Each month, B.C. Liquor Stores have hundreds of wines on sale. For those of you who have followed my recommendations over the last few months, you have saved money and purchased some nice wines. This month, I am focusing on good buys from Argentina (Malbec) and New Zealand (Sauvignon Blanc), both of which had great 2019 and 2020 vintages.
Here are my best buy recommendations for the month of October 2021:
Piper Heidsieck NV Champagne
It is not too early to think about Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. If you think you might be drinking Champagne over the holidays, why not stock up a couple of months earlier and save a few dollars? Piper Heidseick is a prominent champagne house and all sizes of their champagne are on sale this month: their half bottle is on sale from $40.99 to $38.99, their full bottle (750 ml) is on sale from $64.99 to $57.99, and their magnum bottle (equivalent to two normal bottles) is on sale from $136.99 to $122.99.
Babich 2020 Sauvignon Blanc & Kim Crawford 2020 Sauvignon Blanc
2019 was an epic, once-in-a-lifetime vintage for New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc when all the climatic factors came together. Then came 2020, which was even better. You likely will not find this type of anomaly again for New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for many years, so in general, you can buy 2020 New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with a high degree of confidence that it will be pretty decent. Two of my favourite and trusted producers are Babich and Kim Crawford. Both wineries are located in the Marlborough region, which is on the northeastern tip of the South Island. Sauvignon Blanc will typically be unoaked, high in acidity and have some tropical fruit and grassy flavours and aromas. Babich is on sale this month from $19.99 to $16.99, while Kim Crawford is on sale from $19.99 to $17.99
Escoriheula 2019 1884 Estate Grown Malbec and Alamos 2019 Malbec
With global warming, Argentinean Malbec had a banner year in 2019. Malbec is a grape type that loves hot, dry conditions and will be a more and more important grape variety as our climate changes. I love the smoky, tobacco and tar aromas and dark fruit flavours characteristic of Argentinean Malbec. Two great examples on sale this month are from these well-known, quality producers. Escoriheula Gascon is a leading Malbec producer in Argentina that has been producing wines since 1884. Likewise, Alamos is owned by the Catena family, who have been producing Malbec in Argentina for more than a century. Escoriheula is on sale this month from $17.99 to $15.99, and Alamos is on sale this month from $14.99 to $13.49.
Fontanafredda 2017 Barolo
For those looking to spend a bit more money on wine, Barolo is always a crowd-pleaser. Look for dark plums flavours and spices on the nose. I always like to go with established producers with a long track record of quality and Fontanafredda is one such producer. Their wine is on sale this month from $41.99 to $37.99.
For more of my wine recommendations this month, see my video on YouTube.
Until next time, happy drinking!
Tony Kwan is a lifestyle writer. Lawyer by day, food and wine lover by night, Tony aims to give you an insider’s guide to the best that life has to offer.
