3 WINES TO CHECK OUT AT THE LCBO FOR THE HOLIDAYS (PLUS MORE!)
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Hello again, fellow Wine Lovers!
Can you believe that we are only days away from Christmas?! I can’t. The first thing that goes through my mind when I think that is - “how the heck did that happen?”.
2020 has been a year for the record books, don’t you think? I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count all of the ways in which this year was less than stellar. And while it went slowly (and painfully) in some respects, in others, it still managed to whip by! I wonder if you also felt this way? Who knew it could be so busy, when there is actually so little going on…..#lifestruggles.
Truth be told, I’m ready for this year to be over. But before it is, there is one last LCBO Vintages release, and another selection of great wine for you to try, and for me to tell you about this year!
Read on to learn more about the last LCBO Vintages release of this year, and three of my top picks this time around. If you’re not in Ontario, fear not, I’ve got you covered! The wines I’ve picked are widely available in most markets and also online. This is only a small subset of the wines I’ve picked out for you. Click here to get the complete list of my top picks!
IT'S TIME FOR HOLIDAY CHEER!
Sound cheesy? Well, I guess it kinda is...but you’ve got to admit that this time of year usually is pretty cheerful :)
And of course, we are all planning for gifts to buy, and things to do over the holidays. What could be better than a great bottle of wine?
In fact, the LCBO Vintages magazine for this release, which is always a great source of information, notes that the team at the LCBO has focused this time around on putting together a collection of wines that would make great gifts or be perfect for a special meal and are “affordably priced familiar favourites”.
After browsing through the current selection, I would largely agree. The latest release includes approximately 130 sparkling wines, red wines, white wines and fortified wines from all around the world, with a really great selection in the $15 - $45 range.
If you’re thinking 130 wines is a lot to pick from, I couldn’t agree with you more. But hey, that’s why I am here with my handy-dandy list of top picks, ready to make your wine life, and your meals, better! :) I’ve done the research and curating, so you don’t have to.
Check out a few of the wines that I think are worth your time and money, below. Remember, I don’t get paid to recommend any of these wines and do so only because I personally find them compelling so you can count on the fact that I really think these will be good!
NOTE - If you’re shopping at the LCBO, remember that product availability will vary from location to location, and not all products last very long. Click the links below to check availability at your preferred store, or online.
All images below are taken from the LCBO website.
THREE OF MY TOP FAVOURITES
Albino Armani Extra Dry Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore $22.95 Product #16602
We all need a bit of sparkle in our lives, especially around the Holiday Season! And if it comes at an affordable price point, then that’s more money left to buy other things! Enter Prosecco - an affordable alternative to Champagne and a perennially fun crowd-pleaser. Whether in mimosas or on its own, you can’t go wrong with Prosecco!
I particularly like this example because it is from the Prosecco DOCG, which is a designated area that has the high quality standards and great soils for the grapes to grow in.
An added bonus is that this particular wine is a little bit sweet (don’t be fooled by the term “extra dry” on the label - in the case of Prosecco, this actually means there is some sweetness in the wine) which would make more palatable for a broader range of foods and palates!
90 points - Wine Enthusiast
La Vite Lucente 2018 $34.95 Product #747030
This wine, which hails from Tuscany, is the second wine of an iconic label called Luce. Because it’s the second wine, it’s far more affordable, but not much is compromised in terms of quality or finesse in my opinion.
This beauty is a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon and is considered to be a Super Tuscan for this reason. You can expect this wine to be filled with bright red fruit flavours, accompanied by earth and herbal notes.
Put this wine on your Christmas table and you won’t regret it (just be sure to decant the wine for about an hour if you’re going to enjoy it soon).….or cellar it for a few years to enjoy an even smoother experience!
Belle Glos Dairyman Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018 $59.95 Product #366013
Made by one of the most well-known and successful winemakers in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys, this wine will definitely not disappoint!
Consisting of 100% Pinot Noir which all sourced from a specific vineyard in the Sonoma Valley (and more specifically, the Russian River Valley therein), you can expect this wine to be powerful and rich, yet also silky and fruity.
I think this wine is a perfect gift for anyone you know who is interested in, or already really loves, California wines. It is also the perfect gift for anyone who likes a fruit forward wine that is rich and easy to pair with food. I think this would pair perfectly with lamb or stewed beef.
90 points - Wine Enthusiast Magazine
And there you have it - three of my top picks that you can go to the store and grab right now! I hope you enjoyed this rundown of special wine and found something of interest to either enjoy yourself in your own home, or share with a friend. Happy holidays to you and yours!
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