes this perfect to drink on its own or in a Mimosa.
Southbrook Organic Vineyards
· Bubbly Pet Nat-Bone dry, completed with malolactic and bottled with lees this is soft on the palette and finishes very refreshing due to lower alcohol at 10%
The Good Earth Food and Wine Co.
· Aria Sparkling Rose-This Pinot Noir/Chardonnay blend has aromas of fresh field berries and the palate has a delicate mousse with the fine light pink bubbles highlighting flavours of orange blossom, rose petals and lemon drop.
The Hare Wine Co.
· Crown Land Sparkling-Made from Chardonnay grapes this rich bubbly is more off dry, meaning slightly sweeter, this is an elegant, fruity and refreshing bubbly.
Konzelmann
· Methode Cuve Close Rose-This sparkling Rose is initially robust but quickly develops into a more delicate strawberry scent.
· Methode Cuve Close Riesling-Enjoy this crisp, crowd pleasing sparkling wine with any occasion or celebration.