Vintages - All That Glitters

Sparkling wines make luxurious gifts and are synonymous with formal meals and celebrations, but they also make even the most casual get-togethers feel extra special. Whether you’re looking to impress at your family feast or add a spark of je ne sais quoi to those all-too-rare moments of quiet conversation this holiday season, Vintages has the perfect bubbly for you.

Bright, zesty, vibrant sparkling wines produced in cool-climate regions across the New World have introduced exciting alternatives to the classic European wines. Made in all styles, they encapsulate the New World’s boundless diversity of regional expression.

Traditional-method sparklers are those where the second fermentation (responsible for adding the bubbles) takes place in the individual bottle. This labour-intensive process was formalized in Champagne, home of the quintessential eponymous sparkler. It’s the method used for Cava in Spain and for Crémant: French traditional-method sparklers crafted outside the Champagne region. Traditional-method wines embody patience, craftsmanship and elegance.

Unlike traditional-method wines, Charmat-method sparklers undergo their second fermentation in a pressurized tank. Prosecco is the most famous example of this wine, but the process is used the world over to create sparkling or semi-sparkling wines with a bright fruity character that provide easy, immediate enjoyment.