We all have to stick to a budget, even when it comes to wine. However, there are occasions, such as birthdays and holidays, when we're willing to spend more. Here are my top ten wines for when you want to splurge.
A.C., Champagne, France
Gorgeous and full of finesse and elegance. Fleeting fielding raspberry notes. Layered and long. My fav rose champagne hands down. Alcohol: 12% Sweetness: Extra Dry 750 ml Drink: 2013‐2018 Gorgeous Gift Wine Top Rated Sparkling Wine Price: $91.95 Score: 94/100 LCBO: 724559
A.C., Champagne, France
An elegant and aristocratic blend of 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier grapes. Enticing aromas of baked bread, brioche, and green apple. Mouth-watering and toasty. Some kind of lovely! Alcohol: 12.5% Sweetness: Extra Dry 750 ml Drink: 2013‐2016 Gorgeous Gift Wine Top Rated Sparkling Wine Price: $62.95 Score: 93/100 LCBO: 814723
V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario, Canada
Rich, complex and layered from a master. Ripe peach and Asian pear with toasted almond. Alcohol: 14% Sweetness: Extra Dry 750 ml Drink: 2012‐2016 Top Rated White Wine Price: $65.00 Score: 93/100 LCBO: 34561
Sonoma Coast, California, United States
Gorgeous opulence! Balanced, beautiful and robust. Butterscotch and green apple with hints of white peach on the nose. Creamy, plush, layered and luxurious. Benchmark Californian Chardonnay. Alcohol: 14.1% Sweetness: Extra Dry 750 ml Drink: 2013‐2018 Charming Chicken Wine Top Rated White Wine Price: $76.95 Score: 96/100 LCBO: 251223
D.O.C., Veneto, Italy
Dark spices and blackberry liqueur with a river of concentrated dark fruit flavour through its core. Ultra full-bodied and rich. Great long finish. Alcohol: 15.9% Sweetness: Dry 750 ml Drink: 2014‐2020 Gorgeous Gift Wine Top Rated Red Wine Price: $51.95 Score: 92/100 LCBO: 987305
Paso Robles, California, United States
Full-bodied with mocha and black fruit. This robust red is a blend of 42% Syrah, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Petit Verdot. Pair with hearty meat dishes. Alcohol: 15.9% Sweetness: Dry 750 ml Drink: 2013‐2016 Best Beef Wine Price: $95.95 Score: 89/100 LCBO: 249375
Oregon, United States
Gorgeous! Aromas of wild black cherry, mocha, earth and violets. Medium-bodied and supple. Lovely, long finish. The Burgundian heritage of this winery shows through, yet the distinctive Oregon signature is there. Pair with pork tenderloin. Alcohol: 13.9% Sweetness: Extra Dry 750 ml Drink: 2013‐2017 Gorgeous Gift Wine Price: $60.00 Score: 93/100 LCBO: 984484
Okanagan Valley, BC VQA, Canada
Elegant and aristocratic with terrific structure and lovely fleshy ripe black fruit. Smoke and cedar with a lick of spice on the finish. Full-bodied and fairly smooth, so decant only 1 hour. This will do very well in the cellar. Benchmark Canadian Meritage. Meritage food pairings: intensely flavoured or braised red meat dishes. Alcohol: 14.5% Sweetness: Extra Dry 750 ml Drink: 2015‐2020 Price: $58.75 Score: 93/100 LCBO: 695148
Vqa, Niagara, Ontario, Canada
One of Canada's top wine producers, especially when it comes to Riesling, both dry and dessert style. This lovely dessert wine offers aromas an flavours of apricot and peach, Beautifully balanced. Alcohol: 10% Sweetness: Sweet 375 ml Drink: 2013‐2019 Price: $59.95 Score: 93/100 LCBO: 576033