Our Top 12 Wines of 2012

It’s a tough assignment to have to narrow down all the wines we’ve enjoyed over one year into a measly 12.

After getting summoning our inner Simon Cowell, we got ruthless. Deciding the wines that would make the cut for this year’s top picks would be the wines that we bought went back to again and again, bought by the case, and regularly made an appearance at our dinner tables, cocktail parties, and weekend afternoon cheese-and-wine  breaks.

The following list is what we enjoyed the most in 2012, but we’d love to hear what made the top 12 in your high rotation – let us know in the comments below!

Prà Soave Classico, Veneto, Italy 2011
$19.95 Vintages 74535
This wine has been a go-to for us for years. A blend of garganega and trebbiano this has pretty Meyer lemon, white peach and floral notes and is just perfect anytime of year, whether it’s dockside summer sipping, the house pour for elegant get togethers or as an aperitif at a holiday dinner party.  It comes through Vintages once or twice a year, but goes fairly quickly.  If you can’t find it at your local LCBO order it here by the case.

Fattoria di Magliano “Heba” Morellino di Scansano, Tuscany, Italy 2009
$22.99 Stem Wine Group
The bulk of this wine is Sangiovese with about 15% made up from other native varietals.  Richer and softer than what you would find in Chianti, this elegant wine is full of bright red cherry, light cooking spice, floral and subtle earthy flavours. Elevated acidity make this a perfect companion to a myriad of foods from cheese and charcuterie plates to tomato-based pasta dishes and even seasonal Tourtière.

Bruno Giacosa Arneis, Piedmont, Italy 2011
$34.70 Le Sommelier
Medium bodied with white flowers, ripe stone fruit, sweet citrus,a touch of herbaciousness and an an almost waxy mouthfeel, this is a great wine to enjoy as a solo sipper or with grilled octopus, pasta in pesto sauce or freshly made Caesar salad.

Malivoire Chardonnay, VQA Niagara Peninsula, ON 2011
$19.95 Vintages 573147
This is a wine that certainly punches above its weight in terms of value and quality. Flavours of baking spice, clementine orange, ripe orchard fruit and a mineral finish, this is a constant in our cellars. Enjoy with grilled halibut or salmon, roast chicken or medium hard cheeses like Mimolette or aged Cheddar.

Flat Rock Cellars Rosé, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, ON 2011
$17.15 Flat Rock Cellars
We’ve been buying a few cases of this for the last few years — and good thing too, as it’s currently sold out.  It should be back on shelves in the next few months, so when it returns make sure you get it before it’s gone.  2011 was a bit more earthy and mineral driven than the hot 2010 Vintage, but still contained the field berry mix of flavours that has made it one of our favourite wines.  Great weight and balance make it a fine pairing for roast turkey or grilled salmon.

Michele Chiarlo “Le Orme” Barbera d’Asti Superiore, Piedmont, Italy 2009
$14.95 RKW Wine Imports
This wine made some news a few months ago when it was listed in Wine Spectator as a “best value.” It’s also been given the designation from Decanter, Robert Parker and Gambero Rosso. It is a fantastic wine, drinking well above its class: filled with ripe cherry, milk chocolate and a hint of lavender/rose floral.  Medium bodied with bright acidity, its a perfect pizza night wine and can hold its own with more sophisticated dishes like braised short ribs or osso buco.

Vineland “Elevation St. Urban Vineyard” Riesling, VQA Niagara Escarpment, ON 2011
$19.95 Vintages 38117
Medium bodied with flavours of key lime pie, wet stone, and honey this wine has a slight sweetness that is easily kept in check with crisp acidity. A great wine to enjoy with spicy Thai curries, grilled prawns or roast pork tenderloin.

Rosehall Run “Cuvée County” Cabernet Franc, VQA Prince Edward County 2010
$24.95 Rosehall Run
A delicious example of Ontario Cab Franc, look for juicy red raspberry, savoury herb, red bell pepper, and crushed white pepper. Medium to full bodied with vibrant acidity, this is ready to drink tonight with a rare steak, or keep it in the cellar or another year or two to develop further.

Villa Ponciago La Réserve Fleurie, Beaujolais, France, 2011
$21.95 Vintages 299917
Gamay, the main grape of Beaujolais, is one of our favourite wines to drink as it’s so versatile. Fleurie, a top Cru in Beaujolais, produces wines of elegance and finesse.  This has flavours of ripe field berries, violet incense, crushed stone and black pepper spice with a lengthy cran-cherry finish. Medium bodied with a great seam of acidity, this pairs nicely with everything from prime rib to roast turkey or duck.

Domaine Parent Bourgogne, Burgundy, France 2010
$19.95 Vintages 597971
A fantastic value for red Burgundy. Medium bodied with some tannic grip, this has flavours of dried strawberry and cherry, smoke and spice. Considerable length and poise. A very elegant and charming wine. We wish we bought more.

Descendientes de J. Palacios “Pétalos,” Bierzo, Spain 2010
$23.95 Vintages 675207
We pick up a case of this every vintage, as it is consistently good and an incredible value. Made from the local mencía grape with alluring aromas of field flowers, leather and earth, ripe black and blueberries and spice. Mid to full bodied with great structure and balanced acidity, this is in our cellars to open in 2014. Luckily we have a few bottles from previous vintages to hold us over.

Château des Charmes Méthode Traditionelle Rosé VQA Niagara on the Lake, 2009
$28.95 available to order
A top sparkling in our books that’s filled with ripe red berries, golden delicious apple and sweet citrus. Party pink in colour, with a creamy but still vibrant texture this is perfect for grilled seafood, fresh strawberries or quiche.