Good value, great taste

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This article was published 13/12/2014 (3975 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Whether you’re hosting family, friends or co-workers, or you’re heading to a festive shindig, chances are you’ll need wine this holiday season — and plenty of it.

But there are already lots of expenses this time of the year, and chances are you don’t want to break the bank on wine — especially in large quantities.

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to get the most bang for your buck when buying wine over the holidays, without necessarily pouring plonk.

Reds and whites from less-popular wine-producing countries such as Portugal, Austria and Greece tend to over-deliver for the price. Often produced from grapes you may not be familiar with (Xynomavro or Touriga Franca, anyone?), they deliver plenty of character and are remarkably food-friendly.

Even a quick perusal through the French, Italian or Spanish sections can yield good value wines from more obscure grapes or regions.

Buying in larger formats is a great idea for keeping the wine flowing for many imbibers, but traditionally the quality has been a bit dicey. These days, there are plenty of good-quality wines packed in two-, three- and four-litre boxes from countries such as Chile, Spain and Australia.

Avoid the “bottled and blended in Canada” boxed wine. The quality is hit-and-miss, and while these wines are made by Canadian producers, they’re typically not certified by the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA), meaning the grapes can come from anywhere in the world. Many have no Canadian juice in them whatsoever — and, frankly, they’re uninteresting.

There are often good deals to be had on “holiday cases” at private wine stores — mixed cases of six or 12 that are typically sold for a bit of a price break. It’s worth checking around to see what kind of mixed-case options are out there.

See something on the shelf that piques your interest but aren’t sure whether it’s worth your $12? Your smartphone can help. In addition to finding scads of review of wines online (via websites such as cellartracker.com or winealign.com), there are also plenty of wine apps (such as Delectable or Vivino) where you can look up a product — often just by scanning the wine’s barcode — to see user reviews and more.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions. While many stores bring on extra help over the holidays, some of whom may be less knowledgeable about wine, they can point you in the direction of someone who can help. Wine people generally love to talk about wine — they won’t mind.

uncorked@mts.net Twitter: @bensigurdson

Radio Boka 2013 Tempranillo (Valencia, Spain — $38.30/3L box, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Ripe raspberry and strawberry notes are prominent on the nose of this Spanish red, with hints of earth, mocha and tobacco. It’s medium-bodied and balances juicy red-berry notes with light tannin and more modest earthier, leafier flavours. A very good value. Also available in a 750-ml bottle for $13.64. 3 1/2 stars

 

Citra 2013 Montepulciano D’Abruzzo red (Montepulciano D’Abruzzo, Italy — $9.67/1L bottle, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Leather, cherry, tar, raspberry and some light smoke show well on the nose, while the fruit shines through a little more on the palate of this medium-bodied red, with some black-tea and peppery notes and a hint of acidity. This red, a recent best-value award winner, continues to be a ridiculous value. 3 1/2 stars

 

Lindemans 2013 Bin 45 Cabernet Sauvignon (South Eastern Australia — $35.99/3L box, Liquor Marts and beyond)

The Lindemans bin series is pretty consistent. Heavy on the dark-berry fruit aromas — blackberry, cassis, plum and blueberry — there’s also a hint of mint and anise in there as well. It’s a medium-bodied, fruit-forward Cabernet Sauvignon that emphasizes the blackberry and cassis flavours while remaining dry. Also available in a 750-ml bottle for $12.99. 3 stars

 

Pelee Island 2012 Eco Trail white (Ontario — $35.99/3L box, Liquor Marts and beyond)

A Chardonnay-Auxerrois blend from Ontario, the Eco Trail white — a rare VQA Canadian wine in a box — shows pear, red-apple skin, mineral and peach aromas. It’s a light-plus bodied white that’s crisp and fresh, with lots of pear and melon notes on the palate as well as some peach and toasted-nut notes. Decent for the price, and the wedge/purse-shaped box will be a conversation-starter. 2 1/2 stars

 

Terra D’Ercole 2013 Falanghina Campania (Falanghina Campania, Italy — around $14, private wine stores)

Made from the more obscure Falanghina grape, I picked this wine up for a couple bucks off the $13.99 regular price during a sale at Kenaston Wine Market. Sweet green apple, peach, spice and apricot notes on the nose hint at some sweetness. But on the light-bodied palate it’s bone-dry, with pear, herbal and lemon-zest flavours most prominent, as well as spice and peach-skin notes. A good value. 3 stars