1st Annual OOI Bubblishus Bubbleoff!!!

We've thought about it for ages - and finally, on 30 November, we had our first ever Bubblishus Bubbleoff as an early start to the holiday season!  OOI veterans were joined by Iris, Stephen and Pippa for an evening of bubbles and giggles... nothing like sparkling wine to make you smile!

The set up?  A blind tasting of 7 bottles of sparkling wines from all over the world.  We added bubble description to our usual analysis of these fine wines. In order of appearance:

1. BELCANTO DI BELLUSSI EXTRA DRY PROSECCO DI VALDOBBIADENE SUPERIORE (Belussi Spumante, Veneto, Italy) VINTAGES 53215  Price: $ 17.95 

- peachy and lovely - a nice aperitif to go with potato chips and almonds.

2. SEGURA VIUDAS BRUT RESERVA CAVA SPARKLING (Heredad Segura Viudas, Torrelavit, Spain) LCBO 216960   Price: $ 14.55 

- we love the cavas!  Bracing, bright - a great value for a big wow on the palate.  Served some cheeses, cured meats and olives with this one.

3. PIERRE SPARR BRUT RÉSERVE CRÉMANT D'ALSACE (Maison Pierre Sparr & Successeurs, Alsace, France) VINTAGES 173401  Price: $ 16.95 

- this bottle really popped on us, and may have been off -we were expecting good things from the Alsation cremant...

4. TRIUS BRUT VQA (Hillebrand Estates Winery Ltd., Ontario, Canada) LCBO 215913  Price: $ 24.95 

- Our lone Canadian entry - definitely a nice wine if you want to keep it within 100-miles.

- at the $22 price point, it didn't compete with our wine #5.

5. DOMAINE CHANDON BRUT (Domaine Chandon, California, USA) LCBO 218032  Price: $ 22.95

- One of our favourites - fabulous value.  Served with some seared foie gras - how decadent!

6. MOËT & CHANDON BRUT GRAND VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE 2002 (Moet & Chandon, Champagne, France) VINTAGES 69773  Price: $ 81.95 

- Definitely a stand out - served with a seafood plate - a shucked oyster, lobster, some shrimp, and a seared scallop

7. Bottega moscato Petalo Il Vino dell'Amore mousseux (Veneto, Italy) SAQ code:  00884270  Price: $14.15

- A lovely sweeter sparkling wine to go with fresh berries.