THE LOW DOWN: Vintages always produce glitzy catalogues for the holidays, but the wines are seldom as good as the photography. Good wine don’t appear on demand. Regular readers will know that I frequently recommend something for Christmas in June and summer wines in the winter.
I will be covering Sparkling, Sweet and other holiday favourites over the next few weeks but you should consider the following for novelty and down right good value. The Chilean Pinot and Chardonnay, or the French Fitou and Vouvray pair would wow most dinner party guests. Grüner Veltliner would be a lively start for your holiday parties and Mas Donis would hit the spot later in the evening. If you’re favouring local, Le Clos Jordanne is a world champ in Pinot Noir at its price point.
Slainte,
Billy
WHITES
Wine style: Fresh white
Markus Huber “˜Hugo’ 08 Grüner Veltliner, Austria 641506 $13.95
Lively, super refreshing and jazzy. Lots of energy. The perfect opening act for your holiday events. Or for after work chilling out. In screw cap. You may never go back to Pinot Grigio!
Wine style: Fresh white
Donatien Bahuaud 08 Vouvray “˜Les Grands Mortiers’, Loire, France 140889 $16.95
Something different. Tart white with gorgeous honey sweet flavours. A yin yang of refreshment and charm. And modest alcohol. A lovely anytime sipper, aperitif or brunch wine.
Wine style: rich white
Tabali 07 Chardonnay “˜Reserva Especial’, Chile 663005 $18.95
The glamour of Chardonnay without the usual overkill. Understated richness and tons of zest. Refreshing enough for an aperitif, big enough for the main course.
REDS
Wine style: rustic red
Le Clos Jordanne 07 Pinot Noir “˜Village Reserve’, VQA Niagara 33894 $25.00
Gutsy edition of Pinot with the earthy character of Burgundy. Bravo! If you enjoy traditional wines this is a super value. And a role model for the future of local Pinot. Partner with bistro-style foods. Or the big bird on the 25th.
Wine style: rich red
Errazuriz 08 Pinot Noir “˜Wild Ferment’, Chile 510396 $18.95
The ripe fruit flavours and richness of New World Pinot combined with something earthy and funky. Lots of vitality too. Pinot to flatter food. Another good partner for Christmas dinner.
Wine style: rich red
Mont Tauch 07 Fitou “˜Tradition’, France
142810 $16.95
A semi-rich south of France red (Syrah, Carignan, Grenache) with lots of flavour ““ including earth. Wine with a sense of place. The perfect partner for any home cooked meal.
Wine style: rich red
Cellers de Capacanes “˜Mas Donis’ 07 Monstant, Spain 705863 $16.95
A Spanish edition of Côtes du Rhône ““ with more octane. Delicious flavours, warming richness and vitality. All my favourite qualities in a winter red. Hearty foods.
SWEET/SPARKLING
Inniskillin Sparkling Vidal Icewine, VQA Niagara 560367 375ml/$69.95
One of the most decadent wines on the planet. The exotic tropical flavours of Icewine combined with tingling bubbles. A glorious holiday treat. Chill well and sip slowly. After dinner, or late afternoon before dinner.
