30 champagnes and sparkling wines to celebrate the New Year

Winemaking is an ancient art that has evolved over the centuries, giving rise to a variety of winemaking methods, each with its own distinctive touch. The main methods include the ancestral method (Pétillant naturel, Prosecco, Blanquette de Limoux, etc.) and the traditional method (Cava, Crémant, Franciacorta and Champagne, etc.). Each of these methods offers a unique sensory experience, reflecting the terroir, the grape variety and the expertise of the winemaker. Here are more than 30 champagnes and sparkling wines to celebrate the New Year with these fine expressions of these different methods, the list being non-exhaustive.

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30 champagnes and sparkling wines to celebrate the New Year – Méthode Ancestrale

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The Méthode Ancestrale is the oldest sparkling wine production technique. It involves bottling the grape must during fermentation, thereby capturing the carbon dioxide that is naturally produced. This process produces delicate sparkling wines, often more opaque, with fruity flavours and a slightly pearly or sparkling texture.

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Pet nat (Pétillant naturel) is a method of producing sparkling wines that dates back centuries. It is a natural approach where the grape must ferment in the bottle, producing the bubbles (carbon dioxide) during the process. Unlike other methods, Pet nat is often not disgorged, giving it a natural character and lively aromas.

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1 — Ca di Rajo Lemoss Frizzante

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From the sunny Veneto region in northern Italy comes Lemoss, a fresh and simple Pet Nat to enhance brunch, with its aromas of yellow apples and white flowers. It’s off the beaten track and a great bargain! Perfect with Quiche lorraine.

Varietal :

• 100 % glera

Available in SAQ 14070886

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2— Domaine Fouet Pour Ma Gueule

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The Loire surprises again with this sparkling wine! An explosion of orchard fruit, flowers and lemon peel. It’s fresh, tasty, straightforward and low in dosage (no added sugar), with a lovely bitter finish. Organic and natural, the vines grow on limestone soil. At an affordable price, it will shine at brunch or as an aperitif. Ham cake.

Varietal :

• 100 % chenin blanc

Available in SAQ 13497802

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3 — Pas Sages Brut 2022

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A blend of Ontario grapes bottled in Québec; the label was designed by local artist Mélanie Arcand. Unfiltered. Fresh, with hints of apple, lemon, fine biscuits and sweet almond, for the simplicity of a moment in good company. Excellent with sushi.

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Varietals :

• 45 % chardonnay
• 35 % riesling
• 20 % pinot noir

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Available in SAQ 15040961

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30 champagnes and sparkling wines to celebrate the New Year – Prosecco

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Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine produced mainly in the Veneto region of northern Italy. It is made using the Martinotti method, with the second fermentation taking place in a closed vat rather than in the bottle. This gives Prosecco its fresh, fruity and often floral character. It is undoubtedly the best-selling quality bubbly in the world.

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4 – Villa Sandi Il Fresco Prosecco

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The Veneto surprises again. Fresh stone fruit, white peach, hints of toast, carried by a refreshing acidity, in short a very pleasant sparkling wine. It goes well with grilled cauliflower.

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Varietal :

• 100 % glera

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Available in SAQ 12458828

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5 —  V8+ Vineyards Sior Carlo Brut Millemisato Prosecco 2022

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Leone offers us a Venetian bubble, affordable and adorable. Fresh, with green apple, pear, white peach and white flowers. Sparkling, slightly toasted, it is long on the palate and radiates on the palate. It won’t go unnoticed. Great with cod accras.

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Varietal :

• 100 % glera

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Available in SAQ 13734177

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30 champagnes and sparkling wines to celebrate the New Year – Méthode Traditionnelle, France

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Crémant is a mainly French appellation (eight PDOs in France) for sparkling wines produced outside the Champagne region. It is made using the traditional method (second fermentation in the bottle). A minimum of 12 months on laths is required. Crémants offer an affordable alternative to champagne, with a wide variety of styles depending on the region of production.

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6 — Sébastien Brunet Vouvray, Méthode Traditionnelle Brut 2021

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A house that excels, located not far from a château, a Crémant ligérien certified organic, finely brioche-like (12 months on the lees), with hints of yellow apples, a bouquet of white flowers and toasted almonds. A wine with personality! Pork dishes or apple and fruit dessert.

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Varietal :

• 100 % chenin blanc

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Available in SAQ 12846441

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7 — Château Moncontour Vouvray Brut 2019

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The Château is located on a 130-hectare estate not far from the river. Sparkling, even creamy, unctuous, fresh, with aromas of breadcrumbs (48 months on laths), it is airy and better than ever, a great crémant! It offers a lot for the price. Puff pastry with prawns or chicken in sauce.

Varietal :

• 100 % chenin blanc

Available in SAQ 430751

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8 — Domaine Vincent Carême Brut Vouvray mousseux 2021

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The Loire shines again with this bubble of organic table pleasure, fresh apple, fine brioche and low dosage. A surprise made with chenin blanc (synonymous here with pineau blanc de la Loire) for aperitifs. Mushroom puff pastry.

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Varietal :

• 100 % chenin blanc

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Available in SAQ 11633591

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9 — Bailly Lapierre Crémant de Bourgogne Réserve

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This producer represents 12% of the Crémant de Bourgogne appellation! It’s fresh, with hints of apples and candied tropical fruit, brioche, fine biscuits, charming, long, a real bargain and a guaranteed pleasure. Decanter awarded it 92 points! Blini with smoked salmon.

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Varietals :

• 60 % pinot noir
• 20 % chardonnay
• 10 % aligoté
• 10 % gamay

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Available in SAQ 13858090

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10 — Louis Bouillot Perle d’Aurore Crémant de Bourgogne

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Another well-established Crémant de Bourgogne from the prestigious Boisset house. Notes of strawberry, raspberry, redcurrants, almond paste, delicacy and character all at once. Always enjoyable, just like their other crémants (watch out for the return of Louis Bouillot Perle Rare). Strawberry and prawn salad.

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Varietals :

• 40 % chardonnay
• 20 % pinot noir
• 20 % gamay
• 10 % aligoté

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Available in SAQ 11232149

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30 champagnes and sparkling wines to celebrate the New Year – Méthode traditionnelle, Espagne

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Originally from Spain, Cava is made using the traditional method, offering an affordable alternative for sparkling wine lovers. It is produced mainly in Catalonia, using indigenous grape varieties such as Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada. Cava has a lively freshness and fruity, brioche-like aromas.

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11 — Sumarroca Rosé Brut Cava 2021

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A house just outside Barcelona, a bright ray of Catalonia. This sparkling wine is full-bodied and fresh, with fine aromas of strawberry and breadcrumbs and a soft character. Tapas with grilled salmon. Brilliant alternative: Sumarocca Brut Nature Gran Reserva (13408929 in SAQ).

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Varietals :

• 75 % pinot noir
• 25% macabeo

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Available in SAQ 15108487

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12 — Mestres Gran Reserva Brut Nature 2016

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A high-flying Grand Cava Gran Reserva from the Penedès region of Catalonia, south of Barcelona. The nose is captivating, fine and elegant, with toasty, yeasty notes reminiscent of an almond croissant (60 months on laths!) A real treat. A treat with snails, grilled fish.

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Varietals :

• 45 % xarel-o,
• 30% macabeo
• 25 % parellada

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Available in SAQ 14316938

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13 — Juvé y Camps Reserva de la Familia Brut Nature Cava 2018

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A pearl of the Spanish Mediterranean coast, founded in 1921. An organic sparkling wine with personality and vibrancy, with hints of fresh apples and lightly toasted notes (3 years on laths!) and great length. What a joy to destabilize! Tapas of grilled sardines.

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Varietals :

• 40 % xarel·lo
• 30% macabeo
• 20 % parellada
• 10 % chardonnay

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Available in SAQ 10654948

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30 champagnes and sparkling wines to celebrate the New Year – Méthode traditionnelle, Italy

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Franciacorta is a top-quality Italian sparkling wine. This DOCG appellation is made using the traditional method (minimum of 18 months on lees). Produced in Lombardy, it benefits from prolonged ageing on lees, giving rise to complex, elegant wines with notes of hazelnuts, apples and fine effervescence.

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14 — Ca’del Bosco Cuvée Prestige Extra Brut Franciacorta

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Lombardy in the north of Italy reveals another radiant jewel. With its aromas of candied fruit (apple, mirabelle plum, peach), fine biscuits and brioche (25 months on laths), its abundant mousse and abundant, fine bubbles, it is grandissime on the palate. Salmon and dill gravlax.

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Varietals :

• 75 % chardonnay
• 15 % pinot noir
• 10 % pinot blanc

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Available in SAQ 11008024

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30 champagnes and sparkling wines to celebrate the New Year – Méthode traditionnelle, Québec

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15 — L’Orpailleur Brut

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Proud of its 17 distinctions, this Quebec nugget offers aromas of baked apple and pear and fine biscuits while delivering a smooth experience on the palate. The 18 months on laths (2nd fermentation in the bottle) embellish it and the bubbles are pretty. A “je ne sais quoi” that puts a smile on your face. Smoked salmon or tartar.

Varietals :

• 50 % Seyval
• 50 % Vidal

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Available in SAQ 750 ml 12685625 ou 1,5 L 15243081

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In a gust: Domaine Bergeville Le Blanc Brut 2021, worthy of mention (13374562 in SAQ)

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30 champagnes and sparkling wines to celebrate the New Year – Méthode traditionnelle, France

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16 — Domaines Paul Mas Le Berceau Brut 2020

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A sparkling rosé from the Aude region created in line with Jean-Claude Mas’s philosophy of “rural luxury.” With notes of strawberries, cranberries and fruit salad, it is long and creamy, and HVE3 certified. Why deprive yourself, even during the week? It’s surprisingly good value for money, having been sitting down on laths for only 6 months. A delight with pasta in a rosé sauce.

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Varietals :

• 30 % pinot blanc
• 15 % pinot gris
• 10 % pinot noir
• 10 % grenache gris
• 35 % chardonnay

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Available in SAQ 12841510

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17 — Patrick Piuze Non dosé Méthode Traditionnelle

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A sparkling wine of character and elegance produced by a native Québecer, unfined (no sugar added), benefiting from 25 months on laths, all orchard fruit, fresh and energetic. Aperitif! Smoked salmon blinis.

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Varietal :

-100 % Chardonnay

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Available inSAQ 12999181

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30 champagnes and sparkling wines to celebrate the New Year – Méthode traditionnelle, France, Champagne

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Champagne is synonymous with luxury and refinement. Produced only in the Champagne region of France since the end of the 17th century, this wine benefits from a second fermentation in the bottle, creating effervescence and fine, persistent bubbles. Ageing on the lees (a minimum of 15 months on laths for a non-vintage wine and 36 months for a vintage wine) and disgorging give Champagne its complexity and fine bubbles, with notes of brioche, fruit and refreshing acidity.

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18 — Champagne Nominé-Renard Brut

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Super sparkling wine for the price, exuding fresh orchard fruits, aromas of yellow fruits such as apricot and mirabelle plum, and hints of spices such as pepper. Frothy and creamy, straightforward and affordable. Seafood pasta.

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Varietals :

• 40 % chardonnay
• 30 % pinot meunier
• 30 % pinot noir

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Available in SAQ 15223021

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19 — Champagne Tarlant Zéro Brut Nature

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A very low dosage, organic, fine champagne, with hints of ripe yellow apples, slightly brioche, pure emotion. Excellent with oysters!

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Varietals :

• 32 % pinot noir
• 32 % chardonnay
• 32 % pinot meunier
• 4 % petit meslier

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Available in SAQ 15095305

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20 — Champagne Jacquart Mosaïque Brut

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Founded in 1964, this is a young, sparkling house, a ‘champagne start-up’! Fresh orchard fruit, Meyer lemon, white flowers, elderflower, biscuit, there’s tension and it’s frisky, quite complex (one third reserve wines), with a fine mousse and it offers great value for money and pleasure! Comté 3 years, old Parmesan.

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Varietals :

• 40 % chardonnay
• 35 % pinot noir
• 25 % pinot meunier

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Available in SAQ 12034216

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21 — Champagne Louis Roederer Collection Brut

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The bubbles are creamy, what a nose and what balance, with toasty and pastry notes, and an award of 93 points by Wine Spectator, one of my favourites. Seafood. Enhance the experience by continuing with rosé on another gourmet dish (368,415).

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Available in SAQ 268771

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22—Champagne Lanson Le Green Label Brut—Organic

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Founded in 1760, Lanson is one of the oldest champagne houses. On the nose it’s crazy and opulent on the palate, long, toasted, fine, apples, fine biscuit. Smoked salmon confit or garlic butter lobster?

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Varietals :

• 50 % pinot noir
• 20 % chardonnay
• 30 % pinot Meunier

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Available in SAQ 14758779

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23 — Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Brut

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This Cuvée Brut is beautifully balanced, sparkling and fresh, with fine apple and pastry aromas and fine bubbles. A classic made with 15–30% reserve wines (up to 4 years old), bringing complexity and finesse! Poultry or fine fish. Dare to drink Blanc de Blancs with your eyes closed (14471567 in SAQ)

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Varietals :

• 50 % chardonnay
• 30-35%pinot noir
• 10-15 % pinot meunier

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Available in SAQ 340679

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24 — Champagne Pol Roger Brut

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The legend began in 1849. This is an assertive and consistent champagne year after year, made with 25% reserve wines and benefiting from long ageing, it shines on the palate, its notes of pear, mango, fine biscuits, croissants and toasted almond delight and illuminate a special moment! Veal sweetbreads with morel mushrooms.

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Varietals :

• 33,3 % pinot noir
• 33,3 % pinot meunier
• 33,3 % chardonnay

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Available in SAQ 15115071

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25 — Champagne Barons de Rothschild Brut

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Made using sustainable viticulture methods, this is a jewel that shines and astonishes on the nose. On the palate, it is creamy and fresh, exhaling notes of cooked and pastry fruits, beeswax, almonds and toasted hazelnuts. What aromatic persistence and vinosity! Grilled guinea fowl!

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Varietals :

• 60 % chardonnay
• 40 % pinot noir

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Available in SAQ  13740673

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26 — Champagne Henriot Brut Souverain

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The Henriot family has been selling champagne since 1808. Its pastry-like aromas of toast, green apples and white flowers, combined with very fine bubbles, offer roundness on the palate and the acidity is very refreshing, all with great balance and perfect harmony. A real treat. Canapé of smoked fish.

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Varietals :

• 50 % chardonnay
• 50 % pinot noir

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Available in SAQ 13828931

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27 — Champagne Devaux Coeur des Bar Blanc De Noirs Brut

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A short foray into the Côte des Bars, with a straw-yellow wine that is being converted to organic production. It shines with energy, refreshing acidity, hints of brioche, ripe pear, beeswax, toast, fresh almonds and a hint of bitterness from the orange zest on the finish. The 36-month ageing on laths adds complexity and elegance, and contributes to the finesse of the bubbles. An indescribable pleasure. Salmon gravlax toast, Rockefeller oysters.

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Varietal :

• 100 % pinot noir

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Available in SAQ 14202543

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28 — Champagne Forget-Brimont Brut Premier Cru Millésimé 2013

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The Forget family has been making its own sparkling wines since the 1920s in the heart of the Montagne de Reims. Creamy, it explodes on the palate, with notes of stewed and dried fruit, mushrooms and nougat combining to produce a long, silky finish. Brioche foie gras.

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Varietals :

• 50 % chardonnay
• 50 % pinot noir

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Available in SAQ 14682129

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29 — Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Rosé Brut

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Nicolas Feuillatte has an adventurous spirit. At the age of 40, passionate and always looking for something new, he invested in the Champagne vineyards. A successful gamble. An explosion on the palate, with strawberries, berries, vivacity and notes of brioche. Perfect with cheesecake.

Varietals :

• 45 % pinot noir
• 45 % pinot meunier
• 10 % chardonnay

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Available in SAQ 10515825

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30 — Champagne Charles Mignon Rosé Premier Cru

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This family vineyard belonging to the Mignon family is in the process of obtaining HVE 4 certification as part of an environmentally friendly approach. They produce a very fine champagne from a Grand Cru terroir in the village of Bouzy.   Fresh and generous on the nose, with hints of wild strawberries, morello cherry, red cherry and raspberry followed by a silky finish. Sushi.

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Varietals :

• 75 % pinot noir
• 25 % chardonnay

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Available in SAQ 14991298

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31 — Champagne Ayala Rosé Majeur

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Rosé Majeur embodies delicacy. The majority of Chardonnay, the House’s emblematic grape variety, brings freshness and finesse to this rosé blend, composed of 24 exceptional crus. It reveals lovely notes of red fruit, vine peach, redcurrants and raspberries, followed by a voluptuous finish. Half-cooked salmon fillet à l’unilatérale.

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Varietals :

• 51 % chardonnay
• 39 % pinot noir
• 10 % pinot meunier

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Available in SAQ 11674529

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Happy celebrations! Discover also these 5 great cuvées published in Gentologie magazine Issue 12.