Top Wine Picks! Michelle Bouffard's Holiday Wine Favourites
This is a hectic time of the year for all of us. Christmas parties have started, work is filled with deadlines before the holidays, and the To Do list is getting longer. To reduce the stress level, here is my gift to you - a wine selection that you can purchase right here, right now, to help you celebrate the season in style. Shopping has never been so easy: order online and it's done. Ahhh, now that's one less thing to do!
Wine For Turkey Dinners
The traditional turkey dinner is usually inevitable during Christmas. What to drink with it? It can be tricky to choose the appropriate wine. From the brussels sprouts to the cranberry sauce and the sweet potatoes, there are so many flavours to take into consideration.
For whites, the key is to choose a wine that is fruity and aromatic. A slightly off-dry white is welcome, think Riesling, Viognier, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris. Tightrope Winery in BC is making lip-smacking Rieslings worth discovering. Make it fun and do a vertical - try a vintage comparison - the 2012, 2013, and 2014 Riesling are available. Trust me, you’ll want more than one bottle…
If red if your preference, opt for soft and fruit driven lighter reds. Gamay and Pinot Noir are naturals. Haywire's 2012 Canyonview Pinot Noir is lush and savoury and the perfect fit. Serve slightly chilled.
Toasting 2016
Having a couple of bottles of sparkling wine in your fridge is imperative. Make sure you start the New Year with style. Your friends might go for Champagne but I guarantee that if you serve the 2008 Benjamin Bridge Méthode Classique Brut from Nova Scotia they will be wow'ed at the elegance and complexity of these Canadian bubbles!
Après-ski
A long day on the slopes followed by a fire and a glass of full-bodied red is a synonym for the holidays here in Canada. Spice it up and try guessing what’s in your wine. 2013 Laughing Stock Blind Trust Red will comfort you while you’re trying to figure out which grapes make up the blend. The answers are underneath the label. Don’t cheat!
Decadence
The holidays come with an overload of sugar. Baked treats are endless. Don’t try to fight it; embrace it. After all, it’s only once a year. For the pinnacle, pair your favourite dessert with a sweet wine. Coteau Rougemont Ice Apple Cider works equally well with fruit dessert, shortbread and old cheddar.
Michelle Bouffard is a wine educator and journalist who splits her time between Montréal & Vancouver. She is the president of the BC Chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers. She Tweets @michellebwine and Instagrams @michellebouffard.
