Château des Charmes Sparkling Brut Non-vintage
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $22.95 (224766) 13.0% alcohol
Trivial differences between this and Champagne other than one—this is one-third the price. It’s made with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the traditional method and spent over 24 months in bottle on its lees. The fine-bead bubbles are persistent with the mouth-watering aftertaste flavour-laden, crisp and refreshing. The nose and palate are treated to a gorgeous attack of lemon-grapefruit citrus, baking brioche and succulent white peach. (Vic Harradine)