Wines to Gift

Wine is a lot of people’s go-to hostess gift, and for good reason, everyone loves wine! But does your host prefer new world to old world; oaked to unoaked; or red to white? Wine preferences can be endless, which is why I like to gift benchmark varietals that most people are familiar with. To make the gift more personal, I try to choose the wine from producers that are not as well known.

I’ve picked three wines that are widely available at LCBO stores and range in price from $15.00-$26.00. Each of the wines are approachable varietals that most people will recognize and be happy to receive!

First Press Cabernet Sauvignon

A California Cab is one of the more well known types of wine. Majority people enjoy this varietal due to it’s smooth and full-bodied characteristics. The First Press Cabernet Sauvignon is from Napa Valley – probably the most recognizable wine regions in California. It is full-bodied with tastes of plum, black berries and vanilla. It has soft tannins which make it a really smooth and easy-drinking wine. The First Press Cabernet Sauvignon used to only come into the LCBO sporadically, but is now an ‘Always Available’ item you can find in the LCBO vintages. At $25.95 this is a really nice gift!

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo/product/first-press-cabernet-sauvignon/188110#.WjvWUoWcGhc

Stoneleigh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

I have yet to meet someone that does not enjoy a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Marlborough is New Zealand’s most recognizable wine region because of the distinctive Sauvignon Blancs this area produces. These wines are typically bursting with zesty flavours of ripe tropical fruits, bell peppers and fresh cut grass. They’re like drinking a sunny summer day! The Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc is no exception with it’s tastes of grapefruit, gooseberry and herbs. You’ll find several different bottles of Stoneleigh at the LCBO – this one is in the non-vintages New Zealand section for $17.95, but is on sale right now for $14.95. At this price it is great value wine to gift.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo/product/stoneleigh-marlborough-sauvignon-blanc/293043#.WjvWKYWcGhc

Château La Tour de L’Évêque Rosé 2016 Rosé

Rosé has recently become a very popular type of wine in North America. The Château La Tour de L’Évêque Rosé is from Provence, France which most people appreciate for being the original rosé producer. Rosé’s from Provence are known to be dry and elegant; not the sickly sweet type that some may remember. The Château La Tour de L’Évêque Rosé is light-bodied with citrus flavours and floral notes that make it a very pretty tasting wine to drink! Most people would be happy to receive a bottle or French rosé, especially at this time of year when they are not widely available at the LCBO. Luckily, the Château La Tour de L’Évêque Rosé is currently available at most LCBO’s vintages for 18.95.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo/product/chateau-la-tour-de-l-eveque-rose-2016/319392#.WjvDIIWcGhc