Every week it is my task to find two great Ontario wines that are readily available in the LCBO. Many weeks it’s easy some weeks, it is a little harder. The challenge is not a lack of selections; but when I tour wine country in Niagara there are so many wines that are excellent that I do NOT get the chance to discuss. With the holiday season approaching I know many people will want to bring their A game whether it’s buying a bottle for the wine lover in the family, or trying to impress the boss at the office, so I am here to let people know that they are NOT limited to the LCBO (even though many of the wines listed below are readily available and easy to find). Here in no particular order is MY Christmas list.
First let me give you the short list of great wines if you’re going to a party and you’re not sure what to bring, here are some great blended wines as I mentioned on Moore in the Morning on December 9:
Sibling Rivalry Henry of Pelham Red/White/Rosé – $13.95
Southbrook Connect Red/White – $14.95
Megalomaniac Homegrown Red $15.95 – Homegrown Riesling $12.95
Union Red/White – $13.95
Generation Seven Red/White – $13.95
13th Street Red/White Palette (Vintages Pick) – $14.95
Malivoire Red/White – $12.95
2008 Megalomaniac Frank Cabernet – $24.95 – Winery Only Order Here – This is probably the best Red Wine I have had the pleasure of trying this year. A very well put together full bodied red with a very smooth finish. 2008 I am told was a very difficult year for the wine makers but this is another wine from that year that is just excellent. I truly hope to see Frank under my Christmas Tree.
2009 Stoney Ridge Excellence Chardonnay – $26.00 – VINTAGES 254243 – I talked about this wine on November 27. The name speaks for itself, a great Chardonnay for Chardonnay lovers.
2010 13th Street White Palette – $14.95 – VINTAGES 207340 – I love finding well priced gems in the vintages section. This is an excellent standout that is a blend of Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay Musqué, Riesling, Pinot Gris with Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Chardonnay. A very mellow flavourful wine, that is a great gift pick because it is a little harder to find.
2010 Tawse Sketches of Niagara Riesling – $17.95 – VINTAGES 89029
2010 Tawse Quarry Road Riesling – $21.95 – VINTAGES 198853
Both of these wines on their own make a great gift, but if you pick up both (at a very reasonable price) you can turn it into a “wine snob” kind of night by being able to compare two great wines from the same winery, with the same type of grape… but see how very different they can turn out. Another fun note about Tawse is that these wines are certified Organic.
2008 Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Franc – $19.95 – VINTAGES 237065 – Southbrook is another Organic winery. This wine is getting much harder to find on the shelves so definitely stock up now if you can find it! For the red wine lover we have another bold Cabernet Franc with a very soft velvety finish on the palette.
2010 Sibling Rivalry White/Rosé/Red – $13.95 – LCBO 126144/171033/126151 – Here we have the ultimate host set. If you are hosting a party there is no reason not to pick up a set of the sibling rivalry wines. These wines have been among the first of one of the greatest trends in Ontario wine right now, great well priced blended wines. All three are very easy to drink… and don’t let the snappy label fool you these are very serious wines. (The Rosé recently won the Lieutenant Governer’s award for excellent in Ontario Wine)
2010 Calamus Pinot Gris – $17.20 – Winery Only Order Here
2010 Malivoire Pinot Gris – $19.95 – Winery Only Order Here
I am continuing the search for the best Ontario Pinot Gris. These are definitely for people who are maybe looking to expand their horizons. Ontario is already well known for their Red Blends, the great Chardonnay’s (both Oaked and Unoaked) and Rieslings. But I think that Pinot Gris is one of those wines that can change the way people look at Ontario. Both of these wines have a nice balance of tropical fruit, with a nice clean finish on the palette.
Now if you’re looking for something really special and have a few dollars to spend on that special wine lover, or maybe you know someone who is looking to broaden their horizons you could hook them up with a membership in one of the many fine wine clubs offered by some of the wineries. It is also a great gift because it’s the gift that keeps on giving as most memberships go on for several months and include a bottle or two sent right to the door. I have included some links below.
http://www.malivoire.com/index.php?page=the-malivoire-club
http://www.calamuswines.com/
http://www.chateaudescharmes.com/wine-club
http://www.hillebrand.com/Membership-Benefits.php
http://www.stoneyridge.com/Barrel-Club
Cheers and a Merry Christmas to all!
André Proulx
