‘Tis the season!

Happy Holidays from everyone at THE LIVING VINE!

We are pleased to forward you an updated copy of our full portfolio (please see link below) and our picks for 12 wines of (Christmas) Holidays!

Please let us know if there is anything you are interested in or if you have any questions about the wines below. 

*Free delivery in the GTA*

Please note we are closed on Dec 23, 26 & 27th. 


Get a full copy of our current portfolio here.

 

#12. DOMAINE DE L’ÉCU – Granite Magnum Loire  2014 $59.95 (1500ml)

A benchmark Muscadet in magnums? Yes, please!  Perfect for holiday parties as an aperitif or New Year’s Eve with oysters. And who doesn’t want to show up to a party with magnums? Everyone will believe you’re amazing, like Fred… more on Fred later. Unlike most regular Muscadet, the wines are aged sur-lie for 15-18 months, resulting in a texture and layered complexity that have come to define the unique style of Domaine de l’Ecu Muscadets and set them apart from other wines in the appellation. In fact, some Loire cogni scenti have argued that Domaine de l’Ecu should be its own appellation – like Chateau Grillet, for example – due to the singularity of the wines.
Sold in cases of 6 
1500ml bottles
Biodynamic 
Natural 

#11.  BARMES BUECHER Cremant Brut Zero 2014 Alsace – $27.95 
An intricate traditional method sparkler. There are biscuity currents of flavour, but this wine’s six grape varieties are blended to emphasize its graceful fruit-driven aromas. One of Alsace’s top Biodynamic estates. In Champagne, sugar is added at three steps; the chaptalization, the addition of sweet ‘liqueur de triage’ and finally in the ‘dosage.’ But François Barmès works it the other way around; he harvests at 13% potential alcohol but stops the fermentation at around 11.7% alcohol and 22 grams/litre residual sugar. Thereafter, the second fermentation (in bottle) is started using the natural fructose, leaving enough sugar to cover for the dosage. 
Sold in cases of 12
Biodynamic 
 
#10. CHÂTEAU DE BÉRU Chablis Terroirs De Beru, Burgundy 2015 – $49.95
This wine is absolutely bananas. Well grapes actually…chardonnay grapes…Chablis is one of those wines that can change your life – but only if you spend a few bucks on it. Chalk-full of minerality (pun intended), this is an ageable, rock-solid (did it again) example of what Chablis can be and should be. Let Athenais Beru change your life. 
Sold in cases of 6 
Organic & Natural 
#9. DOMAINE OSTERTAG Pinot Blanc Barriques, Alsace 2014 – $27.95 
Hey wine folk: listen up. Fermented and matured in barriques for nine months avec bâtonage and full malo. If you don’t know what that means, trust us, it’s awesome. As in awesome round, fat fruit and subtle toasty notes. Every wine from Domaine Ostertag is full of Christmas Magic. 
Sold in cases of 6
Biodynamic 
#8. Marie Thibault Grandes Vignes Loire Valley 2013 – $36.95
This natural wine is so good! Its an old school blend of 70% Gamay and 30% Cot (as Malbec is called in the Loire) makes for a crunchy, elegant and truly natural wine. Marie Thibault is like the band that the bands you like, like. You may not have heard of her, but this is what some of France’s premier nouveau winemakers are drinking this Christmas. Just under 11% alc so you can also get in that extra glass of eggnog.
Sold in cases of 6 
Organic & Natural
#7. Vittorio Bera & Figli Mai Dire Mai 2013 – $27.95
Alessandra Bera has been making top-quality wine in Piedmont for decades and for almost all of those years she said: “I will never, ever make Cabernet Sauvignon.” But then she did. So she called it Mai Dire Mai (Never Say Never). Grippy, chewy Cab with great varietal character and a marked floral lift. Santa Claus wishes he was as nice and cool as Alessandra Bera.  The estate dates back to 1785, when the Bera’s ancestors originally purchased some of the land from the Knights of frigg’n Malta!! 
Sold in cases of 12
Organic & Natural 
#6. PYRAMID VALLEY SUTHERLAND TILL CHARDONNAY – CANTERBURY  2015 (6PK) $59.95 
Mike Wersing makes the best wines in New Zealand. Everyone agree with this … Everyone. Just ask Lisa Perrotti-Brown he’ll tell ya “ You may think you know New Zealand wines but I can assure you that until you have tasted Pyramid Valley, you have no idea. When I first sampled the earliest releases from this left-of-center producer, I was so drawn to the signature, ground-breaking if, at that time, not altogether flawless wines that I vowed to pay them a visit as soon as possible (which, given their location, is easier said than done). There was a spark of “otherness” about the wines that was so unlike anything else in New Zealand, it was difficult to say if proprietors Mike and Claudia Weersing were geniuses or mad or mad geniuses.”
Sold in cases of 6 
Biodynamic & Organic & Natural
#5. Robert Sinskey Los Carneros Pinot Noir 2013 Napa/Carneros – $64.95
As the shift in California Pinot is towards a more Burgundian style, Robert Sinskey is ahead of the curve. Delicate and finessed with earthy undertones, this is not the Carneros Pinot of ten years ago. This is Napa’s top Organic estate and one of the best Pinots we’ve tried. 
Sold in cases of 12
Organic
#4. La Stoppa Trebbiolo Rosso 2014 – $25.95
La Stoppa makes unapologetically natural wines. This is their gateway wine: a traditional local blend of Barbera and Bonarda. A versatile, badass wine-nerd wine. Once you go natural, you never go back. The soils consist of heavy clay, and the estate has been worked organically since the early 90’s (certified in 2008). A minimal intervention approach is taken in the cellar: the wines ferment off of their native yeasts and nothing is ever added or subtracted from the juice. Sulfur is never added during vinification, only in small doses at bottling. Because of the region’s warm climate, winemaker Giulio prefers long skin contact to extract as much as possible. 
Sold in cases of 12
Biodynamic and Natural
#3. Principiano Barolo Serralunga 2012 – $49.95
Ferdinando Principiano may be less known than other producers in the Serralunga cru of Barolo, but the wines speak for themselves. Neither stubbornly traditional nor recklessly modern, the 2012 finds a balance of power, concentration and approachability. The name “Principiano” appears on the municipality of Serralunga di Alba land register dating back to 1700 – Ferdinando Principiano is one of the most transparent wine makers we have come across. He’s the best. 
Sold in cases of 6 
Organic & Natural

#2.  Robert Sinskey POV Red 2012 – $69.95 

If you’re a fan of Napa “mountain” Cabernet – icons like Screaming Eagle, Atlas Peak, Schrader, Dunn, Lokoya, Joseph Phelps – the POV will blow you away. At half the cost of even the cheapest listed above, this right-bank style Bordeaux blend is totally drinkable now but could also cellar for a decade. This wine is the only thing my father and I agree on. 
Sold in cases of 12
Organic 
#1. Fleury Blanc de Noir Champagne NV – $59.95 
If you’re not a believer in biodynamic viticulture, the energy of these wines will change the way you think about it. Texture abound, they need no accompaniment. Though perhaps an NYE ball-drop will suffice? Champagne Fleury has been run by the Fleury family for over a century, with each generation contributing to its reputation for innovation. Morgane Fluery is the coolest person we know in France – you should also check out her natural wine shop in Paris sometime. 
Sold in cases of 6 
Biodynamic since 1989

 

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