Top 6 in The 6ix: Wines of the Week — Fall Favourites

As the leaves start to fall and temperatures drop, a glass of wine is the ideal way to enjoy the last moments before the holidays start and we welcome in a new year. Here are six fabulous wines to open and enjoy. From a Chilean Pinot Noir A Collaborative Wine Project with Chile’s Indigenous Buchahueico Community to sustainable Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand to limited edition almost extinct grape called Carmenere that was mistaken as merlot to Prosecco Rosé! 

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Here are 6 wines that are perfect for the fall

Tayú Pinot Noir 2019

Let me introduce you to Tayu by 1865 Pinot Noir. An inclusivity wine and vineyard empowerment project created by Viña San Pedro in Southern Chile, using the coveted and adored Pinot Noir grape. It all started when Viña San Pedro found a unique terroir to grow Pinot Noir in southern Chille’s, Malleco Valley’s coastal region.  Living on this terroir, in the region of Malleco, are the indigenous Chilean families in the community of  Buchahueico. Each Mapuche family in the community owns 2.5H of Pinot Noir grapes and the members take care of them as if it were their own garden. They are trained and educated about how to grow the Pinot Noir vines from bud break to harvest. Tayu, means “Ours” in Mapudungun, and is the rare result of a very special winemaking project linking two very different, yet not so different worlds. 

Spearheaded by world-class winemaker Viviana Navarette, she believes that this wine and the unique grape to glass process in collaboration with the Mupuche presented a new understanding of this interesting and complex grape variety. 

The label is an artistic infusion that represents the indigenous Mapuche people, brought together as one hero woman.  The brand created this face combining features of dozens of women from the community. On the face are lines that are symbolic of the vines that are planted. The 2019 Tayu by 1865 Pinot Noir is now available at the LCBO in very limited quantities. 

Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 

Yes, it’s still white wine season when the temperature drops! Villa Maria has been crafting quality New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for 60 years. Their wine is a unique expression of their land, their passions, and their bold spirit. Villa Maria is a leader in wine industry sustainability and were one of the founding members of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand back in 1997. Villa Maria’s philosophy is to work with nature, not against it, and they plant 1,000 pounds of wildflower seeds in the vineyard every year to create vibrant rows full of flowers, bees and insects to encourage a flourishing ecosystem.

Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect pairing with earthy dishes that we crave during the fall. Whether it’s gourmet Macaroni  & brie cheese (add some crab to make it super lux), vegetarian butternut squash lasagna, lobster dinners, chicken pot pies or even shucking your own owners and homemade lobster rolls! The wine is also made for those special moments when you can treat yourself, like a good book, a small dinner with  friends,  a luxurious bubble bath.

Monte Zovo Sa’ Solin Ripasso Valpolicella

The Cottini Family creates award Winning Wines and recently awarded at the Best of Wine Tourism 2020  competition for the category “Sustainable Practices in 2020 Wine Tourism”. With a wealth of knowledge handed down for almost 100 years and is one of the most advanced wineries in the world in terms of the green economy. Through 4 generations Monte Zovo wines are premium and superbly delicious. 

This wine is made up of indigenous grapes varietals – Corvina (45% – 65%) Corvinone between (20% – 30%)  and Rondinella (5% -30%). Grapes are hard harvested grapes and the wine is re-fermented on Amarone skins and then It is then aged for 18 months in wooden barrels giving the wine soft tannins, elegant fruits and a savoury finish. It pairs perfectly with pasta and soups, cold cuts and cheeses, risotto with pumpkin, sausages or mushrooms. 

San Pedro 1865 Selected Vineyards Carmenère 2019

Welcome to Vina San Pedro in Maule Valley Chile in South America! Chile is the world’s skinniest Country with a dynamic and premium wine country. Wine Country is located near the Andes Mountains and close to the Pacific Ocean. The area has a rarew Mediterraean climate. 1865 is the year the winery was founded and  is one of the most historic and acclaimed wineries of Chile. Made by winemaker Andrea Calderón, Carménère is considered Chile’s signature grape. One of the most ancient European varieties, Carmenere was brought to Chile from France and was mistaken as Merlot until 1994. Similar in style to merlot, DNA analysis shows that Carménère is a descendent of Cabernet Franc.

The Phylloxera plague of 1857, wiped out the majority of Europe’s vineyards, Carménère was considered extinct and so  this wine is a grape that was almost extinct, lost and then found! Given the grape’s similarities to Merlot, Carménère was inadvertently collected and processed with Merlot through much of the 20th century and was officially recognized as a distinct variety by the Chilean Department of Agriculture in 1998. This supple and superstar wine is medium-bodied  with aromas of red fruit and has smooth tannins. 

San Pedro Winery “Leaders in Renewable Energy” award in the 2018 Green Award by Drinks Business. The winery uses 100% renewable energy with the use of solar panels. They also use organic waste from harvest as the only fuel, in order to supply electric and thermal energy to the winery. 

Mionetto Prosecco Rosé

Keeping a bottle of Prosecco Rosé in your fridge during the last bit of the year is always a good idea. Whether it’s an unexpected guest or a celebratory sunday brunch, Mionetto Prosecco Rosé puts a pop of pleasure into every sip. Made with Glera grapes from the Prosecco DOC region with a little bit of Pinot Noir for colour, it also makes a great hostess gift! 

Vineland Estates Cabernet Franc

One of the most memorable stops on the wine route in Niagara, and I’m not the only one to say that! Rockstar winemaker Brian Schmidt celebrates near 30 years of devotion to the grape. I love the whole VEW portfolio but the CF is a staple in my home. Optically sorted for perfection, this wine is one of best VQA wines ever. They are also a winery that gives back to charities and the community on a regular basis. The CF is beautifully balanced and the perfect sipper to add to your  wine rack for everyday sipping.