I think it was in Shoppers Drug Mart where I first saw them. Christmas decorations and other seasonal hoopla were already jazzing up the aisles before Halloween. Before Halloween! Im pretty confident that Christmas ephemera used to only appear once American Thanksgiving hangovers had cleared, but I guess the holiday season is now a two-month phenomenon whether we like it or not.
So, while Im not quite comfortable with tapping away at a holiday-themed column in November, I think it more important that youre prepared for the holidays with some of the best-suited wines for various occasions. I put out a call to a good handful of Vancouvers wine community, those whove made appearances in this column over the last year, to check in with what they think you should be drinking this season. If its gonna come early, we may as well uncork the good stuff!
Sebastien Le Goff, the service director of Cactus Club Café, opted to go with a little traditional method (Champagne-esque) sparkling Chenin Blanc from wine from the Loire Valley, as its a perfect bottle to open as you are preparing the dinner and setting up the table while waiting for your guests to arrive. He adds that its refreshing and delicious, a great aperitif and very good value.
David Tremblay, sommelier at Market and the Shangri-La Hotel, went for this literal and figurative mouthful thats a personal favourite of mine, too! Whether youre having turkey or ham for Christmas or sushi on Boxing Day Riesling is a great option to have in the fridge. Pair it up with almost anything or quaff it on its own. Light body, lifted fruit and bright acidity leave you looking forward to the next sip.
Sometimes people take a challenge like this and run with it. Not only did YEW at the Four Seasons sommelier Emily Walker pick an awesome bottle, but she provides a well-stated manifesto of support thats equal parts mini-wine lesson and ringing endorsement.
In her own words: This joyful little red is the perfect companion at a casual holiday soiree where youre bound to be grazing on a wide variety of appetizers from cheeses and smoked meats, stuffed mushroom caps and flatbreads to the infamous shrimp ring, this wine can go with the gamut. Just 40 kilometres north of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in Frances Southern Rhône Valley, the Vinsobres appellation is lesser-known in relation to some of its more famed neighbours, but due to its higher elevation you can find Syrah-dominated blends with elegance and finesse thats sometimes lost as you head farther south. A medium-bodied blend of Syrah and Grenache that offers up aromas of violets and plenty of plush, juicy black fruit with a subtle backdrop of pepper and mineral. A great value from an underrated appellation.
Next week, well continue with more holiday hits from some of Vancouvers best sommeliers. Meanwhile, you can visit my website, KurtisKolt.com, for more news from the wine world or follow me on Twitter @KurtisKolt.
