Tagged with 'Wine Facts'

As we begin to anticipate the season change to fall, there are two types of people: those who continue to shiver in their shorts as they walk on the fallen leaves and those who greet the Autumn season with big scarves, and pumpkin-spiced everything. No matter if you're in Fall-denial or Fall-acceptance, one thing we can all agree on is a new season calls for new wines! Here is our guide to the best varietals to sip on this fall season.

1. Beaujolais
   This is a light red wine made with Gamay noir grapes. It offers a wide range of flavours from raspberry, tart cherries, and cranberries to earthy flavours of mushroom and forest floor.  is located in the south of the famous wine region of Burgundy. What makes it so great for Fall? It is a great transition wine between seasons as it is light with great amounts of acidity and offers flavours that compliment roast turkey (or tofurkey).


2. Oaked Chardonnay
    Don't worry white wine fans, we didn't forget about you. Although Fall tends to be associated with big, rich reds, there are also many white varietals that are Fall-friendly. One of our top picks is an oaked Chardonnay. Chardonnay is the most diverse and planted white wine grape in the world. Because of this, its flavours differ from region to region. An un-oaked Chardonnay will have brighter flavours ranging from lemon to pineapple, whereas oaked-Chardonnays tend to be richer, with notes of vanilla and spice (don't these flavours just scream fall?). Because of its full-bodied sweet texture, we'd recommend an oaked Chardonnay!


3. Syrah
   If you’re someone looking to dive into Fall wines head first with some full-bodied gems, try a Syrah! From tart and jammy notes of blackberry, and blueberries to earthy forest aromas of herbs and smoke, Syrah wines offer a full punch of flavour from the first sip with a spicy after-taste following. Syrah is one of the key grape varieties in France's Rhône Valley and the Barossa Valley in Australia (where it is called Shiraz). Why should this be your go-to Fall wine? The flavour profile basically is Fall in a glass, mimicking aromas of fallen leaves and sweet pie. The warming aromas also go fantastically with the crisp weather outside!


4. Grenache
   Nothing says Fall quite like the smell of sweet cinnamon, which is what you'll find in our next fantastic Fall varietal: Grenache! This varietal is plated widely in the Rhône Valley region, and can be found in many blends from the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape! It's also grown in Spain and called Garnacha! Other flavours and aromas you'll find in this wine are strawberries, black cherry, and citrus rind. Try this varietal with another Fall favourite, roasted root vegetables!

Have a go-to Fall varietal we didn't list? Let us know in the comments below what wines you enjoy sipping during the Fall season!

We’re proud of what our Wine Buyers do, and their job is far more interesting than one might imagine. Who are they and what do they do?

Our Wine Buyers taste thousands of wines, travel the world, and meet with multiple wineries and agents every year. It’s a tough (but tasty) job, that is driven by a true passion for good wine.

They have stringent prerequisites for picking wines. Namely, all wines must
- Be unique
- Have great value
- Have exceptional flavour profiles

They also have a carefully laid out set of criteria that go beyond the basics of colour, flavour, structure, and intensity. For example, they begin with the quality of the wine, using their extensive training and expertise to choose profiles that have excellent flavour and structure.

Then, they look at the unique attributes of the wine. So, for instance, they frequently option wines from unfamiliar regions, or sample wines with uncommon blends of grapes, or find wines from common regions that have unique character. Wines that show more traditional character are also key to our Buyers’ selection, and include beautiful Bordeaux from France, or New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

Finally, our Wine Buyers always ask themselves “Who would be interested in this wine?” and “Would this wine be popular in our stores?” Of course, it’s great to try new wines, but they also love picking selections that are anytime favourites.

Of all the wines that our Buyers taste, only a tiny 5% actually end up on our shelves—that’s how high their standards are! The Buyer Team meets every week to taste a lineup of new wines from both large-scale and small-parcel importers and wineries to ensure they only source the best wines from around the world. They also conduct blind wine tastings, knowing nothing about the region or varietal. They simply taste with no pre-determined knowledge about the bottle. And, when they want a few extra opinions to decide if a wine is a winner, they turn to a panel of Everything Wine Sales Associates—all of whom are WSET certified.

So, if you’ve ever wondered how our wines end up on our store shelves and online, it’s through the hard work and passion of our Buyers. Cheers to them!