We ask the wines and spirits pros—wine shop owners and managers, somms, agents and restaurateurs what they would like to see under the tree from both the skint yet wine-savvy friend and the rich and generous relative. Make your very own wish list for gifts, holiday dinners, or tucking away in the cellar.
by Mary Bailey
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Patrick Saurette, The Marc
Cash-strapped Friend
2022 Malivoire Ladybug Rosé
(Beamsville Bench, Canada) $19
A friend once said to me that ‘chicken is not a celebratory dish.’ One may feel the same about rosé but the Ladybug begs to differ. Every year for the past 20 years the magicians at the sustainable Malivoire vineyards have consistently blended together a mix of Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Gamay to produce this delicious wine. It will hit you on the nose with red cherry and wild strawberry notes, its texture dances on your tongue, grips it and finishes you off with the tension between the cranberry flavours and acidity. I would pair it with chicken, probably roasted, call my cash-strapped friend to come over and celebrate how good life can be together.
Rich Uncle
2020 Château de Chantegrive Caroline
(Bordeaux, France) $55
My rich uncle and I drink more and more white wine as of late and Chantegrive Caroline might just be his best kept secret value. This vintage is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon and a whiff of Sauvignon Gris. Vivacious, with a creamy mouth feel, bright tartness and lovely lemon curd notes. Apple, pear, grapefruit, papaya all play a part in this young toasty wine. This wine expresses a genuine purity and is enjoyable now, but it will develop for many years to come. Caroline is elevated with food, in particular a butter-poached scallop and prawns on butter leaf lettuce salad with shallot vinaigrette.
Joe Gurba, Vino al Vino Imports
Cash-strapped Friend
2022 Zillinger Velue Grüner Veltliner,
(Velue, Austria) $30
That Johannes’ wines do not cost more is a constant astonishment. Zillinger has the gift. Perhaps he picked it up in Georgia, the ancient cradle of wine, where he studied before taking over the farm from his dad. He’s able to coax forth so much from his Grüner. All the textbook notes of quince and white pepper and salty savoury nuance are presented in such high fidelity that the rest comes out from hiding, those shy notes of great pleasure that are usually banned from polite wine-marketing—notes of mortadella, parsley, chive, sweet onion, and salted lime; of river stones; of thunderstorms nearing or departing; of a skatepark after the rain. Biodynamic, hand harvested, foot-tread, unfined and unfiltered.
Rich Uncle
2020 Domaine Belargus Quarts Sec
(Anjou, France) $135
The Chenin Blancs of Domaine Belargus rank among the finest wines I’ve ever had the privilege of tasting. Ivan Massonnat has brought his passion and resources to acquiring millennium-old Chenin vineyards throughout the Anjou and Savennières and installing the finest team of veteran vignerons. The goal? To restore Chenin to the degree of medieval monastic site specificity still seen in Burgundy. All fourteen of their cuvées are glorious, but the Quarts is an especially rare pleasure. This is the dry wine made from the partially botrytised fruit of the famed Quarts-du-Chaume Grand Cru’s eponymous vineyard. It’s power and beguiling depth of information trap your head in the glass and obliterate your surroundings. It’s the kind of high only the greatest wines can deliver. Only 36 bottles for the province—or 30 rather, if you don’t count the ones in my basement. Age for five to 25 years, or, if you crack it now, do decant for at least an hour.
Juanita and Kelsey Roos, Color de Vino
Cash-strapped Friend
2021 Aneto Tinto
(Douro, Portugal) $29
A vibrant and aromatic Portuguese blend offering complex notes from the barrel (vanilla and spice) mingling with ripe, dark and lush fruits. Would pair beautifully with traditional holiday dinner or a charcuterie board.
Rich Uncle
2020 Chateau Mangot Saint Emilion
(Bordeaux, France) $60
What a fabulous splurge this would be for any wine lover’s stocking! This delicious Bordeaux will delight every wine lover. Layers of cherries, plums, wild blueberries, herbs, forest floor and florals on a velvety soft palate with a long, lingering finish. An absolute gem that can be enjoyed now in its youth or tuck away for a decade or two.
Daniel Costa, Corso 32 Group
Cash-strapped Friend
2020 Abbia Nova Passerina
(Lazio, Italy) $27
Passerina is a rare and ancient grape from Le Marche. Slightly oxidized with notes of pear, apple, some salinity and a great balance of acidity. I will definitely be opening a bottle or two of Abbia Nova on Christmas Eve.
Rich Uncle
2017 Le Ragnaie Brunello di Montalcino
(Tuscany, Italy) $110
Le Ragnaie is located at a very high altitude which results in a unique expression of Sangiovese and the Montalcino terroir. I love the floral and herbaceous qualities of this wine. Will be perfect with roasted quail or duck ragu over the holidays.
Tara Smith, head somm, L’oca Quality Market
Cash-strapped Friend
2021 Winery of Good Hope Bush Vine Chenin Blanc
(Stellenbosch, South Africa) $23
It’s no secret that I enjoy South African wines and Chenin Blanc is easily the signature white. Radford Dale produces this low intervention Chenin in an infinitely approachable style—fruit forward, with fresh citrus and the texture and minerality to balance out the beautiful ripe fruit. I often recommend Chenin to those who want something different from the usual Pinot Grigio or Sauv Blanc. This one is a winner.
Rich Uncle
2011 Champagne Gardet Prestige Charles Gardet Rosé de Saignée Millésime
(Chigny les Roses, Champagne) $130
Another badly kept secret is how much I love champagne and sparkling wine. An extra treat? Vintage champs. This is wonderfully expressive, with lots of red fruits and hints of cream. Due to the extended maceration time, the colour is as rich and luscious as the palate. One of the most voluptuous Champagne I’ve had in a long time, and the finish just doesn’t quit.
Curtis Bawden, Pacific Wine and Spirits
Cash-strapped Friend
2018 Viña Chocalan Gran Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
(Maipo, Chile) $20
This wine is fantastic in every way, shape and form. From the weight of the bottle, its look and style, not to mention how it tastes! If you are on a budget then this wine is for you, the wine is big and bold with a deep concentrated nose, rich and full bodied on the palate with forthright blackcurrant and blackberry flavours followed up by firm tannins. This is the perfect wine for steaks, ribs and delicious charcuterie boards.
Rich Uncle
2017 Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz
(Eden Valley, Australia) $270
It’s not every day that people are able to get their hands on the Mount Edelstone. It’s rare and highly sought after. When they do, they will savour every sip—violets and blackberry aromas, savoury red and black fruits on the smooth and velvety palate with elegant tannins on the finish. Should you receive it from someone special, this is exactly what they are telling you, you ARE special!
Lisa Rogers, Select Wine Merchants
Cash-strapped Friend
2021 Viña Carmen Gran Reserva Pinot Noir
(Leyda, Chile) $23
This single-vineyard, hand-picked, small (4,500 case) production Pinot Noir from Chile’s oldest winery is grown 14 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean. The cooling winds allow this Pinot Noir to retain its freshness and acidity. Black cherry and strawberry notes shine through with a touch of spice and earthiness on the finish. A perfect pairing for turkey or ham.
Rich Uncle
Ramos Pinto 20 Year Tawny Port
(Douro, Portugal) $100
Ramos Pinto is unique in that they hold the largest proportion of vineyards in relation to its production, giving them a high degree of control and allowing them to produce single vineyard Tawny Ports. This Tawny comes from their Bom Retiro vineyard and is still made the traditional way, foot trodden in a lagar. Flavours of apricot, almonds, toffee and spices, serve it slightly chilled, paired with fruit cake, cheeses or desserts that aren’t overly sweet this holiday season.
Christina Masciangelo, Salivate Wines
Cash-strapped Friend
2022 Corte Manzini Bolla Rossa Lambrusco
(Emilia Romagna, Italy) $26
If you haven’t yet discovered this Italian bubbly, you must check out this juicy, highly versatile wine made from red Lambrusco grapes. Bright purple, with a delicate frothiness, enticing fruity aromas and a sleek texture. This small, high-quality producer farms its grapes organically, which is a bonus. It is great as a starter wine, but it can easily transport you through a main course. Perfect for the festival season, and easy on the wallet!
Rich Uncle
2019 Poderi Colla Roncaglie Barbaresco
(Piedmont, Italy) $75
If my rich uncle gave me this wine, I would promise to share it on its 10th anniversary. Beautifully balanced, elegant, intense, with a very long finish. A rare and classic Italian wine from the Colla family, who are deeply rooted in this region. The fine Nebbiolo grapes are sourced from one of the best hillside sites of the Barbaresco subregion, called Roncaglie. A great vintage to be anticipated in a celebration yet to come.
Dianna Funnell, Sherbrooke Liquor
Cash-strapped Friend
2021 Assuli Carinda Insolia Sicilia DOC
(Sicily, Italy) $25
Salty nose of jasmine, wet clay and stone fruit with a dense attack of rich, bright fruit and a lovely bitter almond finish. Organic fruit. Perfect for the holiday meals.
Rich Uncle
2014 Château Meyney Saint-Éstèphe
(Bordeaux, France) $115
This vintage is fresh and fragrant but also rich and concentrated with a great mid-palate and velvety sweet tannins. From one of the oldest estates in Medoc. Sustainable. Dreamy.
Stacey-Jo Strombecky, 2851 Selections
Cash-strapped Friend
2022 A&D Wines Liv Vinho Verde
(Minho, Portugal) $23
Vinho Verde has consistently provided us with bright, flavourful and playful wines, of which I am a huge fan. A&D is Alexandre and Dialina Gomes, who produce a dynamic portfolio of Vinho Verde wines representing several generations of experience in Minho. The connection to land, coupled with clean, green farming is evidenced when you taste this aromatic beauty—a fresh lively wine expressing white and yellow fruit and the trademark minerality. I could keep going, but I feel the need to throw a bottle in the fridge right now.
Rich Uncle
2018 Chiara Condello Le Lucciole Romagna Sangiovese Riserva
(Emilia-Romagna, Italy) $300 magnum/em>
Chiara Condello is considered a rock star by top sommeliers and restaurants around the world. She was born into a winegrowing family, yet it’s the wines she’s making in the Predappio hills of Romagna that have everyone’s attention. Le Lucciole is sourced from a tiny plot of poor calcareous-clay soil; her work is to have this organic wine express its unique terroir. The captivating result? Dark, intense, and savoury, with crushed red berries and dried herbal notes. The mineral core is simply incredible, with flavours and acidity lingering through the long, structured palate. If cellaring, hold for at least 12-15 years.
Cynthia Vermette, Bonvida
Cash-strapped Friend
2022 Expression Sauvignon Blanc Touraine
(Loire, France) $23
This elegant Sauvignon Blanc is smooth and fresh with a lingering citrus finish. The taste will please everyone at your dinner table, but it will also impress with its wax-dipped top, giving it the look and feel of a wine from your rich uncle.
Rich Uncle
2010 Valdicava Madonna del Piano Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva
(Tuscany, Italy) $380, 750ml; $775, magnum
This rare single-vineyard Brunello possesses a magical combination of strength and finesse—velvety texture, firm tannins, with flavours of cherries, plums and tobacco. It would be a crown jewel in any collectors’ cellar (100 points James Suckling). Find limited quantities at select boutique retail stores and restaurants.
Tony Kokoroyannis, David Herman & Son
Cash-strapped Friend
2016 Conde Valdemar Crianza
(Rioja, Spain) $24
This polished 90 per cent Tempranillo and 10 per cent Graciano Rioja shows cherry and berry flavours mingled with forest floor, black tea and vanilla notes, while juicy acidity balances the tannins. Pairs well with roasts, grilled meat and stews, as well as mature cheeses like Manchego.
Rich Uncle
The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey
(Donegal, Ireland) $75
Silkie is a blend of double and triple distilled malts, soft grain whiskey with a hint of peated malt by Sliabh Liag (sleeve leeg) Distillers, who took inspiration from 19th century Donegal whiskey. The name Silkie is from the Celtic mermaid legend of shape-shifting sea creatures who transform into irresistible human-like beings. On the nose—hints of apricots, clotted cream and buttered hot cross buns. The soft gentle smoke is a great introduction to peated whiskeys—think smoke from a distant fireplace, not the medicinal-iodine smoke of Islay malts.
Gabriella Bergsten, Garneau Block
Cash-strapped Friend
2022 Delinquente Pet Nat
(Riverland, Australia) $40/4pack
Pet Nat in a can—could it get any more fun? We love canned wines as stocking stuffers or as a little treat while we’re baking or watching a movie. It’s refreshing, balanced, with a pop of citrus and floral notes. If you’re looking to get your someone excited about natural wines, this is a great place to start.
Rich Uncle
2022 Anders Frederik Steen and Anne Bruun Blauert I Wear Blue, When I Don’t Know What Else to Do
(Alsace, France) $75
This wine is made with Gewürztraminer, lightly oxidized, which adds layer upon layer of elegance and complexity and balance. All of Ander’s and Anne’s wines are magical to me—their hands-off approach allows the grapes to tell the story in each glass. This is a very special treat for the natural wine lover in your life to sit back and enjoy together by the fireplace.
Caitlin Fulton, RGE RD
Cash-strapped Friend
2021 Malivoire Farmstead Gamay
(Beamsville Bench, Canada) $23
Endlessly versatile and food friendly, one of my favourite wines period is Gamay. Fresh, bright and juicy, red fruit is beautifully balanced by refreshing acidity and a hint of clove and pepper. This is the wine for spicy foods and a wide variety of cuisine and is the perfect bottle to grab when heading to a dinner party. Malivoire produces several Gamay cuvées and I am just as happy to enjoy the well-priced Farmstead with a charcuterie board from our shop, The Butchery by RGE RD, of course.
Rich Uncle
2020 Domaine Dujac Morey Saint-Denis 1er Cru
(Burgundy, France) $400ish
There is a reason why Dujac is DJ Khaled and Jay-Z approved—the wine is at once lyrical, expressive and nuanced while maintaining a deep, muscular core—much like the driving beat of Top Off, which references drinking ‘Dujac by the mag.’ We wish. Domaine Dujac represents our aspirations—whether that’s an invitation to a dinner party with Beyonce and Jay-Z or simply knowing that a family-owned operation is championing responsible viticulture along with inclusion and diversity within the wine industry. These are values we can get behind! Full, plush and finely knit with dark berry and plum fruit rolling into earthy tannin with a long, dense finish. Like the best designer garments, it will only soften and become more expressive with time, making this Morey Saint-Denis 1er Cru from Dujac the very definition of quiet luxury.
Marcia Hamm, Canadian Liquor Store
Cash-strapped Friend
2021 Casale del Giglio Bellone Bianco IGT
(Lazio, Italy) $22
The Casale del Giglio Bellone boasts notes of tropical fruit, stone fruit, hints of citrus and bitter almonds. There’s a great texture to this wine and the marked acidity makes it ideal for pairing. My friend, who knows Italian wine well, knows that I will appreciate this wine made from a native grape of Lazio.
Rich Uncle
2014 Chateau Brane-Cantenac Margaux
(Bordeaux, France) $140
From a very good vintage, this 2014 is in a great spot for drinking now. Aromas of black currant, cedar and floral notes waft out of the glass while the palate is smooth, elegant, and velvety with a finish that lasts almost forever. It’s a pleasure to drink and Uncle Bob knows it.
William Bincoletto, Vines Wine Merchants
Cash-strapped Friend
2022 Muralhas de Monção
(Minho, Portugal) $23
So rare to see a Monção at this price. This Vinho Verde is a blend of 70 per cent Alvarinho and 30 per cent Trajadura, a combination that creates pronounced notes of stone fruit with hints of lemon zest. Floral yet aromatic is what makes this wine so appealing!
Rich Uncle
2019 Tenuta Argentiera Bolgheri Superiore
(Tuscany, Italy) $130
This is a brilliant and delicious Super Tuscan (50 per cent Merlot, 44 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, 6 per cent Cabernet Franc) that presents a mixture of boldness, concentration, silkiness, lusciousness and elegance on all fronts. Has the ability to age for another 12 years. Rated highly, this is one of the rare times I concur with the top reviewers.