The Holiday Issue
Me, discovering a secret bar behind a wall of Champagne.
Whether you've been naughty or nice, whether you like it straight up or prefer a spritz on ice, I've got something for everybody in this special holiday issue of SWP.
Red, white, rosé, and sparkling, I've got a few gift-wine ideas, bubbles perfect for a festive brunch or an afternoon aperitif, two party-pleasing reds from Spain and a couple exclusive little treasures you won't find at the LCBO but you can order directly from me.
Fa la la la, dearest subscribers, it's Holiday 2018!
The above-pictured wines count among my top recommendations for holiday gift-giving.
1. This 2017 Domaine Crochet Sancerre is ethereal. For those less familiar with this appellation, the white wines of Sancerre are made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape made in a style reputed for its finesse and delicacy when compared to Sauvignon Blanc's of the new world - particularly New Zealand. This fresh, crisp, unoaked white is a classic and is not available at the LCBO which makes it all the more special. To get your hands on a few bottles email me directly. Cost per bottle is $34.50 inclusive of HST.
2. Everyone has a Cali Cab lover on their list. For that person, I suggest, the 2015 Girard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It's medium-bodied with high alcohol, firm tannins, and mouth-watering acidity. This wine offers aromas and flavours of blackberry, cherry, leather, tobacco, and black pepper. The oak is well integrated imparting vanilla, dark chocolate, and cedar. This wine is from the Mount Veeder sub-region of Napa Valley and is a steal at $40.
3. For whom Cali Cab is not quite powerful enough, I recommend this 2012 Carpineto Brunello di Montalcino. It's robust, full-bodied and firm with 15% alcohol, three years' oak age, and has the staying power to easily cellar another 7-10 years. At $65, this would make an excellent gift for a wine-loving client, boss, or to bring to your partner's parent's house for dinner. It's 100% Sangiovese with notes of black currant, cherry, black plum, earth, leather, violets, and spice. Balancing elegance and power with effortlessness, this is a truly fine wine.
There are few wines I enjoy casually sipping more than Muscadet. And there are fewer wines still that are as perfect a companion to oysters as this. From the Pays Nantais region of the Loire, Muscadet Sevre et Maine is made from the white wine grape, Melon de Bourgogne. A misnomer to be fair as this is a wine, as mentioned, from the Loire, not Burgundy. It's fresh, crisp and mineral-driven with lovely lemon/lime flavors and aromas, great structural acidity and a touch of saline.
This is my top reco for a host/hostess gift or stocking-stuffer for a true wine lover. I'm selling this wine for $21/ bottle inclusive of HST. For those interested, I'll be pouring this at a private tasting next Wednesday. Email me or check out the DYK section below for more details.
Those who follow me on Instagram may remember how excited I was when I first spotted this little gem at the LCBO back in November. A rosé from the Baden region (one of 13 quality regions) of Germany, this wine is 100% Pinot Noir and 100% delightful. This is a dry wine with notes of pink grapefruit, fresh herbs, ripe raspberry and a touch of saline. Originally $14.95, now reduced to $11.75. I cannot believe what a deal this is! Serve with poached salmon on a bed of Spanish rice.
Add a little sparkle to a festive brunch with this Sparkling Riesling from Dr. L. and I don't mean Mindy Lahiri! It beams with notes of juicy honeydew, peach, green apple, and white florals. Garnish with a few frozen cranberries for added glamour or mix with orange juice in a mimosa cocktail that's sure to go over all too easy!
This distinguished bottle of bubbles from the Loire region of France is made from the Chenin Blanc grape. The bubbles are tireless and racy. This is a fresh and floral wine with elegant flavours of white peach, jasmine, beeswax, and hazelnut skins.
If you're in the mood for something truly decadent serve this wine with the triple cream Délice de Bourgogne and wait to hear the angels sing!
This is another knockout you won't find at the LCBO. I'm selling these bubbles for $24.55/ bottle inclusive of HST. Email me!
This little dandy is all dressed up and ready for any and every holiday party. It's young, (V. 2017) and unoaked which makes its flavour profile extra fresh and fruity with notes of plum, cherry, and just a touch of spice. This is a very uncomplicated, approachable wine which makes it a real crowd pleaser. It's the perfect pour for those who typically order the 'house red', it's light bodied enough to sip on its own before a meal and it's an excellent candidate for mulled wine.
Recently a friend and I were talking about the perceived stigma of bringing 'cheap' wine to a party or serving it to guests. Fear not, I told her, tell them your somm friend said this one's better than alright. And, let's be real, some people just don't care that much about wine. For those who neither know nor care about the difference between this and a first growth Bordeaux I say, bottoms up! There truly is something for everyone behind my bar.
This Garnacha from the Carinena DO of Spain is best served just a little chilled. Pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes prior to serving alongside your holiday smörgåsbord.
Holiday hot tip: For those parties that go a little longer than expected or for unexpected visitors that just drop in, it's always a good idea to keep a few bottles of wine like this on hand.
This 2016 Cabernet Franc from Cave Spring is a lovely bright ruby colour that just shines in the glass. Notes of blueberry, fresh, ripe cherry, and blackberry dominate. Touches of basil and bell pepper follow the fruit along with lingering notes of cocoa, cedar, and woodsmoke.
Serve with BBQ ribs or beet and goat cheese salad with rosemary and thyme.
I love getting wine recos from friends and family. This 2015 Esporão Reserva from the Alentejo wine region of Portugal is one such reco. I tasted it a few weeks ago alongside the Cave Spring Cab Franc and what stood out most noticeably in comparison was the deep purple colour of the wine. Admittedly, these are two very different wines, but even so, I was stunned by the depth of colour at the core of the glass. It was gorgeous and almost black it was so purple. Notes of black plum, fresh figs and blackberry, old leather and tobacco flower abound on the nose followed by prune, tar, and violet on the palate. For the price, there's more than a decent amount of complexity to this wine.
This is a wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and a blend of other red wine grapes indigenous to Portugal. I included the producers link above because I cannot be quite sure if it's a package change or different blend or vintage they are now selling at the LCBO. In any event, this wine with the red label, if not the same will be quite similar and is selling at the same retail price.
I think this wine is still developing and therefore could age a little longer in cellar. I'd sever this wine with a hearty beef stew.
This 2011 Monasterio Gran Reserva (along with the Castillo de Monseran aka $10 dandy) was one of the wines I was pouring at the Gourmet Food and Wine Show a few weeks ago. They were such standouts I knew immediately I'd have to include them in this issue. This is a dry red blend of the grapes Garnacha, (aka Grenache), Tempranillo, and Cariñena (which, just to complicate things, is also the name of the region or, DO, that the wine is from).
Aged 24 months in oak barrels this wine features notes of black cherry, coffee, dark chocolate, leather, tobacco, cedar and a touch of balsamic.
Spanish wines have a reputation for being great on value and this is no exception at $17.95. A perfect wine to serve at a holiday open house; it's a fan favorite for its body, the intensity of flavour, and its easy drinkability. Serve with bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with manchego cheese.
