6 Great Wines to Have on Hand

The other day a client emailed us, asking for a few “reliable” wine options. Some red, some white, under $20, and always available so that he could pick them up in a pinch and know what to expect.

Everyone loves a good treasure hunt, and when it comes to finding a great bottle for exceptional value, we humbly submit we have stealth like focus when it comes to unearthing the most elusive of wines, but it’s reassuring to have an arsenal of “go-tos” on your wine shopping list when life takes over and you don’t have the leisure of whiling away hours in the LCBO.

Recently we appeared on “The Morning Show” on Global, talking about deliciously affordable summer wines.  Here’s a few of some of our tried-and-trues for fall.

Whites: 

Light & fresh.

These bottles make great appertifs, and can be sipped solo or easily paired with hors d’oeuvres and lighter meals.

Go with: Anselmi San Vincenzo Veneto, Italy 2011
$14.95 Vintages 948158
A blend of Garganega, Chardonnay and a bit of Trebbiano, this is aromatic with  ripe stone fruit, ginger spice and lavender.  Perfect for vegetarian curry, or seafood pasta in herbed olive oil.

Racy & flavourful.

You can’t go wrong with a Riesling. We’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating that Rieslings are among the friendliest of wines to pair with a variety of dishes: everything from a rich pork cassoulet, to spicy pad thai, to simple grilled chicken breast with mango salsa, Rieslings can stand up — and compliment — nearly anything you can throw at it.

Pick up: Megalomaniac Narcissist Riesling, VQA Niagara Peninsula, ON 2011
$16.95 Vintages 67587
A recent edition to the Vintages Essentials list this past summer, look for an edgy Riesling with floral notes, honey, lemon-lime and classic mineral notes.

Full bodied.

You always need a bottle or two on hand to pair with those “bigger” lighter foods like BBQ salmon, roast chicken, pork loin, pâté and grilled shellfish like lobster and scallops in a cream or butter sauce.

We recommended: Cono Sur Organic Chardonnay, San Antonio Valley, Chile 2011
$11.95 LCBO 230565
An unbelievably good wine at only $11, this is rich and creamy with mango, pineapple, mildly oaky butterscotch notes as well as a bit of mineral. Fantastic Deal.

Reds:

Refreshing.

Ontario really excels at Gamay — the main grape of Beaujolais. A lighter bodied red that still offers delicate complexity, it’s one of our favourite go-to red grapes.  It’s incredibly food-friendly and pairs really with autumn feasts like turkey, grilled lamb, beef & mushroom pot pie or  cheese plates & charcuterie.

We love: Malivoire Gamay, VQA Niagara Escarpment, ON 2010
$16.95 Vintages 591313
Look for plum, red cherry, earth and leafy notes with good alcohol-acidity balance and soft tannins.  Quite a lovely wine.

Mid weight & versatile.

When the autumn chill whips through the air, or you are enjoying a heartier fare that demands a bit more oomph, medium bodied reds can go a long way. Merlot, Sangiovese (Chianti), and Valpolicella are all good bets here, but for something cheap and cheerful — and always available — try Côtes du Rhône.

We like: Perrin Réserve Côtes du Rhône, France 2010
$15.95, Vintages 363457
Mostly Grenache with some Syrah, Carignanne & Cinsault in the blend, this is a lighter CdR, but very approachable with juicy red fruit, floral and wild herb notes and a touch of spice. Enjoy on pizza night or with rustic pot roast & root vegetables, or dress it up for seared duck breast in cherry sauce.

Big, Bold and Beautiful.

You want something big to go with steaks and ribs and roast beef?  Head to Chile, where wines of grace, power, and finesse are easy to find for exceptional prices.

Try: Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Aconcagua Valley, Chile 2011
$18.95 LCBO 335174
It’s always in General List (as is its equally delicious brother the Max Reserva Syrah) and is filled with cassis, mocha, black cherry, eucalyptus, sweet tamarind spice and cedar notes. Bring on the ribeye.