WINE

WINE Put the rum and eggnog on hold and get cosy with wine

by Mike Usinger

You’re not truly ready for Christmas until you have an authentic holiday display—and it must include Rudolph and Santa (all other characters can be chosen at your discretion). Photo by Mike Usinger.

The Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer figurines have been carefully arranged on the fireplace mantle, the Charlie Brown tree swaddled in a blue blanket and decorated with a lone red bulb, and It’s A Wonderful Life is cued up on the flatscreen. You’ve worked hard this holiday season and now it’s time to kick back for a bit before the big day. Put down the rum and eggnog, and curl up with one of the following wines. And don’t forget to have the Kleenex on standby for when Clarence gets his wings.

RUFFINO IL DUCALE TOSCANA 2018 Ever been lucky enough to spend a couple of weeks in Tuscany? If so, you know the attraction: centuries-old villas, sprawling hillside markets, and rolling vineyards. The last of those turns what’s already heaven on earth into an absolute paradise.

With the idea of loading onto a plane this spring starting to look like a pipe dream once again (dear COVID-19: enough already), transport yourself with the fruit-forward Ruffino Il Ducale Toscana. Cassis, scraped vanilla bean, and earthy tobacco all pop up in this easydrinking, medium-bodied blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, and bold Syrah. Throw a rosemary-lemon chicken on the bricksand-mortar Tuscan-style barbecue, break out the leccino olives, pour a glass, and dare to dream about what might be next spring break.

SANDBANKS FOCH-BACO NOIR SLEEPING GIANT There’s little point trying to pretend otherwise—Thunder Bay isn’t at the top of places most folks feel they’ve just go to see when planning a cross-country trip in Canada. Tofino, Quebec City, and the Maritimes? Absolutely. The Lakehead? Well at least it’s got not one, but two Tim Hortons, which is important because, admit it, Canadian Maple donuts are stupidly delicious. The big attraction at Lakehead—sometimes known only as “Lakehead” to the locals—is the Sleeping Giant of Thunder Bay, a land mass across Lake Superior that looks like, you guessed it, a sleeping giant. That landmark serves as the inspiration for Sandbanks Sleeping Giant Foch-Baco Noir, a bold hybrid where ripe blackcurrent, UPick blueberries, and fresh coffee lead the charge off the line. On the back stretch things expect a smooth and lingering finish marked by dark mocha and a hint of oaky smoke. Next stop Thunder Bay. Or maybe not.

HESTER CREEK 2020 MERLOT Ever watch a movie that you’ve gone in cold on, and then started thinking “That scenery looks familiar?” Assuming you’ve been beyond Main Street, or Boundary Road, in Beautiful British Columbia, the backdrop for Wind Chill with a young Emily Blunt will get you thinking Fraser

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