The Perfect Wine for Doing Your Taxes
Carolyn Evans Hammond
Sure, everyone knows that house parties, dinner dates and extended family feasts call for wine. But what about those moments no one ever talks about? You know, Netflix nights, NHL playoff games, that overly ambitious camping trip (when you sleep in your toque), the damn-I-need-a-gift-quick moment and of course, tax time, when you’re sorting through mountains of receipts. What corks do you pull or screwcaps do you crack then? Let me help you with that.
Netflix nights
Mumm Cuvee Napa Brut Prestige, California (LCBO 217273 $25.95)
If you haven’t had Champagne with popcorn, bucket list it. Champagne’s characteristic flavors of cooked apple and fresh pastry complement the toasty popped corn beautifully while the wine’s gentle effervescence quenches and refreshes after each salty-buttery bite. Enjoy the duo for less with this Champagne look-alike from the Mumm Champagne house’s Californian property. It’s slightly richer than the producer’s French brut counterpart but maintains Mumm’s signature freshness and flavors that remind me of homemade apple pie. The steady stream of crunch and bubbles ups the electric charge of any riveting rom-com, deep sea horror or mockumentary.
Score: 89
NHL playoffs
2012 Gilmour Orus, Karlo Estates, Prince Edward County, VQA Ontario (Vintages 441915 $19.95)
Though the Toronto Maple Leafs will not be in the playoffs this year, Leaf fans can remember some of the team’s better moments with a glass Doug Gilmour’s very own wine. That’s right. Hockey Hall of Famer and former Leaf captain Doug Gilmour launched his own wines with Karlo Estates Winery this past June and his white is an impressive blend of Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Grigio. It’s crisp and dry with restrained citrus and stone-fruit flavors that taper to a grapefruit-nutmeg finish. Delicious with green olives (or nachos) nibbled in front of the flat screen. Score!
Score: 90
The ambitious camping trip
2013 7 Deadly Zins Old Vine Zinfandel, California (Vintages 59311 $24.95)
If you head up north before the May long weekend to camp (pretending of course it’s warm enough to do so) don’t forget your toque. And a bottle of really bold, alcoholic wine to keep warm as the sun sets and the deep chill sets in. This powerful pour is just the thing. Expect a delicious blast of mouth-coating of cherry, blackberry and stewed plum edged with black pepper. Its amped-up goodness is almost guaranteed to make stoking the fire and eating hotdogs in the bush that much more fun.
Score: 90+
The quick gift
2012 Masi Campofiorin Ripasso IGT, Veneto, Italy (LCBO 155051 $20.95)
Damn. You need a gift to thank the catsitter/junior’s teacher/your good neighbor and forgot to pick something up. Pre-empt the panic by having a stash of good wine on hand to grab-and-wrap. An ideal choice? Masi’s Campofiorin. It’s $20, classically labeled and makes everyone swoon because it tastes like an Amarone at a fraction of the price. Campofiorin is a “ripasso,” which means the wine has been “re-passed” over the semidried grapes to enrich it with more concentration before bottling. Think stewed damson, fresh fig, macerated stone fruit, wild cherries and cream. Great gift.
Score: 92
Do your taxes night
2014 Malivoire Winery Guilty Men White (LCBO #192666 $14.95)
Ah yes. Tax season. That time when we each spend at least one tedious evening sorting through receipts while feeling pangs of guilt. Did we really need that many pairs of new shoes/dinners out/golf vacations last year? Be one with the guilt by sipping away at this refreshing (and reasonably priced) white. It’s a bracing blend of Riesling and Sauvignon blanc that tastes clean and bright with great purity of fruit — think white peach, tangy lime and green apple. Delish with a bowl of salted nuts.
Score: 88
Sure, everyone knows that house parties, dinner dates and extended family feasts call for wine. But what about those moments no one ever talks about? You know, Netflix nights, NHL playoff games, that overly ambitious camping trip (when you sleep in your toque), the damn-I-need-a-gift-quick moment and of course, tax time, when you’re sorting through mountains of receipts. What corks do you pull or screwcaps do you crack then? Let me help you with that.
Mumm Cuvee Napa Brut Prestige, California (LCBO 217273 $25.95)
If you haven’t had Champagne with popcorn, bucket list it. Champagne’s characteristic flavors of cooked apple and fresh pastry complement the toasty popped corn beautifully while the wine’s gentle effervescence quenches and refreshes after each salty-buttery bite. Enjoy the duo for less with this Champagne look-alike from the Mumm Champagne house’s Californian property. It’s slightly richer than the producer’s French brut counterpart but maintains Mumm’s signature freshness and flavors that remind me of homemade apple pie. The steady stream of crunch and bubbles ups the electric charge of any riveting rom-com, deep sea horror or mockumentary.
Score: 89
NHL playoffs
2012 Gilmour Orus, Karlo Estates, Prince Edward County, VQA Ontario (Vintages 441915 $19.95)
Though the Toronto Maple Leafs will not be in the playoffs this year, Leaf fans can remember some of the team’s better moments with a glass Doug Gilmour’s very own wine. That’s right. Hockey Hall of Famer and former Leaf captain Doug Gilmour launched his own wines with Karlo Estates Winery this past June and his white is an impressive blend of Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Grigio. It’s crisp and dry with restrained citrus and stone-fruit flavors that taper to a grapefruit-nutmeg finish. Delicious with green olives (or nachos) nibbled in front of the flat screen. Score!
Score: 90
The ambitious camping trip
2013 7 Deadly Zins Old Vine Zinfandel, California (Vintages 59311 $24.95)
If you head up north before the May long weekend to camp (pretending of course it’s warm enough to do so) don’t forget your toque. And a bottle of really bold, alcoholic wine to keep warm as the sun sets and the deep chill sets in. This powerful pour is just the thing. Expect a delicious blast of mouth-coating of cherry, blackberry and stewed plum edged with black pepper. Its amped-up goodness is almost guaranteed to make stoking the fire and eating hotdogs in the bush that much more fun.
Score: 90+
The quick gift
2012 Masi Campofiorin Ripasso IGT, Veneto, Italy (LCBO 155051 $20.95)
Damn. You need a gift to thank the catsitter/junior’s teacher/your good neighbor and forgot to pick something up. Pre-empt the panic by having a stash of good wine on hand to grab-and-wrap. An ideal choice? Masi’s Campofiorin. It’s $20, classically labeled and makes everyone swoon because it tastes like an Amarone at a fraction of the price. Campofiorin is a “ripasso,” which means the wine has been “re-passed” over the semidried grapes to enrich it with more concentration before bottling. Think stewed damson, fresh fig, macerated stone fruit, wild cherries and cream. Great gift.
Score: 92
Do your taxes night
2014 Malivoire Winery Guilty Men White (LCBO #192666 $14.95)
Ah yes. Tax season. That time when we each spend at least one tedious evening sorting through receipts while feeling pangs of guilt. Did we really need that many pairs of new shoes/dinners out/golf vacations last year? Be one with the guilt by sipping away at this refreshing (and reasonably priced) white. It’s a bracing blend of Riesling and Sauvignon blanc that tastes clean and bright with great purity of fruit — think white peach, tangy lime and green apple. Delish with a bowl of salted nuts.
Score: 88