Coming in at the final hour – here are some SAQ wine options for your holiday gatherings. I’ve also included some non-alcoholic options here to keep our gatherings inclusive.
I’ve showcased some beverages here that contrast or compliment the flavour of the main dish – but as with anything in life, please drink whatever makes you happiest and tickles your taste buds. They’ve been categorized into more traditional wine styles and some more adventurous ones – cheers!
Traditional & safe for a crowd:
Complices de Loire Montlouis-sur-Loire Les Trois Parcelles 2023 | Product page | SAQ.COM, $21.65
Mountlouis-sur-Loire is a small wine region in France that has been a recent coup de coeur of 2024. The wines I’ve had the pleasure of tasting from this region tend to lean into lemon cream pie notes. There’s a bright acidity and a nice round finish that leaves a luscious-like coating. Rich and elegant.
Pairs with: turkey, risotto, soft cheese
For friends outside Quebec: look for a chenin or vouvray that focuses less solely on the bright citrus notes in these grapes but more on the citrus + almond or cream notes naturally occurring in some processing styles.
Els Vinyerons Lluerna Penedès 2023 | Product page | SAQ.COM, $21.60
This wine is made using 100% xarel-lo grape – the same grape that is used in cava (the spanish version of prosecco!) I appreciate it for the balance of luxurious buttery notes, hints of peach and subtle salinity. Lovers of a lightly oaked chardonnay will appreciate this introduction. The goal here is to have a wine that dances on our tastebuds while complimenting a buttery main dish.
Pairs with: white fish, turkey, crusty bread & butter, creamier cheeses
For friends outside Quebec: Spanish white wines can be an interesting option here – we’re looking for heavier body/structure without being too heavy on the palette. Look for grapes like verdejo, xaral-lo & alabrino.
Altare Dogliani 2021 | Product page | SAQ.COM, $30.25
I stumbled upon this northern Italian wine recently at the SAQ – 100% dolcetto. Smooth tannins, blackberry and violet notes with a hint of leather. Heavy enough to be paired with a roast beef dinner, but still smooth enough to carry into a dessert course.
Pairs with: roast beef, lasagna, parmesan cheese
For friends outside Quebec: look for a dolcetto or barolo that focuses on berry notes – disclaimer, these wines do need some forward thinking. They tend to be heavy on the tannins, which is why I recommended the wine above that is a bit more approachable and void of user error. I’d recommend decanting a barolo for a minimum of 2 hours to really let those flavours mellow out.
Fun & new for more wine curious guests:
Domaine Mann Fly Me To The Moon Pinot Blanc 2022 | Product page | SAQ.COM, $32
I love a wine from Alsace if nothing more than for the elegant bottle. The tall and slender bottles were originally intended to be tall, thin and light to save space on boats when travelling from France. Pinot blanc are on the dry and refreshing side. In this particular bottle, there are notes of honey, green apple and lemon zest. Its beautiful minerality pairs with a variety of dishes and will be something familiar but there’s probably a low likelihood they’ve tried this particular wine since it’s in and out of the SAQ so often.
Pairs with: white fish, seafood pasta, cheese, roast chicken/turkey, mushroom risotto
For friends outside Quebec: look for a pinot blanc or pinot gris – we’re looking for mineral notes and lower acidity. Think the lemon zest bite without the brightness and the floral notes in pear and peach that really balance out nicely in the glass.
Ampeleia Bianco di Ampeleia 2022 | Product page | SAQ.COM, $33.25
This is the perfect intro for those curious about orange wine or a lovely wine for those already familiar with this wine making style. Slightly floral, low astringency – this wine plays on your palette with the most delicate lasting mouthfeel. Notes of orange peel, apricot with a finish of almond – think the more floral side of almond. Subtle and leaves a lasting glow on your tastebuds. A great wine for guests that are curious to try something new.
Pairs with: turkey, roast chicken, spicy asian food & semi-firm cheeses
For friends outside Quebec: look for wines that have a light maceration (aka skin contact). This is when the white wine grapes sit on their skins for a period of time to bring out floral/orange flavours and complexity. I prefer a lighter maceration to start – a longer maceration can sometimes bring out funkier flavour profiles that aren’t as pleasant or approachable for a newer drinker.
Nicolas Grosbois Bourgueil Litron | Product page | SAQ.COM, $27.30
A one-litre showstopper, best served chilled for your holiday table. This wine is meant to share and has approachable flavour notes. One of my friend’s go to answers when she is at a restaurant and is asked what kind of wine she enjoys is “I’m looking for a lighty, juicy red” – this is that. Notes of strawberry, currant and a slight effervesacence at the end is the only reason I’ve slotted this wine in the fun & new section – but truthfully I think this is a safe choice for any table.
Pairs with: turkey, roast beef, creamier cheeses
Friends outside Quebec: look for a lighter French red – terms like gamay, beaujolais – juicy and low tannin
Alcohol-free, but still full of Christmas spirit:
Organic Queen of Tarts Cold Brew Sparkling Iced Tea 4 Pack – DAVIDsTEA
I am so proud to have been part of the development team at DAVIDsTEA that finally brought our first ready to drink sparkling iced tea to life. The tart hibiscus notes and juicy blackberry flavour profile make the perfect bubbly option. For anyone familiar with Lambrusco, the sparkling red wine from Northern Italy, this is an excellent alcohol-free alternative.
Pairs with: roast beef or great served in a champagne flute
Lao can be found at some grocery stores but sharing the link here: Sparkling tea – Gyokuro Okabe, Box of 4 bottles
I love the way this product makes you feel like you’re drinking a luxurious bottle of wine. Lao does an incredible job of extracting the naturally occurring flavours in the tea base (high end gyokuro green tea from Japan) – the butteriness, yet lightly floral notes of peach, pear and honeydew dance in the cup.
Pairs with: turkey, asian dishes, light cheeses
I hope this has inspired you to have the perfect pairing. Happy sipping & happy holidays – cheers!
Vin, Enfin 