Wine category: SPARKLING

Evolve Pink Effervescence N/V B.C.

For my “In the Pink” series I couldn’t resist adding some bubbles to the lineup. Once again the Evolve Pink Effervescence from the Time Family of Wines is my hands down choice. Since launching my website almost a decade ago I’ve long viewed the Evolve lineup as a reliable go-to for quality B.C. wine at a great price. This is the perfect sparkling wine for a summer gathering. You don’t need to take my word for it. It’s a gold medal winning wine from the All Canadian Wine Championships! A light bodied and dry sparkler with a lovely aroma of strawberries and cherries. It’s a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc with just a splash of Syrah. A perfect pink for birthdays, weddings, special occasions of all kinds. You’ll be as much a fan as me after your first glass.

Price: $21.99 plus tax
Available: B.C. Liquor stores across the lower mainland
Price: $22.69 plus tax
Available: Select Save-On-Foods wine stores

TWB-The Wine Bar-Yaletown

If there’s a better place to enjoy a glass of wine and tasty bites than TWB-The Wine Bar in Yaletown I’ve not been there. So I was delighted to join Wine Director Josh Carlson (pictured) along with executive chef J-F Quaglia for the return of TWB. With over 100 wines by the glass and Provence inspired nibbles it adds up to the perfect pairing. Its False Creek location makes sipping al fresco another big draw. Prior to the pandemic forced closure TWB was my reliable go-to because their Happy Hour is such a great way to while away a few hours. The opportunity to taste so many wonderful wines and learn from the excellent wine team always brings me back again and again. So whether you’ve never visited TWB or, like me, have longed for its return that time has come. Just think of all those glasses of wine waiting for you.

In-house Wine Tasting

There’s nothing I enjoy more than introducing winelovers to something new and seeing their instant reaction. We’re all curious about adding to our individual wine lists and I like pouring something new to an appreciative audience. It’s one of my major goals at www.cheapandcheerful.ca. Many clients and friends are keen on discovering something new from B.C. Others like to sample the world or find a selection of great wines at a great price. If that sounds like you please get in touch. I’d love to pour for you.
Email: ronaldkwilson52@gmail.com
Phone: 604 842.0750

Wolf & Grouse Light Aperitif B.C.

I love when imaginative people come up with a new idea yet it retains a B.C. ethos. The Wolf & Grouse Aperitif has Blue Gouse Winery at its core. Their delicious Quill White Blend that I’ve reviewed earlier this year. But then add flowers, fruit and roots and suddenly you’re transported from the Cowichan Valley to a piazza in Italy. You can make it your own by adding a splash of your favorite gin, sparkling wine or tonic water. What you’ll discover is a remarkably fresh aperitif with Italian aromatics that’s also low in alcohol. Perfect as a starter before dinner or as a backyard sipper on a summer’s day. If you’re visiting Vancouver Island drop into the winery for a taste.

Price: $34.00 plus tax
Available: Winery direct at Blue Grouse Estate Winery

Haywire The Bub 2016 B.C.

B.C. winemakers are justifiably proud of the amazing array of sparkling wines made in our province. My first experience with our bubbles was in 1999 at Blue Mountain winery. Since moving to Vancouver seven years ago Haywire “The Bub” is the sparkling wine I come back to time and time again. In case you’re wondering the wine gets its name from the winery’s first daughter, Alison, who was known at Bub, the Bubster and Alibubba when she was a youngster. If you’ve never tasted B.C. bubbles here’s the perfect introduction. A blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this is a crispy sparkler with citrus flavours and brioche, or toast if you prefer, that you’ll also pick up in the aroma. The wine spent time in both concrete and stainless steel tanks and then a second fermentation in the bottle. The Bub is a remarkably well made sparkler that’s the perfect pour at any celebration from Thanksgiving to an anniversary or graduation.

Price: $28.29 plus tax
Available: Save-On-Foods wines across B.C.
Price: $29.99 plus tax
Available: Swirl wines in Yaletown
Price: $31.98 plus tax
Available: Everything Wine in North Vancouver, South Vancouver, South Surrey and Langley

Lot 185-Cafe and Wine Bar

When you’re a #winelover like me, the arrival of a new place to enjoy your favourite libation is a reason to celebrate. Lot 185 offers a cafe to start your day and a wine bar to wind down after work. It’s two levels on the west side of the Vancouver Convention Center beside Jack Poole Plaza. If you’ve been to the Vancouver International Wine Festival you’ll recognize the 2nd level as the former coat check location. It’s a bright and airy space that will offer patio seating next summer. For now you can enjoy breakfast sandwiches or pastries from the in-house bakery. Later in the day the 2nd level Wine Bar will offer a great place to drop in for a glass or two accompanied by interesting small bites. Check out my social media feeds for plenty of pictures. Pizza, duck confit sliders and and freshly shucked Kusshi oysters are just some of the choices. The wine list includes Burrowing Owl Pinot Noir, Quails’ Gate Dry Riesling and Culmina R&D Rose to name a few. You’ll also find wines from France, Spain, Italy and New Zealand so something for every palate. I’m told they hope to work with smaller B.C. wineries in the future. For example I’d welcome seeing Lock & Worth, Blue Grouse and Rust wines to help grow our exposure to newer and smaller wineries in our province. For now though I’m happy to see our city’s wine culture grow with Lot 185 Cafe and Wine Bar.

Location: Vancouver Convention Center with access from Jack Poole Plaza

Villa Sandi Rosato Prosecco Italy

Every #winelover I know is a huge fan of Prosecco and Rose so here’s a chance to combine the two. For the price you’ll be hard pressed to find a better value than this gem from Villa Sandi. Whether it’s for a celebration or just because put this Prosecco on your list. From the moment I poured this pale pink wine into a flute I was a fan. The aroma was a mix of flowers and fruit. The feeling of the bubbles in your mouth was full and creamy with apple flavours. This is a dry, refreshing sparkler that has a long finish. Perfect on its own but a great wine to pair with any cuisine.

Price: $16.45 (plus tax)
Available: Marquis Wine Cellars on Davie street
Price: $16.49 (plus tax)
Available: Everything Wine in North Vancouver, South Vancouver, South Surrey and Langley

Blue Mountain Gold Label Brut B.C.

Blue Mountain has earned much acclaim for their bubbles and the Gold Label is the perfect introduction for sparkling wine lovers. From the glass full of tiny bubbles to the toasty, crisp flavour this is a delicious wine that delivers on every level. The aroma of berries and lemon draws you in but the mouth feel will capture your taste buds. It’s creamy, medium bodied and with great acidity and a lingering finish. A complex wine made in the traditional method found in Champagne but at a fraction of the price. A perfect companion for celebrations of all kinds or pair it with seafood.

Price: $26.01 (plus tax)
Available: Sutton Place Wine Merchant on Burrard street
Price: $28.99 (plus tax)
Available: Liberty Wine (various locations)
Price: $29.00 (plus tax)
Available: Kits Wine Cellar on 4th avenue

Poema Cava Brut Spain

Since first trying this beautiful bubbly a couple of years ago, I find myself returning time and time again to Poema. For wine lovers Cava is to Spain what Prosecco is to Italy and Champagne is to France. In fact this Cava is made in exactly the same way as Champagne but costs a fraction of its French cousin. The aroma is full of apples and citrus. The flavour offers more of the same along with a lovely toasty finish. This is a deeper bubbly than others I’ve tasted so it pairs well with any dish or serve it to celebrate the New Year!

Price: $18.99 (plus tax)
Available: Kitsilano Wine Cellar and Dunderave Wine Cellar in West Vancouver
Price: $19.04 (plus tax)
Available: Marquis Wine Cellars on Davie street

Vaporetto Prosecco Italy

When it comes to value and flavour Vaporetto is one of the best sparkling wines available in B.C. You can’t help notice there’s plenty of choices at your favourite wine store but not all Prosecco is created equally. This sparkling wine wins you over with the beautiful aroma of fruit and flowers. I tasted peaches and pears with a nice toasty finish and a touch of citrus. This is the Prosecco to pour when company drops by during the holidays. Or with the first course at a family feast. While you’ll find Prosecco that’s priced the same I think Vaporetto offers an elegance missing with others on the shelf.

Price: $17.49 (plus tax)
Available: B.C. Liquor stores