WineAlign Gift Guide – BC Edition
20 Great Bottles
Every month the BC critics at WineAlign share with you our favourite Best Bets – wines that ring up under $20 or so, are widely available and overly delicious. We take great delight in finding these value gems to drink ourselves, and share with you. But December fa-la-la’s signal celebratory holiday parties, festive galas, and seeking out that very special bottle for that very special person on your list. It’s true that special bottles aren’t always synonymous with expensive prices. However, this month we’ve thrown budget out the window in selecting our wines – ones that we would all be very happy to find under our tree. (hint hint Santa)
And if you want to embellish that gift for the wine lover on your list, limited advance tickets (at a discounted price) are on sale now for the 2014 Vancouver International Wine Festival. Canada’s premier wine show will mark its 36th anniversary of pairing wine, food and the performing arts from February 24 to March 2, 2014. It features 178 wineries from 14 countries pouring 1,750 wines at 54 events to a projected 23,000 attendees. Next year’s theme region is France, and the global focus is sparkling wine. For more information, visit www.vanwinefest.ca. (hint hint again Santa – stocking stuffer)
The following wines are currently available in BC recommended and recently reviewed by our BC team, Rhys Pender (RP),DJ Kearney (DJK), Treve Ring (TR), and Anthony Gismondi (AG). Here’s link to all 20 Great Bottles. Follow the link to the full review and check out how many bottles are in stock at your nearest store. For our Ontario friends, here’s the WineAlign Gift Guide – Ontario Edition .
The Bubbles
Dom Pérignon 2004 ($231.88) (AG, TR)
Champagne, France
Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve ($69.95) (RP)
Champagne, France
Taittinger Comtes De Champagne Blanc De Blancs Brut ($169.99) (TR)
Champagne, France
Le Mesnil Blanc De Blancs Brut ($54.99) (DJK)
Champagne, France
The Whites
Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay Micro Cuvée Old Main Road Vineyard 2011 ($54.99) (AG)
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
M. Chapoutier Chante Alouette Hermitage Blanc 2011 ($75.99) (TR)
Northern Rhone, France
Mission Hill Perpetua Osoyoos Vineyard Estate 2010 ($34.99) (DJK)
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
The Reds
Penfolds Grange 2008 ($599.99) (RP)
South Australia, Australia
Altesino Brunello Di Montalcino 2008 ($59.99) (AG)
Tuscany, Italy
Alvaro Palacios Les Terrasses 2011($54.99) (AG)
Priorat, Spain
Emiliana Coyam 2011($29.99) (RP)
Colchagua, Chile
Ridge Three Valleys 2011 ($34.99) (DJK)
Sonoma County, California, U.S.A.
Ridge Monte Bello 2009($169.99) (RP)
Santa Cruz Mountains, California, U.S.A.
Bodegas R. López de Heredia Vina Tondonia Rioja Reserva 2001 ($49.99) (TR)
Rioja, Spain
Miguel Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 ($59.99) (DJK)
Penedes, Spain
The Fortifieds
Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port 2011 ($134.99) (AG)
Douro Valley, Portugal
Gonzales Byass N/V Nutty Solera Oloroso Sherry ($17.99) (RP)
Jerez, Spain
Gonzales Byass Apostoles Palo Cortado Viejo 30 Year Old ($34.99) (TR)
Jerez, Spain
Graham’s Twenty Year Old Tawny Port ($36.99) (DJK)
Douro Valley, Portugal
The Spirit
Hennessy Paradis Imperial ($2752.88) (TR)
Cognac, France
Here’s link to all 20 Great Bottles.
Editors Note: You can find complete reviews by clicking on any of the wine names, bottle images or links highlighted. Paid subscribers to WineAlign see all critics reviews immediately. Non-paid users wait 30 days to see new reviews. Membership has its privileges; like first access to great wines!