house wine

The holidays, the holidays, the holidays, and what to drink, what to drink, what to drink. It's all I seem to read these days. I guess I could be reading about cookies, cookies, cookies and shopping, shopping, shopping, but I can't drag my ass off the couch to shop or bake these days. I think I slept for ten hours last night. Doing a little booze window shopping via my laptop seems to be just within the realm of what I'm capable of while I wait for the festive season to finally allow me to let loose with the corkscrew.

So, during this, the darkest week of the year, here are a few cheap selections to help you pass the holidays in fine form and with which to stock your shelves in anticipation of thirsty guests.

From WineAlign:

Cono Sur Bicicleta Pinot Noir 2011: ($10.95) this is on the light side of red and that makes it a good drink to pair with food ($10.95). Cono Sur also makes a great Viognier that's really affordable and supple enough to be a great sipping wine.
Santa Carolina Chardonnay Reserva 2011: ($11.95) an easy Chardonnay that's not too heavy on the caramel, toasty oak flavours which means a little balance in the glass. And you may remember, you can get it in a BIG bottle too.

From Billy's Best Bottles:

Boschendal Estate Chenin-Viognier 2011 'The Pavilion': ($10.95) I haven't tried this yet which is why I'm going to buy a bottle as soon as I wake up this weekend.
Sandbanks Baco Noir 2011: ($14.95) one of those earthy, dark and brooding types; worth the little extra cash for an Ontario wine.

A few of my Favourites:

Mezzomondo Negroamaro Salento: ($9.00) is an old-time favourite that everyone has probably tried, but all that ripe, dark fruit is worth revisiting.
Marques de Riscal White: ($10.80) is a peach of a wine with some floral components and together with a hit of citrus makes it a versatile wine.
Pelee Blanc de Blanc Vidal/Riesling: ($9.95) because we must have an Ontario white on the list, and if you try it you won't be disappointed.