Canada's sparkling stands up to the best

To the outside world, Canada is associated with ice wine.

It fits nicely with the notion that our country is permanently covered in snow.

What is not so well known is that we also make very good sparkling wine.

Like ice wine, it is produced on both coasts and here in Ontario. One day, we may be as well known for our sparkling wine as our ice wine.

Sparkling differs from table wines in that you start with tart, flavourless, under-ripe grapes.

After three to five years of sitting in cool dark cellars something magical happens -- and you have a drink with flavours wrapped around minerality as opposed to the fruitiness in table wine.

With Thanksgiving approaching I thought you might like to celebrate with the local bubbles of your region.

Nova Scotia is our newest player at sparkling, but it could create quite the stir when the folks at Benjamin Bridge Vineyards start releasing wines they have been aging since 2002. Their first offering -- Nova 7 -- is at NSLC's Port of Wines and private wine stores. It's off-dry and delicious.

Henry of Pelham is Ontario's sparkling leader with its Cuvee Catharine white and rose: bone dry, elegant wines that closely resemble champagne.

The rose makes a very festive aperitif drink. Colio winery uses some shortcuts in the sparkling process to come up with a very affordable, and tasty edition, of sparkling.

If you're out west for the festivities be sure to look for Sumac Ridge Steller's Jay Brut ($27). This B.C. wine tastes a little riper than champagne, but is very similar in style. Too bad it's only available in western provinces.

Henry of Pelham Cuvee Catharine Brut Sparkling Rose, Niagara 4051 $29.85

Colio 'Lily' Brut Sparkling, Ontario 509083 $15.85