Cuvée Catharine Brut

our wine / Cuvée Catharine

Description

“A dead ringer for Champagne. Austere dryness combined with the yeasty flavor of a good baguette” – 2012 Edition of Billy’s Best Bottles
Bronze (2011) – Ontario Wine Awards
90 points – Wine Access
91 – Natalie MacLean
Silver (2010), Gold (2011) – Wine Access Canadian Wine Awards
Gold Winner (Sparkling Wine) at the 2010 All Canadian Wine Championship Awards.
Gold (2006) – Cuvée Awards

Named in memory of Henry’s wife, widow and family matriarch, Catharine Smith. Clonal selection and the use of traditional grape varieties (Chardonnay & Pinot Noir) makes this wine a modern Niagara expression of a time honoured wine style. The secondary fermentation is done in bottle and each wine is aged for approximately 24+ months on the lees before disgorging.

Winemaker's Notes

• Made from the blending of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
• Grapes were hand picked and bunch selected. Gentle whole cluster pressing followed
• Secondary fermentation was finished in bottle followed by a further 30 months aging on the lees
• Able to develop for 2-3 years but intended for drinking upon release

Food Matches

Salmon caviar with sour cream; Malpeque oysters with a hint of lemon. Or add 1oz. of Riesling Icewine or 1oz. of Cabernet Franc Icewine to 3oz of Cuvée Catharine to make a Kir Catharine or a Blushing Kir Catharine respectively.