Still looking for a last-minute gift? Those on your list who enjoy wine are the easiest to shop for: One size fits all, you don’t have to spend a bundle to get a delicious bottle and doubles are great for the cellar.
Here are my top 10 favourite wines to give as gifts, to enjoy with your holiday dinner or to treat yourself.
2008 Cono Sur Viognier, Chile ($10.95 SRP)
Amazing wine for the price. Gorgeously aromatic with notes of rose petals, lychee, apricot and Asian pears.
Pair with: Curries, Asian dishes, shellfish, sushi, salads and turkey.
Score: 89/100.
2006 Cookoothama Chardonnay, Darlington Point, Australia ($13.95 SRP)
A round, warm Chardonnay with ripe apples, butter, vanilla and melon. Closed with a screwcap.
Pair with: Roast chicken, corn.
Score: 87/100.
2007 Gabbiano Pinot Grigio, Venezie, Italy ($12.95 SRP)
A crisp white with mild white grapefruit and melon notes. Good acidity.
Pair with: Shellfish, salads, vegetables, quiche, goat cheese and pear salad.
Score: 86/100.
2006 Louis Jadot Chardonnay, Burgundy, France ($20.95 SRP)
Classic Burgundian lines with mellow richness. Ripe apples, butter and smoke fill the glass. Full-bodied.
Pair with: Pasta in cream sauce, seafood risotto.
Score: 89/100.
2006 Don Mendoza Reserve Merlot, Mendoza, Argentina ($10.50 SRP)
A lip-smacking, delicious and full-bodied red. Notes of mocha, luscious plums, black cherries and vanilla. Smooth and round. Vineyards are in the Uco Valley, which has hot days and cold nights.
Pair with: Grilled lamb, steak with mushroom sauce, pasta in a spicy tomato sauce, dark chocolate.
Score: 89/100.
2007 Wolf Blass Gold Label Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills, Australia ($21.95 SRP)
A vibrant, medium-bodied red with ripe cherries and plums. Silky tannins. Closed with a screwcap.
Pair with: Chinese five-spice duck with wild mushrooms, steam greens and turkey dinner.
Score: 89/100.
2006 Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Cabernet Merlot, British Columbia ($17.99 SRP)
A lovely, rich and deeply textured Cabernet Merlot. Notes of black raspberries with vanilla and smoky oak.
Pair with: Red meats, pasta with tomato sauce, strong cheeses, dark chocolate.
Drink: 2008-2012.
Score: 90/100.
2006 Perez Cruz Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley, Chile ($13.95 SRP)
An absolutely phenomenal wine for the money! Rich, robust with black plums and comfort.
Pair with: Spicy dishes, steak, hamburgers.
Score: 90/100.
2007 Chateau Des Charmes St. David’s Bench Vineyard Gamay Droit, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario ($16.95 SRP)
A peppery, robust number loaded with delicious blackberries and black plums. Great balance and smooth texture.
Pair with: Rare prime rib, beef stew, Chinese egg rolls, asparagus, dark chocolate truffles.
Score: 89/100.
2004 Cathedral Cellar Shiraz, South Africa ($16.95 SRP)
A rich, layered red with dark red fruit and a hulking oak wrap. Big, bulky and tasty.
Pair with: Steak, boar, roast, grilled meats.
Score: 89/100.
