December 2023
Today on CFRA News Talk Radio, CFRA Patricia Boal and Sommelier Matt Steeves showcased some great wines and spirits for gifting this season as well as enjoying with family and friends over the holidays. These options will suit every palate and budget, including white, red, and sparkling wines too. Check out our segment here
Life is too short to drink bad wines so this holiday season why not treat yourself, and those around you, to some Sommelier recommended fine wines. We’ve scoured the local shops to curate a short list of delicious wines from all over that are sure to impress.
There’s no better way to kick off a holiday party than by enjoying a glass of sparkling wine. Sparkling wines are naturally very festive and celebratory making them a great choice to gift as well as serve. Canada, France, and Italy make some of the finest sparkling wines available and I’ve got options today from each.
We’re starting off today with a fun sparkling wine from Prince Edward County, Rosehall Run’s Pixie Sparkling Rosé. Produced in the same style as Prosecco (Charmat method), this is a fun and lively wine that fits any occasion.
A lovely sparkling blend of Vidal and Pinot Noir from one of Prince Edward County’s original wineries. Pours a frothy, bright pink colour. Shows aromas and flavours of citrus, red berry, herbs, yeast and nuts with lively carbonation and rounded acidity all balanced towards dry, cleansing finish. A perfect anytime bubbly.
Available at LCBO – $19.95 and winery-direct
Founded in 1877, Bouillot was one of the first to experiment with the crafting of sparkling Burgundy wine. This blend of Pinot Noir, Gamay and Chardonnay is ever delightful, extra dry with nutty richness, berry, toast and mushrooms. Sip or pair with smoked salmon.
The Ferrari Brut is a non-vintage Blanc de Blancs (Chardonnay only) sparkling wine that was disgorged after over two years on its lees. The colour is a rich straw yellow, with a nose of sweet baked apples and pears, vanilla bean, biscuit, and flint minerality. The delicate mousse has a wonderful palate cleansing rich tree fruit and lemon curd finish. A very attractive and complex wine that sells for under $30, making it an absolute buy-by-the-case wine! Some of the finest bubbles I’ve enjoyed, especially at that price! Tasted annually since 2014, each year a consistent high quality wine. 92 points each tasting. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca
My review of the 2016 vintage: Jackson-Triggs’ 2016 Entourage Grand Reserve Brut – A very impressive high quality sparking wine from this well known Niagara-on-the-Lake winery. Jackson-Triggs’ Entourage Grand Reserve Brut has become a Sommelier favourite with each vintage given its consistent quality yet at a fraction of the price sparkling wines of this caliber often command. The 2016 vintage is the finest I recall tasting – every component of this wine is working in beautiful harmony, from its creamy mousse to the rich stone fruit and marzipan pasty notes, culminating with a long refreshing finish as the endless stream of micro bubbles persists. Enjoy 2020-2025. Tasted June 2020. Highly recommended! 93 points. Matt Steeves – www.quercusvino.ca
When it comes to crisp and refreshing white wines, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is always a terrific option and great for both food pairings, host gifts, and enjoying with appetizers at your holiday party.
We’re starting off today with a crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. NZ Sauvignon Blanc is a great choice for those that are looking for a refreshing white wine at a great price. I always recommend having a variety of wine styles on hand from big juicy reds to light and fresh whites like Sauvignon Blanc to ensure you have something for every palate and preference.
Villa Maria’s Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough New Zealand is a pale straw colour; intense aromas of grapefruit, herbs, gooseberry with a mineral streak; extra dry, medium bodied, fresh acidity, and flavours of grapefruit, green gooseberry leaf and berry; clean, fresh finish.
Moving from sparking and white into light reds… the beloved Pinot Noir.
I’ve got two fantastic Pinot Noir options for those wine enthusiasts on your shopping list this year. Starting off with a big and spicy Pinot from California. Prisoner Wine Co. Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir:
Sourcing grapes from the northern region of Sonoma and the southerly reaches of Carneros results in spicy, fruity Pinot Noir. A backbone of bracing acidity adds structure to the notes of ripe red fruit such as raspberry, cranberry, pine nettle and cinnamon. Pair with sweet-and-savoury honey-glazed ham.
Canada produces some of the best Pinot Noir available. Ontario (Prince Edward County) and Niagara, and the Okanagan Valley have such great producers making some of the finest Pinot available. One of my absolute favourites comes from the Naramata Bench in the Okanagan Valley from Martin’s Lane.
2020 Naramata Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir: Textbook expression of premium Naramata Bench Pinot from two vineyard parcels planted with Pommard, 943, 828, & 667. Deep colour, distinctive Naramata character with unique bramble, blueberry, sage, and cherry notes. 65% whole bunch fermentation in concrete, aged for 17 months in a mix of Austrian and French oak, extra tight grain. Nose shows a beautiful perfumed bouquet with expressive cherry and herbs. Fine integrated tannins are supple, showing great structure, this wine is ready to enjoy now and will develop beautifully over the next 10-15 years. Tasted December 2023. 94+ points. Matt Steeves – www.quercusvino.ca
Cabernet Sauvignon continues to be one of the most popular red wines internationally. So you can be pretty confident even if you don’t know what style of red wine someone likes, chances are they’ll enjoy a Cabernet Sauvignon. I’m showing two Cabernets today, one from California and one from Spain.
California has a world-class reputation for great cabernet sauvignon, and this rich example shows why. It brims with aromas of toast, nuts, dark fruit and chocolate that lead to flavours of ripe dark fruit and chocolate-covered plums and ends in a smooth finish with a hint of spice. Enjoy with grilled steak or on its own.
Premium Cabernet Sauvignon makes the perfect gift for any wine enthusiast. Torres Mas La Plana is a fantastic choice. This is the most prestigious cuvée from Torres. It won great honours at the Paris “wine Olympics” organized by Gault & Millau in the 1970s, contributing to its popularity, the wine having outclassed the best Cabernet Sauvignon in the world, including some Bordeaux grands crus… A great wine for the cellar! Harmonious and tightly meshed, this medium- to full-bodied red has a pure note of black currant chiming through, with expressive coffee, black plum reduction, bay leaf and pomegranate accents.
Available at LCBO and SAQ $75
If you’re looking for a nice Bordeaux blend red wine, but also something a bit unique, then try this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carmenere, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc from Chile’s Cachapoal Andes Valley. Sideral, from the Latin word sideralis, meaning ‘constellation’, embodies the perfect harmony of each grape and their flawless combination into a blend of exceptional quality. Blends like this can reach great levels of harmony and complexity providing wonderful value and making a nice gift for any wine enthusiast. For under $30 this makes a great hosting gift and would be wonderful this year and over the next five years with grilled and braised beef dishes.
Available at LCBO and SAQ – $29.95
The holidays is a great time to indulge in decadent dishes and desserts. To complement those decadent delights, Canadian Icewine offers a perfect pairing and is always a way to get your guests excited to enjoy a sip or two of this world-renowned and uniquely Canadian wine.
Iconic Canadian winery, Inniskillin, is renowned for their luxurious Icewines as they consistently deliver the most impressive style of sweet, full bodied, richly textured, and incredibly refreshing (dessert) wine that’s sought after in the finest dining establishments around the world.
Inniskillin has been instrumental in establishing the global reputation of this uniquely Canadian product. These Vidal and Riesling Icewines are the perfect example of what makes Icewine special. Make holiday gifting a success with this great choice.
Pair with strong cheeses to the most decadent desserts imaginable. My favourites include blue cheese (like Blue Haze), and crème brûlée with Inniskillin Icewine.
Another great gift idea is the experience of a truly unique winter wine escape by attending the Niagara Icewine Festival in January 2024. Niagara’s Icewine Festival, one of Canada’s largest wine celebrations, will embrace the winter magic for three weekends in January where wine lovers, cocktail fans and foodies are sure to create sweet memories to last a lifetime, all while discovering the region’s renowned VQA Icewine and culinary scene through an outstanding collection of events. A truly unique Canadian Icewine experience you’ll never forget making it an epic gift idea for the wine enthusiast, foodie, or adventure seeker in your life.
Speaking of uniquely Canadian beverages, Quebec’s Sortilege follows a traditional recipe that strikes the perfect balance between the strength of Canadian whisky and the rich, golden flavour of pure maple syrup from Quebec. The result is a fine liqueur that is truly Canadian. Indulgent with maple, toffee and caramel aromas and flavours; medium sweet and perfect served on its own or in your favourite hot beverage, it’s also a great base for some delicious Canadian cocktails, like the Maple Martini.
Another great Canadian spirit to have on hand for the holidays is Dillon’s Rye Whisky. Four years of ageing in new Ontario oak, new American oak and first-fill bourbon casks gives this 100% Rye Whisky an oak forward character that complements the spiciness of Rye grain. Aromas of dried fruit, citrus, ginger, vanilla and caramel lead to a palate that is fruity and smooth, with balanced sweet and spice flavours.
Craft delicious cocktails, like the iconic Old Fashioned or Manhattan Cocktail using Dillon’s Rye Whisky, Dillon’s Sweet Red Vermouth, and Dillon’s Bitters. All available at LCBO over the holidays.
Champagne Cocktails are not reserved exclusively for New Year’s Eve. The holidays and any gathering is a fantastic time to whip up a delicious sparkling wine cocktail like the iconic Kir Royale. Simply mix 1/2 oz Dillon’s Black Currant Liqueur with three ounces of your favourite sparking wine (any above would be great!).
Dillon’s Kir Royale:
- 1/2 ounces Dillon’s Black Currant Liqueur
- 3 ounces dry sparkling wine
- Lemon twist, for garnish
Available distillery-direct $40
The holiday season is a precious time to enjoy with family and friends, and what better than some delicious wines to complement your holiday cheer! Here’s wishing you a safe and enjoyable holiday season!
Cheers,
Matt
Quercus Vino 
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