Bold reds, budget prices
As someone who grew up in Ottawa, and who studied in Montreal, I’m apprehensive about bemoaning Toronto’s winter. We usually have it mild down here. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t find myself craving coziness right about now.
’Tis the season of hearty stews and evenings by the YouTube yule log, heavy wool sweaters, and competitive moots. OK, so, that last one is more “hellish” than “hygge,” but nothing pairs quite so well with a big red wine as existential dread.
Speaking of mooting, there is a trick to oral submissions. When a judge asks you a question, take a sip of wine before answering. That will give you time to think about the flavour profile, and it will take the edge right off.
Not mooting right now? Then just open one of the bottles below and let its warmth envelope you.
Tom
I recently found myself in LCBO, looking for a wine to pair with the spaghetti and meatless meatballs that I was planning to make. Experience told me that a Sangiovese would probably work well; I needed that acidity to stand up to the tomato sauce. So, I reached for a bottle of Borgonero Borgo Scopeto 2015, a Sangiovese blend for $18.95. I’m happy to conclude that it was great value.
Borgonero is this beautiful, deep, dark, and dense magenta colour. The nose offered something like mulled Welch’s grape juice, with faint spiciness, and hints of other dark fruits. I got more red fruit on the palate — especially strawberry. There was also a hint of sour cherry. This is a wonderfully smooth wine, with very fine tannins. It’s medium-bodied, but it has plenty of personality. And although it turned out not to be particularly acidic, it paired well with the rosé sauce I ended up making.
Amy
If you adore the structure of a good Cabernet Sauvignon but can appreciate a lighter fruity aroma common to wines like the Merlot or Gamay, then I recommend that you pick up a bottle of Montecilo Rioja Reserva 2015 the next time you are at an LCBO. For less than $15 dollars a bottle, this red wine will steal your heart but not your bank account.
The dominant grape variety in Rioja blends is the Tempranillo, which is indigenous to Spain. This dry, medium-bodied wine has a mature palate of red fruits, cacao, and a hint of spice tied together by the Tempranillo’s signature notes of leather. Spanish Reserva wines are required to age for at least one year in oak so expect a lingering earthy finish. This Rioja is versatile and generous with different food pairings, limited only by your imagination. Try it with classics like a ribeye steak and roasted vegetables, or experiment with sushi, or spicy cuisines.
Kimia
Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 is a full-bodied and smooth Washington red, which can be found in the LCBO Vintages section for $19.95. On the nose, this wine is fruity and rich. There are notes of blackberries, spices, and herbs on the palate. It is sweeter and more approachable than your average dry wine. It has a slightly bitter finish when notes of coffee and vanilla become noticeable. This is a good wine for a casual date night and pairs well with homemade burgers and cheese boards. Overall, a great experience for under $20 — just let it breathe for about thirty minutes before serving.
How about heading south for the winter? Trivento Malbec Mendoza Reserve 2017 is a dark and flavourful Argentinian Malbec that is a must-try for those who like dry, full-bodied wine. On the nose, it is oaky, bold, and spicy. The ripe dark berries and plum flavours are carried all the way through to the long finish, at which point hints of licorice and dark chocolate become apparent as well. This is an exciting and enjoyable wine for a movie night with friends and pairs well with a variety of comfort foods and grilled meats. As with the Columbia Crest H3 wine, it needs to decant for a while, but for $13 at the LCBO it is very worthwhile.
