Cheers to the New Year! Sommelier Matt Steeves’ Wine Selections for NYE as seen on CTV Morning Live and CFRA News Talk Radio

December 2024

Today on CFRA News Talk Radio with Patricia Boal, and later on CTV Morning Live, Sommelier Matt Steeves showcased a few of his top rated drinks for the occasion including how to jazz up some delicious sparkling wines by making ‘Champagne Cocktails’ to enjoy this New Year’s Eve.

Celebrating the New Year is a great opportunity to enjoy some extra special beverages.  And ringing in the New Year with a 100 point Chardonnay from Canada or a delicious sparkling wine is a fantastic way to do that.

There’s no better drink than sparkling wine to celebrate significant events, New Year’s Eve is one that absolutely commands some bubbly.   

These Sommelier recommended wines are sure to please and as you’ll see they’re super versatile making them great choices for your NYE celebrations!

For life’s most special moments, a fine bottle of sparkling wine is a must.  As we celebrate the arrival of 2025, this is the perfect time to toast the past year and ring in the New Year with some bubbly and some Champagne Cocktails. 

There’s no better way to kick off a holiday party than by enjoying a glass of sparkling wine. Sparkling wines are naturally very festive and celebratory making them a great choice to gift as well as serve. France’s Champagne region is without a doubt the most renowned sparking wine region in the world making it a great choice for celebrating in-style. And for those looking to save a few bucks but have all the fun and enjoyment that Champagne brings, then make sure you check out the incredibly value-priced and pleasing Cava from Spain. Often found under $20 a bottle, Cava makes a great option for enjoying traditional method sparking wine and doing so affordably.

Sparkling wines are so festive and versatile.  There’s nothing like greeting your guests at the door with a glass of sparking wine to give them a warm embrace and welcome to your holiday gathering.  Additionally, sparkling wines are super food friendly and versatile when it comes to complementing the various hors d’oeuvres and dishes you’re serving. 

While these are great on their own and with a wide range of foods, from chips and popcorn to mussels and oysters and seafood, etc., they also make great bases for Champagne Cocktails like the Kir Royale with Crème de Cassis or the Classic Champagne Cocktail with a sugar cube and few dashes of bitters.

So let’s get into some different sparkling wine options for your NYE celebrations.

Champagne Canard Duchene P181 Extra Brut – Available at LCBO – $75.20 and winery-direct

Inspired by nature, Maison Canard-Duchêne became the first Grande Maison to produce an organic champagne in 2009. Cuvée P181 takes its name from the parcel of land, ZE 181, from which it is partly derived. This 9-hectare vineyard, located in Verneuil, is carefully cultivated and certified organic.

This organic Brut Champagne is a classic blend of 43% Pinot Noir, 33% Pinot Meunier and 24% Chardonnay. Upfront aromas of candied citrus fruit and yellow plum lead to the fruity palate with fresh, delicate bubbles and a refreshing mouthfeel. Serve it chilled with shellfish or white fish in a citrusy butter sauce.

Increasingly popular Cava

Freixenet Cordon Negro is one of the world’s most popular sparkling wines. Its lively sparkle, balanced acidity, and crisp flavours make this Cava a must-have for brunches, celebrations and holiday toasting. Aromas and flavours of citrus, pear, and toasted wheat bread highlight the nose and palate.

The grape varieties used in the creation of the base wine for this Cava are Macabeo, Xarel·lo and Parellada. Harvest starts at the end of August with the Macabeo, and ends at the beginning of October with Parellada. A light, very modern Cava, much appreciated for its refreshing style, created from a special blend of the three traditional, indigenous Penedes white varieties.

Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava – Available at LCBO – $13.95

Kirby Estate Pinot Blanc from Niagara-on-the-Lake

Kirby Estate 2023 Pinot Blanc is a striking single-vineyard expression of this unique varietal, whose lineage traces back to Pinot Noir and is most commonly associated with Germany and northern Italy. Here, in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Kirby Estate’s 17.5-acre property, with 11 acres of vines rooted along the Four Mile Creek, provides the setting for this beautifully crafted wine. Guided by viticulturist Craig Wismer and winemaker Matt Smith, the Kirby team continues to demonstrate their expertise and commitment to premium, artisanal winemaking.

The nose is delicate yet layered, offering orchard fruit, ripe peach and pear, interwoven with floral notes, almond, and a subtle honeyed richness. On the palate, this Pinot Blanc reveals exceptional finesse: soft and creamy in texture, yet lifted by a refreshing vibrancy. Minerality and crisp acidity provide balance to the stone fruit core, while a whisper of spice carries through the long, elegant finish.

This versatile wine is an ideal match for soft cheeses, salads with creamy dressings, or flaky white fish paired with a fruit compote. Tasted December 2024. 93+ points. Without question, this is the finest Pinot Blanc I’ve tasted from Canada, and among the best internationally. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

Kirby Estates Single Vineyard Pinot Blanc – Available winery-direct $30.97

With each vintage CheckMate further demonstrates their exceptional winemaking artistry highlighting the great potential of the impressive vineyards they work with to craft their world-class wines.  While 2021 brought unprecedented challenges during the growing season, the team at CheckMate delivered the consistent high-quality standard of wine they’re renowned for.  Little Pawn is a blend of Chardonnay clones 76 and ‘Dekleva’ sourced from the Jagged Rock Vineyard in the Okanagan Highland foothills along the Black Sage Bench.  

An elegant light gold colour, the nose shows an alluring bouquet of orchard fruit, mingling with subtle tropical notes and zesty citrus. Aromas of luscious baked apple and a touch of lemon custard dance harmoniously, while hints of sea shells create a fascinating mineral complexity — a nod to the vineyard’s glacially-formed sandy and gravelly soils. On the palate, Little Pawn reveals its true character. The initial sip reveals a delightful explosion of flavors, showcasing the fresh tension brought by the clone 76 vines. Each layer unfolds with creamy elegance, enveloping the senses in a divine texture. The interplay of fragrant fruit and refined structure is beautifully balanced, with fine tannins that add to the textured finish. The wine’s finish is long and expressive, persisting for minutes.  Little Pawn delivers an impressive harmony of freshness, richness, and complexity, making it a standout in the realm of Okanagan Chardonnay.  It’s a stunning expression of the Okanagan’s potential, and despite the challenges of the vintage, it beautifully showcases the great terroir and talent responsible for crafting this world-class wine.  Tasted bottle #3213 December 2024.  96+ points.  Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca 

CheckMate Little Pawn Chardonnay – Available winery-direct

Although sparkling wine on its own is terrific, and perfectly suited to celebrating the occasion, a great way to jazz up that sparkling wine is by making sparkling wine cocktails!

Champagne Cocktails have been around since the mid-1800s and have been captured on screen in movies such as The Godfather and Casablanca!

Sparkling Wine Cocktails can be designed to enjoy before, during, or after a meal, and typically they are terrific on their own.

With most Sparkling Wine Cocktails the ingredients are simple and can be easily set-up on your counter or bar. For some, a bit of preparation is required, but the majority can be easily whipped-up in no time, and impress your guests with your sparkling creations.

Champagne Cocktails are not reserved exclusively for New Year’s Eve but that’s my favourite time to serve them, like the iconic Kir Royale. Simply mix 1/2 oz Dillon’s Black Currant Liqueur with three ounces of your favourite sparking wine (any above would be great!).

Dillon’s Kir Royale:

• 1/2 ounces Dillon’s Black Currant Liqueur
• 3 ounces dry sparkling wine
• Lemon twist, for garnish

Available distillery-direct $40

Classic Champagne Cocktail – my favourite and by far the easiest Champagne Cocktail

Ingredients

• 1-3 drops bitters (careful not to add too much bitters).
• 1 sugar cube
• 5 ounces chilled Champagne
• (to up the octane, add 1 ounce of Cognac)

Directions

• Drop bitters onto sugar cube; let soak in. Place sugar cube in a Champagne flute. Add Cognac (if desired), and top with Champagne.

Here’s wishing you a safe and enjoyable New Year’s Eve!

Cheers,

Matt