Wine gifts from your rich uncle and cash-strapped friend

Cash-strapped Friend
2019 Joseph Drouhin Mâcon-Villages (Burgundy, France) $20

Caution: this wine is so delicious it will not last long in your glass. Crisp acidity, apple freshness and the buzz of exquisite minerality coupled with a long finish adds up to over deliver. Serve with grilled seafood or, like in my house, white cheddar popcorn and a good game of cribbage.

Rich Uncle
2016 Bruno Rocca Barbaresco Rabajà (Piedmont, Italy) $115

This compelling Nebbiolo wine delivers every time. Classically austere, a nose of dark fruit, cherry and spice and a palate that surprises with warm, elegant plum and cherry notes and a delicious minerality zigging around the tannic structure expected of this long-lived wine. This wine is only elevated with food; pair with beef tartare and some Parmigiana Reggiano or drink with homemade pizza while watching My Brilliant Friend with that someone special.

Cash-strapped Friend
2018 Zsirai Múzsa Kadarka
(Villány, Hungary) $24

I’ve got Hungary on my mind this season with the arrival of some exciting new Hungarian wines. This unique red is made from the Kadarka grape and is reminiscent of a great Gamay (think Beaujolais). Its light palate and ripe, fruity flavours and mouth-watering freshness make it a very versatile food wine. Turkey with cranberry sauce? Perfect! Cheese and charcuterie? Definitely! Chicken, salmon, and vegetarian fare? Absolutely! The Zsirai family is a small, high quality producer and we, in Alberta, are the first in North America to receive their wines. How cool is that.

Rich Uncle
2009 Zsirai Aszú 6 Puttonyos
(Tokaj, Hungary) 500ml, $75

The Zsirai winery is based in the best-known Hungarian wine region, Tokaj, famous for its sweet, age-worthy wines. The holiday season is a perfect occasion to indulge in these rare, sweet nectars. Pair it with fruit-based desserts that complement its intense fruitiness or with pungent cheeses that contrast to its luscious sweetness. Tokaji Aszú is a late harvested wine in which the grapes have been affected by the botrytis mold known affectionately as noble rot. This mold concentrates the flavours in the grape giving a honeyed nuance. It is aged a minimum of two years in barrel and puttonyos refers to the level of sweetness of the wine, the more puttonyos, the richer, more concentrated and sweeter the wine. Hint: If you have a child or grandchild with this birth year, this is a cool gift to put away until they come of age.

Cash-strapped Friend
2018 Schola Sarmenti Critèra Salento IGT Primitivo (Puglia, Italy) $26

After tasting Schola Sarmenti at Vin Italy I realized how great Primitivo can be. The temperature wine is served at is always important, but Primitivo should be given a little extra attention, serve at 15-20 degrees to capture all it has to offer. The Critèra has huge depth—dark, ripe fruits on the palate with notes of liquorice and bitter coffee on the finish. Try a slowly-simmered lamb ragu scented with a little cinnamon and cloves or a simple chargrilled steak to with this delicious wine.

Rich Uncle
2015 Sandrone Le Vigne Barolo
(Piedmont, Italy) $145

My son Gennaro was born in 2015 and aging wines from his birth year is something I value deeply. Sandrone is one of my favourite producers and was at the top of my list of Barolos to find. Thankfully 2015 was a great year for Barolo and I am expecting the patience will pay off. I am so happy to have a few aging in my cellar for Gennaro (and I) to enjoy in the future. I dream about serving it with tajarin pasta, butter and fresh white truffles.

Cash-strapped Friend
2016 Powers Merlot
(Washington State, USA) $23

It’s 94 per cent Merlot, three per cent Malbec and three per cent Syrah. I love it because it reeks of blackberry, cedarwood and Bing cherry. The palate follows through on those rich aromas with a round herbaceous attack of blackberry and spice that lingers on in the remarkable finish. Great on its own or with grilled steaks, burgers or chili.

Rich Uncle
2017 Château Calon-Ségur
(Bordeaux, France) $175

I love it because it’s a classic Bordeaux, perhaps the oldest property in Saint-Estèphe dating back to 1147. It’s always been a powerfully tannic wine, but this vintage is plush, with slightly softer tannins and more juicy fruit and inviting spice than ever before. Decant up to four hours before drinking. From the northernmost vineyard in the Médoc, Calon-Ségur has an intriguing terroir of gravel, clay, sand and limestone. Primarily Cabernet at 76 per cent with 13 per cent Merlot, 9 per cent Cabernet Franc and 2 per cent Petit Verdot. Best served with roasted meats, stews and hearty dishes.

Cash-strapped Friend
2019 White Cliff Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand) $19

I went though many bottles of this inexpensive, delightful Sauv Blanc at the lake this past summer. Super fresh and crisp with a perfect balance of citrus alongside tropical fruit. Great acidity, balance and length, especially for a wine at this price point.

Rich Uncle
2007 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, La Tâche (Burgundy, France) $3,500

Sigh. Maybe one day! This is a wine on my bucket list. Notes from The Robb Report —‘Perhaps the most magnificent vineyard in Burgundy, this property produces Pinot Noir that has the potential to age for decades. This exuberant vintage possesses concentrated flavors of sweet ripe cherry, saddle leather, Asian spices, and granite. The 2007 is a rare luxury not to be missed.’

Cash-strapped Friend
2018 Tenuta Sant’Anna Bianco di Lison (Veneto, Italy) $17

A delightful white made with consultation by Italy’s top winemaker Riccardo Cotarella, using Sauvignon Blanc and Tai Classico (formerly called Tocai). There’s something luxurious about its effortless, uncomplicated pleasurability, pure fruit flavours and genial texture. With notes of apples and pear, some grass and soft mineral, it’s also so pleasing for its non-aggressive, but lively freshness. Perfect to enjoy on its own, but super food friendly too.

Rich Uncle
2015 Costa Arènte, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG (Veneto, Italy) $92

Times like these deserve tried and true classic comforts, like Amarone! Serious layers of flavours and complexity with the warmth and ease of soothing texture and tastes. Think rich figs and raisins, menthol, licorice, black cherry, cocoa, and kirsch. With an array of well-knit flavours comes an array of top reviews, including 94 points from the International Wine Challenge. It’s just what everyone needs now.

Cash-strapped Friend
2016 CVNE Viña Real Crianza
(Rioja, Spain), $20

There is so much to like, deliciously aromatic, forest fruits, blackberries and wild cranberries, intermingling with black licorice, vanilla and nutmeg. Approachable, with depth and complexity that’s remarkable for its price point.

Rich Uncle
2015 Henschke Hill of Grace
(Eden Valley, Australia) $1100

Produced only in the best vintages. Amazing complexity, fragrant, with blackberries and exotic five spice exude from the glass. Rich and lush with elegant structure. A collector’s dream wine, best rewarded if left for 10-20 years. Limited availability in Alberta wine boutiques.

Cash-strapped Friend
Azimut Cava Brut Nature Rosato
(Penedes, Spain) $25

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles—always a great gift idea for every budget. We love this bone-dry rosato Cava from Cellers de Can Suriol with no added sugar, fermented using indigenous yeast (versus a commercial yeast option) and yes, it’s natural and organic. It boasts a complex and intense aroma of mature white peaches and juicy pears. The palate is soft and elegant. Specially recommended for toasts, celebrations, and light meals.

Rich Uncle
2008 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Cruz, California, USA) $625

Cult classic and best gift ever! This could be considered an American first growth (if there was such a classification). Every vintage is a different assemblage of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Incredible complexity and ageability. This is one for the cellar and a splendid gift for the collector of unicorns.

Cash-strapped Friend
2019 Ma Terre Rosé, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence (Provence, France) $23

When I look back at where most of my 2020 wine budget went, it most certainly was on rosé. Pleasant and refreshing, the wines of Provence always find a spot in my fridge year-round. Ma Terre Rosé has lovely bright acidity and splendid high toned citrus and red fruit notes. It is a natural companion for lighter meals and appetizers, but I adore a delicate rosé like this with roasted vegetable dishes like ratatouille or a great stir fry or a big dinner salad. (It also pairs great with a bubble bath and leave-me-alone.)

Rich Uncle
2018 Bouchard Père et Fils Meursault (Burgundy, France) $80

Meursault offers the drinker so many unique qualities—bracing tension, a level of smoky minerality that only marly limestone can give you, and a stunning array of flavours, with a palate that is rich and full-flavoured without being heavy. The nearly 300-year old estate of Bouchard Père et Fils has consistently shown up as a favourite producer of this village’s wine for many years of my career. Vibrant and intense, but still a model of finesse, this Meursault can age many years. Pairing with most proteins will work, with an ideal being veal sweetbreads or a beautiful poultry in cream sauce; but this beauty will not overpower more delicate flavours like poached fish.

Cash-strapped Friend
2015 Zenato Veneto Rosso (Veneto, Italy) $20

Luscious and smooth, with flavours of ripe cherry and raspberry, this red is a perfect pairing with pizza, pasta, burgers, or a quiet evening with book and blanket. The lusciousness is due to the partial appassimento method, used with Corvina, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in this rosso.

Rich Uncle
2016 Avignonesi Desiderio Merlot Cortona
(Tuscany, Italy), $60

Rich and dark ruby with a slight garnet shimmer, very dense bouquet, concentrated and inviting, with dark chocolate and lots of blackberry. Intensive dark berry fruit notes on the palate, fine-grained tannins, subtle mineral tones. Avignonesi is one of Tuscany’s most respected producers in the Montepulciano area, with wines that consistently win kudos worldwide. All of their vineyards are biodynamically farmed.

Cash-strapped Friend
2019 Flower and the Bee Treixadura (La Flor y la Abeja) (Ribeiro, Spain) $25

Bright acidity greets you as you splash this obscure Spanish varietal across your front palate. Twinkles of white pepper and stone fruit marry the slight viscosity to create a harmonious mouth feel. Organic.

Rich Uncle
2015 La Mula Tinto de Toro
(Toro, Spain) $150

Sexy and strong, with rambunctious tannins, this sassy bad boy (100 per cent Tempranillo) will not disappoint. Delicious dark fruit awaits you after a generous decant, coaxing you back for more. Believe me, this will be one of your favourite long-term tenants residing in your wine cellar.

Cash-strapped Friend
Old Westminster Piquette NV
(Maryland, USA) 375ml can, $11

Not just a summer drink. This easy-going Piquette at 6 per cent ABV is a crusher while I’m doing all my baking. I love the nose of gummy bears and grapefruit peel. It’s not every day that you get natural wines (or piquettes) from Maryland and it’s truly a joy to drink something made with such deliberate care and minimal intervention.

Rich Uncle
2018 Domaine Duseigneur Catarina Châteauneuf-du-Pape
(Rhone Valley, France) $60

Getting a beautiful CDP is hardly going to cause any complaints, especially when it’s from Bernard Duseigneur. Bernard proudly grows his grapes following organic and biodynamic practices. The vines are 60 years old on average and a delicious blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault. It’s fruity and fresh, and you can drink it now, or cellar it for 5-10 years. Super elegant and pairs easily with that turkey (or tofurkey) you’ll be having.

Cash-strapped Friend
2019 La Playa Chardonnay
(Colchagua Valley, Chile) $19

Chile is still a great wine region to visit for value and varietally correct wines. This unoaked fresh Chard with loads of fresh green apples and a hint of creaminess is easily a palate and crowd pleaser (not that we’re spending any time in crowds these days). This was my don’t-want-to-think-about-it wine this summer.

Rich Uncle
Billecart Salmon Extra Brut NV 1.5L (Champagne, France) $124

I love anything with bubbles, and when it’s party sized—even better! This zero dosage blend of the three Champagne varietals (Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay) is approachable with toasted nuts and citrus curd flavours. There’s great acidity and minerality that keeps it fresh and thirst quenching. A perfect cocktail hour wine.

Cash-strapped Friend
2018 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Parallèle 45 Organic White Blend (Rhone Valley, France) $19

The super-iconic Paul Jaboulet Aîné, the producers of the very special occasion Hermitage La Chapelle from the Rhône, also make incredibly tasty and complex organic wines that are an amazing value. The Parallèle 45 line-up also includes a red and a rosé but it is the white I can’t get enough of. With less than 10 per cent of the wine produced in the Rhône being white it is a real treat to find such a well-made, excellent value option. Wonderful rounded texture and lots of tropical fruit and floral aromatics without being overtly rich. This is a lovely wine for enjoying on its own or with food, total versatility.

Rich Uncle
2016 Matthiasson Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (California, USA) $125

Alberta has long had a love affair with California wine, it is by far the most popular region in the province. Now one of the most beloved producers in the new California wave is available in Alberta, yay! Steve Matthiasson expresses the unique terroir of California with a deft hand showcasing the structure and aromatics of Cabernet Sauvignon without overwhelming the fruit with unnecessary oak or manipulated wine making. The nose and the palate showcase lots of red fruit, bramble and blackcurrant with the classic Cabernet indicators of leather and graphite. Wine is an agricultural product—a fact we can occasionally forget—but not so with this wine, it’s as if we are communing with the vineyard.

Cash-strapped Friend
2018 Grano a Grano Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon (California, USA) $25

Here is something new from California that won’t break your bank. Grano a Grano makes a full-bodied Cab Sauv with overtones of raspberry, plums and black fruit with dark chocolate overtones. No need to over-think this one, just crack it open and have at it.

Rich Uncle
2015 Caves Vidigal Brutalis
(Lisboa, Portugal) $75

For those of us who like a good old-fashioned powerhouse red. A blend of Alicante Bouschet (one of only a few red-fleshed grapes) and Cabernet Sauvignon, this brute could take all comers at the bike racks after school, if you know what I mean. The label is Caves Vidigal’s take on the Old West Wanted Posters.

Cash-strapped Friend
2019 Château la Croix des Pins Les 3 Villages Ventoux (Rhone Valley, France) $24

The Vermentino and Marsanne bring exotic notes and the Grenache and Rousanne bring fruity notes and bod to this organic and well-priced charmer.

Rich Uncle
2018 Dark Matter Limitless Cabernet (Howell Mountain, California, USA) $280

A beautiful Cabernet from the Mondavi sisters, bright cherry fruits and perfume backed by high altitude attitude.

Cash-strapped Friend
2019 Emandare Vineyards Grapple (Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island), 650ml, $16

Want something crispy, crushable, and homegrown? This hybrid of cider and wine is an inventive representation of Canadian terroir. Emandare combined the heirloom apples of their neighbour’s 120 year-old orchard with their aromatic Siegerrebe grapes, co-fermented them in an open-top oak puncheon, then basket pressed and bottled the juice unfined and unfiltered to finish under crown cap like a pét-nat. Hazy, bone dry and packing a splendid array of autumnal apple notes boosted by floral aromatics and some of that farmhouse saison-like funk for nuance. At 8.5 per cent, it’s a go-to with brunch or after a solid workout.

Rich Uncle
2018 William Downie Gippsland Pinot Noir (Gippsland, Australia) $99

Is Pinot Noir the most bewitching grape on Earth? I believe so. But, you’ll need a very rich uncle to access the best examples. Or, you can venture beyond the Côte-d’Or. After a decade in Burgundy, Bill Downie returned home to Australia to become an iconic farmer and fermenter of that elusive bride, Pinot Noir. His wines are able to capture Australia’s signature energy while maintaining balance and elegance. The intensity of bright red fruits and dazzling acidity give this 2018 cuvée the stamina to cellar but you can also crack in now for a riper expression. It just sings. Decant 30 minutes. Serve at 15 degrees.