Stop Whining and Start Wining

Yes we know – you’re busy and you’re broke and the holidays are coming and it’s depressing. Here’s the good news: you can partake in some intoxicating holiday “festivities” for bottom dollar and still feel fancy.

This year’s crop of Beaujolais Nouveau wines have hit the shelves.

Now I’m sure you’re thinking that sounds like the most pretentious thing you’ve ever heard and, to be honest, it used to be. In the 80s, people used to have huge parties on the third Thursday of November, flying the wines in to be uncorked at the stroke of midnight.

But their wine was like Ashley Simpson: a whole lot of show with no singing. This year, on the other hand, the long, sunny growing season means the Beaujolais’ are supposed to be the best in 50 years. Best of all, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one over $15 at your local LCBO.

So throw them on ice, break out some appetizers (apparently hard cheeses, pâtés, and prosciutto are the way to go) and get your drink on.

Gord Stimmell, wine critic at the Toronto Star, recommends the following (all of which are available at the LCBO):

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau (France) $14.95

Georges Duboeuf Gamay Nouveau (France) $8.95

Albert Bichot Beaujolais Nouveau (France) $12.95

Mezzacorona Novio Vino Novello (Italy) $9.95

Negrar Novello del Veneto IGT (Italy) $9.95

(The predominant tastes are supposed to be cherries and bubblegum.)

For anyone who wants to play pretentious, here’s a clip of Stimmell trying and ranking the wines.