It has been a very exciting couple of years for bubbles from Prince Edward County. This year Hinterland released a new “top end” sparkling called Sacrament. Down in the south of the County stopping by Lighthall is essential when Culmination, a fantastic Blanc de Blancs is available. How could you forget stopping by Huff Estates and grabbing a bottle of the Peter F Huff Cuvée or the Rosé Cuvée Janine. The sparkling game is strong in the county.
The sparkling game at Rosehall Run is also strong. And it has been kicked up a notch just in time to celebrate the end of 2017. The 2011 Stardust Brut Cuvée joins Ceremony, Pixie, and Indigo in helping to cement sparkling as key to identity of the county.
2011 Stardust Brut Cuvée – Winery Only – $49.95 – **** – The first single vintage traditional method sparkling wine from Rosehall Run. There is some nice depth to the nose and on the mid palate with orchard fruit pushing through gorgeous acidity. The orchard fruit leans towards granny smith apple and there is a spice note that starts to poke through on the finish of this wine. I imagine this evolving nicely with some time in a cellar for 5-7 years, but you can enjoy this without regrets now. I picture this on the table with seafood – lobster or halibut, soak your fish in butter and this will make a perfect counterpoint to the richness of the food and keep your palate refreshed. This is certainly a welcome addition to the premium sparkling game in the province.
2016 Indigo Sparkling – Winery Only – $24.95 – **** – We don’t always need to be so damned serious when it comes to our bubbles. This bottle made with Muscat, Ottonel, Chardonnay Musqué, Riesling and Gewurztraminer. This brings to my glass everything I love about these aromatic varietals – this is the vinous equivalent of walking through a field of flowers in the late summer. I am told this is off-dry, and there is a bit of sweetness that helps the fruit and flowers pop on the mid palate, but this is met with perfectly balanced acidity. As with Stardust I plan to put this on the table next to some seafood, steamed mussels or clams. Not a pretentious ounce in this bottle enjoy this frequently.
