At a time of year when celebrations are aplenty, a beautiful bottle of sparkling wine is what will define your special evening. Niagara’s cool climate is akin to the temperatures experienced in Champagne, and with soil that is comparable with limestone, it is no surprise that decadent bubbles can be found in your own backyard. While the usual suspects were discussed as divine additions to a holiday meal, the sparkling wines detailed below are something especially Niagara that you can enjoy anytime in 2013.

2011 Sparkling Vidal Icewine
Inniskillin, Niagara on the Lake, ON

A sparkling vidal icewine, this should be served with dessert or quite simply as dessert. This is among the most decadent dessert wines that I have had the pleasure of enjoying! Poached pear aplenty, this sweet wine has a mouth-feel that begs for a blue vein cheese to accompany it. Pear is matched with tropical notes aplenty with dominant lychee fruit, a slight pineapple pucker. The sweetness comes through in a warm and inviting honey note that will have your taste buds begging for more. Pair this wine with a cheese course or sip it solo as the flavours are all you need for an intensely pleasing experience.

$70

NV Ice Cuvee Rose
Peller Estates, Niagara on the Lake, ON

A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with a hint of Cabernet Franc, this wine is a particularly special bottle to share with family and friends as you ring in the 2013. Made in the traditional method, this wine has a very special addition during the dosage stage in the winemaking process. Not sure what that means? Check out our article that details the making of a traditional method sparkling wine here. Instead of using more “regular wine” to dosage the bottle, Peller has decided to enhance the bottles with icewine! As a result this wine has a beautiful flavour profile that showcases berry, currant, strawberry and more! At our last indulgence, one of our guests indicated notes of watermelon, so while my palate didn’t pick that up, yours very well could! This bottle also has a beautiful long finish that features a definite palate cleansing quality. In short, it is simply divine!

$34.95