This is the holiday shopping you never get tired of

Holiday Shopping List suggestions from Ryan Lewis

It’s getting to that time of year again. All the hustle and bustle, catching up with friends and hopefully enjoying a few days off over the holidays. The shopping part though, can be a bit daunting. Finding the right thing for everybody on your list is never easy, and often the source of unneeded holiday stress, possibly even driving one to drink. So, this month I have decided to do my part to help make the holidays a little less work and a little more fun!

I have compiled a list of many kinds and styles of wine, beer and few other nice drops, quite a few of them ones you may not have come across, but ones I would urge you to try. I always do a big shop in early December to stock up for the holidays, and frankly, it’s the one shopping trip this time of year I really do enjoy. So weather it’s a host gift, Christmas gift or just wine for the party, there should be something here for everyone.

Bubbles

Though I often choose sparkling wines from other parts of the world due to their budget friendliness, there are times when only Champagne will do. Here are two that have caught my eye over the last few months that won’t break the bank. Both of these wines are available at Kitsilano Wine Cellars.

Hubert Paulet Tradition Premier Cru, Champagne, France – $59

Gatinois Tradition Grand Cru, Champagne, France- $60

White Wine

Montalto Pinot Grigio 2013, Sicily, Italy – $12 BC Liquor Stores

Well-made value priced white to stock up on for the holidays. Fresh fruit flavours, apple, grapefruit and a touch of minerality. Will pair nicely with holiday appetizers, cheeses and seafood.

Nk’mip Pinot Blanc 2013, Okanagan, BC – $16 VQA Shops or BC Liquor Stores

Bright citrus and apple frame this medium bodied Okanagan white. Hints of stone fruit and underlying minerality follow through to a clean, crisp finish. Good value for BC wine. Try this with white-sauced pasta, seafood or holiday appetizers.

Tahbilk Marsanne 2010, Nagambie Lakes, Australia – $20 BC Liquor Stores

A bit of a departure from the standard of Aussie Chardonnay, this Marsanne (originally a Rhone grape) consistently delivers, so for something a little different give this one a try. Honeysuckle, spice and citrus on the palate with good concentration and acidity, this wine will develop further with short term cellaring. (3-5 years)

Mure Signature Riesling 2011, Alsace, France – $24 BC Liquor Stores

This refreshing Alsace white has a nice mix of peach, pear and citrus flavours, balanced by mouthwatering acidity. A touch of residual sugar adds some weight and allows a vast array of pairings. Salads, citrus seafood dishes, and pork come to mind.

Red Wine

Lovico Lozar Gamza 2012, Bulgaria – $12 BC Liquor Stores

This one is for the wine geeks and anybody looking for something a little off the beaten track. Gamza a native grape to Bulgaria makes a wine somewhat similar to Pinot Noir with slightly more body. Solid and a little rustic the palate leads with cherry, pomegranate, red fruit and spice along with good acidity and soft tannins. This will pair nicely with turkey dinner, and at $12 well worth a try.

Escorihuela 1884 Reservado Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Mendoza, Argentina – $17 BC Liquor Stores.

Classic Cabernet with sweet cassis, vanilla and spice on the nose. The palate follows things up displaying mocha, and dark fruits with hints of graphite and cedar.  Surprisingly good structure and balance at this price point, and well worth buying a couple bottles.

Chateau Maison Blanche 2009, Bordeaux, France – $29 BC Liquor Stores

A great example of Bordeaux at an affordable price with this Merlot dominated blend. Raspberry and Blackberry on the palate with hints of licorice and tar on the well balanced finish. Drinking nicely now but has another 3-5 years if you choose to cellar.

Foppiano Vineyards Petite Sirah 2011, Sonoma County, California – $20 O’Hare’s Liquor Store, Everything Wine, Legacy Liquor Store, Kits Wine Cellar

Also known as Durif in other parts of the world, Petite Sirah now has a decent cult following in California. This wine exudes generous fruit character, cherry, blueberry, blackberry, along with a velvety mouthfeel, all framed by soft tannins and good acidity. This is my mid-week steak or pizza wine.

Beer

Tripel Karmeliet Gift Pack, Belgium – $28 Firefly Liquor Store (small format single bottle only $4 BC Liquor Stores)

Traditional Belgian Tripel, using three grains and Belgian yeasts for a distinct complex flavour profile. Fruit and spice on the nose, followed by malty, apple-orange with hints spice and pepper on the palate. Comes with 2 Belgian style beer glasses and 750ml bottle. Great place to start if you are getting into Belgian beers.

Fuggles & Warlock – Beam Me Up – Espresso Milk Stout – $8 O’Hare’s Liquor Store, Brewery Creek Liquor Store, Legacy Liquor Store and other fine beer retailers 

With the Vancouver beer scene on over load, why not add another brewer?? Promising to ‘keep beer weird’ the boys at F&W have crafted a number of off the beaten track originals coming to a fine beer retailer near you. The Beam Me Up Stout leads with the expected coffee (organic Metta from Salt Spring Coffee) and lots of it, followed by toasty caramel & toffee with hints of coconut. Mouthfeel is creamy due to the use of lactose, and honestly this is pretty close to breakfast in a bottle. Nice effort here.

Central City & Parallel 49 Beer Advent Calendar – $75 BC Liquor Stores

For the beer lover on your Christmas list, this one will not disappoint. With 24 beers, one for each day in December until the big day, how can you go wrong!

Spirits & Fortified

Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon – $55 BC Liquor Stores

From the makers of Buffalo Trace, (another great bourbon available here in BC) this 10 year old has become one of my favourites. Supple and rounded with hints of fudge, stewed fruits, raisins and caramel. This one will get the job done for all your holiday needs, cocktails, with eggnog, or neat.

Warre’s Otima 10 Year Old Tawny – $28 BC Liquor Stores

Toffee, caramel, nuts and coffee frame this rich Tawny Port form Warre’s. A rich little gem for sharing over the holidays or the perfect gift. Think dark chocolate or dried fruit desserts or even pumpkin pie to accompany.

360 Double Chocolate Vodka – $16 BC Liquor Stores

Super chocolaty, super smooth, quadruple-distilled, this one works for cocktails, as a winter warmer in hot chocolate drinks and the like or just sip on it’s own. Drinks more like dessert wine than a spirit and I would say a must have for the well stocked bar.