2013 Cuvée Catharine Carte Blanche – Vintages 315200 (release date TBD) – $44.95 – ****½ – Simply put, this continues to be one of the best sparkling wines on the market in Ontario. It can hold its own against similarly priced Champagne. A little restraint in this bottle offers bright lemon, and golden delicious apple layered over a nice bread note. On the palate the flavours seem to line up in an orderly fashion with lemon, and apple taking charge and a mineral note that starts to creep through with subtlety. The searing acidity is exactly what you expect from this great bottle of bubbles leaving your food pairings endless. Let’s say that this isn’t the most popular pairing for sparkling wine – but why not try some steak and bubbly with this bottle.
