Wine |
Rocky Creek Brut “Katherine’s Sparkle” |
Appellation |
Vancouver Island |
Grape Varietal |
Ortega, Gewürztraminer, Bacchus |
Alcohol % |
11.5% |
Price |
$23.90 |
Quantity |
N.A. |
Where to get it |
Winery |
Point score |
87 |
The 2008 vintage on Vancouver Island (unlike 2009) was so wet and cool that it was difficult to make table wines from the grapes – but there was a potential for excellent sparkling wine. Rocky Creek winemaker Mark Holford realized that potential, making this Cowichan Valley winery’s first bubbly (and naming it for one of his daughters). The reception to the wine has been so good that he is laying down another cuvée from 2009 and plans to keep sparkling wine in the portfolio.
The varieties in this wine are hardly traditional Champagne varieties but who cares? Think of a dry Asti Spumante, except that the grapey, Muscat aromas and flavours are more subtle. The wine presents a vigorous mousse in the glass and all those bubbles account, at least in part, for the initial creamy texture. The finish, however, is fruity but crisp. This style should prove to be a great crowd pleaser.
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