George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
As a Sommelier, Adrian Caravello is a wine expert with many years of experience. This experience means he's a great choice to help take some of the confusion out of buying wine. His recommendations span price points and tastes, and he's laid them all out in his video. From celebratory champagne to budget-friendly sweet wines, you're sure to discover a wine that suits your needs.
You'll find some of Adrian's tips below. The wines featured in the video are also listed and can be found at bottle shops or the LCBO.
Please enjoy responsibly.
Hot Tips from Sommelier Caravello
Sparking Wine
Adrian suggests sparkling wine as his go-to selection. However, recognizing that champagne may not be within everyone's budget, look for sparkling wine with Crémant on the label. Made outside of the Champagne region, it shares similar characteristics at a more reasonable price. And when in doubt, get a bottle of Prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine known for its fruity flavours.
Featured Wines
- N.V. Louis Roederer, Champagne, France
- N.V. Chartron et Trebuchet, Crémant de Bourgogne, France
- N.V. Belcanto di Bellussi, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene, Superiore, Italy
Adventurous Choices
For those on your gift list who love experimenting with flavours - bring two bottles of the same grape variety from different parts of the world. Grape varieties are often on the label, but if not, you can usually find them on the back of the bottle. For white wine, Adrian recommends the world's most famous white grape, Chardonnay.
Featured Wines
- Oyster Bay, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
- Château de Sancerre, Sancerre, Loire Valley, France (Sauvignon Blanc)
- J. Lohr, Chardonnay, Riverstone, Arroyo Seco Monterey, California, U.S.A
Dinner Parties
Red wine is an excellent choice for dinner parties, especially as the weather gets colder. According to Adrian, you can't go wrong with a cabernet sauvignon which pairs well with hearty dishes or malbec because of the variety in taste and price.
Featured Wines
- Versado, Reserve, Old Vines, Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
- Dough, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Coast, California, U.S.A
- Laurus Gabriel Meffre, Hermitage, Rhone Valley, France (Syrah)
Sweet Wines
You can find sweet wines around the world, but icewine has put Canada on the map. You can enjoy it on its own or with a sticky sweet dessert. Noting that icewine can be expensive, Adrian's tip is to look for late harvest wines as they'll be more gentle on your budget.
Featured Wines
- Cave Spring, Indian Summer, Late Harvest, Riesling, Niagara, Canada
- Stratus, Red Icewine, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada (Red Blend)
Please enjoy responsibly.