It’s a week before Christmas but you’ve still got time to shop for last minute presents and for what you’ll enjoy on the 25th in your family bubble. This year, I’ve spent more time tasting and reporting on B.C. wines and my list below reflects this. But I do report on some tasty international wines as well.
Christmas dinner inevitably has a variety of foods and this can seem like an insurmountable problem when it comes to choosing the wine. But it shouldn’t! Some of you might prefer to stick with one wine. Traditionally sparkling wine will fit the bill. Others might prefer to sip several wines including sparkling, whites, rosés, reds and a dessert wine. The world’s your oyster!
I have indicated the origin with abbreviations such as It. for Italy and Sp. for Spain. B.C. indicates the wines are available in the B.C. section of government liquor stores; VQA BC means available at VQA wine stores including Save On Foods at Ironwood, Richmond.
Sparkling Wine: Road 13 Sparkling Chenin ($29.99) BC, Steller’s Jay Brut ($20.99) BC, Chandon California Brut (26.99), Mumm’s Napa Brut ($27.49) Cal., (Segura Viudas Cava Brut ($14.99) Sp., Jaume Serra Cava Cristalino ($12.49) Sp.
Unsworth Sparkling Rosé ($19.49) BC VQA, Thomas Goss Sparkling Shiraz ($23.49) Aust., Undurraga Sparkling Rosé (24.99) Chile.
Champagne Fr: Veuve Clicquot Brut ($42.99), Moet et. Chandon Brut ($69.99), Louis Roederer Brut Premier ($68.99), Champagne Taittinger Brut Reserve ($64.99).
Misc. White Wines: Bartier Brothers 2018 Semillon BC VQA, $23.29 BC VQA Joie 2019 Noble Blend ($24.99) BC, Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc ($21.99) South Africa, 2017 Costamolino, ($18.99) It., Monte del Fra Ca del Magro ($18.99) It .Le Vieux Pin 2019 Petit Blanc ($18.99) BC,
Pinot Gris: Poplar Grove ($18.99), BC, Stoneboat 2019, ($18.49) BC VQA, Arrowleaf ($19.99) BC VQA.
Riesling: Karp ($17.99) Ger., Selbach 2017 Mosel ($19.99) Ger., Moraine 2019 ($22) BC VQA, Tantalus 2019 ($24.99) BC.
Sauvignon Blanc: Stoneleigh Latitude ($21.99), NZ., Oyster Bay ($17.99) NZ., Kim Crawford 2019 ($17.99) NZ., Clos du Soleil Fume Blanc BC, ($18.49), Mission Hill Reserve ($19.99) BC.
Chardonnay: Hester Creek ($25.89) BC VQA, McWatters Collection ($29.19) BC VQA, Quail’s Gate ($23.99) BC, Quail’s Gate Stewart Family Reserve ($39.99) BC, Kendall Jackson ($20.49) Cal, Oyster Bay ($16.99) NZ, William William Fevre 2017 Chablis Champs Rayoux ($36.99) Fr.
Pinot Noir: Robin Ridge ($23.19) BC VQA, Moraine ($26.49) BC VQA, Stoneboat ($25.79) BC VQA.
Merlot: Bordertown ($21.69) BC VQA, Mission Hill Reserve ($24.99), Columbia Crest 2016 H3 Horse Heaven Hills ($22.99) Wash., Hillside Winery ($21.19) BC VQA.
Shiraz/Syrah: Peter Lehmann 2017 The Barossan ($19.99) Aust., Mollydooker 2017 The Boxer ($32.99) Aust., Sunrock 2016 ($21.99) BC, Wakefield Clare Valley 2017 ($17.99) Aust., Black Hills Syrah 2017 ($42.99) BC VQA, Time Syrah 2016 ($34.99) BC VQA.
Misc. Red Wines: 2018 Mission Hill Reserve Meritage ($26.99) BC, Frescobaldi 2016 Nipozanno Chianti Rufina ($22.99) It.,Tinhorn Creek Cabernet Franc ($24.99), Road 13 74K ($24.39) BC VQA, Masi Brolo 2016 Campofiorin Oro ($24.99), It., Monte del Fra Amarone 2013 ($53.99), Masi Costasera 2012 Amarone Classico Riserva - ($75.99), Chateau Pesquié 2018 Terrasses ($19.96).
Rodney Strong 2016 Knotty Vines Zinfandel ($23.99) Cal., 1884 2018 Malbec ($15.99), Arg., Las Acequias 2015 Malbec Oak ($21.99) Arg., Yalumba 2016 Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro (GSM) ($22.99) Aust.
Moon Curser 2018 Border Vines ($25.99) BC., Campo Viejo 2014 Rioja Reserva ($18.99) Sp. Hester Creek 2016 The Judge ($45.99) BC VQA, Black Hills Nota Bene 2018 ($61.99) BC VQA, CC Jentsch 2018 The Chase ($18.99) BC VQA, Le Vieux Pin Petit Rouge ($21.49) BC VQA.
Sherry (Spain): Gonzalez Byass Tio Pepe Fino Sherry ($20.99), Hidalgo Manzanilla La Gitana ($28.99), Gonzalez Byass Olorosso Nutty Solera ($20.99), Lustau East India Solera ($32.99) 500 mL, Alvear 1927 Pedro Ximenz Solera ($29.99) 375 mL
Port (Portugal): Graham’s Vintage Port 2016 ($125.99), Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 2014 ($21.99), Smith Woodhouse Late Bottled 2008 Vintage Port ($38.99), Fonseca 10 Year Old Tawny ($39.99), Warre’s 10 Year Old Tawny Otima ($27.99) 500 mL, Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Old Tawny ($69.99), Taylor Fladgate 10,20,30, & 40 Year Tawny Port ($285.99).
From my cellar to yours…Merry Christmas!
