Gifting wine

A generation or two ago, unless you were part of an immigrant family, it is unlikely you would have been a wine drinker. My, how times have changed, and now it is very common for us to enjoy wine and to continue to explore its possibilities.

That said, the result is that gifting wine at the holidays is both a common and appreciated practice.

The LCBO and private wine stores such as the Wine Rack and Colio, like other retailers, are doing their best to help you in making your selections. Having followed closely what the LCBO trots out at this time of year, I have to admit I can be a little jaded at seeing the same gift packages year after year. Still, what might be ‘old’ for me may be brand new for someone else.

More importantly, while packaging can certainly dress up a gift, there are all kinds of wines people would appreciate that you can wrap up yourselves. It may be an individual bottle, or it may be a combination of wines that carry their own appeal.

There are good choices throughout the price spectrum for every kind of wine you can think of.

 As for pre-packaged gits, there is a wooden gift box of “Leonardo Da Vinci” Chianti – a bottle each of the 2014 Riserva and the 2018 Chianti, along with a bottle of Tuscan Olive Oil for $39.95. The wines will be decent, the olive oil good, and the price excellent.

Likewise, a three-bottle box of wines from Castelli del Grevepesa, currently a very popular producer of Clemente VII Chianti, contains a bottle of the 2016 Classico, the 2015 Riserva, and the 2015 Toscana, the latter a wine in the new style which contains classic French grapes such Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon in a blend with the traditional Sangiovese. This sells for $82.95.

You could also consider packaging your own Tuscan presentation featuring either Castello di Gabbiano or Frescobaldi.

Gabbiano has two Chianti on the regular list, The Cavaliere d’Oro Chianti 2018, $13.95, and the Cavaliere d’Oro Chianti Classico 2016, currently $15.95, normally $18.95. In Vintages you can find the Castello di Gabbiano Riserva Chianti 2015, $22.95. The Riserva is actually #1 on the Wine Spectator’s Best Values in “Elegant Reds”, where it is described as “an alluring version. Showing ample cherry, plum and berry fruit, with a firm structure.” – 93.

Frescobaldi actually has two vintages of its Castello di Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva on our shelves. The 2016 hails from a fantastic Vintage and is now $3 off at $19.45. In addition, there is the 2014 150th Anniversary Gold Bottle at $22.95. Of this vintage, The Wine Enthusiast writes “fresh and fragrant, this racy red has enticing woodland berry and violet scents and an earthy whiff of new leather. The lithe, elegant palate offers juicy red cherry, crushed red raspberry, cinnamon and star anise flavours framed by polished tannins and vibrant acidity. An outstanding performance for a cool, difficult vintage. Enjoy 2019–2024.” – 91.

To wrap things up, Frescobaldi’s Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino 2016, is currently $5 off at $47.95. According to the makers, “cinnamon, pepper and leather combine in an experience of extreme elegance, finishing on a balsamic note. The wine envelops the mouth completely and impresses with its balance, its dense tannic texture and its minerality, as well as its long, persistent finish.”

For about $90, this would be an impressive package.

For just a single bottle of Barolo from Piedmont, it will be hard to beat the Renato Ratti Marcenasco Barolo 2015, $59.95, #27 on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100, with a score of 95, The Wine Enthusiast tasters were also thrilled by this wine. Affording it a 96, they wrote, “the smooth, precise palate offers crushed raspberry, Marasca cherry, licorice and dried botanical herbs alongside fine-grained tannins.”

From South Australia, a good combination could be a bottle of each of the Two Hands “Angels’ Share” 2018 and Gnarly Dudes” 2017 Shiraz, $23.95 and $24.95 respectively. Same producer, two different vineyards and two different vintages. Of the Gnarly Dudes, the Wine Spectator writes “vanilla cream soda notes accent the plush and supple wild berry and plum flavours on a smooth, easy-drinking body, with hints of sarsaparilla and clove lingering on the finish. -90. (If you want to go all out, the Two Hands Bella’s Garden Shiraz 2017 is also available - $59.95!)

If the recipient can defer pleasure for a few years, then you might consider the Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017 from France’s Rhone. It will give fine drinking from 2023 to 2043, according to critic Jeb Dunnick, who calls it classic – 95. (The 2016 is the Wine Spectator #6 this year, with a score of 96. At the LCBO, the 2017 is $93.95, while the SRP for the 2016 in the States is $107 – or $140 Canadian.

The same producer, Perrin, has another Chateauneuf, Les Sinards, which in part uses grapes from younger vines in the Beaucastel vineyards. It is considered an "entry-level Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but still enjoys a lot of praise. The same Jeb Dunnick says the 2017 offers a “medium to full-bodied, elegant, fruit-forward style that carries plenty of garrigue, dried earth, and charcuterie notes. It’s a total charmer to enjoy over the coming six to eight years.” - 89-91.

For hockey fans and hockey players, it will be hard to beat a bottle or two of the Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia. The limited-edition features three different images of hockey players – a goalie, a slapshot, and a faceoff. The wine is currently $3 off at $13.95. The wine shows good varietal character with dark fruit and a bit of tannin. It is easy to appreciate, and the label will be a hit.

In whites, I am a fan of Alsace, the region in France bordering on Germany and the Black Forest. For fans of rich, off-dry whites, both Joseph Cattin Grand Cru Hatschbourg Gewurztraminer 2016, $26.95, and the Henri Ehrhart Pinot Gris Reserve Particulière 2017, $19.95, would be welcome gifts. Of the first, the Wine Enthusiast tells us that “there is great balance here between juicy ripe sweetish fruit and tangy uplifting freshness” - 92. The second wine earned a Gold in Paris and Vintages tells us to expect a wine that is “elegant and balanced with layers of yellow apple, peach, pear and a touch of quince.”

We don’t hear much about Vouvray, a white wine associated with the Loire made from Chenin Blanc. It is made in both dry and off-dry styles, but usually, there is nothing on the label to tell you which is which. The LCBO does a good job in sharing the sugar levels of its wines, and so we know that the Raimbault Bel-Air 2016, $21.95, is dry at eight grams of sugar per litre. It took Gold at the Concours des Vins Macon in 2018. It carries a 90 from winealign.com, where Sara d’Amato tells us it is “quite dry, herbal and lactic with notes of beeswax and honey. Very traditional in style, compelling.”

In comparison, there is the Marcel Martin Le Droissy Vouvray 2017, $17.95, Ottawa writer Natalie MacLean tells us this wine shows “ripe peach, quince and white florals on the palate…matched with a vibrant acidity. Balanced right across the board. Chill and enjoy with mildly-spiced seafood dishes.” - 88. With 25 grams of sugar, this is definitely off-dry.

Ontario is noted for its Rieslings. Either of one of these or a combination of the two would make a great gift. Vineland Estates Elevation St. Urban Vineyard Riesling 2017 currently $2 off at $17.95, is top-notch. Writer Tim Appelt of Wine Discovery explains that “pretty aromas of lemon-lime, green apple, pear and white peach are enhanced on the palate by the combination of delicate sweetness and juicy acidity before the citrus elements focus into a stony finish.”

Likewise, the Henry of Pelham Estate Riesling 2018, $17.95, is classic and structured. While it now delivers beautifully zesty citrus and peach flavours with a crisp and juicy finish, it will continue to evolve impressively for a few more years.

There are several tantalizing dessert wines in Vintages, from Ports and Sherries to Hungarian Tokaji. The Dow Late Bottled Vintage Port 2013, $24.95, is ready to drink. Expect lush dark fruit and sumptuous flavours with some tannin and spice on the finish. Combine this with a lovely chunk of Stilton cheese, and you have presented the perfect “after-dinner” gift.

Probably one of the sweetest wines going is the Gonzales Byass Nectar Pedro Ximenez Dulce Sherry, $24.95, with a whopping 415 grams of sugar per litre. The Wine Spectator writes, “toasted sesame, peanut, almond and hazelnut notes lead the way, followed by a fleshy core of prune and fig paste flavours. Shows a long echo of ganache on the finish. Frankly sweet but with enough tension for balance. - 92.

Made from the native Hungarian Furmint grape, the Royal Tokaji Late Harvest 2017, $21.95 for a 500 ml. bottle, will introduce the recipient of your gift to one of the world’s great dessert wines. British wine writer Hugh Johnson co-founded this winery in 1990. Expect delicious complexity and richness with the suggestion of fresh and dried apricots, orange blossom and honey, all offset by good acid balance.

Beyond these suggestions, there are a myriad of options on our shelves. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you get to the store.

Saturday, Dec 14 is Customer Appreciation Day at the Wine Rack store at Rome’s Independent Grocer. Four of Arterra’s top wines will be poured for you to taste, and free presentation packaging is available with your purchase. One of the wines to be tasted, the Arterra Epoca Merlot, is sold-out at the winery, but will still be available at a $5 discount on Saturday. Drop by and see just how good Ontario wines can be.