Now is the time to stock on wine for the holidays

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The holiday entertaining season is in full swing, so today we look at wines you may want to stock up with whether you are entertaining at home or heading out to celebrate with friends.

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It is impossible to know which wines will be in your local stores, so this list is based on three key parameters.

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First, they must deliver on overall quality. Second, if it’s on our list, we consider it to be excellent value for the price — no mean feat in a market full of heavily taxed, overpriced wine — and finally, most notably to buyers, we have tried to stick to wines that are in a minimum of 40-60 stores or more. Still, we can only deal with what we know today, so be flexible because there will be shortages of your favourites coming later in the month. Hence our advice, get started now.

The good news is that drinking at home has advantages beginning with a cost reduction of one to two times its price in a restaurant. That’s right, the home wine list is sans markups. We suggest you consider spending 20 or 30 per cent more and drink even better while saving money. Here are our suggestions.

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We begin with champagne because, well, it’s champagne and an unexpected treat for your guests. If the gathering is small enough, six or under, it’s an electric, affordable pleasure. Three labels to look for are the Paul Roger Reserve Brut $79.99, Louis Roederer Collection 242 ($82.99) and Lanson Green Label Brut Organic ($89.99). If you are leaning toward local sparklers, consider the equally compelling: Mission Hill Sparkling Brut ($24.99), Fitz 2018 Brut Sparkling ($31.99), Haywire 2013 Vintage Bub ($38.99), or for a bit of colour, the Red Rooster Brut Rosé ($28.99).

White wine choices abound once you leave the Chardonnay/Sauvignon Blanc stream. If it’s too difficult to leave your favourites, we get it, but If you want to try something different, here is the list of affordable, supercharged white wines well-suited to seafood or vegetarian appetizers: Quinta da Lixa 2021 Vinhos Verde, Portugal ($17.99), El Petit Bonhomme Rueda Blanc, Spain ($16.99), Argiolas Costamolino 2021 Vermentino di Sardegna, Italy ($21.99), M. Chapoutier 2021 Domaine de Bila-Haut Blanc, France ($19.99). Other appetizer whites we like are Clos du Soleil Pinot Gris, Similkameen Valley ($23.99), Hester Creek Pinot Bianco, B.C. ($21.99), Protea 2021 Chenin Blanc, South Africa ($15.99), Viña Chocalán Sauvignon Blanc Reserva, Chile ($13.99).

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Red blends remain a crowd favourite, but there are some musts to stock, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Malbec. Our picks: Valle Las Acequias 2017 Malbec Oak, Mendoza, Argentina ($22.99), Luigi Bosca 2019 Malbec, Argentina ($23.99), Little Giant Barossa 2019 Shiraz, Australia ($24.99), Giovanni Rosso Nebbiolo Langhe Rosso, Italy ($27.99), Rodney Strong 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, California ($24.99), Unsworth Pinot Noir, Cowichan Valley ($35.99), Poplar Grove Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley ($38.99), Tantalus 2020 Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley ($39.99).

Red blends tend to be a little more versatile at parties. Labels on sale we like include b.io Il 2020 Nero, Sicily ($20.99), Boutinot Cotes du Rhone Villages ($20.99), Rodney Strong 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, California ($24.99), M. Chapoutier 2018 Crozes-Hermitage Les Meysonniers, France ($25.99), Torres 2019 Celeste Crianza, Spain ($25.99).

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We wrap up our selections with some port for the cold days by the fire or for the perfect post-dinner sip. Both are wood-aged ports and more than ready to drink. First up is Warre’s Otima 10-Year-Old Port ($24.97) which spends an average of 10 years in old casks or the equally tasty but a little softer in style and very easy sipping is Warre’s Warrior Finest Reserve Port ($21.99).

Now, it’s time to get shopping.

Weekend wine picks

Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino di Sardegna 2021, Sardinia, Italy 

$21.99 I 91/100

UPC: 8010544110754

You can set your watch by Costamolino if only because year in and out, these guys deliver, and the price of the wine remains stable and sensible. The grapes get a super light pressing, and only free-run juice makes it to the fermentation. The result is an overwhelmingly enticing floral aroma dusted with lemon and ginger. Bitter quince and juicy, ripe stone fruit balance each other off sip before a sweet citrus/tangerine note closes the door. Our advice is don’t open this too early before dinner, or you will have to open another bottle before dinner. Seafood is best here, including squid, crab, clams, mussels and more. Serve throughout the holidays.

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Basa Lore Txakkoli 2020, Spain 

$24.99 I 91/100

UPC: 8437005419001

Basa Lore translates from Basque to “Wild Flower from the Forest,” reflecting its location and the family philosophy. The property is near San Sebastian in Zarautz, where the cool Bay of Biscay meets the forest. Basa Lore and five other wineries founded the D.O. Getariako Txakolina, the Basque region’s answer to Vinho Verde. The wine is made with the Hondarrabi Zuri grape and is delicious. Vibrant and alive with lemon-lime flavours, white flower aromas, and a coating of seaside salinity reminiscent of oyster liquor. The regional match is fried potatoes and bacalao; on the west coast, I’m thinking about mussels, clams, squid, and rock cod. As good as it gets for $25.

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Little Giant Barossa Shiraz 2019, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

$24.99 I 89/100

UPC: 9344154012474

The “little giant” is the stocky, robust, southern hairy-nose wombat and the symbol of this humble Barossa Shiraz that packs a punch in the glass. The Barossa fruit is fermented in stainless steel to keep the flavours of a dry and small vintage of very high quality. It spent nine months in large, used French and American oak barrels. Look for gobs of black plum and blueberry fruit flavours dusted in licorice, mocha and fresh cracked pepper. Hedonistic and ready to drink. Anything grilled works here.

Fontanafredda Barolo Serralunga D’Alba 2016, Piedmont, Italy

$45.99 I 91/100

UPC: 8000174100027

This label first appeared in 1988, celebrating the terroir of Serralunga and the elegance of the Fontanafredda. You feel it in this wine that is a window into an outstanding vintage that will age easily for a decade and beyond. Look for a classic garnet red colour and aromas of roses and spice with a light dusting of vanilla. It is dry and round on the palate and just beginning to open up, offering leather, spice and wild cherry notes. Full-bodied and long, it finishes with firm but manageable tannins. Honest, affordable, you can drink it.

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Champagne Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut Travel Pack N/V, Champagne, France

$89.99 I 92/100

UPC: 03018333005354

If you want a slick gift and a wine that delivers, the Piper Heidsieck Cuvee Brut Travel Pack hits all the right notes. The Piper folks call it a night champagne for bars, clubs and the theatre. Well, that translates nicely to a party bubble, and its insulated red carry pack comes with two elegant champagne glasses. All you need to do is add one. The champagne is bright and fresh with a chalky, citrus flavour profile and a dusting of sea salt. Perfect for any occasion, including nightlife

Recipe match: Roasted Italian sausage and potatoes

From the cookbook Maria’s Italian Cucina, by Vancouver-based foodie Maria Fazzari Larosa, this hearty dish pairs hot or mild Italian sausage with potatoes and a few other flavour-adding ingredients for a one-and-done meal that’s comforting and delicious:

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Salsicce Italiane e Patate (Roasted Italian Sausages and Potatoes)

6 large Italian sausage links, mild or hot

8 large Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges

1 whole onion, cut into thick pieces

3/4 cup (180 mL) olive oil

4 whole garlic cloves

Salt and pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 425 F. Cut sausage links in half, lace in a large bowl, and add potato wedges, onion, whole garlic cloves, salt, pepper and olive oil. Mix well to coat evenly.

Transfer to a large baking dish and bake for 45 minutes, turning after 30 minutes, until sausages and potatoes are cooked through.

Chef tip: Once your potatoes are cut into wedges, place them in a large bowl. Then, cover the potatoes completely with cold water and let them soak for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight). This will help to rinse off the excess starch and help the potatoes crisp-up in the oven.

Serves 4 to 6. 

Recipe match 

A comfort dish of roasted Italian sausages and potatoes can be kept simple with a glass of quality Chianti.

Barone Ricasoli Brolio Chianti Classico 2019, Tuscany, Italy ($26.99)

Black cherries and bright acidity with a touch of forest floor were made for this classic savoury comfort dish.

Famiglia Zingarelli Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Classico 2019, Tuscany, Italy ($19.99)

Sun-ripened cherries, ripe raspberries, wet forest stretches and stony are the knife to cut through this dish bite after bite.