Wine on A Dime

These wines – all under $45 – give the best bang (and flavour!) for your buck this season. Oneka John, WSET Level 3, Wine Educator, gives some tips. 

Cheers to everything!

Nothing says “celebration” like sparkling wine! 

Sweetness Level: Brut (Dry)

Flavour Profile: Stone Fruit & Citrus 

Pairing Note: Perfect aperitifs to welcome guests. These wines cleanse the palate, ready the appetite and cut through the fat of a charcuterie board.

Want something sweeter? Choose Torresella  Extra Dry Prosecco (or make mimosas!)

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There’s a bottle for that!

“The adage of white wine for white meat and red wine for red meat has long been put out to pasture. The wine should reflect the intensity of the food while complementing the dominant flavours, creating a sensual experience on the palate. The flavours of Christmas are usually savoury, decadent and a little bit sweet. So, you are looking at medium to full-bodied wines with lots of black and red berry or jammy flavours with hints of baking spice, like cinnamon and other spices, like black pepper. This immediately brings to mind Merlot, Malbec, Shiraz, and bold red blends.” 

Merlot 

Sweetness Level: Dry

Flavour Profile: Red berry and stewed fruit with a bit of oak which add richness and complexity. The tannins are often soft and smooth, giving the wine a silky mouthfeel.

Pair With: Baked or Barbequed chicken, especially with a creamy macaroni pie on the side. 

Malbec

Sweetness Level: Dry

Flavour Profile: Smooth and easy-drinking. Blackberry and raspberry finessed by a hint of vanilla.

Pair With: Roast or stewed beef makes a beautiful pairing. Also delicious with lasagna.

Shiraz Wine

Sweetness Level: Dry

Flavour Profile: Aromas of ripe blackberry, cocoa, coffee, coconut, black pepper, herbs and clove. Flavours of rich, ripe blackberries are balanced with fine tannins giving way to a very long finish. 

Pair With: This wine accentuates the clove of your picnic ham and highlights the cranberry sauce of your turkey perfectly.

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Weakness for Sweetness

“Many Bajans prefer a little sweetness in their wines so bold red blends are a terrific choice. Hardys VR Sweet Red Blend is a winner with all of the plum and berry flavours and aromas against easy tannins and just the right balance of sweetness. 

There are great white blends available too, like San Telmo Sweet White. This wine is fresh and fruity with a medium palate weight that stands up to the rich flavours of Christmas dinner.

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Only white wine, please! 

Sweetness Level: Dry

Flavour Profile: Lush fruit flavours and aromas. Its bright citrus character perfectly counters the honeyed apricot, culminating in a smooth, delicious wine with a lasting finish.

Pair With: Roast chicken 

For the pescatarian

Spectacular with fish

Sweetness Level: Dry

Flavour Profile: A lovely floral and almond nose give way to peach and ripe citrus fruits on the palate. Pair With: Pasta with shrimp sauce, swordfish and trout are wonderful options.

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There’s always room For dessert

“The rule for pairing dessert with wine is that the wine must always be sweeter than the dessert.”

Sweetness Level: Sweet

Flavour Profile: 

Pair With: Black Cake or Great Cake. Try it with a blue cheese plate. You will be delightfully surprised. 

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