It’s that time of year again: Spring, which is welcome, and tax season, which is definitely not. Even Einstein hated doing his taxes, so you’re not alone. Let’s take a light-hearted look at wines that you can enjoy at this time of year, whether that final line gives you a plus or minus figure.
If you’re doing some arduous calculations, you’d better stick to the lighter wines for now. You don’t want any more headaches! New Zealand is a leader in producing lower-alcohol wines. The grapes for this Rosé were harvested earlier in the season than usual when the grapes have a lower sugar level. You’ll find refreshing notes of red berries, orchard fruit and nectarine. This delightful Rosé is only 9% alcohol, making it ideal for brunch, for anyone looking to lower their alcohol intake, or for those staying up late with their tax returns!
Dry • 9% • LCBO# 24081 • $19.95
Are you facing a big tax payment? This rich Rioja is currently offered at an unbeatable price, so this choice might ease the pain in your budget during tax season. Montecillo Rioja is a versatile, fragrant red wine made from the Rioja region’s signature Tempranillo grape variety, with delicious tart cherry, blackcurrant, strawberry, vanilla and sandalwood fragrances and a flavourful, fruit-driven palate. It’s a well-balanced wine that has excellent acidity. It will pair beautifully with lamb, roast pork or roast duck.
Extra dry • 13.5% • LCBO# 621003 • $16.30 until March 31st • Original Price$19.30
If you’re paying a moderate bill with instalments, then you can probably afford this award-winning beauty. Our local Ontario winemakers will appreciate your support, too! This luscious Chardonnay has an aromatic nose of vanilla, toast, guava, ripe pineapple, tree fruit, and citrus. These are repeated on a fruit-forward palate that also adds tropical coconut. A well-balanced, flavourful Chardonnay with crisp acidity and lots of coconut on the long finish. Enjoy it with salmon or roast chicken.
Winner, Double Gold at 2022 All-Canadian Wine Championships.
Extra dry • 13% • LCBO VINTAGES# 32024 • $19.95
A refund? Lucky you! Celebrate with this memorable wine. Dry, delicious, and full-bodied, it’s made from 100% Sangiovese grapes. Lush and flavourful with intense notes of cherry, raspberry, licorice, leather, cedar, sandalwood, and sous bois. That’s wine talk for forest floor, but these terms sound so much more sophisticated in French! Decant for two hours and serve with rare steaks and hard cheeses. Or it can be cellared for up to 10 years.
Extra dry • 14.5% • LCBO# 650432 • $49.95 til March 31st • Original price $54.95
When you finish that return, you definitely deserve some cake! This delicate Moscato d’ Asti is a perfect dessert wine to accompany it. Made in Italy’s Piedmont province, it’s famous for its appealing fragrance of oranges. A delightful, slightly fizzy, low-alcohol wine with flavours of ripe Bosc pears, honeysuckle, and orange blossoms. Wonderful with chocolate eggs and all types of desserts.
Sparkling • Medium-sweet • 5.5% • LCBO# 277194 • $20.95
Albert Einstein: “The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.”
For more wine and food discovery from Jane Staples, visit www.bellovinoj.com
