The winter season is here and the holidays are just around the corner. That means lots of shopping, celebrating, and entertaining.
What better way to tackle all of those things than with something that can fit almost any category - personal or more general, expensive or lighter on the
pocket book; good for a big celebration or for an intimate gathering, perfect to kick off a party and also to wind down after a long day of errands. What
could this magical all-purpose thing be? Wine, of course.

Wine can be all of those things, but for many, shopping at the LCBO can be a daunting task. The LCBO offers one of the best wine selections available in the world, but if you don’t know what you’re looking for, that’s not necessarily a good thing. However, if you keep a few basic tips in mind, then buying wine as a gift, for your holiday celebrations, or just as a winter pick-me-up can be fun and exciting.

Tip #1 - Know your budget. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a good bottle of wine. There are lots of great products in lower and higher price ranges.

Tip #2 - Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The product consultants at the LCBO are very knowledgeable and can help you pick the perfect bottle.

Tip #3 - Don’t be afraid to experiment. If you know you love big, full-bodied reds from Australia, try something new from another aisle instead - again, you can always ask the store staff to point you in the right direction.

Tip #4 - Don’t forget to buy yourself a gift! Make sure you add a special bottle to your cart to enjoy once you’re done all your holiday errands!

Still in need of a few ideas? Here are some holiday wine picks from the wine-loving sommeliers at Groovy Grapes:

Seaview Sparkling Shiraz ($12.95, LCBO 644054)
All the things you love in a Shiraz, wrapped up in festive bubbly freshness.

Lanson Black Label Brut Champagne ($39.95, Vintages 041889)
For special celebrations, a great value French Champagne.

Reif Estate Chardonnay Reserve ($16.95, LCBO 252163)
Rich and creamy, this full bodied white is perfect for a holiday feast.

d’Arenberg “d’Arry’s Original” Shiraz-Grenache ($19.95, Vintages 942904)
A versatile crowd-pleaser with classic Aussie style.

Lakeview Cellars Vidal Ice Wine ($19.95, Vintages 522672, 200 ml)
Perfect for gift giving or as a holiday indulgence.

And if you don’t get around to trying new wines this holiday season, then Groovy Grapes has the just the thing for you. On Tuesday, January 18^th,
join us at 107 Fourth Avenue Wine Bar for an evening of tasting Wines that Warm the Soul, the perfect way to wind down after the busy holiday season.
For $30, you will try seven different red wines and munch on delicious nibblies as well.

This entry was posted on Saturday, December 31st, 2005 at 7:00 pm and is filed under Groovy Grapes Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.