Plonk makes the perfect present at any price point
A giver’s guide to the perfect wine for everyone from the mailman to the in-laws
by Tony Aspler
HOLIDAY TIME AND
the givin’ is easy.
At least it was until that Big Mac
Attack south of the border caused a
meltdown of the global economy.
But since it is more blessed to
give than to receive, you can
earn brownie points in the Book
of Life with a little heavy gifting
during the Saturnalia season.
(Incidentally, the customary
greeting by the Romans for the
occasion, was “io, Saturnalia!”
— “io” was pronounced “yo.” So
the rappers weren’t the first to
use the term.)
In the spirit of the times, I am
going to recommend some drinks
that Dionysus himself would like
to find under his tree.
Merlot for the Mailman
A wine for all occasions —
Wolf Blass Yellow Label 40th
Anniversary Cabernet Merlot
Shiraz 2006 from Barossa Valley.
Dense purple colour with a spicy,
earthy, blueberry nose; medium
bodied, elegant, well balanced with
bursting flavours of cassis and
blueberry ($24.95, LCBO #83014).
Cider for the rellies
For your favourite aunt who is
nuts about Icewine but you really
can’t stretch to
spending $50 or
more — a bottle of
| WINE FIT FOR A TURKEY DINNER |
| E Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Pinot Noir 2006 (Vintages #33894) |
$30.00 |
| Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages “Combe Aux Jacques” 2007 (V. Essentails #365924) |
$17.95 |
| Errasuriz Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (LCBO #263574) |
$11.80 |
| Mission Hill Chardonnay Reserve 2006 (Vintages #545004) |
$21.95 |
| Cave Spring Chardonnay Musqué 2007 (Vintages #246579) |
$16.05 |
Domaine Pinnacle
Ice Cider 2006 from
Quebec. Ice Cider is
a Québécois
specialty made from
frozen apples. Old
gold in colour with a cider and
honey nose, it’s medium bodied with
a taste of barley sugar and apple
puree backed by fresh and lively
acidity that gives it good length.
($29.95, LCBO #94094).
Grappa makes for good neighbours
For your Italian neighbour who
supplies you with his homemade
wine — Bottega Cabernet Grappa in
a pear-shape bottle that looks like it
was touched by Goldfinger. A clean
elegant grappa with a touch of
sweetness and an engaging floral
note that lingers long on the palate
($39.95, LCBO # 85225).
The Boss’s Domaine
For that boss who is a cardcarrying
member of ABC (the
‘Anything But Chardonnay’
movement) — a bottle of Domaine
Sebastian Magnien Meursault Les
Meix Chavaux 2006. Quite simply
the best Meursault I have tasted in
years. Straw coloured with a green
tint; a bouquet of apples, apple
blossom and spicy oak; beautifully
balanced, elegant and seamless with
a long, fresh finish. ($55.00,
Vintages #97493. Available only
through vintagesshoponline.com.)
Back to Cali for the in-laws
To impress prospective inlaws
— three bottles of
Duckhorn Cabernet
Sauvignon 2005 from Napa
Valley. Dense purple-black
colour with a rich nose of
vanilla, cedar and
blackcurrant; full-bodied
opulent yet elegant and well
balanced with sweet blackcurrant
flavours and mellow tannins ($78.95
a bottle, Vintages #24190).
An Aussie red for Dad
To make your dad a believer in
Shiraz — Torbreck Run Rig 2004
from Barossa Valley, simply the best
Shiraz I have tasted from Australia.
Expensive, yes, but hedonistic and
memorable. Dense purple in colour
with a spicy blackberry and herbal
bouquet. Firmly structured with
great length ($274.95, Vintages
#997874).
For an Irish rover
For your favourite whisky-loving
uncle so that he will remember you
in his will — Jameson Rarest
Vintage Reserve Irish Whiskey. It
doesn’t get any better than this.
Smoky, sweet and rich with a
honeyed tobacco nuance — a drink
you only offer to good friends.
Astonishingly long finish and silky
mouth feel. ($399.95, LCBO #89714).
Post City Magazines’ resident oenophile, Tony Aspler, has authored 11 books on wine and food, including The Wine Lover’s Mystery Series. He is also the creator of the annual Ontario Wine Awards and a co-founder of the Grapes for Humanity charity. He can also be heard each week on 680News.
