by Mary Bailey
We ask the experts what they want to see under the tree
We ask wine professionals what they would love to see under the tree from a generous and wealthy relative and from that friend who always finds the great values. This year our limit for the cheap and cheerful had to go up to $30, due to the new provincial ad valorem tax which has increased moderate wine prices.
Price Legend: $: under $30 • $$: under $100 • $$$: over $100 • $$$$: over $1000.
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Nicole Brandt, Mimi Bar
Cash-strapped Friend
Poggio Anima ‘Gabriel’ Pecorino
(Abruzzo, Italy)
This Pecorino is great on its own or with food and everyone always loves it. The Gabriel has notes of peach and lime zest and a subtle saltiness making you feel like you’re sipping it seaside. $
Rich Uncle
Dehours Oeil de Perdrix NV
(Champagne, France)
This has been one of my favourite single vineyard Champagnes to sell for a while now. It is complex, balanced and so unique. It has an ever so slightly pink hue (100 per cent Pinot Meunier) and it tastes like a crisp, buttery raspberry pastry in the best possible way. You can’t not fall in love. Not an over-the-top price, either, meaning Uncle can buy me two! $$$
Cynthia Vermette, Bonvida Wines
Cash-strapped Friend
2024 Mademoiselle du Mont Côtes du Rhône (Rhône Valley, France)
Seductive curves of Grenache spiced with Mourvèdre and Syrah invites you to each sip. The house style is Grenache forward and the wine is elegant, balanced. The viticulture uses organic methods; natural yeasts and the wines are unfiltered. It will be your new favourite everyday red. $
Rich Uncle
2022 Querciabella Batàr IGT Toscana (Tuscany, Italy)
A white Tuscan wine that is compared to top Burgundian Grand Crus. It’s as prized as the top red wines of the region. The unrivalled textural beauty and vibrant minerality reveal gracefully over time. Comprised of 50 per cent Chardonnay and 50 per cent Pinot Blanc, with notes of lemon zest, tangerine and pear, accompanied by creamy undertones of almond, saffron and lingering ginger spice. Only 18,000 bottles produced. Enjoy it in its youth for its vibrant character (it’s on the Olia wine list), or cellar for the next 20 years and beyond. Without a doubt, Batar is one of Italy’s most iconic white wines. $$$
Ryan Everitt, Trialto
Cash-strapped Friend
2023 San Felice Vermentino Toscana (Tuscany, Italy)
Outstanding as an aperitif. Outstanding as a starter wine with lighter dishes. Outstanding accompaniment with mains. And outstanding with conversations after dinner. $
Rich Uncle
2020 El Enemigo ‘Gran Enemigo’ (Mendoza, Argentina)
A phenomenal Cabernet Franc (with 15 per cent Malbec) from the Gualtallary region of Mendoza. Fermented in concrete with indigenous yeasts and some full clusters; a powerful wine that is full of rich fruit character, coupled with incredible balance. Bottled in July 2021 after maturing in large oak foudres for 15 months. A spectacular wine (and 99 points from the Wine Advocate). We are all our own worst enemies is the credo behind the name—it’s a lovely collaboration between winemaker Alejandro Vigil and historian Adrianna Catena. $$$
Juanita and Kelsey Roos, Color de Vino
Cash-strapped Friend
2024 Bender Kulina Pinot Noir (Pfalz, Germany)
Andreas Bender is a fan favourite at our shop, and this Pinot Noir is perfect for the holidays. It’s a sure winner for entertaining, gifting or pairing. Vibrant, with fresh minerality and loads of juicy ripe red berries mingling with notes of nutmeg, vanilla. Delicious! Oh, and low/no intervention too. $
Rich Uncle
2015 Salon (Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France)
Highly sought-after Blanc de Blancs Champagne, rare and exceptional —extremely limited and prestigious, only 37 vintages were produced in the 20th century. A single variety, Chardonnay, from a single Grande Cru, Mensil-sur-Oger, in a single year—truly, the best possible gift from a rich uncle. Laid to rest for nine years before this release. It’s a Champagne lover’s dream. $$$$
Stacey-Jo Strombecky, 2851 Selections
Cash-strapped Friend
Domaine Fontan Maubet Blanc Sec (Gascogne, France)
I find myself falling in love again with wines from Southwestern France, and this fresh and zesty white is one of the reasons why. My recommendation is to crack a bottle with girl dinner—some fresh chevre, olives, fresh veggies and a little anchovy or white bean toast. Lazy winter nights never felt fresher. $
Rich Uncle
2019 Elvio Cogno Ravera Bricco Pernice Barolo (Piedmont, Italy)
There is no name more synonymous with the Ravera cru than Elvio Cogno—most agree it wouldn’t exist without his vision and experience. This formidable producer creates four expressions of the Ravera vineyards, with the top spots being held by two single vineyard (one hectare each) wines made from distinct clones, this one from the Nebbiolo Lampia. The Bricco Pernice’s high-altitude plot has iron-rich pockets, which gives it beautiful minerality and sapidity. The round tannins give early drinking pleasure to this wine. But make no mistake, you can hold this beauty until 2040, if you have the patience. $$$
Christina Masciangelo, Salivate Wine Consulting
Cash-strapped Friend
2024 Mainente Vigna Cengelle Soave (Veneto, Italy)
This organic, northern Italian white bursts with floral, fleshy fruit aromas along with a fruity and bone-dry palate and lingering finish, demonstrating that Soave (swah-vay) need not be insipid, boring, or conventionally farmed. A fabulous value, a crowd-pleaser and a great starter wine or seafood pairing. $
Rich Uncle
2017 Sattlerhof Ried Kranachberg Sauvignon Blanc (Südsteiermark, Austria)
This Grand Cru level, organically grown, single vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is ready to enjoy now or keep in one’s cellar a few more years. Its rich, complex, and lengthy tropical flavours deserve an equally special dish—New Year’s Eve lobster, perhaps? $$
Misun Bu, Dream Wines
Cash-strapped Friend (and me)
2023 Cerisier en Fleur, Amélie et Charles Sparr (Alsace, France)
Charles, the eighth generation of a storied Alsatian wine family, and his wife Amélie, from the renowned Barmès-Buecher clan, launched their domaine in 2017. This young couple crafts expressive, terroir-driven, biodynamic wines that highlight purity, balance and a true sense of place. This blend of Gewürztraminer and Pinot Blanc with a splash of Riesling, has gently aromatic floral, fruity and nutty notes and is fresh and full-bodied. Great with vegetarian dishes, country pâté. $
Rich Uncle
2020 Vega Sicilia Macán (Rioja, Spain)
Macán is a collaboration between the Rothschild (Bordeaux) and Álvarez (Ribera del Duero) families in 2009, bringing together centuries of winemaking tradition. Predominantly Tempranillo with a small addition of Garnacha and Graciano, the 2020 is a harmonious balance between power and subtlety, richness and elegance along with its remarkable ageing potential. You need to cook something special like braised lamb or truffle gnocchi to have with this delicious wine, or a slice of aged Gouda cheese. $$$
Lisa Rogers, Select Wine Merchants
Cash-strapped Friend
2024 Carmen Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Alto Maipo Valley, Chile)
This Cabernet is one of Alberta’s top selling Chilean red wines for a reason. Handpicked, 100 per cent estate fruit with beautiful structure and an appealing spiciness, along with black cherry and blackcurrant aromas and flavours. $
Rich Uncle
Billecart-Salmon Le Réserve NV (Champagne, France)
Billecart-Salmon has upped their flagship game! The wines, made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes sourced from 40 cru across the Champagne region, have undergone a major stylistic change— the amount of sugar in the dosage is much lower. Le Réserve is now an Extra Brut and the base wine is a blend of 15 different vintages. Another stylistic change is that 15 per cent of the blend is now vinified in oak. The result? More complexity, richness and depth of flavour, as well as the elegance the house is known for. Thank you Uncle. $$$
Curtis Bawden, Vintage West Wine & Spirits
Cash-strapped Friend
2024 Ogio Pinot Grigio (Veneto, Italy)
A delicious wine to enjoy with friends that won’t break the bank. Refreshing, with melon, pear and white peach aromas and flavours, perfectly balanced with a lively finish. Pair with spicy foods. $
Rich Uncle
2019 John Duval Eligo Shiraz (Barossa Valley, Australia)
This incredible wine is made with 54 per cent Barossa Valley and 46 per cent Eden Valley grapes. A commanding depth of flavour—packed with a multitude of vibrant, powerful layers of fruit, hints of spice and licorice, finishing with fine, integrated, yet grippy tannins. $$$
Dianna Funnell, Willow Park Wines
Cash-strapped Friend
Pere Ventura Brut Reserva (Penedès, Spain)
This is a spectacular Cava (Spanish traditional method sparklng wine). Even the packaging says, ‘I’m special.’ The perfect bottle for anyone at Christmas. $
Rich Uncle
2019 Castello di Ama Vigna L’Apparita (Tuscany, Italy)
This magical wine from Tuscany will remind you why you fell in love with wine in the first place. It’s silky, expressive and beyond elegant. I first tasted it in the late 1980s and I dream about it still. There’s not a lot of it so it’s a truly discerning present. $$$
Marcia J. Hamm, The Wandering Wine Lady
Cash-strapped Friend
2023 Mamete Prevostini Botonero IGT (Lombardy, Italy)
It might say Nebbiolo on the label but this Chiavennasca (what Nebbiolo is called in Lombardy) delivers with all the Neb cherry, rose and Italian herb aromas, coupled with an undeniable freshness. It tastes great, especially when chilled. $
Rich Uncle
2023 De Grendel Sir David Graaff (Coastal Region, South Africa)
This wine is named for the founder of the estate, Sir David Pieter De Villiers Graaff, the 1st Baronet of Cape Town. The smooth and velvety blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and 10 per cent Petit Verdot can age for more than 20 years. $$$
Michael Lefebvre, Wild Rose Country Wines
Cash-strapped Friend
2023 Mary Taylor Christophe Avi Agenais Rosé VDP (Southwest France)
This rosé is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon from the Lot-et-Garonne region, crisp and fresh with complex aromas and flavours. Mary Taylor is a négociant who seeks out independent winemakers and sustainable vineyards. Her wines always over-deliver. $
Rich Uncle
Brave New Spirits Defender of the Crown (Annandale, Lowlands, Scotland)
Autumn is here, and that means peated Scotch. Brave New Spirits is an independent bottler of rare and wonderful whiskies. The Defender is matured in a first-fill Oloroso Sherry butt; only 676 bottles have been released worldwide. A delicious dram. $$$
Lisa Zinck, Boutique Wines
Cash-strapped Friend
2023 De Forville Barbera D’Alba (Piedmont, Italy)
This Barbera is made from vines that average fifty years old, farmed organically, harvested by hand, macerated on skins during a fermentation of several weeks in stainless steel before ageing in large oak barrels for about 18 months. Versatile and food-friendly, it pairs well with anything from gnocchi Bolognese to a simple skirt steak or a mushroom risotto. I like my Italian and this Barbera is the perfect crowd pleaser. $
Rich Uncle
Jean Vesselle Oeil de Perdrix Blanc de Noir (Champagne, France)
Delphine Vesselle and her husband David Lemaire wanted to honour the traditions of their Champagne-making forefathers with this unique rosé de saignée, a taste of Champagne history. Aromas of red roses, orange zest, white pepper, light herbs; medium-bodied, elegant, silky and balanced. $$
Tara Smith, Roving Sommelier
Cash-strapped Friend
2024 Fielding Gamay (Beamsville Bench, Ontario)
A beauty of a light red—loads of juicy fresh red fruit and super mellow tannins make this an agreeable wine for board game nights when catching up with friends and family. It took top wine award at the recent Great Canadian Kitchen Party, where it was paired with a delicate fish dish, much to many guests’ surprise. $
Rich Uncle
2024 Matsu La Jefa Blanco (Toro, Spain)
A barrel-fermented, full-bodied white will make me happy 99 per cent of the time. La Jefa translates to ‘The Boss’ and in keeping with their tradition of labels portraying family members, it’s the family matriarch. It’s 100 per cent Malvasia from pre-phylloxera vines—layered, voluptuous and amazing with paella, or just a cozy fire and a glass with your best friend! $$
