LCBO Sale Pick of the Week: Feb. 12

Cono Sur Sparkling Pinot Noir Rose (Bio Bio, Chile)

Sale $11.90, Regular $13.90
Discount (until March 1): $2.00
LCBO # 365205 | 750 mL bottle

Tastes like: Raspberries and Champagne at a quarter the price.
Pairs with: An open heart and sincere intentions, and just about any food from ruffled chips to foie gras torchon.
Good for: Kisses and canoodling.
Drink this: Frequently. (But responsibly.)
Alcohol: 12.3%

Why we're drinking this
We’ve got a weak spot for bubbles anyway, but this sparkler is a serious sleeper. It’s delicate and finessed, superbly balanced and delightful. While we’re all freezing in this perpetual cold, this is like a crisp blast of spring. (Yes, spring is coming… my God, it must be coming!) For Valentine’s Day, you can’t do much better in the under $75 category. Champagne snobs be damned. Cono Sur is a big commercial winery in Chile, but, man, they do quality at a great price. Now, for two bucks off, you can stock up and get elegantly drunk while you watch for robins out the window.

Tasting note
If this ain’t crisp, we don’t know what crisp is. You might expect a pink sparkling wine to be sweet, but this is assuredly dry on the palate and the finish. It’s a very linear wine. Apologies for being geeky here, but it has the poise and confidence you will likely never see again at this price. It’s no party wine packed with bright cranberries and fizz—rather, it has restrained red raspberry fruit, a touch of rhubarb and dried herbs, and a steely acidity that is a joy in the mouth. It sure does go down easy. So beware. Or be our Valentine.

Find it at your LCBO
Check availability on the LCBO website!

Sign Up for LCBO Sale Pick of the Week.
A FREE Service from kwäf!

This week's selection by kwäf Taste Bud  Dick Snyder