Canada’s National Dish With Sparkling Wine

Do you feel like a plate of chips covered in gravy and topped with cheese? The Canadians sure do, as Poutine is Canada’s National Dish

That’s what we’re exploring today, the delightful flavours of Canada, let’s see how the plate pairs with the glass, combining Cheesy, Gravy Chips with Canadian Sparkling Wine.

Le Cep d’Argent

Created by two brothers, François and Jean-Paul Scieur, they studied and researched local winemaking methods to create their Sélection sparkling wine range.

Before their journey into creating Le Cep d’Argent, the brothers started working on the family vineyard in Étoges, which is located in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, this is where they picked up knowledge along with secrets of the wine-growing world, their parents were winemakers, easily allowing them to learn the art for themselves.

Although destined to produce sparkling wine in Quebec, the brothers made sure they analysed different soils and temperatures to find the correct location, they found it and purchased a 46-hectare plot of land on the western slope of the Appalachian Plateau.

How Much Of Your Sparkling Wine Sales Are Made Up Domestically And Which Countries Do You Mainly Export To?

“All of our sales are domestic as we sell our products only in the province of Quebec.” – Jean-Denis Labonté (Customer Service Coordinator)

Their winery and vineyard are located 200 metres above sea level, it has gentle slopes and a micro-climate for the grapes, the name of their winery was inspired by their new setting, Le Cep translates to ‘The Vine’ in French and the word d’Argent means ‘of Silver’ which they say references the reflections on the lake.

How Does The Snow & Cold Conditions In Canada Affect Your Harvest?

“Since we grow hybrid grapes which have a shorter growth cycle, the weather does not affect us too much. The problem that we have is when there are frost periods in late May, so we have to delay the uncovering of the geotextile sheets that protect our vines during the winter months.”– Jean-Denis Labonté (Customer Service Coordinator)

They planted their first vines in 1985, production started in 1987 and the doors to their winery opened to the public in 1988. The rest of their history is still being written as the winery continues to produce its Canadian Sparkling Wine for the public.

Le Cep d’Argent – Sélection Blanc de Blancs Brut 2019 – Tasting Notes

Aroma – “Soft, delicate yellow citrus, green apples, cooking apples, bruised apple skin.”

Flavour – “Delicate sweet lemon characters, with zestiness in length, green apple flesh and skin, garden herbs, nettles, freshly cut grass on the palate.”

Silver Medal in the Zesty & Zingy Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2022

Where Do You See The Future Of Canadian Sparkling Wines Going?

“The future of sparkling wine in Canada looks very bright. In our region, the Eastern Townships, the micro- climate and terroir gives us very favorable conditions.” – Jean-Denis Labonté (Customer Service Coordinator)

Canada’s National Dish – Poutine

Poutine is a Québécois dish and also Canada’s National Dish, it is made up of french fries/chips topped with gravy and cheese curds. It made its first public appearance in 1950s rural Quebec in some snack bars, it would then become widely popularized across Canada and beyond in the 1990s.

Authentic Canadian Poutine features deep-fried fries, poutine gravy and white cheddar cheese curds all tossed together. When it comes to poutine, it’s really all about the cheese curds. Real cheese curds are what makes a poutine ‘authentic’. The gravy is made from ⅔ beef broth and ⅓ chicken broth.

The Poutine and Sparkling Wine Pairing

Pairing Notes – “The Sparkling Wine enters with its delicate touch, playing a thin layer of sweet/ripe fruits, both green and yellow along with a sweet touch of citrus over the poutine dish, it cleanses the palate and makes your mouth water for another bite.”