Skip to content

Choosing wine for holiday cheer

It's getting to that time of year again. All the hustle and bustle, catching up with friends, and hopefully enjoying a few days off over the holidays. The shopping part though, can be a bit daunting.

It's getting to that time of year again. All the hustle and bustle, catching up with friends, and hopefully enjoying a few days off over the holidays. The shopping part though, can be a bit daunting. I mean finding the right thing for everybody on your list is never easy, and often the source of unneeded holiday stress, possibly even driving one to drink.

So, this month I have decided to do my part to help make the holidays a little less work and a little more fun! I have compiled a list of all kinds of wine and treats. I always do a big shop in early December to stock up for the holidays, and frankly, it's the one shopping trip this time of year I really do enjoy.

So whether it's a host gift, Christmas gift or just wine for the party, there should be something here for everyone. And, it's available right here in Richmond at BC Liquor Stores, O'Hare's Liquor Store or Sip Wines.

Bubbles Escorihuela Extra Brut 1884 $20.99 -BC liquor stores Great value on this holiday

bubbles with just enough of the character Champagne lovers desire without the hefty price tag. Look for peaches and pears along with baked apple and hints of caramel and hazelnut.

White Wine Trivento Amado Sur Torrontes Viognier Chardonnay 2012 - Argentina $14.99 -BC Liquor Stores This blend of torrontes, a native Argentinian grape, Viognier added for aromatics, and Chardonnay for a bit of body, hits the mark as an all around pleaser. Citrus driven and light in body with floral notes this white pairs best with seafood and chicken.

Evans & Tate Merticup Road Chardonnay 2011 - Australia $19.99 -BC Liquor Stores The expressive grapefruit, melon and citrus character along with hints of cashew and minerality supported by zesty acidity make this quality white a real food friendly

drop. Versatile, it can be your turkey white or just a holiday party pleaser. It's nice now, but will benefit from a couple more years of cellaring. Sisters Run Verdelho 2012 - Australia $23 -O'Hare's Liquor Store If you are feeling up for something different or want to show off your wine savvy to friends and family, give this tasty well-made white a try. The ginger-lime nose gives way to well balanced, medium bodied gooseberry, lemon palate followed by hints of tropical fruit and a lengthy refreshing finish. Appetizers, pesto sauces and roast veggies will pair well.

Tantalus - Riesling 2012 - BC $22.90 -Sip Wines Always one of B.C.'s best wines. This edition is brimming with ripe apple, guava and lemon-lime flavours balanced by mouthwatering minerality and acidity. The acidity here will let you pair this one with fatty foods, citrus flavoured dishes, salads, seafood or rich cheeses like Brie or Cambozola.

Red Wine Calona Artist Series Pinot Noir 2011 -BC $15.99 -BC Liquor Stores/Sip Wines True Pinot Noir almost never exists at this price point. Lighter bodied with cherry and red fruits on the palate, a touch of earth and leather, followed by silky, fine textured tannins. This versatile wine will be suited for anything from turkey to braised red meat dishes or holiday appetizers.

Monte Antico Toscano 2009 -Italy $16.99 -BC Liquor Stores A nice blend of mostly Sangiovese with a little Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this budget friendly red has good acidity along with pronounced red and black fruit character, leather, and hints of vanilla on the palate. Suitable for medium to heavy dishes, or as a winter sipper with cheese plates. Pierre Henri Morel Signargues Cotes du Rhone Villages - France -2011 $19.99 -BC Liquor Stores This Rhone blend of mainly Grenache and Syrah shows layers of black fruit and the classic meaty, gamey Rhone flavours on the palate, followed by a touch of spice on the finish. This Cote du Rhone would pair perfectly with lamb and winter stews.

Stella Bella Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2009 - Australia $33.95 -BC Liquor Stores Having once lived in Western Australia, I was excited to find wines from this Margaret River producer available here in B.C. I can't decide what I like best about this wine. The rich red and black fruit character, expressive perfumed nose or lengthy, concentrated finish.

Dessert Wines Quail's Gate Optima 2011 - BC $29.99 -BC Liquor Stores This botrytis affected late harvest wine molded in the same style as its French cousin from Sauternes is rich, perfumed and highly concentrated.

It was chosen this year as Canada's best cheese pairing wine. Need I say more? Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Old Tawny - Portugal $69.99 - BC Liquor Stores This one has classic butterscotch, caramel and dried fruit character with mix of maple, nut, coffee and oak undertones.

Ryan Lewis is a sommelier and beer, wine and spirits writer and consultant.