Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Brut Sparkling Wine Review

Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Brut Sparkling

Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A, Canada

Community Score:89/100

Community Reviews: 12

Add My Review

Price: $32.95

Drink: 2022-2025

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 12%

Sweetness: Dry

Wine Type: Sparkling Wine

Winery: Henry of Pelham

Agent: Henry of Pelham Family Est. Winery

Natalie's Score: 92/100

This sparkling gets better every year, even though it's not vintage-dated. Lovely finesse and mousse with green apple vibrancy. The grapes were hand-picked in 50 pound lugs so they weren't bruised. The winery does press fractioning meaning the first bit of the juice (the head) and the last bit (the tail) aren't used in the wine just the juiciest, tastiest part of the juice. They also use the traditional Champagne method to make the wine. The wine spends 30 months on the lees which gives it a creamy texture. Serve as an aperitif on its own or add 1 oz. of Riesling Icewine or 1 oz of Cabernet Franc Icewine to 3 oz of Cuvee Catharine to make a Kir Catharine.

Sparkling food pairings: salmon caviar with sour cream; malpeque oysters with a hint of lemon.

Gorgeous Gift Wine

This Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Brut Sparkling was reviewed on March 12, 2024 by Natalie MacLean

Add New Vintage

Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
217521
$32.95
Check Stock

Reviews and Ratings

Jennifer Havers - WSET Level 3 rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

A beautiful wine to give as a hostes gift, or enjoy with friends. Named for Henry (of Pelham's) widow, Catherine, this is a blend of 80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, and made using only the best juice from those grapes. Light, beautiful notes of lemon zest and apple. Bright acidity, perfect for oysters, seafood, or any party appetizers. (January 2017, May 2021)

Jon Steeves - Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

The Cuvee Catharine Brut is named after Henry Smith's wife Catharine. Similar to Veuve Cliquot, Cuvee Catharine Brut takes the name of Henry's widow. Henry owned the Pelham toll Road, hence the original of the winery name. Hand harvested slightly under ripe, 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, this traditional method Ontario blend offers exceptional flavour and aromatics. Aged 30 months on lees in bottle, lending a toasty almond, hazelnut notes with fresh citrus peel, great complexity. Bright pale straw with light body, tart and mouthwatering mouthfeel, medium finish with persistence of hazelnut and citrus. This wine is the Henry of Pelham standard for non vintage bubbles. Pair with a meal any time of day, or on it's own likewise. Declared 12% ABV. Tasted Jan 2017. Rated 90/100.

Daniel O'Keefe rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Leads with lemon, lees, and a very floral element, particularly citrus blossom. Intense flavours that persist through the long finish including lemon custard, lemon pith, and lemon rind. While the blend varies slightly from bottling to bottling, you can count on 70-80% Chardonnay, 20-30% Pinot Noir, and 30+ months on lees. Serve alongside shellfish, seafood, or as the bubbly component for a Kir Royale.

Dianne Sheridan - Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

A blend of 70-80% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir. The name is in honour of Henry's wife Catharine Smith. Grapes are hand picked. Notes of yeast, citrus, lemon. Crisp, clean, lively bubbles and acidity. Refreshing on the palate. Lovely sparkling wine. Pair with oysters and light appetizers.

Rachelle O'Connor rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Mostly Chardonnay with a touch of Pinot Noir (80%-20%), this sparkling is delightful. It is crisp with refreshing bubbles and lovely citrus notes. A natural expression of the Niagara region, and beautifully named after Catharine Smith, Henry's widow.

Pamela Chiles rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Lovely, fresh, clean and crisp with a lively mousse. Not vintage-dated, but the one tasted today is essentially a 2013. Perfect for sipping in front of the fire or plan for a summer garden party and make this the feature wine! (tasted Jan 2017)

Jane Staples - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

The name honours the original family matriarch and widow, Catharine Smith. Made from a blend of 70-80% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, hand-picked and bunch selected. Aged 30 mos on lees. Shows brioche, vanilla and citrus notes.
Tasted Jan. 2017

Irina Omari rated this wine as 86/100 with the following review:

I love sparkling and I love Henry of Pelham winery Cuvée Catharine. This Brut sparkling was a good wine, but the acidity seemed a little too sharp. You still get the green apple and nice refreshing citrus notes. The finish is long and refreshing.

Made from the blending of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Grapes were hand picked and bunch selected. Gentle whole cluster pressing followed.
Secondary fermentation was finished in bottle followed by a further 30 months aging on the lees.
Able to develop for 2-3 years but intended for drinking upon release.

1 Member would buy this wine again

Yepou

If you liked the Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Brut Sparkling, you might also like these wines:

Add bottle and/or label shots for this wine
Wineries and agents: Add notes for this wine
Find this wine in other stores

Recipes for Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Brut Sparkling

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

SAVE MY SEAT!

Wine of the Week

As featured on

Hinterbrook Red Wine
2018,
Niagara Lakeshore, Ontario V.Q.A. ...

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 334,956 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources. learn more

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 334,956 strong:

Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Brut Sparkling Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 92/100

Pricing & Stock Information

Reviews and Ratings