• The following Non-Vintage Speck Brothers ‘Lazzara’ Bianco Secco Sparkling Wine was fashioned in the ‘Charmat method’ with the 2nd fermentation occurring in a stainless steel closed tank without malolactic conversion. It was also certified by Sustainable Winemaking Ontario as sustainable wine. Julia Lazzara was the Speck brothers’ great grandmother, with her ancestors and her husband immigrating to New York. The name of the wine and the label—her husband did fine marble work—pays homage to their Italian ancestors. This wine is available from the Winery as well as being available in LCBO retail stores.

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Speck Brothers ‘Lazzara’ Bianco Secco Sparkling Wine Non-Vintage 

VQA Ontario $17.95 (16789) 11.5% alcohol 

This is as close as it gets to a refreshing, fruity and floral Prosecco, with peach, pear, melon and white flower aromas pushed out of the glass with a nice white froth. It is light and fruity on the palate with flavours of yellow apple and pear as well as yeasty and mineral notes completing the profile. This is a versatile sparkling to enjoy on its own, with potato chips or to pour for a festive brunch. (Louise Boutin)

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Val d’Oca ‘Prosecco Superiore’ Sparkling Wine Non-Vintage
DOCG Veneto, Valdobbiadene, Italy $19.95 (340570) 11.0% alcohol
Alluring aromas of yellow peach, apricot and Mirabelle plum abound on the nose of this top-notch Prosecco Superiore with 85% of the grapes used to make this wine from the highest-quality glera grapes that there are, along with the other 15% made up of chardonnay and pinot noir. The palate’s treated to a profusion of bubbles when first poured in the glass and once settled down the palate flavours of citrus fruit—blood orange, lemon chiffon pie and a dollop of peel marmalade coalesce on the mid-palate before proceeding to the dry and lip-smacking good finish and aftertaste. Give this a go when it’s chilled and poured with a good friend and some tasty hors d’oeuvres. (Vic Harradine)