Sommelier Matt Steeves’ wine picks for holiday entertaining – CFRA News Talk Radio

December 10, 2024

Today on CFRA News Talk Radio, CFRAs Patricia Boal and Sommelier Matt Steeves showcased some of their top recommended wines for entertaining and gifting this holiday season. 

The holiday season is a great time of year to gift and enjoy wine. Between the numerous holiday parties, and gifts for your boss/colleagues/friends, there are lots of opportunities to gift and serve wine, the question always is which wines to choose from the hundreds available at the LCBO?

Since the right bottle can make the difference between a great gift and a re-gift, Matt’s sommelier-recommended wine picks will make sure you get the right one!

From sparkling wines, white and red wines, there’s a great wine for every palate and every occasion this holiday season. Here’s the short list of wines that are sure to please this holiday season:

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. Italy’s Prosecco has become a household name across Canada and this style of sparkling wine is loved for its approachability, value, and celebratory character.

1. Santa Margherita Brut Prosecco Superiore, Italy – $20.95 ($2 off now)

• Santa Margherita is #1 selling Italian wine in Ontario and Prosecco is the most popular style of sparkling wine in Ontario and growing.
• $2 off right up until the New Year.
• A great go-to for your holiday celebrations.

Santa Margherita grows luscious, aromatic, Glera grapes in the gentle hills of Valdobbiadene. Just north of Venice, this town is synonymous with the finest Prosecco Superiore and DOCG status – the highest and most distinctive classification possible. 

This sparkling wine has fine, lively bubbles that dance within its bright straw-yellow color and greenish reflections. Its lovely aromas include ripe pineapples, peaches, and Rennet apples as well as delicate florals. Its finish is bright and dry, yet sweet on the palate.

Perfect as an apéritif, this celebrated bubbly pairs well with seafood or cheese appetizers. It also adds flavorful sparkle to brunch classics or your favorite rich dessert. Even rich, creamy dishes such as pasta carbonara, fried favorites like calamari, or even grilled filet of beef will not overwhelm its vivaciousness.

Make sure to have some refreshing white wines on your list. A couple great options for enjoying year-round are Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc, like these two here:

• Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand,$21.95

• Released on December 14th. Great gift for friends and family who love crisp and refreshing New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

Capturing the essence of Marlborough, this Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc is a blend of selected vineyards from the key sub regions within Marlborough. Pungent aromas of passion fruit, citrus and fresh herb lead into a juicy palate bursting with zesty grapefruit and rock-melon, with a round weighty finish carried by crisp acidity.

• Villa Maria Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand – $19.95 (~$5 off retail price!)

• 95 points, top rated NZ Sauvignon Blanc at a super cheap price!
• Sourced from four single vineyards throughout the Wairau Valley, including Coleman, Craiglochart, Pukekeo Springs, and Marpo. Each contributing their own unique attributes to create a complex and flavourful wine.
• A classic representation of Sauvignon Blanc from the Wairau Valley in Marlborough, bursting with aromatic tropical fruit characters found in this warmer sub-region. This wine displays powerful aromas of blackcurrant, passionfruit and ripe rock-melon. The palate has an enticing array of ripe citrus fruits mixed with pungent herbs such as fresh rosemary, finishing with subtle acidity.

Red wines are a great option and tend to be the most popular wine this time of year so always good to have some on hand, including these great value-priced options.

• Aveleda Lisboa Red, Portugal – $12.90

• Back up the truck and stock up on this bargain-priced red blend from Portugal – perhaps one of the best values you’ll discover at LCBO. Aveleda’s Lisboa Red is a blend of three delicious varietals (Touriga Nacional, Syrah, and Alicante Bouschet) producing a rich and juicy red wine that pairs beautifully with your favourite BBQ dishes, braised fare, and handheld treats. The nose shows a complex bouquet with cherry, raspberry, bell pepper, herbs, and leather. The palate repeats with soft fine tannins and refreshing acidity making this wine both versatile and ready to enjoy now with your favourite fare. Wood-fired pizza, BBQ sausage and burgers, and kebabs – all great complements to this especially value-priced wine.

One of Italy’s most famous wines, conveniently easy to pronounce too, “Barolo”…the King of Italian reds. This makes a wonderful gift or treat to enjoy with guests. At $35 it offers wonderful value too.

• Fontanafredda Barolo, Piedmont, Italy – $34.95

• #1 selling Barolo at the LCBO
• Fontanafredda’s 2016 Barolo is one of the best super value-priced Barolo’s available across Canada. Don’t let the discount price point steer you away as this Barolo is delicious! Primed and ready for immediate enjoyment, it’s very well structured with fine integrated tannins that are supported by the fresh acidity and delicious balance of fruit and rustic flavours. Fontanafredda’s Barolo is a fantastic option for gifting, short to medium term cellaring, and for enjoying with a wide range of meals, from creamy pasta, braised beef, aged cheese, or simply on its own. Exactly what you expect, it has a beautiful nose with cherry, sweet spices, black tea, and leather. A beautiful intro to Barolo, the King of Italian Wines, and at a very reasonable price.

Peter Lehmann’s The Barossan Shirza from the Barossa Valley in Australia. A wonderful option for entertaining and enjoying on these cold winter nights, especially when paired with braised dishes, meatball appetizers.

• The Barossan Shiraz, Australia – $21.95

• Terrific wine for enjoying with braised dishes and tangy meatball hors d’oeuvres.
• Velvety smooth, The Barossan Shiraz is packed full of plum, fig, chocolate, spice, menthol, and graphite, showing the complexity this wine and region are known for. An absolute crowd pleaser, The Barossan is a great choice all year with braised dishes, BBQ, and flavorful cheese, such as Guinness Irish Porter Cheddar.

The Barossan showcases the superb fruit sourced from the many fabled sub-regions across the Barossa Valley. A selection of the Barossa’s key growers, renowned for their quality and skill, have shared their passion and pristine fruit to create this quintessential Barossa Valley Shiraz. Each parcel speaks to its vineyard origins, sharing a special and unique aspect of the sub-region.

I trust these wines will serve you and your guests well this holiday season! Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday season!

Cheers,

Matt

Matt Steeves –  Sommelier, Wine Writer, CFRA and CTV Wine Expert – follow Matt on Instagram @QuercusVino or www.topwines.ca for his top wine picks.