Anthony Gismondi: Top B.C. sparkling wines for the festive season — and beyond

The artisanal sparkling wine market in B.C. is booming, but the competition is global, big in size and more significant in production.

The issue is pricing, and no one has figured out how to make a $ 25 sparkler.

The most affordable, quality non-champagne sparklers, or crémant, come from Burgundy, Limoux , the Jura and the Loire.

Varias Cava has been bottling sparkling wine for 100 years in the Alt Penedès region of Spain .

Brut Nature is a 30/40/30 mix of Macabeo/Xarello/Parellada that presents fresh, light, and super dry with a mix of citrus and light almond flavours and a pleasant creamy texture.

Fitz Blanc de Blancs 2019 features bracing acidity, which pairs beautifully with smoked salmon blinis.

The Roche Chateau Vertical is a Bordeaux tradition from Okanagan terroir.

Evolve Brut Premier is a traditional method of sparkling wine that mixes 67 per cent Chardonnay with 33 per cent Pinot Noir grapes.

Altesino Rosso di Montalcino is good value and authenticity, this is baby Brunello is at its best.