Longtime customers know that before we became known for our craft beer selection, we started out as humble seller of BC VQA wines here in the Cook St. Village. Wine has always been an important part of the mix at Cook St. Liquor. We’re just as passionate about wine as craft beer and it has been our goal to keep an interesting and unique selection of wine on hand, spanning the range from high-end Bordeaux to cheap and cheerful everyday wines. Our specialty, though, is finding great value in the $15 to $39 range.
This week, we’ve gone a little high-end for the holiday season, but you do not want to pass up the two unique and delicious sparklers for celebrations, or bringing as a gift to a dinner party. These are very special bottles. And the Spanish red is a seriously intense garnacha (grenache) from Spain.
Pinon Sparkling Vouvray (Loire Valley, France) $32.90
More well known for their honeyed and often demi-sec style of whites, Vouvray also offers some stunning examples of traditional method sparkling wines. Made from 100% Chenin Blanc this wine is brut but with just a hint of sweetness and lots of ripe stone fruit, minerality and nice toasty note to the finish. At roughly half the price of Champagne and with nearly as much pedigree you can’t miss with this one!
Benjamin Bridge Methode Classique Brut (Nova Scotia) $57.90
Canada’s premier sparkling wine…and it’s from Nova Scotia! Killer traditional method (like Champagne) sparkling wine; bone dry with crazy acidity and tones of citrus-peach and minerality. Aged for four years on the lees giving nuances of spice on the finish. A great holiday feast contender, we’re seriously impressed!
2011 Bodegas Breca Garnacha (Calatayud, Spain) $29.90
From 70-90 year old vines, this is a serious Garnacha! It hails from up and coming Calatayud, just a skip south of Rioja. Filled with deep sweet black berry and raspberry fruit, savoury herbs and licorice. If you like a full bodied rustic wine without the over the top tannins, then this is the one for you.