Opening a bottle of sparkling wine can seem like quite a commitment, especially in 2020. This year, most celebrations are relegated to less than a handful of people. If you pop a cork, you’ve pretty much pledged to finish that bottle. I have a couple of solutions for you. One, make the small investment to have a sparkling wine stopper on hand (like this one). Once a bottle is open, it’ll help preserve the bubbles for at least a day, probably more. And two, look for small format bottles. From single-serving to a bottle perfect for two people, almost every bottle in this holiday wine guide has options if you’re looking for smaller size options. These are sparklers worth popping, fizzy wines best for jubilant sipping. Here are the best sparkling wines for New Year’s Eve.
FRESITA SPARKLING WINE WITH STRAWBERRIES
For longtime readers, you may remember the last time I wrote about Fresita. It’s such a satisfying choice for new wine drinkers, who might hedge towards a bit of sweetness. The unique thing about Fresita is that its nectarous flavour comes from real strawberries that are grown in Chile. The strawberries do provide a bit of pulp, so make sure to tip the bottle a couple of times before carefully popping the cork.
A balanced combination of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscatel with only 8 percent alcohol. Bold and bright aromas of jolly rancher and berry fruit salad. On the palate, the flavours are light and refreshing with citrus notes adding an unexpected zingy-ness. Mouth-filling and lengthy finish.
Reasons To Pop A Bottle: Perfect for starting your New Year’s Eve early and sipping on while cooking dinner. Also great for sangria by adding a handful of frozen cranberries or blackberries to your glass.
| Province | Approximate Retail | Where to Buy |
| British Columbia | 200ml: $5.98 750ml: $15.99 | Private Liquor Stores BC Liquor Stores (750ml only) |
| Alberta | 200ml: $5 – $6 750ml: $18 – $20 | Calgary Co-op Wine Spirits Beer Willow Park Wine & Spirits |
| Manitoba | 750ml: $13.99 | Liquor Marts |
FREIXENET CORDON NEGRO BRUT CAVA
Be careful, once you start experimenting and trying different Cava, you won’t stop. Being a colossal fan of Spanish wine, Cava is my go-to sparkling wine. I love that it’s produced from native varieties (in this case 35% Macabeo, 40% Parellada and 25% Xarel·lo) and I adore that it’s made using the traditional method which means it’s got some of the same autolytic characters that you’d find in Champagne. And as a bonus, good-quality versions are often found for less than $20!
It opens with crisp honeydew, white grapefruit and nectarine, all bright and brimming with crispness. Green apple, citrus and subtle floral notes follow with dried herb and lightly toasted brioche on the finish.
Reasons To Pop A Bottle: Cheers to (hopeful) travel in 2021 as you sip and envision where this wine is from, the rolling hills of Penedès, just southwest of Barcelona. Pair with Manchego cheese and olives for an authentic Spanish experience.
| Province | Approximate Retail | Where to Buy |
| British Columbia | 3 x 200ml: 750ml: 1.5L: | BC Liquor Stores |
| Alberta | 200ml: $4 – $5 375ml: $10 – $12 750ml: $15 – $17 1.5L: $32 – $35 | (Sizes may vary per store) Calgary Co-op Wine Spirits Beer Crowfoot Wine & Spirits |
| Saskatchewan | 3 x 200ml: 750ml: 1.5L: | Sask Liquor |
| Manitoba | 200ml: $4.69 750ml: 1.5L: $25.89 | Liquor Marts |
FREIXENET PROSECCO DOC
How can I not include a Prosecco on a list of sparkling wines for New Year’s Eve? And can you even with this bottle? ✨ ? ✨ It’s so gorgeous!
From Veneto in northern Italy, the Glera grape is vinified then undergoes its second fermentation in a sealed tank. This process is referred to as the Charmat method and helps preserve the fruity character of the grape. The result is a vibrant and fresh, effervescent filled glass of bubbly.
Refreshing and off-dry, the aromas dance with flowers and citrus with crisp apple and mouth-filling juicy peach flavours on the palate. A hint of cantaloupe rounds out the profile with light and persistent bubbles.
Reasons To Pop A Bottle: Freixenet has been perfecting its sparkling wine for more than 150 years. This DOC Prosecco is an easy-drinking, sparkling sensation perfect with or without food.
| Province | Approximate Retail | Where to Buy |
| British Columbia | $29.98 | Private Liquor Stores |
| Alberta | $24 – $26 | Calgary Co-op Wine Spirits Beer Sobeys |
| Manitoba | $22.99 | Liquor Marts |
POL ROGER BRUT RÉSERVE CHAMPAGNE
Pol Roger has a special place in my heart. Not only was it the first Champagne I’d ever tasted, but it’s the one and only Champagne house that my husband and I were fortunate to visit during a trip to Europe several years ago. Walking through the underground cellars and seeing hand-riddling be done by a master riddler is something I’ll never forget.
The non-vintage brut is equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. This house style stays in the cellars, resting on its lees, for four years before its distinct character is ready to be shared with the public.
Powerful aromas of white pear and tropical mango mingle with florals like honeysuckle and orange blossom. On the palate, the bubbles are fine and persistent, carrying through freshness and structure. Subtle notes of beeswax and brioche follow through into the finish. Composed and harmonious from start to finish.
Reasons To Pop A Bottle: Let’s cheers to 2020 being over and celebrate the possibilities ahead of us. This Champagne is an elegant and authentic way to bring in the new year and should definitely be on the menu of sparkling wines for New Year’s Eve.
| Province | Approximate Retail | Where to Buy |
| British Columbia | 375ml: $41.99 750ml: $72.99 | BC Liquor Stores |
| Alberta | 375ml: $36 – $40 750ml: $66 – $70 1.5L: $140 – $145 | (Sizes may vary per store) Highlander Wine & Spirits Willow Park Wine & Spirits |
| Saskatchewan | 750ml: $74.99 | Sask Liquor |
| Manitoba | 375ml: $43.99 750ml: $74.99 | Liquor Marts |
