It’s January. We are all waiting to open our bills and recoil in horror. Here are some suggestions from local sommelier Krystina Roman to save the day, and the pocketbook. You may know Krystina as The City Wino (twitter:instagram) on social media. I am pleased to welcome her wine recommendations to add here.
One thing you will notice is that scoring is a little different than what I use. That being said the scoring system is pretty straightforward. Krystina lives to educate people about wine so it should be no surprise that she has chosen to give each wine listed a letter grade.
Wines Under $10
Wines under $10? It’s a thing? Yes. You get what you pay for, so don’t expect the wines to be aged in French Oak but if you’re on a budget this year, here are some of tried tested and true wines that deliver. Value driven wines that you can afford to buy a few of.
Barone Montalto Pinot Grigio – $9.45 – Score: B+
White Wine | Dry | Unoaked | Fresh & Light | LCBO #73148
The Montalto Pinot Grigio hails from Southern Italy but it still has great freshness while being light and crisp. Pinot Grigio is known for being more of a neutral white wine so it’s versatile in it’s food pairings.
Serving Ideas: Start the meal with this refreshing wine and serve chilled with vegetable dishes or fried party appetizers like coconut shrimp
Spinelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – $8.40 – Socre: B+
Red Wine | Dry | Medium Bodied | Juicy + Fruity | LCBO #454629
Wine is funny. Take Montepulciano, it’s both a place and a grape. This particular wine is made from Montepulciano but from Abruzzo, located on the Adriatic coast of Italy. The Spinelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a great buy because it’s dry but has juicy fruity dark berry flavours with hints of earth and leather.
Serving Ideas: Serve with meat dishes especially those cooked with tomato sauce like chilli, stews and braised dishes.
Wines $10-$20
Most wines I buy fall within this price category why? They are well made and are affordable wines for everyday enjoyment. You can get a wide range of wines from the LCBO within this price range and some really great buys. Here are some of my favourites that continue to impress friends and family alike.
Flat Rock Good Kharma Chardonnay VQA – $17.95 – Score: A
White Wine | Dry | Lightly Oaked | Crisp & Creamy | VINTAGES #356873
Flat Rock Winery located on the Bench on the south side of Lake Ontario, is renowned for focusing on a few key varietals. Their white wines are among my favourites as they deliver great flavours without breaking your wallet. Their Good Kharma Chardonnay, available across Ontario, is an excellent Chardonnay that’s lightly oaked yet is still fresh and mineral driven.
Serving Ideas: Serve slightly chilled with roast chicken, turkey and apple stuffing.
Porcupine Ridge Syrah – $14.95 – Score: A-
Red Wine | Dry | Medium+ Bodied | Savoury & Earthy | VINTAGES #595280
Syrah and Shiraz is the same grape, just named differently based on the style. Shiraz is usually more jammy and fruit forward vs Syrah is done in a more rustic and dry way. This winery produces amazing wines but their Porcupine Ridge Syrah is a bargain and delivers an amazing red wine for the price point. Dry with hints of pepper and smokey the Porcupine Ridge Syrah is complex with dark berry fruit flavours but it’s the spice characters that defines this wine.
Serving Ideas: Versatile wine try with roasts, lamb chops, and turkey.
Wine For Wine Lovers
Is your uncle a wine collector? Does your boss love wine? Here are some wines to impress your discerning wine lovers.
Château Pipeau Bordeaux – $37.95 – Score: A
Red Wine | Dry | Medium+ Bodied | Rich & Smooth | VINTAGES #302018
From a consistent Right Bank Château, this Bordeaux red blend features Merlot and Cabernet. Made in Saint Emilion, Château Pipeau is known for producing great wines year after year. Smooth, nearly velvety on the palate, the wine features flavours of smoke and dark fruit.
Serving Ideas: Pair with roast beef, lamb roasts and beef shank.
Favourite Local Picks
Local wineries are producing a wide range of wines these days but try some of the key varietals that we’re becoming renowned for internationally. Not sure which ones? Try one of our crisp Rieslings, creamy Chardonnay, bright Pinot Noirs or savoury Cabernet Francs.
Cave Spring Estate Riesling – $18.95 – Score: A
White Wine | Slightly Off-Dry | Zesty | VINTAGES #286377
One of the top Riesling producers in Canada, Cave Spring is a pioneer in Niagara with over 25 years of experience defining what Riesling is in Ontario. Their handcrafted wines are strikingly fresh and taste effortless. They are a pleasure to enjoy and tough to share, they are just so tasty!
Serving Ideas: Serve well chilled with spiced dishes, spring rolls, cheese plates
Featherstone Cabernet Franc – $19.20 – Score: A
Red Wine | Dry | Medium Bodied | Juicy & Complex | VINTAGES #64618
A small producer located on the Twenty Mile Bench, Featherstone is a boutique family owned operation with a focus on great value wines. Cabernet Franc, the grandfather to Cabernet Sauvignon, has a similar profile to it’s more popular child Cab Sauv, but has a little less tannin and body. Featherstone consistently produces solid Cabernet Francs worth sharing. With savoury and floral notes and flavours of dark raspberry this wine is balanced and enjoyable.
Serving Ideas: Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled (the way they serve Cab Franc in Loire Valley) with grilled meats, savoury dishes like rosemary crusted roasts, and eggplant.
