Wines for Girl’s Night Out – by Sara d’Amato

Sara d'Amato

For the Ladies . . .

Recently I was asked to put together a short list of wines appropriate for an evening with the girls and wanted to share them here with our subscribers of the fairer sex. Below are only a few ideas that would certainly make that evening sans garçons all the more enjoyable.

McWilliams’ Hanwood Estate Moscato NV, South East, Australia, LCBO  $13.00

A gentle bubbly that won’t break the bank is a welcome to addition to any girls’ night out, or in! With only 6% alcohol and succulent tropical, honeyed fruit, this type of wine can help you keep pace without sacrificing flavour or body. Made in a traditional Moscato d’Asti style from Northern Italy, this new world version is also pleasantly sweet and can equally be used as a palate cleanser between dinner courses, as an aperitif with hors d’hoeuvres or as a pairing with light desserts. The mild fizz is also helpful in settling a stomach after a rich meal.

Terre Del Barolo Barbaresco 2006, DOCG, Piedmont, Italy, Vintages  $24.95

Barbaresco and Barolo, two adjacent appellations in Northern Italy, produce very memorable and highly coveted wine from the same grape varietal, Nebbiolo. While Barolo tends to be more muscular, masculine and more ageworthy, Barbararesco’s personality is inclined to be more sultry, sassy and feminine with elegant floral aromatics, silky tannins and great length. At a very reasonable price, this Barbaresco is a perfect accompaniment for a gathering of great female intellects.

Perrin & Fils Tavel Rosé 2010, Ac, Rhone, France,  $19.95

Tavel is no ordinary rosé, to the point where inhabitants of this charming village refuse to call this dry, pink beauty a rosé at all. With greater ageing potential than most rosés, Tavel is infused with the scents of Provence such as lavender, thyme and rosemary. It is elegant, complex and refreshing with enough substance to delight through all the seasons. Pair with plethora of appetizers, most notably smoked salmon but know that it has enough gusto to work well with dishes as potent as lamb couscous.

Find all of these wines at your local LCBO here.