Holiday Wine Guide: The LCBO’s best bottles of champagne and sparkling wine

Cave Spring Blanc de Blancs

$27.95 | Ontario Many years ago at a blind bubbly tasting, this Cave Spring sparkler was mistaken for actual champagne. The quality is there, even when compared to much more expensive champers, and the price will leave you speechless (in a good way). LCBO 213983

Hola Mediterráneo Brut Organic Cava

$16.95 | Spain If all wines that came in gimmicky bottles tasted this good, we’d be less hesitant to buy them. Cava is Spanish sparkling made from grapes that are far from household names in these parts: macabeo, xerel-lo and parellada. While you try to wrap your tongue around those, go ahead and take a sip of this funky bubbly with lovely acidity and notes of apple and lemon. LCBO 39814

Montes Sparkling Angel Brut

$22.95 | Chile This is the first time we’ve seen a bottle of Montes’ sparkling wine on Ontario shelves, but you may recognize the label from their very popular cabernet sauvignon. This sparkler—loaded with delicious green apple and notes of toasted brioche—would be a welcome addition to any party. LCBO 37122

Villa Sandi Blanc de Blancs Il Fresco Brut

$15 | Italy Prosecco is made using the glera grape, but Blanc de Blancs is made from (as the name suggests) a blend of white grapes, bringing some complexity not always expected from bubbly that’s often mixed with orange juice. It’s crisp and clean, with some lovely not-too-sweet lemon flavour—a true delight at a great price. LCBO 32537

Gosset Champagne Grande Réserve

$85.85 | France With a history dating back to the 1500s, Gosset is the oldest wine house in the French region of Champagne–and its experience shows. This bubbly’s toasted bread notes mingle with Macintosh apple and lemon on the palate, with cleansing acidity on the finish. LCBO 25903

Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut

$99.95 | France Bollinger is one of the most recognized champagne brands, and for good reason. This particular bottle is full-bodied on the palate thanks to influence from oak barrels and vanilla, with some lovely spice and toasty notes. Everything about this wine (yes, including the price tag) screams luxury. LCBO 384529

Gaston Chiquet Blanc de Blancs d’Aÿ Grand Cru Brut Champagne

$91.95 | France The grapes grown for this wine come from the village of Aÿ, in the heart of Champagne—and it stole our hearts. What’s unusual about this bubbly is that it’s made completely from chardonnay grapes rather than the typical pinot noir. The flavours are rich and complex, with notes of apple and some nice minerality. LCBO 63768

Val D’Oca Prosecco DOCG

$18.94 | Italy Val D’Oca has given its bottles a glow-up for the current vintage, and the new look is polished and holiday-party ready. This is a Prosecco Superiore, which is made to the highest standards of quality (but at an affordable price point) and brings beautiful flavours of citrus and white flower with a hint of sweetness on the finish. LCBO 340570

Luc Belaire Rare Rosé

$35.95 | France Pretty-in-pink rosé bubbles are automatically more playful than all that other less-colourful sparkling. Pop in some red fruit—candied raspberry, cranberry and tart red apple—and the fun never seems to end. This one does lean a little on the sweet side, but the holidays are for indulging that sweet tooth. LCBO 395384

Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava

$15.95 | Spain This opaque, frosted glass bottle is as recognizable as the nose on your face—and the wine inside is a delight for the senses. The fruit for Freixenet is hand-harvested over a few months to ensure optimal ripeness before vinification. An easy-sipping sparkling on its own, it also makes a great base for holiday brunch mimosas or any other festive cocktails. LCBO 216945

Codorníu Brut Clasico

$14 | Spain The most austere of our Spanish picks boasts aromas of golden delicious apple, pear and honeysuckle blossom. A bone-dry finish and searing acidity will make it a perfect match for virtually anything—even roast beef (because red wine shouldn’t have all the main-course fun). LCBO 215814

Happy Holidays Santero Moscato Spumante

$15.95 | Italy There’s a special place in our hearts for moscato, and it’s even better with bubbles. This sweet sparkler (in a very extra bottle) is absolutely loaded with apricot and pineapple—and because it rings in at just 5 per cent ABV, you can start drinking it mid-afternoon on New Year’s Eve and still make it to midnight. LCBO 513465

2021 Tawse Spark Limestone Ridge Organic Brut Riesling

$20.95 | Ontario Getting Spark wines from Tawse into a glass is always something worth celebrating, but there’s something extra special about this particular bottle. The flavours are what we would associate with a sweeter riesling—all peach, pear and honey—but the wine is surprisingly bone-dry on the palate. And at a fraction of the price, it may have you skipping more-expensive champagne entirely. LCBO 370361

Taittinger Brut Reserve Champagne

$73.90 | France Crafted primarily from chardonnay grapes, this champagne offers delicate aromas of white flowers and citrus followed by a crisp and refreshing palate. Flavours of green apple, lemon zest and a subtle hint of brioche provide a beautiful balance of fruit and toasty richness. The clean finish is long and smooth, making this a refined aperitif or the perfect midnight toast sip. LCBO 365312