Sparkling - New World

$30-35

O CANADA!

I can’t say no to sparkling – especially when it comes from the hand of Sumac Ridge’s senior winemaker Mark Wendenberg, arguably the Okanagan’s best at handcrafted sparkling wines (Stellar’s Jay and Pinnacle are proof).

His latest bubbly, Tribute, created with Sumac Ridge winemaker Jason James, is 100% Chardonnay, created in the painstaking and shortcut-free traditional method, aging for 16 months in bottle before release this summer.

And a fitting tribute this Tribute is - With the purchase of every bottle, $1.25 is donated directly to the Canadian Olympic team and the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic winter games.  Bright aromas of citrus, crisp apple and perfumed floral notes lead to a creamy palate of baked Granny Smith, zippy lemon, honey and creamy lees. Big and ripe style – certainly podium-worthy.

And we all know there is no better way to celebrate Canada on the podium next than with a Tribute toast.  

**Buzz is that Sumac Ridge’s Mark Wendenberg and team are working on expanding the winery’s beautiful bubbly bevies – watch for future bottles of both a sparkling rose and sparkling Gewurztraminer.  So exciting – I’ll toast to that!

*** and a half stars

Website

By Treve Ring – online wine editor

WHAT OUR RATINGS MEAN

*          Basic drinkable, uncomplicated plonk

**       Good example of varietal type.  

***     Very good quality, represents the regional style/terroir, worth seeking out. Recommended

****   Exceptional, above average, top of class. Highly Recommended

***** Among the top wines in the world. Worth traveling for. What are you waiting for? Buy it right now!

EAT editor Gary Hynes chooses this week's pick:

"In my humble opinion I don’t think we drink nearly enough bubbly in our fair province. Which is a pity since we’re so good at making the stuff. Champagne and sparkling wines are certainly an excellent choice for celebrations but they also go well with just about any food you care to serve at your table. Here’s my pitch to pop a cork of BC sparkling wine more often.

Sumac Ridge is the Summerland winery known for producing Steller’s Jay Brut, one of BC’s best sparkling wines—so they know a thing or two about bubbles. Tribute is their new non-vintage, 100% chardonnay bubbly created to commemorate and celebrate the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Made in the traditional method with secondary fermentation in the bottle, the wine is easy-to-drink and focuses on clean, fresh lemony flavours and apple aromas. It possesses enough acidity to carry off a pairing with spot prawns, oysters or sole in a beurre blanc sauce. Let the games begin."

$30 in BC, available nationally in the fall
www.sumacridge.com

Jill Krauss of The Strath Ale, Wine, and Spirit Merchants writes:

"My choice is the 2008 Bird in Hand Sparkling Pinot Noir from Adelaide Hills, Australia. These bubbles have a beautiful light pink colour with really pretty, fine beading. It is an amazing summer treat —perfect for brunch or hanging out on a patio in the sunshine. Crisp and fruity with delicious strawberry notes on both the nose and the palate, it's followed by a light floral quality and a clean, but long lasting, off-dry finish. This wine is well balanced and simple yet subtle, a refreshing approach for an Australian wine. I would rather not admit how much of this I have consumed!

Sku: 387951, $31.95