Wines for the Holiday Season

Fresh & Juicy

The Cortonesi family has owned the La Mannella farm in Montalcino for decades and are devoted to the production of Brunello di Montalcino. This wine, Lèonus, is a humble but mighty Toscana IGT made from grapes that are in fact declassified Brunello grapes, from vineyards in Montalcino.

It is one of the best value wines from the area. ​This Rosso Toscano is juicy and fresh. Full of red cherries and dark berries on the nose, with a delicate astringency on the palate. It has such a great balance and it drinks so well that it's the perfect everyday wine.

This wine pairs brilliantly with dishes prepared with tomato sauce and herbs, such as lasagna or pizza. It's also great with antipasti (olives, cured meats, pecorino cheese), and simply roasted meats or chicken.

Silky & Rich

Ca del Monte is situated on the hillsides overlooking the village of Negrar, in the heart of Valpolicella. This Ripasso shows a pure red-berry and black-cherry bouquet with notes of grilled herbs, iris, violet and almond. With a great depth of flavour, the wine is silky and warm with a surprisingly elegant mid-weight mouth feel that finishes with plump fruit and a well integrated spicy/oak kiss. 

Pair this rich wine with game meats, roast chicken, wood oven pizza and pasta with full flavoured sauces. ​It is also amazing when served with aged cheeses.

Bold & Earthy

Born and raised in the New World but influenced by his time in Bordeaux, this Columbia Valley Cab represents Nicholas’s story in a bottle - New World terroir meets old world "savoir faire".

Bold and full-bodied, with balance and complexity. Showing aromas of black and red fruits, toasted herbs, graphite and leather. A mouthful of ripe dark fruit consisting of blackberry and black currant combined with notes of spice and dark chocolate. A fruit-forward finish offering a balanced and integrated tannin structure. This Cab is a blend of two different vineyards, one in Wahluke Slope AVA; the other in Horse Heaven Hills AVA. 2018 is likely the best Cabernet Sauvignon vintage in Washington since 2007 or 2012.

Rue Naujac is the street Nicholas lived on while studying/working in France and Bordeaux is the country's 33rd department, both of which gave the inspiration for the name and lot #! He would always make reference to the "33" as a slang name for the city of Bordeaux (like THE6IX), always to the amusement of his French entourage.

Pair with BBQ meats, rich stews or steak.

Bright & Fruity

Conti Riccati vineyards are planted in the rolling hills of Castelfranco, a village located in the Veneto. The winery has been managed by the same family since the 14th century! Conti Riccati has been practicing a sustainable viticulture for many years, and is currently in organic conversion.

This Prosecco has enticing scents of ripe orchard fruit, aromatic herb and fragrant white spring flower. The generous palate doles out juicy white peach, ripe Granny Smith apple and tangerine zest. Fresh acidity brightens the creamy flavours while an elegant mousse imparts finesse.

This wine is very food-friendly. It goes beautifully with antipasto and spicy Asian foods. In the Veneto region, Prosecco is usually paired with cured meats, which makes it the perfect wine to accompany a cheese and charcuterie board.

Bright & Creamy

The Baud estate dates back to 1742, today the 9th generation manages the winery. Siblings Clementine and Bastien, both under 30, are making some of the best value wines in the area. Jura is that narrow valley in the remote hills between Burgundy and Switzerland, which millions of years ago was covered by an Ocean and today still bares many of the fossils from that time.  If you kick a stone in a Jura vineyard, it will probably be a fossil. 

This sparkler, or Crémant, is made in the traditional Champagne style, where the second fermentation happens inside the bottle. This Crémant has rich aromatics of apple fruit with citrus, toasted brioche and a striking minerality. It sparks a great balance between creaminess and vivacity.  If you like Champagne, but not the price tag, then this is the wine of choice for you. 

It is very versatile at the table and you can drink this with almost any dish: try it with all types of classic cuisine or even spicy Asian dishes, caramelized popcorn or fried chicken!

Mineral & Zesty

From a new family (relatively speaking) in Chablis, the estate belongs to Marie-Noëlle & Laurent Ternynck. This old vines Chardonnay saw 12 months in large oak barrels.  The fruit is gathered from vineyards in Fleys and this area sits at a higher altitude on a windswept plateau, which helps maintain the acidity in the wine.  Fresh, floral and mineral on the nose. There are notes of fresh almond, hazelnut, citrus and white flowers on the palate. It is balanced and has a fresh finish.    

Keep it chilled in the fridge, uncork it at the end of the day and pour yourself a glass! Also pairs well with oysters, all kinds of fish dishes, and roasted chicken.

Elegant & Crisp

Château Haut Grelot is located near the Gironde Estuaire, north of the town of Bordeaux. Haut Grelot has been making wine and taking great care of their vineyards since its establishment in 1920!

This is a classic Bordeaux blend: 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon & 5% Muscadelle. It's a floral, crisp and elegant wine that offers exotic fruit aromas: grapefruit, gooseberry and wild herbs that intermingle with ample citrus fruit on the palate. It has a generous weight, roundness and a perfect balance that let's you savour every drop.

Perfect to drink by itself or pair with seafood, chicken, fresh salads and cheese boards.

Zesty & Mineral

Cantina Bolzano, based in the town of Bolzano, traces its roots to two of Alto Adige’s most historic cooperatives: Santa Magdalena, est. 1930 and Cantina Gries, est. 1908. After deciding to merge in 2001, Cantina Bolzano was created.

The village of Bolzano is located in the middle of a valley basin surrounded by hilly vineyards that grow from 200 meters above sea level up to 1000. This elegant wine comes from selected vineyards around Bolzano and really delivers with fresh, floral aromas and a nice acidity. Expect golden delicious apples, pear; and a light scent of peaches and pineapples on the nose and palate.

A wine like Pinot Blanc is best suited to foods with more subtle flavoring. It will match up well with soft cheeses, salads with cream dressings and flaky fish.

Mineral & Zesty

A collaboration between Nicholas Pearce and Will Predhomme to create wines from their favourite regions. This Pinot Gris is made from vines planted in Willamette Valley AVA, Oregon.

Brilliant straw colour with youthful yet intense aromas of white peach, stone fruit, green apple and citrus. Bright acidity and freshness on the palate with a round mouthfeel but it stays surprisingly refreshing. Distinctly Oregonian; a clean, fresh style of Pinot Gris.

This Pinot Gris is zesty and fresh, and pairs amazingly with sushi, ceviche and even richer meals like fish and chips! It is also beautiful with white meats, such as chicken and turkey.

Fresh & Mineral - The Pinot Grigio Killer

Wines from Soave are made with the local grape Garganega. Cantina Tessari has its vineyards in the volcanic hills above il Castello di Soave, which is the original - or 'Classico' - wine growing area in Soave, the best vines are located here.

Tessari’s golden straw coloured Grisela is the backbone of the vineyard; a delicious entry level wine that is meant to be enjoyed on any occasion. Melba toast, elderflower and chamomile aromatics fill the glass with a notable mineral quality. The taste of crushed seashells dance on your tongue with a fun duo of stone fruit and citrus. The finish is refreshing with balanced acidity.

Grisela is excellent as an aperitif. Perfect with light appetizers, rich Italian seafood, risotto with black squid ink or on its own.

Textured & Mineral

Mure is a family owned winery that dates back to the mid 1600's. Located near the magical terroir of Rouffach, the family is a reference for the quality of biodynamic wines.

Muré's Sylvaner is a lovely wine.  On the nose, it delivers delicate aromas and flavours of quince, green apple and mineral. On the palate, it finishes long and clean with a soft refined perfume. 

Lovely as an aperitif; a must with shellfish and asparagus dishes!

Spicy & Smooth

“The Farm” is a 10-acre vineyard in Niagara’s Twenty Mile Bench, planted to Pinot Noir. The property is rooted in traditions of gathering family & friends, and where Peter and Dora Neudorf call home.

Although the 2018 growing season was slower to start, it offered warm temperatures in July and August. This latter part of the season is reflected in the wine through bold notes of spice, dark plum, black cherry and great concentration. Approximately 20% new oak was used – providing good structure and medium tannins. These are serious wines blended from terroirs across the Niagara Peninsula. 

Enjoy this Pinot with grilled salmon or other fatty fish. It would also be ideal with duck and other game birds.

Earthy & Floral

Situated in a very fresh zone of Languedoc, in Argelliers and Murles, Mas des Agrunelles cultivate organic and biodynamic vines. The estate was founded by Frédéric Porro and his wife, Stéphanie Ponson, who met in 1999 while studying oenology in Montpellier. It all began with experimentation, trial and error- but they quickly moved from organic vines to a fully functioning biodynamique vineyard and winery. They are proud to produce natural wines of high quality.

L'Indigene is a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan. On the nose it is fleshy with notes of ripe dark berries and briar patch. There is a distinct meatiness that makes you think of salami with garrigue herbs and cracked pepper. On the palate, it is full bodied, textured and robust, with solid acidity and smooth tannins. Fruit notes of blackberry, raspberry and black cherry are concentrated and juicy without being over-ripe. The earthy notes from the nose continue and blend with the savoury notes of lavender, rosemary and white pepper. 

Go bold with rich flavour and hearty protein. A venison or elk steak with red wine sauce, or rustic lamb ragú.

Rich & Juicy

The Cortonesi family has owned the La Mannella farm in Montalcino for decades and are devoted to the production of Brunello di Montalcino. This Rosso di Montalcino is elegant, with aromas of black, blue and purple fruit. It also has hints of violets and is very well structured with soft tannins on the palate.

This Rosso di Montalcino brings out the best in rich pasta dishes, stews and mushrooms sauces. Pair it with lamb (roasted or stewed), risottos with tons of parmesan and tomato-based sauces.

Mineral & Exotic

Château de Parnay is the flagship of the Loire Valley. The property is located along the Loire river and is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This wine is sourced from an entirely walled vineyard, this 100% Chenin Blanc shows subtle and refined scents of lime, lemongrass, apricot, peach and quince. Round and mellow on the palate with notes of preserved lemons and grapefruits with natural freshness and classic Saumur minerality.

This wine pairs well with foods that have a sweet and sour element: southeast Asian cuisine or pork chops with apples are just a few examples!

Robust & Savoury

Villa Calcinaia is located in the heart of Chianti Classico, near the village of Greve-in-Chianti. This Tuscan estate has been home to the Capponi family since 1524.

Calcinaia's Chianti Classico is very aromatic and savoury, with bright red fruit and hints of roses, violets and dried leaves. On the palate it is supple and dry, with round fruit flavours, refreshing acidity and well integrated tannins. 

Chianti wines pair excellently with fatty dishes and stands up to tomato sauce dishes, such as pizza and pasta! It also pairs terrifically with rich pieces of meat: from cured meat boards to the regional classic bistecca alla Fiorentina.

Floral & Waxy

Ricardo Carreiro founded Coto de Gomariz in the seventies, when he managed to return to his land after emigrating to South America like so many other Galicians. His dream was to make wines and restore Gomariz's prestige as a historical vineyard. Known as the "Golden Mile" of the Ribeiro since the 10th century, Gomariz is the oldest Viticultural Reserve in the Iberian Peninsula and has exceptional characteristics for growing grapes.

When the flower and the bee meet, everything begins. This wine is the starting point to understand and appreciate the complexity of the Galician terroir and its native grape varieties. Deliciously easy-drinking, Coto de Gomariz has wanted The Flower and the Bee to be enjoyed unapologetically! Bright, green-hued yellow. Racy, mineral-accented citrus and orchard fruit aromas pick up chalky mineral and ginger nuances with air.

Taut and focused on the palate, offering fresh lemon, green apple and melon flavours and a hint of fennel. The mineral note drives a long, detailed finish that leaves a citrus pith note and a subtle touch of honey behind. Enjoy this wine by the glass or with seafood!

Earthy & Smoky

Ricardo Carreiro founded Coto de Gomariz in the seventies, when he managed to return to his land after emigrating to South America like so many other Galicians. His dream was to make wines and restore Gomariz's prestige as a historical vineyard. Known as the "Golden Mile" of the Ribeiro since the 10th century, Gomariz is the oldest Viticultural Reserve in the Iberian Peninsula and has exceptional characteristics for growing grapes.

When the flower and the bee meet, everything begins. This wine is the starting point to understand and appreciate the complexity of the Galician terroir and its native grape varieties. Deliciously easy-drinking, Coto de Gomariz has wanted The Flower and the Bee to be enjoyed unapologetically!

Shimmering violet. Smoke- and spice-accented cherry pit, blackberry and floral scents are complemented by hints of liquorice and succulent herbs. Nicely concentrated yet lively as well, offering bitter cherry and dark berry flavours that slowly unfurl through the back half. Closes long and subtly chewy, with firming tannins and repeating spice and floral notes.

Enjoy on its own, or pair it with Spanish tapas.