Wine Advent

Gilvesy Bohém Balatoni Cuvée – Balaton, Hungary

The Gilvesy Bohém is a unique white blend made from grapes harvested from the slopes of a dormant Hungarian volcano! It was produced by expat Róbert Gilvesy, who moved back to his homeland of Hungary after living in Canada, and established a winery south of Lake Balaton on the former Esterházy estate. Farming his 13 hectares of vineyards organically, in the cellar Róbert utilizes local materials such as Hungarian oak barrels. Crafted from a cuvée of Olaszrizling, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, the Bohém has crystalline focus and poise. Saline notes of lime zest and bergamot are complemented by zesty acidity and minty coolness. Try this with salt & vinegar chips, a roasted cauliflower soup or charred corn salad.

El Enemigo La Esperanza Vineyard Bonarda – Mendoza, Argentina

While it may not have the same fame as Malbec, the Bonarda grape has been turning heads for some time now in the high-altitude vineyards of Mendoza! Deeply pigmented like Malbec, Bonarda offers softer tannins, brighter acidity, and approachable fruity flavors. In the hands of a winemaker like Alejandro Vigil, Bonarda is very elegant. The chief winemaker at benchmark winery Bodega Catena Zapata, Alejandro understands Mendoza better than anyone. ‘La Esperanza’ is a single vineyard Bonarda made from grapes harvested from an old vineyard in San Martín.Vibrant purplish red in the glass, on the nose there are complex aromas of dark raspberries, red plums, violets, and dark chocolate. On the medium bodied palate wickedly moreish black fruit flavors are complemented by velvety tannins. This is a perfect steak wine and is also a great option to unwind after a long day with a square of dark chocolate by the fire.

Kutjevo Graševina Kvalitetno – Slavonija, Croatia

One of the oldest wine cellars in Europe, Kutjevo Winery was established in 1232 by Cisterian monks; the very same order that standardized winemaking in Burgundy. Following in their footsteps, chief oenologist Ivan Marinclin seeks to channel the unique terroir of the Golden Valley of Kutjevo. The jewel in his crown – Graševina. The favored white grape variety of Croatia, Graševina is also known as Welschriesling. On the nose it possesses lively aromas of green apple and chamomile. On the palate, sharp acidity and citrus flavors lead into a dry, zippy finish. This refreshing white is the perfect companion to wrapping gifts or to sip on while you prepare your holiday baking.

Cartuxa Monte de Pinheiros Tinto – Alentejo, Portugal

While Portugal might be best known for its sweet Port wines, it is also home to some of the best value dry table wines on the planet! Adega da Cartuxa is an iconic winery located in the wine region of Alentejo and is a perfect example of this. Founded by the Eugénio de Almeida family in the nineteenth century, the winery is today managed by a foundation setup in their name. The wines are marked by their distinct bold structure and generous intensity. Made from a blend of Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet and Syrah, the Monte de Pinheiros Tinto is gutsy, and yet still approachable. Deep purple red in appearance, the nose unfurls lavish aromas of black plum, blackberry, dried fig and tobacco. Dark berry flavors that coat the palate are complemented by firm tannins and a fruity finish.

Gallina De Piel Pinkgall – Navarra, Spain

Perfectly pink! The spirited Pinkgall rosé is the creation of top flight sommelier/winemaker, David Seijas. The Head Sommelier of El Bulli between 2007 and 2011 (the holder of three Michelin stars and the world’s number one restaurant until its closure in 2011), Seijas founded Gallina De Piel in 2017. Working with local growers, the project includes wines from the northern Spanish regions of Catalonia, Aragon and Galicia. With the Pinkgall Seijas explores the three shades of Garnacha – Garnacha Tinta (red), Garnacha Roya (gray), and Garnacha Blanca (white). Delicately coral pink from 3 hours of skin maceration, the palate conjures refreshingly dry notes of strawberry, pink raspberry, yuzu citrus and lavender. Try this with a caprese salad, roasted salmon or strawberries and brie.

The Hatch Bury the Hatchet Red – Okanagan Valley, Canada

The Hatch is a launchpad for numerous awarded Okanagan Valley wine brands. Sitting on 6 hectares of vineyards in West Kelowna, it’s a hub for winemaking, where creativity and experimentation prevail. Ringmaster of this show, winemaker Jason Parkes, presides. He shapes fun and inviting wines that suit the goofy wine labels of artist Paul Morstad. His Bury the Hatchet Red is made from a blend of Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. In the glass the wine’s brooding ruby red color foreshadows robust aromas of blackberry, black currant, tobacco and cedar. The bold palate is filled out by sinewy tannins and sweet barrel spice. Try this with a classic tourtière or a juicy burger.

Château Trébiac Graves Blanc – Bordeaux, France

The Château Trébiac Graves Blanc is a polished example of 100% Semillon from the much-celebrated French wine region of Bordeaux. Part of the Famille Sichel portfolio of wineries, this estate is managed by the capable Arnaud de Butler. Trained by his winemaking father, Butler tends 28 hectares of vineyards located 35 km south of the port of Bordeaux. For the Château Trébiac Graves Blanc, Butler employs 6 months of lees aging to convey complex texture and flavor. Straw-yellow in hue, in the glass you discover round notes of white peach, chamomile, and beeswax. The finish is briskly dry and lingering. Try this with a classic Caesar salad, grilled prawns or a simple poached whitefish with lemon, butter and white wine.

Bodegas Moraza Soplar – Rioja, Spain

The Soplar defies assumptions of what Rioja can and should be. Created by 6th generation winemakers, Janire Moraza and Patricio Moraza, it’s a renegade wine that posits – “what if Rioja was crushable and fresh?” Enlisting biodynamic grown Tempranillo and Garnacha Peluda grapes from Rioja Alta’s Golden Mile, the wine is spontaneously vinified in concrete tanks with minimal intervention. Its vivid garnet red color mirrors notes of fresh picked red plum, pomegranate, and hibiscus tea. Nimble tannins are balanced by invigorating acidity. This is a vin de soif (wine for thirst) best served slightly chilled. This is a match for Mediterranean cuisine, including falafel, lamb kafta, stuffed eggplant or pork souvlaki

Poderi di Carlo Pinot Grigio Orange – Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Hailing from the hills of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in northeastern Italy, the Poderi di Carlo Pinot Grigio Orange wine speaks to centuries of winemaking tradition. As was once common in the area, it was made by macerating the grape skins for 24 to 36 hours with the juice – a process which draws out textural complexity and a lovely amber-orange hue. For those who may not be familiar, an orange wine is essentially a white wine made like a red wine! Far from ubiquitous, it plumbs the depths of this noble grape variety. The nose exhibits a complex bouquet with aromas of bruised golden delicious apple, lemon peel, and honey receiving a light dusting of vanilla spice from partial maturation in French oak barrels. Faint tannins on the medium bodied palate further elevate its food pairing prowess. Try this beauty with a classic roast chicken, cave-aged cheeses or a roasted yellow beet salad with goat cheese and roasted walnuts.

Le Ragnaie Troncone Toscana Rosso – Tuscany, Italy

A bright and fragrant 100% Sangiovese from Tuscany’s Le Ragnaie estate, the grapes for the Troncone were hand-harvested from some of the highest elevation vineyards in Montalcino. Located within a natural south-facing amphitheater, the vines are perched at 600 meters elevation. Here winemaker Riccardo Campinoti can realize a terroir driven wine with lifted elegance. Macerated on the skins for 2 weeks and matured 12 months in large casks and concrete, the wine is beautifully harmonious. Garnet red in color with pink inflections, on the nose there are perfumed aromas of bing cherry, orange peel, bay leaf and terracotta. On the palate, taut acidity and sleek tannins carry the day. Try this rustic red with a classic Bolognese, panzanella salad, finocchiona salami or any combination of a classic Italian meal!

Domaine Vendange Grande Réserve Crémant de Savoie – Savoie, France

If you’re looking for a great value bubbles, a nice Crémant can be the perfect answer. Crémant is the name used for sparkling wine made using the classic Champagne method, but produced in other parts of France (for instance Crémant de Bourgogne is from Burgundy, or this Crémant de Loire comes from the Loire Valley).  Produced by winemaker Benjamin Vendange, this bubbly comes from the tiny French mountain region of Savoie. Nestled near the Swiss border, Savoie accounts for only 0.5% of all French wines. What little wine there is, is largely consumed locally. For his Grande Réserve cuvée, Benjamin musters three grape varieties – Jacquère, Altesse and Chardonnay. Thoughtful maturation on the lees for 18 months in a cool cellar have gifted the wine fine effervescence and creamy texture. Fresh aromas of yellow apple, grapefruit, and citrus blossom on the nose are complemented by crunchy acidity and lean minerality on the palate. We thought these complex yet refreshing bubbles were the perfect way to finish off our 12 Nights of Wine, and we are wishing all the best to you and yours this holiday season.