Red Wine
Brigaldara Valpolicella 2024, Veneto D.O.C., Italy: Vineyard-sourced red (1970s plantings) shows tart cherry and black-raspberry with tar, earth and garden-herb complexity; precise and food-centric—enjoy with meat-topped pizza or roast pork; will evolve to 2030. Valpolicella food pairings: meatloaf, lentil patties, Italian style pizza, salami, veal shanks, charcuterie, soft cheeses. Drink: 2025 - 2030 917864 14.5% XD 750 mL $20.95 Score: 88/100. December 2025. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Other Wines/Drinks
Sprucewood Shores Warm N Cozy Mulled Wine, Canada: Warm N Cozy Mulled Wine is made from Ontario grapes at Sprucewood Shores, a family owned and operated winery. This ready-to-heat mulled wine is like wrapping yourself in a cashmere blanket while watching the snowfall through a frosty windowpane. It’s warming and yet it has only 8.5% alcohol. The nose opens with a rush of bright orange peel and warming cinnamon that mingles with the deeper notes of clove and freshly grated nutmeg, that instantly transports you to a Christmas market. On the palate, the wine delivers a comforting embrace of spiced fruit that's not too sweet with the orange zest providing a citrusy lift that keeps the heavier spices in beautiful balance. The finish lingers with a gentle warmth that radiates from your chest outward, making this the perfect fireside friend on holiday evenings when you simply can't be bothered with measuring out your own spice blend. Because let's face it, we're all one cinnamon stick away from just giving up and ordering pizza.
It’s traditional to make a wish while stirring it clockwise as it simmers on the stove making the entire house smell like a Christmas market - stirring counterclockwise is thought to bring bad luck.
If you can’t wait because Miracle on 34th Street is starting, you can also pour into a mug and microwave. It’s ready is to watch until wisps of steam appear.
Do not boil this wine, but it can be enjoyed quite hot if that is your preference. Serve it in your favorite coffee mug.
Charles Dickens made mulled wine famous in A Christmas Story when Scrooge is offered a steaming cup of “smoking bishop,” a mulled wine–style punch that helped turn the drink into a holiday classic.
There's also the "wassail" tradition in England, where people would go door-to-door singing and sharing spiced wine, which evolved into modern Christmas caroling. The word "wassail" comes from the Old Norse "ves heill," meaning "be healthy."
This pairing works because the wine's warming spices complement the honey's natural sweetness, while those orange notes brighten the rich cheddar, and the comforting warmth creates a cozy harmony with the cheese's creamy texture.
Both of these homegrown products in Ontario share similar soils and climate. Warm N Cozy Mulled Wine food pairings: honey-drizzled fig flatbread with honey cheddar, Charcuterie-stuffed mushrooms with honey cheddar, Glazed ham bites with honey cheddar, Pear and walnut salad with honey cheddar croutons, Honey-butter cornbread muffins with honey cheddar. 348524 12% S 750 mL $12.95 Score: 89/100. December 2025. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart