I + M WINE GUIDE: WINES UNDER $40

‘Tis the season to be VERY MERRY with lots of holiday cocktails, Christmas parties, dinner dates and cozy fireside wine with your favourite person (and dogs, all the dogs!).

We’ve been having a lot of fun bringing you extra Christmas content this year to help you get inspired with what to wear, what to buy and now, what to sip!
If you’re anything like Matt and I, we can’t go to a friend’s or family member’s home empty handed, and a beautiful bottle of wine or two is always our go to (or a fun set of napkins or candle, those are my other go to items).

We wanted to help you optimize your wine shopping time with a helpful wine guide that includes some great options for every budget AND bonus for including some Love Local wines as well - you know we love our Niagara wineries!
IDEA: Why not make your wine shopping even more fun and plan a cozy wine date with your bestie or your hunny and sip the wines at the winery before you buy! I’m all about quality testing…. so really, you’re doing your loved ones or that hostess with the mostess a favour by confirming how good the wine is!

A green sparkly dress + a beautiful bottle of red = a perfect Christmas pair!

WINES UNDER $40

DOMAINE QUEYLUS Pinot Noir Tradition 2020 ($35.70)
Showcasing deeper strawberries, rose petals, orange blossom, baking spices, and tea leaves waft up from the glass and all gather to produce a complex bouquet. With more sour cherry and ripe raspberry notes, the Pinot Noir Tradition offers more acidity, structure with soft integrated tannins and subtle oak.

DOMAIN CORSIN Saint-Véran Vieilles Chardonnay 2018 ($37.35)
This iconic southern Burgundy producer has three appellations that are layered in clay and limestone which contributes to the picturesque land to grow Chardonnay. This Saint-Véran Vieilles Vignes delivers a buttery finish with lots of green notes, white flower and warm oak. This is a beyond elegant Chardonnay that also holds a bit of weight in body and is a fun pairing to explore with. Fermentation is done in stainless steel and maturation is done in 35% oak vats, providing a balance of minerality and a classic buttery finish.

CHATEAU CAMPARNAUD Esprit Rosé ($25.11)
The garnet hue this Rosé gives off is the first signature of Provence. Lots of red fruit and red flower on the nose with a perfect blend of citrus on the palate. Camparnaud's perfect soil composition is revealed within this Rosé's mineral driven mouthfeel.

WESTCOTT VINEYARDS Estate Chardonnay 2020 ($29.99)
This Chardonnay is a delight to drink! It presents notes of sweet golden apple, pear and toasty vanilla. Rich and creamy on the palate with well balanced acidity and a lengthy finish.
Pairs nicely with mild cheeses such as goat or creamy brie, scallops, white fish.

WESTCOTT VINEYARDS Estate Pinot Noir 2019 ($31.99)
This crowd pleasing Pinot Noir features rich notes of plum, ripe black cherry and currant that tantalize the taste buds. Medium acidity with soft tannins, this wine is great to enjoy now, but will also soften and develop with a few years in bottle.
Pairs nicely with BBQ ribs, mushroom anything, lamb chops.

DOMENICO CLERICO Langhe DOC Dolcetto Visadi 2021 ($28.19)
This red wine was the first ever creation by the iconic Domenico Clerico. This wine is very decorated over its long-standing reign, the epitome of what a world class Dolcetto should be. Decadent notes of plum, stewed blackberries, cocoa and black pepper. The finish is long and bold with strong tannin structure. Due to its ageing in stainless steel, you are met with a vibrant minerality that cuts the richness perfectly with its tartness.

VOLIERO Rosso Di Montalcino 2020 ($39.99)
This wine pulls you close to take in its spicy mix of wild herbs, white pepper, rosehips and zesty sour cherries. A wave of salty minerality greets you on the palate, followed by silky textures and tart wild berry fruits. It impresses with its vivacity and cheek-puckering tension, tapering off with purple-tinged florals, lightly structured and remarkably fresh.
Pairs nicely with breads, hard cheese, red meat, pasta, roasted vegetables, veal.

FRATELLI BORGOGNO Langhe Nebbiolo 2021 ($32.99)
This wine is from younger vines in Barolo, and it’s aged in large Slavonian oak casks. This shows great precision and purity, with raspberry and cranberry fruit, some tannic crunch and bright acidity. This has a lovely purity to it, showing a lot of fruit but also great structure and focus. Benchmark Nebbiolo, with good concentration for a Langhe, and elegance and prettiness coupled with acid and tannin presence. Carries its alcohol very well.
Pairs nicely with breads, hard cheese, cured meat, ham, pasta, red meat.

WESTCOTT VINEYARDS 2020 Brilliant Traditional Sparkling Rosé ($34.99)
This beautiful sparkling is made in the Traditional French Champagne method. Rich notes of raspberry jam, juicy watermelon and ripe cherry. Fresh acidity, fine bubbles and a lovely round mouthfeel, this sparkling rosé is a delight to drink!
Skin soaked for 2 hours. 12 months lees contact, hand riddled, disgorged and labelled at Westcott. 3000 bottles made.