Wines from the Rich Uncle and the Cash-Strapped Friend

Cash-strapped Friend
2017 De Angelis Pecorino (le Marche, Italy) $25

This is such a fantastic wine for the price. If you are up for the challenge, try making the traditional Marchigiana recipe Olive Ascolane which will pair perfectly with this wine. I really love the floral aroma and ripe yellow fruit with a good note of minerality.

Rich Uncle
2007 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Abruzzo, Italy) $210

Opening any Emidio Pepe wine is a celebration in itself, but I particularly love this 2007 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Dark and rich with layers of pure intense fruit and notes of smoke, tobacco and earth.

Cash-strapped Friend
2017 Foradori Lèzer (Trentino, Italy) $28

We would love to see a bottle of the amazing Italian natural wine made from the grape Teroldego under the tree. Elisabetta Foradori is a superstar winemaker and her son Theo spearheaded this project. A light and juicy red/rosé has flavours of wild red berries, plum, rhubarb, flowers and herbs—a fresh and delicious sipper. Serve with anything, to anyone!

Rich Uncle
2014 Pétrus (Bordeaux, France) $3,500

If money isn’t an issue, we would be thrilled to unwrap a bottle of Pétrus—one of the most famous and iconic wines in the world. It’s a full-bodied and concentrated wine that’s famous for being full of pure red fruit flavours with the potential to cellar for decades.

Cash-strapped Friend
2017 Marcel Lapierre Raisins Gaulois (Beaujolais, France) $23

This is a wine so full of joy and juicy cherry and cinnamon flavours that I would be honoured if my rich uncle decided to opt for it as well. Made from 100 per cent Gamay grapes from young vines in the Morgon Cru and the rest from Beaujolais AC. Chill it down for 30 minutes to be awed at the refreshing power of a true red vin de soif. It certainly helps that this is from one of the greatest natural wine estates of all time—it immediately reminds of the humble agricultural origins of wine and makes a strong closing argument for why wine should be considered the greatest condiment to food ever invented.

Rich Uncle
2007 Roagna Barbaresco Crichët Pajé (Piedmont, Italy) $930

Considering that winemaker Luca Roagna handpicks the grapes from 80 plus year-old vines in the famous Crichët portion of the Pajè Cru in Barbaresco—grapes grown within a wild woodland using zero herbicides, pesticides or fertilizer—ferments them through a long, traditional maceration using the natural yeasts of the vineyard, before aging the wine in traditional botti (large neutral barrels) and cement tanks for 8-10 years, the $930 price tag begins to explain itself. The Roagna family have been in the vanguard of preserving the tradition and terroir of their land, leaving almost half their holdings unplanted to grapes to foster true biodiversity. Drink it now, or over the next 30 years.

Cash-strapped Friend
Parés Baltà Brut Cava NV (Catalonia, Spain) $18

If my cash-strapped friend wants to bring me something, it could be this delicious Cava (Spain’s answer to Champagne). The blend of native grapes, Parellada, Macabeo and Xarel-lo, is dry, fresh and floral with lots of juicy fruit.

Rich Uncle
Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Chinato NV (Piedmont, Italy) $83

I’ve been very good this year and I would like my rich uncle to bring me a bottle of the Cordero de Montezemolo Chinato. Each year, about 1,000 bottles of at least 10 years or older Barolos are blended in a single stainless steel tank. Then quinine, sugar, alcohol and a secret infusion of spices are added to make a delicious aperitivo (or digestivo). It’s rich and warm with a spicy attitude. Just can’t get enough!

Cash-strapped Friend
2015 Casa Silva Gran Terroir Los Lingues Carménère (Colchagua Valley, Chile) $21

Oh my goodness, if wine could speak this one would sound like Eartha Kit. Its smoky, deep character is loaded with dark fruits and, if paired with steak-frites, would purr c’est si bon.

Rich Uncle
2014 Domaine Tawse Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Côte de Beaune (Burgundy, France) $180

Total pedigree. Hand-made, biodynamic, worked by horse and plow—this is truly an old-school gnarly fingers and vines wine. This golden briny wine exhibits bracing acidity and a strong mineral backbone. Sit and share a bottle of this with your Grandpa, shuck some oysters and tell some lies together.

Cash-strapped Friend
2015 CVNE Viña Real Crianza Rioja (Rioja, Spain) $19

What’s not to love about wines from Spain and better yet wines from Rioja! Launched by CVNE in 1920, this is a very attractive Tempranillo; with an intensity of forest fruits, blackberries, wild cranberries, intermingling with black liquorice, vanilla and nutmeg. Smooth, balanced and oh so rewarding.

Rich Uncle
2015 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Rouge (Burgundy, France) $145

If you love Pinot as much as I do, this is a wine that will leave a lasting impression. The 2015 is one of the great red Burgundy vintages of the past three decades. The wine is incredible, with serious concentration, refined tannins, freshness and superb elegance. Delicious now to 2035.

Cash-strapped Friend
2014 Torres Altos Ibéricos Crianza (Rioja, Spain) $20

This 100 per cent Tempranillo is an opaque cherry red with rich fruit aromas of cherry and black plum jam, spicy green peppercorn and smoky notes, along with firm tannins and subtle acidity. Great with tapas, oil-rich fish, Ibérico ham, red meats and cheeses. Serve slightly chilled.

Rich Uncle
2013 Bodegas Escorihuela Gascón Don Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) $64

This iconic wine has won numerous awards; with fine tannins and juicy acidity, nicely underplayed spicy oak and very good balance. Still a little tight; decant for at least two hours.

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Cash-strapped Friend
2014 Cabriz Colheita Seleccionada (Dão, Portugal) $22

Fresh red fruits, forest fruits, spices and toasted notes. Fruity, smooth, elegant and harmonious. One of my favourite wines due to its versatility—you can drink this wine by itself or with a variety of food. Pairs with soft cheese, fish, white and red meats and Mediterranean, Chinese, Indian and African cuisine.

Rich Uncle
Quevedo Port Advent Calendar (Douro Valley, Portugal) $120

I love Port, so this box is perfect for me. A selection of 10 different Ports in 50ml bottles: White, Rosé, Ruby, Tawny, Ruby Reserve, Tawny Reserve, 10-year, 20-year, Colheita 2000 and 2004. A great gift for any Port lover.

Cash-strapped Friend
2017 Domaine Reine Juliette Picpoul de Pinet (Languedoc-Roussillion, France) $20

Picpoul is the white wine grape you didn’t know you wanted. The rich citrus peel and apple flavours and the subtle minerality make this the perfect wine to sip before dinner with an array of munchies, or as a dinner wine that everyone will appreciate.

Rich Uncle
2007 Liébart-Régnier Excelia Champagne 3L (Champagne, France) $400

Who doesn’t love vintage Champagne? This Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blend is wonderfully yeasty with complex fruit flavours. And with the large format jeroboam (three litres) there’s plenty for everyone.

Malbec, Syrah, Cinsault, Pais and Carménère are harvested by hand from selected old vines, dry-farmed in Itata and Cauquenes. The wine is fermented by the traditional artisan methods; grapes from every winegrower are harvested, fermented and aged separately, then blended to create this new fresh assemblage with a nose full of red berries, black cherry, black pepper and hints of violets. Those elements come through on the palate, with fresh black and red fruit, revealing a full-bodied wine. This wine opens generously, very silky and lush on the palate. Fine tannins and the excellent acidity enhance its liveliness and balance.

This vineyard was purchased in 1872 and Faiveley is the only living family whose name is part of a Grand Cru appellation. Refined, with a floral and raspberry nose. Very fine, pure, fruity and expressive with great acidity. Subtle oak from one year in a Taransaud barrel. Perfumed and pretty with seriousness.

Cash-strapped Friend
Conde de Caralt Brut Cava NV (Catalonia, Spain) $24

Some days I sound like a broken record; bubbles, bubbles, bubbles. Since I can’t afford a Patsy & Eddie Champagne lifestyle, I rely on great bubbles from other parts of the world to fill in the gaps. This Cava has classic citrusy aromas, is mildly yeasty, with bright acidity and is fresh and tangy without being searingly dry. Think about a fun spread of appetizers with salty and spicy flavours and a bottle of this Cava with friends. Or maybe two.

Rich Uncle
2007 Bollinger Grande Année (Champagne, France) $200

What a surprise, bubbles again! I have been insanely fortunate to taste this wine a few times and the same thought comes to me every time: ‘This is what I want Champagne to taste like every time I drink it.” The Grande Année sees seven-ten years of ageing and is made with close to 100 per cent Grand Cru fruit. Bollinger keeps the dosage low which helps create a laser-like tension and the age is highlighted by the bready notes of brioche. Ripe peach, almond and honey notes play on the tongue. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Will it age? Sure. Will it last that long at my house? Likely not.

Cash-strapped Friend
2016 Guarda Rios Red (Alentejo, Portugal) $16

This is a little wine that packs a punch. The blend of Aragonêz, Syrah, Trincadeira and Alicante Bouschet is full of mouth-watering bright red fruit, fresh acidity, soft tannins and a long lingering finish. Easy to drink and easy on the wallet.

Rich Uncle
2015 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia (Bolgheri, Italy) $225

A super-Tuscan blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Every vintage of this iconic wine garners lavish praise and big scores from the critics. The 2015 vintage is no exception. Elegant aromas and flavours of ripe black and red fruit, cedar and spice notes. The mouthfeel is graceful and silky with wonderfully ripe and finely textured tannins, followed by a long and memorable finish.

Cash-strapped Friend
2016 Andreas Bender Weißburgunder (Mosel, Germany) $23

Flavours of ripe yellow stone fruit and apple together with notes of elderflower. The vines are more than 30 years old, extraordinary fruit. Add to this the artistry of Andreas Bender—including a ferment in old oak barrels, which creates concentration and a creamy texture that makes one salivate for more. Have with halibut wrapped in prosciutto, baked in the oven and served with butter shallot jus. Don’t miss trying this enticing drop of the Mosel.

Rich Uncle
2008 Pasetti Harimann Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Abruzzo, Italy) $75

We were welcomed to the Pasetti’s estate with an enticing treat of local appetizers served in front of a warm fire. A five-course dinner followed with each wine raising the bar. When the final red was poured from the decanter, I breathed in its alluring aromas and was instantly in love. In the glass was 100 per cent Montepulciano, from their oldest vines (40+ years) in Pescosansonesco, in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga national park. The wine is aged for five-plus years in a steel tank, French barrique and bottle. Intense aromas of berries, red fruits (cherry and black cherry) and Christmas cake. The inviting palate has flavours of cherry and plums and persistent hints of jam, coffee, chocolate and liquorice. Toasted and spicy touches enhance the full body and warm texture while the sweet tannins extend into a long, lingering finish. Decant before serving for the full effect.

Cash-strapped Friend
2015 Soli Pinot Noir (Thracian Valley, Bulgaria) $23

How often can you get an intriguing Pinot Noir for under $25? Not often, I say. And a Bulgarian Pinot—who knew? An Italian visionary with vineyards in his home country saw the potential of this eastern European country. The Soli Pinot Noir is a value-driven, varietally identifiable wine that will delight both the novice and discerning Pinot drinker. It has a subtle touch of oak and ripe, delicious fruit flavours. Budget-conscious Pinot lovers rejoice!

Rich Uncle
2016 Johanneshof Reinisch Grillenhügel Pinot Noir (Thermenregion, Austria) $50

While I’m on the topic of Pinot Noir, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention this single vineyard bottling from Johanneshof Reinisch. Reinisch is known as one of Austria’s top Pinot producers; the family-owned, organically-farmed vineyard is located in the Thermenregion, just south of Vienna, where the soil and weather conditions are ideal for growing Pinot Noir. This wine has complexity, depth of fruit and great balance and freshness, demonstrating the incredible value of premium wines from this country.

Our friend may not have the money, but their taste is impeccable. Spain has some of the best high-quality-to-low-price ratio wines out there and Navarro López is the king of these wines! Tempranillo is Spain’s favourite grape; expect to find flavours of red plums and red cherries in this one. Open, pour, repeat.

Rich uncle Bob has outdone himself with this one. This 100 per cent Petit Verdot from the Collazzi winery in Tuscany is totally unique and unforgettable. This Tuscan is super, not only because it’s one of the most impressive estates in all of Tuscany, but also because of the grape. Typically, a blending grape, Petit Verdot provides the backbone and deep dark colour to many a Bordeaux wine along with spice notes, Marasca cherry and cocoa. Give it time to open up in a decanter if you choose to open now and enjoy, or it has the ability to age for 20-30 years.

Cash-strapped Friend
2015 Evel Tinto (Douro Valley, Portugal) $22

Here we are again with yet another stunning value wine from Portugal. Only one year removed from their #50 ranking as Wine Spectator 2017 Top 100 Wines, this blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz (aka Tempranillo) is fresh and juicy, yet complex and absolutely delicious. Think of this wine as your everyday pizza, pasta and burger wine!

Cash-strapped Friend
2017 Navarro López Para Celsus Organic Old Vines Tempranillo (Valdepeñas, Spain) $18

Named for 15th century Swiss alchemist, physician and promoter of natural healing who said it’s the dosage that makes something either a poison or a remedy. A delicious dose of this is a remedy. Organically grown old vines impart pure flavours of juicy dark and red berries with a hint of some mineral. It covers all the bases—a delicious, award-winning, environmentally and health conscious, budget-and food-friendly wine. We love to give or get this wine.

Rich Uncle
2015 Montevetrano Core Rosso di Campania IGT (Campania, Italy) Magnum in wooden case, $120 (750 ml $45)

Magnums, especially in wooden cases, scream perfect prezzie! Better yet, it’s a multi-award-winning wine that’s brimming with layered flavours. Here is what wine writer James Suckling had to say: “94 pts…plenty of exotic fruit and liquorice as well as clove undertones. Full body and lots of berry character. Hints of dried tea. Loving it.”

This Gamay Noir, a juicy, easygoing wine that pairs with light and dark meat alike, is an ideal match for turkey dinners and Christmas ham, not to mention all the fixings. The clone, from pioneering producers Château des Charmes, also has the unique designation of being one of Canada’s first indigenous vinifera. Called droit for the way the grape grows upward on the vine, it also ripens later than typical Gamay resulting in a bolder and more concentrated wine. Plenty of dark red fruit mingling with smoke and earthy flavours, finishes spicy—something for everyone. No wonder we like it at RGE RD, this wine is well matched with mushrooms and game coming straight out of the wood-burning oven.

Why not produce iconic wine here in Canada? Why not aspire to Grand Cru heights in our humble backyard? Martin’s Lane Winery is nothing short of world-class in its vision and execution from its six-storey, gravity-fed facility by architect Tom Kundig, to its detail-obsessed winemaker, Shane Munn. While he cut his teeth in Burgundy and Barolo, here Munn is devoted to the specificity of Okanagan geography, geology and climate. Producing only Pinot Noir and Riesling from several distinct micro-blocks on estate vineyards, these wines are the purest expression of place. This Pinot Noir from the Simes Vineyard features bright raspberry and cherry fruit and persistent minerality. It is likely the most serious and elegant Canadian Pinot Noir I’ve experienced.

Cash-strapped Friend
2015 Tommasi Arele Appassimento (Veneto, Italy) $22

For those who love Amarone but cannot afford the price tag, I suggest Arele Apassimento. Made from one-third dried Amarone grapes, it offers hints of dried fig, ripe cherry and prunes finishing with pepper spice. Easy to enjoy, it will entice you to splurge for the real deal—Amarone.

Rich Uncle
2014 Vietti Barolo Lazzarito (Piedmont, Italy) $240

Vietti’s most modern interpretation of single vineyard Barolo. Intensely aromatic, the Lazzarito is deep garnet with notes of ripe berry preserves, tobacco and truffles. It is not for the faint of heart, with 30 months of ageing in French and Slovenian oak, but has beautiful richness, power and finesse. I also love the timeless labels created in the early ’70s by a group of artists who regularly shared wine and food with the Vietti family.

2015 Vietti Nebbiolo Perbacco (Piedmont, Italy) $37

Luca Currado Vietti declassified some Barolo and Barbaresco juice to create an affordable taste of the majestic Nebbiolo. When he first tasted this wine with his mother, her reaction was ‘perbacco!’ which loosely translates as ‘damn good wine!’

Cash-strapped Friend
El Dorado Golden Rum Cream Liqueur (Guyana) $25

This sumptuous, creamy rum liqueur will most definitely be in my coffee mug Christmas morning. Enticing aromas of nutmeg and vanilla, with delightful flavours of caramel and toffee that will tickle your taste buds. Simply delicious.

Rich Uncle
2008 Numanthia (Toro, Spain) $77

With the sweet aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, this 100 per cent Tempranillo is a gentle reminder that the holiday season is upon us. Black plum, figs and clove frolic across your palate, while the flavours of your favourite Christmas pudding fills you with warmth and cheer. Happy Holidays!

Cash-strapped Friend
2017 Marqués de Cáceres Verdejo (Rueda, Spain) $15

There are fabulous Spanish wines to be discovered that are such a great value, that, whether-cash strapped or not, they have to be tried. This wine displays real Verdejo character with intense, racy flavours of green apple and lemon peel, such a flavourful finish.

Rich Uncle
2014 Emmolo Merlot (Napa, California) $68

Lush, full-bodied, super-rich Emmolo definitely stands out as a bigger example of this grape variety. Expansive dark berry flavours, fresh earthiness and smooth leathery tannins, it’s the complete package. Put it under my tree, please!

Cash-strapped Friend
2017 Gruber Röschitz Grüner Veltliner (Weinviertel, Austria) $23

Beautifully simple and complex at the same time, a real crowd pleaser that pairs with everything.

Rich Uncle
2012 Elio Altare Barolo DOCG (Piedmont, Italy) $110

Extremely aromatic and perfectly balanced aromas of cherry and floral. It’s wonderful to experience how it changes in the glass over time.

Cash-strapped Friend
2015 Bodegas Artuke Pies Negros (Rioja, Spain) $25

A beautiful blend of 90 per cent Tempranillo and 10 per cent Graciano, the name of this organic wine, Pies Negros (black foot) pays tribute to the tradition of treading grapes barefoot. Bright, black cherry fruit and ripe soft tannins deliver a smooth, silky mouthfeel.

Rich Uncle
2013 Yalumba the Octavius Old Vine Shiraz (Barossa, Australia) $180

This inky dark Shiraz has layers of dark cherry fruit with notes of plum and chocolate. I feel it is best consumed after 15-20 years in the bottle.

Cash-strapped Friend
2017 Medici Phermento (Emila Romagna) $23

With all the craze in Edmonton around natural wines, I was excited to finally find one that was more fresh than funky with the complexity that I crave in old world wines. This delicious, naturally fermented Phermento is made from the Sorbara Lambrusco grape. It’s a pretty blush colour, dry and tangy with notes of berries and a fine creamy bubble. Note the fuchsia pink sediment at the bottom of the bottle. Pairs with charcuterie, simple snacks, spicy cheesy pizza or nothing at all.

Rich Uncle
2014 Petrolo Galatrona Valdarno di Sopra DOC (Tuscany, Italy) $155

Poor Merlot and its bad rap for sometimes creating uninteresting wines. The Galatrona will make you think twice. Full bodied, with rich, juicy, complex flavours of blackberry, dark chocolate and vanilla and chewy tannins. Best to cellar for a few years until it’s ready to share with those who appreciate a good bottle of wine. Enjoy with roasted venison or bison roast, or simply sip after dinner with hard cheeses and good conversation amongst friends.