What I’m Drinking In October

Just got back from a whirlwind trip to Italy filming my new television show, which launches internationally soon. You’re going to love, love, love this show because it’s designed with you in mind—to help you drink better and stay in the know. Can’t wait to share all the details with you soon.

In the meantime, I have more news—just for Canadians. My new Canadian show—The Wine Find Holiday Series—runs for three Saturdays straight in November on CHCH TV. That Canada-wide broadcaster reaches 12.4 million households so yours is probably one of them. And The Wine Find Holiday Series will totally set you up for the season. So mark your calendar! Here’s what’s in store.

On November 14, I share five smart wines for entertaining. November 20, I reveal top drops for gifting friends and family. And November 27, I wrap up with wines for all your holiday moments—like that perfect post-shopping bottle and one to pour with “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

So lots to look forward to. But now it’s October. So here’s what I’m drinking this month. Feel free to follow suit ;-)

THE DOOR OF THE FRIDGE WINE

Since drinking local always feels good, I have a bottle of the lovely Lily Sparkling Wine, VQA Ontario in the door of my fridge—ready to pop and pour. Ontario makes excellent sparkling wine at all price points. And this everyday style of bubbly Riesling is reliable, racy and totally overdelivers for about $18 a bottle.

What I love about this wine is its versatility. It’s dry enough to appeal to those accustomed to drier styles of sparkling wine. Yet it’s not too dry, so it still offers broad appeal. It tastes pure and polished and works as well as an aperitif as it does at the table. And yes, it’s marvellous with roast turkey or ham if you’re wondering what to pour for Thanksgiving.

Watch me taste this wine on camera in the video below called, A Beautiful Bubbly from Ontario.

 

A LITTLE BIT OF ITALY

Spending time in Tuscany last month renewed my appreciation for Chianti Classico. And I recently discovered the 2015 Losi Querciavalle Chianti Classico DOCG at the LCBO, which is pure charm. So I’ve been pouring it with Margherita pizza, pasta with homemade ragu sauce and grilled steak. And I expect I’ll continue to do so for the rest of this month while my stash lasts.

For a mere $20, the 2015 Losi Querciavalle Chianti Classico delivers. Not only was the 2015 vintage a very good year, but the Losi family who makes this wine has been tending grapevines in the Chianti Classico region since 1870. So they really know their stuff. And that longstanding commitment to the land shows in every heady sip of this traditionally-styled red. It’s Italy in a bottle.

Click the video below—A Tuscan Gem From An Amazing Vintage—to see what it tastes like.

 

THE BIG NEWS

The big news from Italy of course is the introduction of pink Prosecco. It’s a brand new category introduced last year, and bottles are now on shelf. Here’s what you need to know.

All Prosecco DOC rosé must adhere to strict grape-growing and winemaking regulations. Yields are controlled. Bottles must be vintage dated. And its pink tint must come from Pinot Noir. So Prosecco DOC rosé is a blend of Glera and Pinot Noir. Glera is the grape used to make white Prosecco of course and delivers a classic pear-like flavour, and Pinot Noir can add depth—a bit of red fruit, earthy notes and even a little floral lift.

Prosecco rosé can taste rather sophisticated and complex for an everyday style of sparkling wine. But not all bottles are equal. And the one I’m drinking lately and loving is the beautiful 2019 Bottega Il Vino dei Poeti Prosecco DOC Rosé.

Click the video below titled, A Pearly Pink Prosecco to see me taste this new wine