Cheers to 150 Years

This summer promises to be a good one: plenty of sun, outdoor fun and a milestone birthday, to boot. Indeed, the geometrically captivating Canada 150 logo, featuring a diamond to represent each province and territory, seems particularly appropriate in terms of how we plan to celebrate the big day: downing effervescent diamonds of Canadian-made sparkling wine. From fresh and fruity to rich and toasty, here is our selection of glimmering gems that are fantastically and iconically Canadian—and a must-have for this beautiful country’s 150th jamboree. —Laura Starr

jackson-triggs grand reserve entourage brut. Sparkling and sensational, this proudly Canadian, Okanagan Valley-made vintage features intense fruit flavours that lend themselves perfectly to a shared celebration with your very own entourage. It boasts refined bubbles and toasty notes of biscuit, almond and tropical citrus fruit, with flavours of lemon, apple and vanilla and a refreshing luxurious finish. We’ll be enjoying a bottle of Jackson-Triggs’ Grand Reserve Entourage Brut for our Canada 150 celebrations, or with a summer spread of oysters, sushi or paté. (Bonus: Get Jackson-Triggs executive chef Tim Mackiddie’s mouthwatering—and totally patriotic—recipe for Jackson-Triggs Sparkling Maple Bacon Jam here!) Jacksontriggswinery.com

haywire the bub. Nicknamed after Okanagan Crush Pad owner Christine Colettas’ daughter, The Bub, produced in beautiful Summerland, is a bright and crunchy blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with notes of lemon and toasty brioche (perfect for washing down those salt oysters on the half shell). Traditional in method and style—but playful with a crown cap closure—this Haywire-label bubble is an excellent expression of B.C. terroir. Okanagancrushpad.com

blue mountain brut gold label. This Canadian classic sparkler comes courtesy of an Okanagan Falls, B.C.-based family-run operation with 43 years of winemaking under its belt. Estate-grown grapes are blended into a sophisticated and complex sparkling that stands up, dollar for dollar, to some of the world’s great Champagnes. Notes of green apple, pear, lemon rind and stony, salty minerality are rounded out by toasty brioche and nuts. Try it with smoked salmon and caper cream cheese canapés. Bluemountainwinery.com

tawse spark limestone ridge riesling. Though Tawse, hailing from Ontario, is only now starting to make its way to B.C., this certified organic and biodynamic sparkling Riesling is worth noting. A true depiction of Niagara terroir, it boasts concentrated flavours of bright lime and citrus, with steely minerality and warm toasty notes. Enjoy, really, with a rich and creamy lobster mac ‘n’ cheese. Tawsewinery.ca

benjamin bridge méthod classique brut. Hailed as the best made-in-Canada sparkling, Benjamin Bridge shook up the wine world when it settled in a cosy nook in Nova Scotia’s stunning Gaspereau Valley, with a climate and geography similar to Champagne, France. The result (in this case) is a commanding drink with flavours of lime and green apple, stormy minerality and toasty, creamy almonds balanced by tight acidity and elegant, persistent bubbles. Enjoy this beauty with a classic curdy poutine. Benjaminbridge.com

champagne nicolas feuillatte brut grande reservé. If you’re able to get your hands on these bubbles (i.e., if you’re planning a trip to Quebec), do. While Canada as a whole may be celebrating its 150th, Montreal is, additionally, toasting an even bigger birthday this year: 375. To commemorate the occasion, made-in-France Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte has released a limited-edition anniversary bottle of its Brut Grande Réserve, emblazoned with an elegant illustration of Montreal’s inimitable night skyline. Bonne fête et à votre santé! Nicolas-feuillatte.com

Un-Bubbly Canada 150 Drinks

crown jewel. Not a sparkling wine by any stretch of the imagination, but worth a mention in light of 150, is Crown Royal’s Limited Edition blend, available exclusively in Canada with new custom packaging and pouches that highlight key regional landmarks from coast to coast. To further mark the occasion, the Gimli, Manitoba-based blended whisky maker has released a series of truly Canadian drink recipes, including the B.C.-inspired Treeline, which includes an ounce Crown Royal Limited Edition, a quarter-ounce each calvados and blanc vermouth and five drops of Bittered Sling grapefruit and hops bitters, stirred, chilled, strained and garnished with a lemon twist. Crownroyal.ca

absolut canada. To celebrate the big 1-5-0, Absolut partnered with Toronto quilter Libs Elliott on a limited-edition bottle featuring traditional motifs and colours. Combine an-ounce-and-a-half vodka with the same amount lemon juice, half an ounce each maple syrup and egg whites, add ice and shake until chilled. Garnish with a dash or two angostura bitters and you’ll have yourself an Absolut Maple Sour. Absolut.com

bottoms up. Drink to our home and native land’s big day with a classic Canadian drink: the Caesar. We suggest mixing one (or two) up using Walter, Canada’s first all-natural craft Caesar mix. Made in small batches using vine-ripened tomatoes, select spices, grated horseradish, Worcestershire and hot sauces and Ocean Wise clam juice from the North Atlantic, get it in classic or mild spice—and get to cheers-ing Canada! Waltercaesar.com