Wine Club #10: Sparkling Wines!

Host: Sara-Rose

Date: September 7, 2007

Theme: No Longer Just for Raising a Glass – Delicious Sparkling Wines & Food Pairings

Attendees: Carmela, Anna, Shereen, Julie, Jacquie, Tayisa, and Tayisa’s friend, Maggie

The Evening’s Menu:

Salted Almonds

Figs & Melon wrapped in proscuitto (& some without)

Scallop cakes on greens with an orange vinaigrette

Halibut and cherry tomato skewers

Rosemary chicken skewers with an orange dipping sauce

Dark Chocolate

CAVAS:

CAVA #1: SEGURA VIUDAS LAVIT BRUT NATURE CAVA 2003

Price: $ 14.95

LCBO Description:This fine fizz is a blend of 60% Macabeo (a.k.a. Viura) and 40% Parellada. The aromas are a pleasing blend of butter, toast, pear, apple and aniseed. It is dry with a refreshing, long finish. A great palate refresher or fine complement for sautéed vegetables, wild mushroom carpaccio or steamed clams or mussels.

http://www.freixenet.es/web/minisites/sv/eng/cont.cfm?ap=productos

CAVA #2: SEGURA VIUDAS BRUT RESERVA

Price: $ 14.15

LCBO Tasting Note: Straw yellow colour; Toasty, yeasty nose with nutty/cooked apple notes; Dry, rich, medium - full bodied, with flavours of nuts and biscuits; long and creamy finish on palate.

LCBO Serving Suggestion: Roast chicken; mushroom risotto; brunch; aperitif.

http://www.freixenet.es/web/minisites/sv/eng/cont.cfm?ap=productos

PROSECCOS:

PROSECCO #1: SANTA MARGHERITA PROSECCO DI VALDOBBIADENE BRUT

Price: $ 18.95

LCBO Description: From the producers of the most popular wine in our Essentials Collection, Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio (106450), comes this fresh, flavourful, crowd-pleasing sparkling wine. Enjoy it as a palate refresher as your guests arrive for the barbecue or appetizers such as pancetta-wrapped tiger shrimp and roasted asparagus.

http://www.santamargherita.com/prodotti_e/spumanti/index.shtml

PROSECCO #2: SORELLE BRONCA PROSECCO DI VALDOBBIADENE

Price: $ 18.95

LCBO Description: Sorelle Bronca make dry white and red wines, but their specialty is Prosecco. Year after year, they create something exceptional with their Prosecco, which, in other hands, is generally just a simple sparkling wine. The aromas and flavours here are always full and juicy on the palate. They are also beautifully balanced out by crisp acidity and fine mousse. Try it with pasta in a white sauce or fish dishes.

http://www.sorellebronca.it/sito-inglese/vini/brut.htm

SPARKLING WINE - RED:

SEAVIEW SPARKLING SHIRAZ

Price: $ 14.15

LCBO: Tasting Note: Deep purple violet with definite mousse; vibrant aromas and flavours of ripe plum mullberry, raspberry, leather and vanilla; full-bodied, silky smooth and rich on the palate with refreshing carbonation and acidity.

Serving Suggestion: Serve slightly chilled with roast lamb, sausages, or roast turkey

Lessons of the Night:

• Sparkling wine, when bought right, can be a great alternative to Champagne and won’t break the bank.
• Prosecco is sparkling wine from Italy and Cava is sparkling wine from Spain.
• Cavas tend to be slightly sweeter than the Proseccos.
• While sparkling wine is well known for being a great aperitif, it is also equally great throughout a meal. It is particularly an excellent match for lighter meals like fish, seafood, creamy pasta, salads, and cheeses.
• A red sparkling wine, such as the Seaview Sparkling Shiraz, can either add a special twist to a more robust meal or as a nice compliment to chocolate and desserts.
• Since it was a beautiful night, we enjoyed the sparkling wine outside on the patio, but while the candle light gave a great atmosphere, it was too dark to write any notes. Now many months later, I unfortunately don’t remember as much as I would have liked, but I do remember that:
• Overall, the ladies preferred Prosecco over Cava.
• The food was declicious and complimented the sparkling wines (although as the hostess I’m obviously biased!)
• The Sorelle Bronca was a favorite of the evening (and if not, it’s a favorite of Tony and I – and we’ve tasted many a bottle of bubbly)
• The sparkling shiraz was delicious with the chocolate and is a unique end to a meal.
• Finally, sparkling wine is delicious and fun!