CELLAR UP

WINES TO SHAPE YOUR CELLAR

The largest wine cellar in the world, in Moldova, is over 200 km long and holds over 2 million bottles of wine. Yours is likely quite a bit smaller than that but can be as diverse.

Here you have the opportunity to add wines from no fewer than four countries, with over a dozen wine regions. Sparkling, white, rosé, red and even fortified wines are ready for your cellar. There is even a spirit for your bar.

There are so many drinking occasions that can benefit from a good wine choice. A glass with a weekday dinner, a special weekend meal at home, entertaining your friends or taking a bottle as a gift when invited out for the evening. It's also becoming more popular in Canada to take your own wine when dining at a restaurant. Many restaurants will welcome your bottle for a reasonable corkage fee.

Be sure to have something on hand for each of these. It's a wonderful way of celebrating and enhancing the joy of wine.

ESPUMANTE CONFRARIA, SUPER RESERVA BRUTO, ARINTO E CHARDONNAY, 2016, LOT 3663, P43

Can you ever have too much sparkling? The traditional method of making sparkling wine is now used around the world. The method and the variety (Chardonnay) for this wine are traditional but the result is anything but. A truly unique winner.

It is often said that Riesling is the sommeliers' varietal. For good reason. The nuance and elegance of this Pfalz favourite are unmatched. The hand-picking and additional care in the process shine through.

MEDIUM-BODIED WHITE

Seafood such as oysters, scallops, sashimi, or salads with mild vinaigrettes

SPIELBERG RIESLING, PFALZ, 2020, LOT 3645, P34

FULL- BODIED RED

Heavy stews, many game meats, lamb, strong cheeses, even dessert

KAUTZ & KRAMER CABERNET SAUVIGNON, BLOCK 50, LODI 2018 , LOT 3629, P21

So often overshadowed by its famous neighbour, Napa, the Lodi region of California has so much to offer. This Cab-Sauv, already four years old, will not disappoint - and it is simply an excellent value.

FORTIFIED

Works well at the beginning and end of almost every meal

CRAUFURD PORTO, 30 YEARS OLD TAWNY, DOC PORTO, AGED IN WOOD (WOOD CASE), LOT 3671, P50 Does one need a reason to have a 30 year old Tawny port in their cellar? We think not. If you're looking for one (or two), think layers of taste, years of enjoyment ahead, and the wood case adds yet even more class to this class act.

If you're a lover of r(h)um, then you just have to have this one. There is so much going on here that you'll be sipping through it to the bottom of the bottle. It's a good thing it comes in threes. There will be some left for the eggnog.

...AND FOR YOUR BAR

Rum

BEAULIEU, RHUM EPICÉ, LOT 3640, WEB EXCLUSIVE

HOLLORAN PINOT NOIR, LE PAVILLON VINEYARD, DUNDEE HILLS, 2018

Pinot Noir HOLLORAN PINOT NOIR, LA CHENAIE VINEYARD, EOLA-AMITY HILLS, 2018

Pinot Noir

3614 HOLLORAN PINOT NOIR LA CHENAIE/LE PAVILLON CASE

$ 82 $ 492

THREE BOTTLES EACH

LE PAVILLON & LA CHENAIE This wine has begun to evolve with savoury shiitake mushroom notes intermingled with aromas of cherry, plum and violet. The palate sings with flavours of strawberry, cranberry and cherry supported by a hint of vanilla and framed by fine-grained tannins. This showstopping wine finishes with a memorable length. –lw

Cherry, plum, shiitake mushroom

Strawberry, cranberry, cherry, vanilla 2022-2029, M8 D9

18°C

13.5%

Roast pork loin with cherry-orange compote A wonderful expression of Eola-Amity Hills' La Chenaie Vineyard with a mouthwatering red-fruit profile. Aromas of violet, strawberry, vanilla and a hint of tomato leaf proceed firm but refined tannins and notes of juicy cranberry, cherry, plum and vanilla. Proprietor Bill Holloran recommends pairing with roasted pork tenderloin rubbed with cumin, garlic, and onion. –lw

Violet, strawberry, vanilla, a hint of tomato leaf

Juicy, cranberry, cherry, plum 2022-2027, M8 D8

18°C

13.5%

Roasted pork tenderloin rubbed with cumin, garlic and onion