What to Sip this Holiday Season? Some Bubble, Grenache, Syrah or Nero D’Avola perhaps?

We lined up and tasted a few more wines over the last little while and thought we’d share a few of our thoughts on these beauties because we are so very generous and you should have these on your to taste list too!

Narrative XC Method from Okanagan Crush Pad $25

Tis definitely the season for bubble and this is one that stands out from the crowd. It’s a blend of traditional champagne grapes, 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay; the secondary fermentation took place in the wineries unique charmat tanks; designed to lie on their sides in contact with lees for 90 days, hence the XC in the name. Love sipping on this one around the fire (fake or real) or serving it up as guests arrive. It’s nice and crisp, with green apple, citrus and toast aromas and flavours and a nice length. Quite dry with just a touch of sweetness on the finish.

 

Vaporetta – Prosecco Brut No 8 – $17.50

Venturing over to Italy we find this rather fruity and floral bubble with some orchard fruit and honeysuckle aftertastes. A marvelous wine with light seafood dishes and sushi!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rasteau – Cave de Rasteau du la Domeliere $21.99

Hailing from the Côtes du Rhône, this GSM blend comes from older vines and has some nice black cherry and licorice aromas along with some cherry and plum notes and a fairly lengthy palate with silky tanins. Great with pulled pork sliders I say!

 

 

 

 

 

Sicilia Nero d’Avola – Feudo Maccari SALE $16.50

This is a very flexible wine, one for after yoga perhaps, but what I really mean is that it could pair with a number of dishes and flavours that appear on the table at this time of year. A fuller bodied wine with dark cherry and blackberry flavours and a noticeable minerality on the finish. I am thinking about roast pork here, or perhaps a wine for that turkey dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

Laughing Stock Syrah $33.99

Syrah grows well in the Okanagan and this wine proves it. 2014 was a warm vintage and this Syrah benefited. Partly fermented in French oak puncheons and tanks, smothing out any rough edges, this wine is full of blueberry, blackbery, plum and spice and would be perfect with lamb.