Slow and Sinful in Wellington

When you think of a celebratory wine, your first thought might be Champagne. Approximately 250 million bottles, or roughly eight per cent of the world’s sparkling wine, is produced in the Champagne region of France. These bottles are eagerly sought after, and will sell regardless of price. A new Chinese market, which is developing an insatiable taste for fine European wines, will ensure this demand continues. A bottle of non-vintage Champagne that cost in the region of $55 five years ago, will today lighten your wallet to the tune of $70 or thereabout. Luckily, there are other cheaper sparkling wine options available from France. Classic examples are the range of “cremant” wines that are regionally specific and are made in the méthode champenoise.

Many other European countries make wonderful sparkling wines. Spain has their Cava wines. The Crimea (and countries on the shores of the Black Sea) produces fine sparkling wines. Wineries in Great Britain have been planting champagne varietals since the ’80s—sparkling wine now accounts for 40 per cent of their yearly production of 2 million bottles of wine. Don’t forget the New World produces stunning sparkling sippers in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

In some cases there is collaboration, if not deliberate investment, by French Champagne Houses in these new regions. In 2011 Moët Hennessy invested and collaborated with a Chinese winery situated in the west of China, bordering the Gobi desert. They planted just under 200 acres of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to produce sparkling wine under the Moët name. China has recently recognized the proprietary name “Champagne”, so the wine will be sold as “sparkling”. It will undoubtedly find a ready domestic market.

This leads us to a little bit of chest thumping as we consider the yummy, and affordable, sparkling wines our talented County winemakers produce for us thirsty consumers. While our sparkling wines may not have the “Champagne” label, in many cases they are made in the méthode champenoise. They truly celebrate a homegrown cachet, which, for we bubbly enthusiasts, is “priceless”.

And if you are a bubbly-loving foodie (or wannabe), you must attend the third annual, Slow & Sinful Gala on November 30 at the Wellington Community Centre. This super event allows you to taste the entire range of sparkling wines produced right here in the County (as well as a selection of still wines and lip-smacking dessert wines), paired with inspired food dishes prepared by some of the County’s finest chefs and culinary students from Loyalist Collage. For more details visit www.slowfoodthecounty.ca