Holiday Wine Guide: Top Ten Bottles Under $20 at Wesley’s Wholesale
December is here, promising good cheer, which means we are
officially in holiday mode! That translates to lavish tables of good food,
chilly weather, Christmas soundtracks on playback, and of course, loving,
smothering family. Whether you deem the foregoing in a positive or not so
positive light, the great news is I have just the party favor – or antidote – to
make it all magical. And wine not!
Local Labels
Tied
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Indeed, there’s nothing like that bittersweet grape elixir
to render the holidays – or any occasion, for that matter – a shade more
festive, forgiving, and frolicky. Rich white wines, big spicy reds, fruity
finishes, oaky flavors, vanilla bouquets: The vast world of wine may not be
particularly easy to fathom, but it washes down without a hitch. And a bottle
makes a perfect dinner party gift, or an invitation to cozy up on the couch while
consuming corny Christmas romances on Netflix.
Which labels, you inquire? Let’s make this a pocket-friendly
roundup, because most of us find ourselves strapped for cash around the
holidays. Here’s a list of ten wines, both imported and Lebanese, priced under
$20 at Wesley’s Wholesale in Hazmieh, on the gourmet floor Orange Label.
Don’t forget to ask for your free reusable wine pourer to prevent those irksome
drips down the side of the bottle. Because we all deserve to pull off “connoisseur,”
right?
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| Visit the chilled wine cellar at Wesley's Wholesale in Hazmieh on the Orange Label floor |
Imported Labels
Kirkland Signature Rioja
2012, Spain (18,000 LBP). If you want a
totally drinkable everyday red, this is it, and for $12, there’s little to
criticize. The wine pours dark with light aromas of earth, oak and spice. In
the mouth, it is medium in body, softening tannins from three years in the
barrel. Flavors are mostly red fruits, cherry, plum, some raisin, and a touch
of anise. The finish is super dry. It would be wise to decant this wine for
about an hour, because a little air really allows it to shine through.
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| This Rioja Reserva is an elegant wine made from 100% Tempranillo grapes grown in the region of Rioja, Spain (photo source: costco.co.uk) |
Baron de Ley 2013
Rioja Reserva, Spain (27,000 LBP). Here’s a second wine hailing from Rioja,
Spain’s flagship wine region, home to more than 600 wineries. Rioja’s unique
geographic location along the banks of the river Ebro makes it conducive to
wine production, with the surrounding mountains moderating both the cooling
effects of the Atlantic and the intense heat of the Mediterranean. Baron de Ley
Rioja Reserva is made in an assertive style, with soft strawberry fruit flavors
and nuances of spice from 20 months of ageing. It fetched the Best Value Red in
the Wines from Spain Awards in 2014.
Barefoot White
Zinfandel, United States (15,000 LBP). White Zinfandel is a slightly sweet
wine made from the red-skinned Zinfandel grape. Discovered in 1972 by Napa
Valley’s Sutter Home, it owes its rosy pink color to the grape skins after they
are crushed and quickly removed from the juice. The remaining process is the
same as for white wine. Packed with the refreshing, fruity flavors of
sun-kissed strawberries, juicy pears, sugar-sweet pineapple, and Georgia
peaches, Barefoot White Zinfandel will leave you begging for another sip. More
enjoyable over ice, the White Zinfandel is the perfect pairing for fresh
fruits, smooth cheeses, and seafood feasts you encounter this holiday.
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| White Zinfandel is made from the Zinfandel wine grape, which would otherwise produce a bold and spicy red wine. White Zinfandel is not a grape variety but a method of processing Zinfandel grapes (photo source: barefootwine.com) |
Wolf Blass 2016 Cabernet
Sauvignon, Australia (29,000 LBP). A crash course on Cabernet Sauvignon: it
partners well with red meats, hearty pasta dishes, Cheddar cheese, broccoli,
fennel, rosemary and mint. Savor it with chargrilled steak or a heart-warming beef
Stroganoff. Wolf Blass’ Cab is a smooth red wine evocative of dark plum,
blackberry and cassis, with a hint of leafy character adding freshness to the
palate. A subtle savory oak lends a long, structured finish.
Daou 2015 Chardonnay,
United States (38,000 LBP 28,500 LBP on sale). Daou
vineyards in Paso Robles, California, are the brainchild of
Lebanese-American brothers Georges and Daniel. But don’t let a fellow Lebanese
like me bias you. Here’s what the experts have to say: “A fragrant nose
displays scintillating aromas of pineapple, Asian pear, vanilla crème, and
toasted almonds, with notes of allspice and honeysuckle. The palate delivers
flavors of white peach, casaba melon, and lemon zest, along with underlying
tropical notes of banana, papaya, and pineapple. The finish is long and very
clean, leaving lovely sensations of citrus and vanilla with just a hint of star
jasmine” (Wine.com).
Daou Reserves (Chardonnay and Cab) are also on sale throughout December.
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| Pictured is a bottle of Daou Chardonnay Reserves |
Domaine de Chlifa
2012 Red Blend, Deir el Ahmar (14,500 LBP). The vineyards of Chlifa are
located on an exceptional soil 1,000 meters above sea level on the eastern
slope of Mount Lebanon. Domaine de Chlifa reflects a typical terroir of the
Bekaa Valley, blending Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah to produce well-rounded
tannins. On the nose it is fruity with hints of raspberry and ripe fruit.
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| Domaine de Chlifa is a local wine made from a delicate blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah (photo source: 209lebanesewine.com) |
Batroun Mountains
2016 Riesling, Batroun (25,000 LBP). Batroun Mountains is a family-owned
and operated winery with vineyards located in the mountainous Batroun region of
North Lebanon. Boasting an annual yield of 50,000 bottles from its 11-hectare
fields, the winery spans six villages on altitudes from 400 to 1,500 meters
above sea level. 2016 Riesling exhibits a combination of floral, white and
yellow fruits like peach and pear and promises great ageing potential. Pair it
with strong cheeses, seafood and sushi.
Sendiana 2013 Red
Blend, Khenchara (24,000 LBP). A vibrant red wine with perfumed aromas of
ripe blackberries and a hint of spice, Sendiana 2013 is fashioned from Cabernet
Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Mourvèdre, and Syrah grapes. The palate is
wonderfully fresh and opulent, with flavors of cherry, cedar, rose and hints of
vanilla. Its elegant structure balanced with a subtle mineral note landed it
the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) Silver Medal in 2014.
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| Sendiana, which produced its first wine in 2013, snatched the Silver Medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2014 (photo source: twitter.com/sendianawines) |
Chateau Nabise
Reserve 2009, Bhamdoun (24,000 LBP). You’ll be enraptured with Chateau
Nabise Reserve’s ruby color and soft entry. This fully mature wine emanates
from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah grapes. It combines sweet cassis and
earthy flavors to deliver a powerful, long, pure and clean finish layered with
chocolate and black cherries. How indulgent!
Chateau Heritage 2017
Blanc de Blancs, Qab Elias (12,000 LBP). In 1888, the Touma family
established one of the first wineries and distilleries in Lebanon in the small
town of Qab Elias of the Bekaa Valley. If you’re familiar with the famous Arak
Touma, it was the first product of the family’s endeavors. Building upon the
success, tradition, and experience reaped with their Arak Touma, the Heritage
Winery was established and released its first modern wines in 1997. Blanc de
Blancs 2017 captures a pale yellow color with silver reflections. A nose of
lemon, pineapple and exotic fruits complements a fresh mouth both elegant and
full. Serve between 8° and 12°C.
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| Chateau Heritage established its winery in 1997, while its Arak production dates back to 1888 (photo source: uvinum.co.uk) |
Chateau Nakad 2014
Cuvée d'Alouette, Jdita – Bekaa (11,500 LBP). Chateau Nakad are acclaimed
for producing wine, Arak, and artisanal liquor. Perhaps you’ve sampled their
Afandello, crafted in the spirit of Limoncello but with afandi, or mandarin fruit. Back to the wine. The 2014 Cuvée
d'Alouette is smooth and tight, chockfull of red fruit. Pleasant with a supple
texture and soft tannins, it suits charcuterie, grilled Mediterranean fish and
even fresh cheeses. And ringing in shy of $8, this is one wine bottle you definitely
want to stock up on.
There you have it – 11 wines under 20 bucks worth toasting
to this holiday season. Merry Christmas!
Hazmieh (Orange Label)
Blvd. Camille Chamoun
Antoine Gharios Center
01-289 555
Jnah
01-834 411
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Beirutista is Brand Ambassador at Wesley's Wholesale. What exactly does that mean? Well, if you liked this post, you can look forward to similar ones every month or so. I'll be blogging about a variety of exciting new projects Wesley's has underway, in addition to sneak peeks and product leaks!
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