My picks include some fabulous Holiday wines and a few others for Winter drinking.

Enjoy.

WHITES
Crowd-pleasing bubbly
BELCANTO DI BELLUSSI N/V Prosecco, Veneto, Italy
53215 $17.95
Delicious fruitiness and drinkability. Off-dry and perfect for any Holiday moment.

Oysters or any seafood
GROTTA DEL SOLE 09 Falanghina, Campania, Italy
247940 $15.95
Crisp, pure and refreshing. Not unlike a $25 Chablis. Perfect seafood partner. Falanghina is an underrated native Italian white grape.

Gorgeous sipper
KURT DARTING 08 Riesling Spatlese, Pfalz, Germany
963207 $19.95
Honeyed flavours combined with lemony freshness. Super light with a suggestion of sweetness. Semi sweet but also feels dry. Exotic/sexy but also pure as snow. Welcome to the German Spatlese  (late harvest) experience. Gorgeous anytime sipper. Or partner for the big bird.

REDS
Light red for cold nights
REICHSRAT VON BUHL 08 Pinot Noir, Pfalz, Germany
249649 $19.95
Light Pinot with mature flavours. Woodsy and cuddly. Yes, Germany does Pinot.

Raunchy
ERRAZURIZ 10 Pinot Noir ‘Wild Ferment’, Chile
510396 $19.95
Gamey, raunchy Pinot – strictly for the fan. Drier and more real than most New World Pinots. Needs well seasoned meats, and company. Fermented with natural yeasts – the old fashioned way.

Almost rich red – for almost any situation.
LA FERME DU MONT 09 Cotes du Rhone ‘Le Ponnant’ France
171371 $17.95
Tasty fruit/spice/earthy flavours. And great vitality. Lovely  combination of wine character and sense of fun. Guaranteed to please.

Bistro-style
DUCA DI SALAPARUTA 08 Nero d’Avola, ‘Passo delle Mule’, Sicily
250928 $19.95
If the French grew Nero d’Avola it would be poured at every Bistro in that country. A gutsy red with bright flavours and a drink-lots feeling. Works with just about any food.

Winter nourishment
FATTORIA VALIANO 06 Chianti Classico ‘Poggio Teo’ Tuscany, Italy
250563 $17.95
Mature Chianti with a warmhearted, fireside feeling. Soulful too. Best with grilled meats. Sure to appeal to your Italian spirit.

Really wild
FLAGSTONE 09 Pinotage ‘Writer’s Block’, South Africa
243337 $19.95
Think Baco on steroids. Red wine with intense gamey, backwoods character. Wild and really good at it. A novel experience for a winter night.

Formal local
STRATUS 07 Merlot, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
131003 $42.20
Not the usual flamboyant Merlot, but one crafted the very dry, Bordeaux style. Concentrated and earthy with a traditional/formal dinner party feeling. Deep at first, becoming delicious later. Needs big glassware and a primo roast of beef or lamb. Impressive gift.

SWEET
Exotic Aussie Port
GRANT BURGE 10-Year-Old Tawny, Barossa, Australia
58388 $30.95
Feels warm, exotic and powerful. Somewhere between Tawny Port and a liqueur. Lots of Pow! Sip after dinner, or with all the Christmas candy!

Great mixer
ST-GERMAIN Elderflower Liqueur ‘Delice de Sureau’, France
180695 $49.95
The delicate and hard-to-describe flavours in this liqueur put a lovely spin on just about any cocktail. Shake it up with vodka/gin or add to sparkling wine. Stylish Art Nouveau bottle.

Wines released October 29, 2011

These and all my November picks will be selected with the Holidays in mind. Start building your stash now so you can relax and enjoy yourself – with a collection of wines that you simply cannot put together on a cold, busy afternoon in mid-December.

Italy is bringing something new to white wine that is not really new but an updated version of how it used to be before the popularity of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. A return to bone dryness and savoury flavours. Wines that flatter the food more than the drinker. Wines for those tuned into the overall experience and not just a pleasant first sip. Mas des Bressades also falls into this category. I’m offering a fun Californian white just in case you think I getting too serious.

A lovely Valpol, a Piedmont blend and a traditional Chianti are my picks in rustic reds. Spain offers a blockbuster, and a charming Pinot, while Chile’s Concha y Toro over delivers with its Syrah. Lastly I’m recommending a Zinfandel that’s delicious beyond words.

WHITE WINES

Wine Style: NICE ‘N EASY White
ET CETERA 09 Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma, California
264812 $14.95
Crowd-pleasing white that could be related to Pinot Grigio. Laid back, fun, Californian feeling. Lovely anytime sipper.

Wine Style: FRESH White
ZENATO 10 Pinot Grigio, Veneto, Italy
37648 $13.95
Zesty Pinot Grigio with novel savoury flavours. Characterful, general purpose/house white.

Wine Style: FRESH White
INAMA 09 Soave, Veneto, Italy
949768 $17.95
Very dry with earthy flavours and the feeling of something handcrafted. Not a trace of prettiness – the purpose here is to stimulate the appetite and flatter food.

Wine Style: RICH White
MAS des BRESSADES BLANC 10, Costieres de Nimes, France
701094 $14.95
Feels like it could be related to the above Inama. Similar earthy character but feels richer. Whites from the South of France have the same low-keyed quality as most Italian whites. Would be a perfect white partner for the big bird.

RED WINES

Wine Style: RUSTIC Red
TEDESCHI 09 Valpolicella ‘Valverde’, Veneto, Italy
155309 $14.95
Wonderful mid-size Valpolicalla. Bright fruity flavours and a solid, feeling. Down to earth, but also feels special. Perfect for food and friends.

Wine Style: RUSTIC Red
LA QUERCIOLA 08 Langhe Rosso, Piedmont, Italy
225227 $13.95
Classic trattoria red. Lots of vitality and flavours that go beyond fruitiness. Very refreshing, very cheerful and very right for any good-times event/meal. Lightly chill.

Wine Style: RUSTIC Red
CASTELLO di QUERCETO 08 Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy
680496 $21.95
Woodsy, traditional-style Chianti. Bone dry, invigorating and well mannered. Good company for drinkers who enjoy a little mystery in their glass. Excellent partner for grilled or braised meats.

Wine Style: RICH Red
CONCHA y TORO 08 Syrah ‘Winemaker’s Lot 54’, Chile
227496 $16.95
Concha y Toro delivers Rhone-style Syrah with a hit of crowdpleasing spicy/sweetness. Sure to please everyone at your next steak dinner. This winery always over delivers.

Wine Style: RICH Red
EL ARTE de VIVIR 09 Ribera del Duero, Spain
137679 $15.95
Solid as a brick wall. But knows how to boogie too. This region does heft really well.

Wine Style: RICH Red
MIGUEL TORRES 09 Pinot Noir ‘Mas Borras’, Penedes, Spain
673483 $29.95
Delicious mid-size Pinot. Earthy, along with delicious spicy/sweet flavours – and great drinkability. Worth the splurge if you’re a Pinot fan.

Wine Style: RICH Red
QUIVIRA 08 Zinfandel, Sonoma, California
249250 $26.95
This is drop dead gorgeous. An amazing amount of delicious spicy/fruitiness – that feels very natural. Tons of charm and sweet kisses. Happy day feeling. You gotta try this. And buy a case.

I’M IN LOVE WITH FOLONARI!

This week I was blown away by a pair of wines from the big Italian producer, Folonari.  Light, everyday wines with exuberance and a wonderful Summer feeling. I must stress the light – these are not BBQ wines.

Folonari’s Soave offers bold citrussy refreshment and lovely teases of flavour – all for $10. Hard to beat for August patio sipping.

Why not join Italy in its love of light red wines. Lightly chilled they are as refreshing as whites and they do exciting things to the palate in the before-meal times. Anyone who has been to Italy will have seen the locals gulping light reds by the gallon and I highly recommend we follow their lead. In moderation of course.

Valpolicella would be a good choice to start. The new vintage of Folonari Valpol is dangerously gulpable. Light/lively/refreshing and yummy. So simple and so good. Summer is its season so lightly chill and get on it.

FOLONARI 10 SOAVE, Veneto, Italy 176461 $9.95
FOLONARI 10 VALPOLICELLA, Veneto, Italy 828 $12.95

This wine is much improved in the 2010 vintage and scores for refreshment, pleasantness and value. Must warn you that it’s a heavy bottle – may want to ask for a carry-out!
DRAGANI 10 PINOT GRIGIO/TREBBIANO, Abruzzi, Italy 620583 2L/$16.95

SPARKLING
wine style: dry sparkling
JACKSON TRIGGS 06 Sparkling Brut ‘Entourage’, VQA Niagara 234161 $22.95
The austere Champagne style with warm, toasty flavours. Seriously good and under-priced. Enjoy before and with the meal.

WHITE
wine style: fresh white
SOLAR DAS BOUCAS 10 Loureiro, Vinho Verde, Portugal 221036 $13.95
Single vineyard VV with refreshing citrus and savoury flavours. Something different for summer aperitif. Cries out for grilled sardines.
wine style: fresh white
WYNNS 09 Riesling, Coonawarra, Australia 528216 $16.95
Razor-edged. Pure as snow and mighty refreshing. A must buy for fans of Dry Riesling.

wine style: fresh white
PEDRO ESCUDERO 09 Verdejo ‘Fuente Elvira’ Rueda, Spain 218313 $13.95
Get off the Sauv Blanc wagon and get into something similar from Spain. Good summer refreshment and one of the best partners for seafood and or any meal with fresh asparagus.

wine style: fresh white
BODEGAS MARTIN CODAX 10 Albarino ‘Salterio’, Rias Baixas, Spain 2774 $17.95
Spicy, fruity, savoury. Fresh but with some heft. An interesting, action-packed experience.

wine style: nice & easy
BERTON VINEYARDS 2010 Viognier, Australia 93435 $14.95
Honey, spice and citrus. A wow for the senses – slightly sweet but also very refreshing. Lovely, so lovely! Could be the best brunch wine in the world.

wine style: nice & easy
LA CASA DEL REY 2010 Torrontes ‘Alta Vista’, Argentina 37127 $13.95
All the exotic, spicy flavours of Torrontes along with a refreshing whack of lime freshness. I could drink a galllon of this – but probably not – as it’s very high alcohol.

DRY ROSÉ
wine style: dry Rosé
DOMAINE LAFAGE Rosé ‘Parfum De Vignes’, Cotes du Roussillon, France 167528 $13.95
A light, lively south of France Rosé with delicious fruit flavours and a ‘be happy’ feeling. Patio lunch, dappled lighting and life will be good.

LA BASTIDE BLANCHE 09 Rosé, Bandol, France 71084 $21.95
Pale, super-rich and very south of France. Lush, sexy wine that’s worth the splurge. Needs a white tablecloth and some French flair.

REDS
wine style: rustic red
FEATHERSTONE 09 Cabernet Franc, VQA Niagara 64618 $16.95
Rustic, tart, invigorating and very real. Bistro-style wine for lighter meats. Ontario’s Barbera.

wine style: rustic red
CRU DU PARADIS 08 Madiran, France 150573 $14.95
A red for those who like rustic and realness. Tangy dry, refreshing and sure to make food tast good.

wine style: rich red
PICCINI 06 Chianti Riserva ‘Selezione Oro’, Tuscany 212498 $15.95
Mellow, fall day in the woods feeling. At a bargain price. Stock up for fireside dinners.

wine style: rich red
TORRES 07 Grand Sangre de Toro Reserva, Catalunya, Spain 315648 $15.95
Forget expensive Pinot Noir, this is the great alternative. Silky texture, spicy sweetness with an earthy tang. Fantastic for any summer BBQ.

wine style: rich red
LOUIS BERNARD 08 Gigondas, Rhone, France 222596 $15.95
A big charmer at a modest price. In the seductive style of Bernard’s red at the LCBO. Highly recommended.

wine style: rich red
AMANI PENDANA 07 Shiraz, Stellenbosch, South Africa 22079 $18.95
Lush and lovely. Smoky, spicy and not unlike a Zinfandel. The big BBQ red for sure.

All over Italy there are restaurants that cook everything on huge grills. Meats are seasoned with salt, pepper and fresh herbs – so simple and so good. The new vintage of Fontanafredda’s Barbera is the perfect partner for this cuisine. Earthy, woodsy and very suggestive of the countryside. So simple and so good. So Italian. And now on SALE.

FONTANAFREDDA 09 Barbera ‘Briccotondo’, Piemonte, Italy 72348 (Vintages Essentials) $15.95 ($13.95 till mid July)

WHITES
wine style: rich white
KWV ‘CATHEDRAL CELLARS’ 09 Chardonnay, South Africa 328559 $14.95
Big, over-the-top Chardonnay at a Costco price. A great partner for hot ‘n spicy BBQ’d white meats.

REDS
wine style: fresh red
MONTE DEL FRA 10 Bardolino, Veneto, Italy 134544 $11.95
Every bit as good as all the previous delicious wines from Monte del Fra. Bardolino is Valpolicella’a young cousin. A light red offering brisk, tangy refreshment – with a bowl of cherries feeling. Very summery. Lightly chill and have with lunch, a picnic, early in the evening or anytime the mood is lighthearted.

wine style: rich red
KWV ‘CATHEDRAL CELLARS’ 09 Shiraz, South Africa 561142 $14.95
An upscale edition of the excellent KWV reds in regular LCBOs. Rich with very appealing peppery, spicy sweetness. A steak lovers delight.

wine style: rich red
CONO SUR ‘Vision’ 07 Syrah, Chile 24661 $15.95
Loved the earthiness of this wine when it appeared last year. Now you also get a mellow warmth. Very suggestive of the South of France. Very suggestive period.

wine style: rich red
CONO SUR ‘Vision’ 09 Pinot Noir, Chile 689992 $15.95
Cono Sur produces some of the best New World Pinot. Sensual, but  with a firm handshake. I can see this working well with almost any summer BBQ.

Carmenere and Ripasso are the best bets in red but you must have at least one summer supper with Moulin-a-Vent, the queen of Beaujolais.

SPARKLING
wine style: dry sparkling
MUMM NAPA Rosé Sparkling, Napa Valley, California 205641 $29.95
Champagne-style wine and quality at half the price. Elegant and exciting way to start an event. Best sparkling I’ve tasted in a long time.

WHITES
wine style: fresh white
MIKE WEIR 08 Riesling, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake 229286 $14.95
Mike scores with a classic local Riesling. Fruity, spicy and dancing its feet off. Dry with a sweet kiss. Delicious summer drink.

wine style: rich white
KENNETH VOLK 07 Chardonnay, Santa Maria Cuvée, California 233981 $19.95
Chardonnay doesn’t get much more glamorous and rich. Quite the wow for twenty dollars. BBQ white or late evening sipper.

wine style: nice & easy white
THE WINERY OF GOOD HOPE 09 Chenin Blanc, South Africa 158121 $11.95
Fruity, slightly sweet and very crowd-pleasing. Check out this popular South African party sipper, or BBQ white.

wine style: fresh white
MICHEL DELHOMMEAU 09 Muscadet ‘Harmonie’, Loire, France 164624 $12.95
Not your usual plain Muscadet but an elegant wine with delicate flavours and wonderful freshness. To start the evening with appetizers. Note: this is a previous release.

wine style: fresh white
MEINKLANG 09 Gruner Veltliner, Austria 219014 $15.95
More flavourful and yummy than most Gruners, but zesty and refreshing too. Delicious stuff. And organic too. Would be a lovely treat with an alfresco lunch.

wine style: fresh white
BODEGAS GARCIAREVALO 09 Verdejo ‘Tres Olmos’, Rueda, Spain 218354 $13.95
Verdejo is Spain’s answer to Sauvignon Blanc. But not as brash. I like the mix of earthy and fresh feelings. Very characterful and dying for a food partner.

REDS
wine style: rich red
PAHLMEYER 08 Pinot Noir, Sonoma, California148536 $79.95
I seldom recommend wine over $25 but this would blow some people’s minds. Or other bodily parts! Red wine doesn’t come more charming and seductive. Bear skin rug material for sure.

wine style: rich red
ARESTI 08 Carmenere Reserva, Chile 93773 $12.95
Here’s a big bruiser. Heavy rocker. Rich and manly with an attitude. The Aresti style. Steak wine at pork chop price.

wine style: rich red
LUIGI BOSCA 08 Pinot Noir Reserva, Mendoza, Argentina 143420 $17.95
Pinot with a little macho Argentinian tang. Could be related to Pinotage. Perfect for BBQ’d red meats.

wine style: rustic red
DOMAINE DE SAINT ENNEMOND 09 Moulin-a-Vent, Beaujolais, France 207910 $17.95
Cru-Beaujolais with the more solid personality of Pinot Noir. But at a lower price. Check out this guy with grilled salmon.

wine style: rustic red
ANTICHE TERRE 08 Valpolicella Ripasso, Veneto, Italy 178459 $14.95
A solid Ripasso. Italian gusto along with a hit of nourishment. Classic Ripasso. Italian red wine at its best.

ROSÉ
wine style: dry Rosé
EMILIANA 2010 Rosé Syrah, ‘Adobe’, Chile 229690 $11.95
Drier than most Chilean Rosés. Good mix of freshness and fruitiness. Nice price, and it’s organic too.

wine style: dry Rosé
FEATHERSTONE 2010 Rosé, VQA Niagara 117861 $14.95
Best Rosé yet from Featherstone. A cross between the berry flavours of Rioja and the richer Provence style. And packing a ton of freshness. Sort of perfect!

wine style: dry Rosé
SOUTHBROOK 2010 Organic  Rosé ‘Connect’, VQA Niagara 168492 $18.95
Another excellent local dry Rosé in the mid-range between refreshment and mealtime nourishment. Very French café-ish, but will work on your patio too. Organic.

“This our new favourite red. It’s not too heavy, nor too light. We think it’s perfect.” These were the comments of friends on a wine that I’ve been touting for years. A super star Valpolicella that’s a shade lighter and livelier than Ripasso. Excellent Summer red.

MASI SEREGO ALIGHIERI 09 Rosso del Veronese, Italy 447326 $14.95

Must be the first time I’ve recommended four Aussie wines – white, red and a to-die-for sweet. You’ll find four locals too, big ticket wines for a big night. And Italy is also represented with a foursome. Bargain of the release is a Spanish wine that could become your summer house red. Speaking of summer, my German pick is the ultimate sunny afternoon sipper.

Slainte.
Billy

SPARKLING
wine style: dry sparkling
TENUTA S. ANNA 09 Prosecco Brut, Veneto, Italy 216432 $16.95
Easy drinking bubbly in a stylish package. Perfect for parties. Wins the prize for best looking bubbly at this price.

WHITES
wine style: nice & easy white
DOMDECHANT WERNER’SCHES 08 Riesling, Hochheimer Holle, Rheingau, Germany
722413 $18.95
So delicate it almost floats. Suggestions of sweetness but the main show is lovely citrus flavours. Summer breezes never tasted better. Magical. Only 8% alcohol. From a family estate that’s been doing its thing since 1780.

wine style: fresh white
NAIA 09 Verdejo, Rueda, Spain 211045 $18.95
Fans of live wire whites will love this Verdejo. Shades of Sauvignon, but not. So exuberant, so refreshing and so good with seafood. Especially in the alfresco season….if it comes!

wine style: fresh white
CONO SUR 10 Sauvignon Blanc, Chile (organic) 213587 $12.95
Sauvignon zing with a hit of tropical fruit flavours. Love how it confuses the senses with tartness and prettiness. Organic too. Another great buy from Cono Sur.

wine style: rich white
TAHBILK 09 Marsanne, Australia 117945 $16.95
This is not for fans of pretty. Think rock concert – loud, brash and a bit sweaty. Think down and dirty. Think BBQ’d seafood on a hot, sultry night. This is a wine style that the Aussies do really well.

wine style: rich white
WAKEFIELD 09 Chardonnay, Clare Valley, Australia 711556 $15.95
Bold, earthy, tangy dry. Manly Aussie Chard – the original BBQ white. Another Aussie classic.

REDS
wine style: fresh red
TAWSE 09 Pinot Noir ‘Growers Blend’, VQA Niagara 130989 $31.95
This Pinot suggest the idyllic café life. Red wine as a refresher, a gulper and a social drink. Bring on the food later, and keep the wine flowing. Really captures the lighthearted feeling of Pinot. And the temptation to pay Pinot prices.

wine style: rustic red
DE BORTOLI 08 Pinot Noir Reserve ‘DB’, Australia 221994 $15.95
Good Pinot at a bargain price. Spicy, exotic flavours combined with an earthy feeling. Sex in the hay barn. The Pinot experience.

wine style: rustic red
FONTANAFREDDA 07 Barbera/Nebbiolo ‘Duale’, Langhe, Piedmont, Italy 616284 $14.95
Great stuff for fans of gusto. And the Italian lively spirit. Earthy, puckery and perfect for a hearty pasta…or greasy burger.

wine style: rustic red
FIRRIATO 08 Etna Rosso, Sicily 219592 $16.95
Blind tasted I would have said Chianti meets Burgundy. Medium-bodied red with vitality and charm. And a drink-lots feeling. So get more than one bottle.

wine style: rustic red
TERREDORA 08 Aglianico, Campania, Italy 602284 $14.95
Earthiness with Italian vigour and vitality. Southern Italy warmth with a refreshing edge. Pucker-up wine that feels good. Aglianico is often a brute but not this time.

wine style: rustic red
CELLER de CAPCANES 09 ‘Mas Donis’ 09, Montsant, Spain 208231 $12.95
Spain does Valpolicella. Beautiful everyday red with a little Latin charm. This could lead to a LOT of drinking. This must be the 3rd or 4th wine I’ve recommended from this winery tucked away in the hills of Northern Spain.

wine style: rich red
STRATUS 07 Red, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake 131037 $44.20
Super serious, solid local red. Bordeaux is the model but there’s also a Rhone feeling. A ‘something else’. This is a great local experience that will continue to evolve over the next few years.

wine style: rich red
OSOYOOS LAROSE 06 Le Grand Vin, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC 626325 $45
BC’s edition of the Bordeaux blend – big and bold. You get warm climate ripeness (Osoyoos is desert hot) along with Old World firmness – thanks to the hand of French winemaker Pascal Madevon. Best with a traditional roast. Could also be cellared for a few years.

wine style: rich red
SOUTHBROOK 08 Cabernet Franc ‘Triomphe’, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
237065 $22.95
Starts out a little funky but evolves into one of those earthy and interesting characters that you want at the supper table. Cab Franc at its best. Makes a refreshing change from the sea of nice, smooth reds. If Southbrook’s organic and biodynamic practices are contributing to the character of this wine, then I’m a fan.

SWEET
DE BORTOLI 07 Botrytis Semillon ‘Noble One’, Australia 917252 375ml/$29.95
Super-concentrated, luscious and lovely. But not at all candied or cloying. A natural beauty. Australia does Sauternes at a fraction of the price.

Fans of light-ish reds however, are in for a treat because I’m going to tell you about something really good that sells for only $6.50. No typo, no kiddin – $6.50. I’ll be very surprised if it’s not my red wine buy of the year.

Pasqua’s Sangiovese is a perfect edition of a wine style that unfortunately is now out of fashion. A style that refreshes, that flatters food and which can be gulped because of its moderate alcohol content. Wine that suggests lighthearted times, everyday foods and sociability. Wine with the original purpose – for everyday, for everyone.

Pasqua is a traditional producer from the Veneto region (Valpolicella) so they know a thing or two about light reds. The wine below however, is from Puglia in the south but the feeling is very Chianti, home of the Sangiovese grape. How confusing. This is why I always say you’re better off not knowing the details. So forget this part.

Expect lots of vitality and bright flavours. A lively, gutsy, refreshing experience. A drinking wine. A real Italian experience. Perfect with just about any food other than porterhouse steak. Lightly chill. When we get into the patio season I’ll decant into a clear glass bottles to show-off the light, summery colour.

P.S. If 1500ml is beyond your nightly quota I suggest you pour the big guy into two regular sized bottles.

PASQUA 09 Sangiovese, Puglia, Italy 441428 1500ml/$12.95

Thank you Vintages for offering the excellent Irish whiskeys from the Cooley distillery.

WHITES
wine style: fresh white . . . upscale
CHARLES BAKER 08 Riesling ‘Picone Vineyard’, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara 126433 $35.20
Flinty dry with just a tease of flavour. Delicate but characterful. Classic local Dry Riesling from one of the best vineyards in Niagara. Worth the splurge for a special summer lunch.

wine style: fresh white . . . refresher
THELEMA SUTHERLAND 08 Sauvignon Blanc, Elgin, South Africa 203877 $13.95
Exuberant Sauv with some tropical fruit flavours. A good partner for well spiced white meat dishes.

wine style: fresh white . . . classy
CH. de la GREFFIERE 09 Macon-la-Roche Vineuse, Burgundy, France 205898 $14.95
Beautiful non-oaked Chardonnay with the perfect mix of vitality, friutiness and gulpability. Ideal all-evening white.

wine style: nice & easy white . . . house white
CARUSO & MININI Grillo ‘Timpune’, Sicily, Italy 203943 $13.95
Not a singing duo but a delicious all-round white. A lot of luxury for the price. Would be a good introduction to the Grillo grape, and to the high quality of Sicilian whites in general.

wine style: rich white . . . manly
CONCHA y TORO 07 Chardonnay Reserva ‘Maycas del Limari’, Chile 162040 $19.95
Super rich with the earthy character of a mature Burgundy. Great white wine experience. The opposite end of the spectrum from today’s popular fruity-style Chardonnays.

REDS
wine style: fresh red . . . novel
ERMETE MEDICI A FIGLI 09 Lambrusco ‘Concerto’, Emilia-Romagna, Italy 208967 $14.95
This off-dry sparkling red wine hails from the home of proscuitto. Naturally they’re good partners, as are any foods from the deli counter. Low in alcohol. One of my favourite alfresco lunch wines.

wine style: rustic red . . . different
PISONI 08 Teroldego, Alto Adige, Italy 209353 $14.95
Teroldego is the Baco of Italy. Lively, slightly odd red that will grow on you – or not. Refreshing and a very good food partner for everyday foods. Lightly chill.

wine style: rich red . . . amazing value
CONCHA y TORO 09 Syrah Reserva, ‘Maycas del Limari’, Chile 209916 $14.95
New World ripeness and richness but there’s no mistaking Syrah’s Rhone Valley ancestory. Very appetizing. Very good and very reasonably priced.

wine style: rich red . . . charmer
VINA LEYDA 09 Pinot Noir ‘Las Brisas’, Chile 209908 $16.95
Rich, spicy/sweet style Pinot. Very seductive and a great partner for hot and spicy foods, or times.

wine style: rich red . . . warmhearted
DOMAINE des MASCARONS 09 Cotes du Rhones-Villages, France 142174 $15.95
Blockbuster, super-rich and smooth Rhone. Fireside red.

IRISH WHISKEY Take a break from the smooth Jameson and explore the wilder side of Irish with these rogues from a real Irish distillery

COOLEY DISTILLERY ‘Connemara’ Peated Single Malt 27946 $54.95
. . . not only peat but wild, mountain herbal flavours.

COOLEY DISTILLERY Locke’s 8-Year-Old Single Malt 913475 $54.95
. . . more vigour here. manly and tangy.

COOLEY DISTILLERY ‘Inishowen’ Peated Single Malt 656017 $34.95
. . . some peat but lots of other stuff too. Spirited and exciting for the price.

ITALIAN RED IS NOW AN EVEN GREATER BARGAIN

Mezzomondo’s red from Puglia is now only $7.95. Rustic wine with modern-day comfort and richness. Perfect. Get a case.

MEZZOMONDO 09 Negroamoro, Salento, Puglia, Italy 588962 $7.95

Tis the most dreaded season of the year for all us men. Valentines! Better to accept that you’re unlikely to buy the ‘right thing’ and do the best you can. Such as planning and cooking supper with heartfelt wines. Seeing as how Valentine’s falls on a Monday this year, may I suggest you stay with a weeknight menu, such as pasta – but add some soul? Soul is sex in disguise.

Get in the mood with Bottega Prosecco (that’s sparkling) and paper-thin, melt-in-the-mouth, shavings of Parmesan Reggiano (that’s cheese). This is how they start evenings at the big champagne houses in France. Bubbly wine and salty cheese do exciting things for the palate.

Barbera is the most earthy, rustic of Italian reds. One of the few remaining ‘real’ wines in the world. Good women prefer realness over  glitz. Make your best tomato sauce and smother the pasta with Reggiano shavings. Feel the rich cheese making love with the rustic wine. Very Italian!

Buy some good chocolate (not hard to find this time of year) and have with Brachetto. A little known sweet, spritzy red you went out of your way to find. More refreshing and fun than rich –  and awfully good for keeping the senses in play around ten on a Monday night.

Part of the fun of a three bottle evening is you might have enough leftover to do it all again the next night! The first wine recommended  is at regular LCBOs and the next two are Vintages.

Write and tell me how it went.

BOTTEGA Prosecco ‘il vino dei poeti’, Italy 897702 $12.40
LA GIRONDA 09 Brachetto d’Acqui, Piedmont. Italy 188045 $17.95
LA GIRONDA 06 Barbera d’Asti, ‘La Gena’, Piedmont. Italy 188037 $16.95

Cheap Soave and Valpol may be out of favour but I suggest you try  the new, improved edition of these wines. No longer cheap, but outstanding stuff – and value, in the mid-teen price range. An excellent dinner party pair for sure.

Italian winemakers have decided that the best way to compete with the popular International grape varieties is not to go head to head, but to offer an alternative. Such as improved editions of their traditional regional wines. Such as Soave and Valpol.

Anselmi’s wine is semi-rich and oozing charm. The golden colour you see in the clear glass bottle comes through in flavours of honey and exotic fruits. But the wine is also crisp and elegant. You wont find the ‘S’ word on Alselmi’s label because the winery wants to distance itself from Soave’s old days and lowly image.

Masi’s Campofiorin was one of the first ‘improved’ Italian wines and has grown into a very successful brand. But without losing quality. If anything the current 07 vintage may be the best wine ever. Expect some of the solidness of a Cabernet, the lushness of a Merlot and the charm of a Cotes du Rhone. But it’s none of these. Campofiorin is an individual in a sea of taste-alike red wines. I love the mix of gusto and grace. So Italian.

Wine style: Rich White
ANSELMI 09 ‘San Vincenzo’, Veneto, Italy 948158 $14.95 (Vintages Essentials)

wine style: Rich Red
MASI 07 Campofiorin, Valpolicella Ripasso, Veneto, Italy 155051 $17.95

Barbaresco could be described as the Pinot of Italy. A deceptively pale red with an elusive personality. Rich but not rich. A big time charmer. A fancy red wine that works with almost any food and almost any drinker. Go get it and usher in the new year.

Castello di Neive 07 Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy 160143 $19.75

Keep checking this blog for more Holiday picks at regular LCBOs. Bettter still, get a copy of Billy’s Best Bottles Wines for 2011! A year’s worth of buying tips for $20…the price of one of these bottles. And it supports my habit!  Here’s the site for paypal orders….we ship the same day.

Slainte
Billy

SPARKLING
GRAHAM BECK Brut Sparkling, South Africa 593483 $17.95
One of the world’s great value-priced sparkling wines. Crisp, refreshing, and yeasty in the Champagne style – with a shade more flavour and friendliness. Let the party begin.

SUMAC RIDGE Brut Sparkling ‘Steller’s Jay’, VQA Okanagan 264879 $24.95
We all know about the excellent Niagara sparklers, but west coast Sumac Ridge’s wine is up there with the best. Dry with a suggestion of richness. Aperitif, with seafood or sip for celebration.

PELLER ESTATES ‘Ice Cuvée’ Rosé Sparkling, VQA Niagara 113035 $35.20
Pink coloured sparkling wine infused with Icewine. Hits a middle ground between dry and sweet but there’s no mistaking the delicious flavour and charm. Big time yummy. A lovely treat for anyone who’s been nice to you.

WHITE/ROSÉ
wine style: fresh white
WOLF BLASS 08 Riesling ‘Gold Label’, Australia 606269 $199.95
Wonderful combo of citrus, mineral freshness and joie de vie. Instant happiness. Could be the hit of the holidays. For anytime sipping or with the big bird.

wine style: dry Rosé
DOMAINE de PELLEHAUT 09 Rosé, VDP Cotes de Gascogne, France 199570 $11.95
Dry Rosé is a must-have for the holiday season because it’s refreshing, it goes well with all foods, and most importantly, it’s fun. This is an amazing value.

REDS
wine style: rustic red
SALCHETO 08 Chianti, Colli Senesi, Tuscany, Italy 184903 $15.95
The Colli Senesi Chiantis are the juniors of the region – full of enthusiasm and gusto. Great entertainment for the taste buds, especially when there’s something Italian on your plate. Would make a refreshing break from richer reds.

wine style: rustic red
ELIO FILIPPINO 07 Nebbiolo, Langhe, Piedmont, Italy 184952 $15.95
Very dry, woods with a fall day feeling. If you like PInot, and other less dense reds, this is the wine for you.

wine style: rustic red
MONTARIBALDI 08 Barbera D’Asti ‘La Consolina’, Piedmont, Italy 182212 $15.95
Many of today’s Barbera’s are enriched for commercial success but here’s the real thing. Tangy dry, invigorating and without a trace of chocolate or plums. Red wine that grabs the taste buds and says, “let’s eat!” And “drink lots!” A perfect partner for roast chicken.

wine style: rustic red
LES VIGNERONS du CASTELAS 07 Cotes du Rhone-Villages, France 199299 $13.95
I’ve been recommending rich style Rhones all year but here’s a gutsy, earthy character. Lots of pucker power. Very bistro, very refreshing and very good with almost any food or situation.

wine style: rich red
PELEE ISLAND 08 Cabernet Sauvignon, VQA Pelee Island 530576 $19.95
Cabernet ripens really well down Pelee way, and this is wonderful local steak wine. Medium-rich with a little rustic edge. Pour from a decanter and celebrate Canadiana.

wine style: rich red
ACUSTIC 08 Monstant, Spain 190728 $18.95
Monstant (Catalonia) reds remind me of the Rhone (same grapes) but with more heft. And the difficult to describe ‘Spanish feeling’. Strawberries! Wonderfully refreshing for a rich red. Grilled steak or lamb.

wine style: rich red
MITOLO 09 Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Jester’, McLaren Vale, Australia 43224 $21.95
If you’re craving a big Aussie (wine that is) have a date with the Jester. Combines character with easy drinkability and warmth. Better with steak than traditional holiday fare. Impressive looking gift.

SWEET
WARRE’S Quinta da Cavadinha 1996 Vintage Port, Portugal 189605 $54.00
Big bold Vintage Port at an appealing price. Enjoy with a cheese platter. Needs decanting as there’s sediment.

Much of the time, you and I are pouring wine for people who are not terribly interested. Or who want an easy/gentle experience. New world reds usually fit the bill but I just tasted a Valpolicella that is sure to please the ‘non-wine drinker’. And the big-bottle-size is perfect for parties.

Fabiano’s wine is fruity, soft and lighthearted. There’s a happy feeling and the price is right. Lightly chill to boost the refreshment. Get some!!

Fabiano 09 Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy 117259 1.5 litre $16.95

WHITES
Wine-Style: Nice ‘n Easy White
Chateau des Charmes 08 Chardonnay Musque, VQA Niagara-in-the-Lake 640516 $16.95
Chardonnay Musque has become an Ontario speciality and a great example of the distinctive pure quality of local whites. A refreshing non-oaked wine with a delicate hit of Muscat. I’d call it yummy, delightful and fun. Pour this at Holiday events and watch faces light up. Joy to the world.

REDS
Wine-Style: Rustic Red
Tenuta il Corno 07 Chianti Colli Fiorentini, Tuscany, Italy 123752 $14.95
Another very traditional Italian wine. Earthy, rustic and crying out for the dinner table. With simply grilled or roasted meat.

Wine-Style: Rustic Red
Pietro Rinaldi 08 Dolcetto d’Alba ‘Madonna di Como’, Piedmont, Italy 182261 $16.95
My second Dolcetto within a month! A must for fans of traditional very dry, rustic Italian reds. Grabs the taste buds and says let’s eat. Cannot get enough of Italian gusto.

Wine-Style: Rich Red
Angelini 07 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ‘Tre Rose’, Tuscany, Italy 963199 $21.95
Vino Nobile is usually serious in style and price, but here’s an exception. Rustic meets charm. A very graceful Tuscan wine with the lighter feeling of Burgundy. At peak now. A Saturday night special for sure. Best from a decanter, and Riedels sitting on linen.

Wine-Style: Rich Red
Jackson-Triggs 07 Shiraz ‘Delaine Vineyard’, VQA Niagara 86553 $29.95
Crafted in the Rhone style but with enough spicy sweetness to get lots of wows. As exotic as we dare to get in Canada. I love the mix of refreshment and nourishment. Elegant too. I’d go with white meat. A local hero for sure.
P.S. The Delaine vineyard is on the Niagara Parkway and was planted by Donald Triggs (ex Jackson-Triggs) and his partner, Elaine – hence the name. You can find other excellent Delaine wines at WineRack Stores.

Wine-Style: Rich Red
Frei Brothers 07 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, California 91025 $22.95
Typical Californian Pinot Noir – spicy sweet and sure to seduce. A delicious dose of niceness. You cannot fail for romance, family events or fireside sipping.