Last week, in anticipation of Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and other summer brunchy mornings and charcuterie evenings, I presented another wine tasting at long term care in Victoria where my parents are living their best octogenarian lives.

This time the flavour was sparkling wines – and sparkle they did.  The event maxed out at 18 participants – and I even managed to split each bottle evenly between all 18 tasters.  I must be getting good at this.

I wanted to show them unique and well-priced alternatives to Champagne – so we enjoyed a Crémant de Bourgogne (Bailly Lapierre Reserve Brut NV, France), an Asti Spumante (Acquesi, Asti DOCG, Italy), and a Lambrusco by the Medici Ermete family (Reggiano DOC, Italy).  And what deals they are – not one of them is even close to C$30.

The subtle and creamy brut Crémant, a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with Aligoté and Gamay, although my favourite, did not appeal to most of the guests.  Neither did the Asti which clocked in fully off dry and ready for brunch at a whopping 95g of residual sugar per litre – fresh apricots and mandarin oranges were fairly bursting from the glass.

The dry, frizzante Lambrusco made with red Lambrusco grapes was the most popular, paired with a crostini topped with salumi and brie.  Not one of the participants had tried Lambrusco before and they all agreed it was the coolest and tastiest option of the afternoon.

We spent a lot of time discussing how many fermentations had taken place (one or two, in bottle or tank or both!) and ultimately, how the Lambrusco should be offered by the glass at every meal going forward at their residence.

I’m still working on that one.