If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, this week’s snowfall made you happy unless you were trying to fly or drive! But if you’re looking for delicious white wine recommendations, you’ll be in good spirits!
White wines are often great to sip before the meal and are excellent pairings with charcuterie, seafood appetizers, white turkey meat, ham and many other dishes.
1. Saintly 2021 The Good Sauvignon Blanc
($17.99 $2 off; 89 points)
This is a good place to begin! Dry, fresh, and fruity, it’s from the Niagara Peninsula, which makes this wine unique — we seldom see Ontario wines.
Saintly is gentler than New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, which can be assertive. I enjoyed Saintly’s citrus aroma with gooseberry and guava plus mild herbs, a squeeze of pineapple, medium strength acid, and a lengthy lemon-lime finish. Good for sipping by the fireside, pair it with mussels and goat cheese.
Available at all Richmond BC Liquor Stores.
2. Clos du Soleil 2021 Pinot Gris
($23.99, 90 points)
Aromas of apple, vanilla, and pear. Rich ripe flavours of tree fruit with lots of minerals from the Similkameen soil in a medium-bodied white with great acidity and a sweet fruit finish ending on a dry note. An elegant organic white, which highlights special vineyards outside their normal portfolio.
Available at Richmond Brighouse & Ironwood and Save on Foods Ironwood.
3. La Guardiense Janare Falhanghia del Sannio, Italy
($19.49 one dollar off 91 points)
From Campania, it has a fruity bouquet of lemon and nuts but there’s also a great depth of flavour with almond, apple, pear, and peach as well as grapefruit and lemon. Plenty of minerals to add texture with an opulent mouth feel and a semi-dry finish. A refreshing wine, thanks to the balance between acidity and fruit.
Pair with risotto, fish and meat carpaccio, caprese salad with buffalo mozzarella, or shellfish.
Available at Brighouse and Ironwood BC Liquor Stores.
4. Rias Baixas O Rosal Valminor Davila 2021, Spain
($23.99, 90 points)
Produced from a delirious medley of three old vine local Spanish grapes: Loureiro, Albarino and Triexadura. Vibrant and fruity aromas of wild white flowers, golden delicious apples, pineapple, and vanilla with stone fruit and herbs.
On the palate are tasty nuts, pine, grapefruit and lime with saline from its proximity to the Atlantic. Well balanced and elegant with a dry finish. Enjoy with shellfish and seafood.
Available at Richmond’s Ironwood and Seafair BC Liquor Stores.
5. Chateau de la Gravelle 2018 Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur Lie
($20.99, 90 points)
Vibrant and fruity. Mineral soil gives this wine its vibrant soil-driven style. Aromas and flavours of nectarine, orange zest, pear, and minerality. The palate is dominated by lively acidity balanced by a refreshing tropical fruity note mixed with a soft creamy texture from 8 months on the lies. It displays a medium light body and a bone-dry finish.
This is possibly the best seafood wine, unless you’re a Chablis fan! Enjoy with oysters, whether raw on the half shell or baked like Oyster Rockerfeller. Spaghetti with clams and lemon is another delicious pairing.
Available at all three Richmond BC Liquor Stores.
6. Menade Verdeo Ecologica 2021, Spain
($23.99, 91 points)
An organic white produced from Spain’s most popular white wine grape, Verdejo in Rueda. Expect an herbal nose with thyme, fennel, and honey and on the palate. Excellent acidity with saline and ripe peach and grapefruit, lemon and mandarin finish.
This is an excellent palate cleanser to refresh the taste buds between courses. The Verdejo has a light body yet a dramatic character. It’s definitely not a wimpy wine; it gets your attention in a positive way!
Available at all three Richmond BC Liquor Stores.
7. Vinho Verde Alvarina Quinta da Lixa Escolha Estate, Portugal
(17.99, 90 points)
A refreshing slightly carbonated young (green) wine produced from three indigenous varieties (Alvarina, Loureiro, and Trajadura). Citrus and floral aromas with lime zest and minerals on the palate in a medium-light body, fine acidity and a dry finish. Enjoy as a sipper or with mild seafood like Salade Nicoise.
Available at all Richmond BC Liquor Stores.
8. Alvear Fino Montilla, Spain
($21.99 $2 off, 91 points)
This is one of Spain’s favourite aperitifs: A chilled bone dry Fino. It’s not a Sherry Fino as it’s made in the region of Montilla-Moriles, not Jerez.
Montilla is produced from ripe Pedro Ximenex grapes, which gives it a 15 per cent alcohol reading. Medium yellow in the glass, it reveals a briny, savoury aroma with the scent of olives and toasted nuts. On the palate, there’s a lighter, more elegant, body than Finos from Jerez. Enjoy a nutty flavour with an extended tangy salty finish. Serve with tapas, Spanish almonds, and Manchego cheese.
Available at Richmond Ironwood & Seafair.
9. Blasted Church 2020 Gewurztraminer, Okanagan
($17,99, 90 points)
From the East Bench of Skaha Lake, the Blasted Church has a wonderful aromatic Gewurz from the excellent 2020 vintage. This is a grape variety I normally shy away from but not this one! There’s a rose-scented nose with fruity grapefruit and lychee flavours. Tangy with minerals to make it alive, balanced and complex, finishing with an off-dry finish.
Great with ham, curries and sushi. Nigella’s Marinated Ham, Rogan Josh Prawns or Nigiri and dynamite roll anyone?
Available at Richmond Brighouse.
Merry Christmas and Happy Family Holidays! Cheers!!!
