Please note that our reviews are based on a variety of sources: samples sent to our team, those we purchase in store, tasting events, those tasted in restaurants and while traveling domestically and internationally.
Sparkling Wine
Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Brut Sparkling 2018, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Jackson-Triggs' Entourage Grand Reserve Brut from Niagara Peninsula is a refined, medium-bodied sparkling wine showcasing notes of green apple, brioche, Meyer lemon and hazelnut. This sparkling wine is made using Méthode Traditionnelle or the traditional method of the second fermentation in the bottle, just as they do in the Champagne region. The wine spends two years aging on its lees, developing remarkable complexity and a persistent, creamy mousse. Serve it well chilled with pan-seared scallops as the wine's bright acidity balances the sweet shellfish, or pair it with smoked salmon canapés where the wine's toasty character complements the smoky fish. Winemaker Marco Piccoli oversees sparkling wine production at this renowned Niagara estate, sourcing premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from cool-climate vineyards ideally suited for elegant sparkling wines. Jackson-Triggs has been at the forefront of Canadian winemaking innovation since 1993 and continues to produce world-class wines that rival international benchmarks. This impressive Grand Reserve Brut represents exceptional quality and will continue to evolve through 2030. Sparkling food pairings: caviar, tempura, sushi, smoked trout, shellfish. Drink: 2025 - 2030 234161 12% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 94/100. December 2025. Top Rated Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Red Wine
Torre Zambra Colle Maggio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2022, Abruzzo D.O.C., Italy: Torre Zambra's Colle Maggio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo from Abruzzo is a robust, full-bodied red wine crafted from organically grown Montepulciano with notes of blackberry, espresso, licorice and dried sage. This dry, vegan-friendly wine displays firm, velvety tannins and impressive concentration that will soften beautifully over the next five years. Serve it at room temperature with grilled rib-eye steak as the wine's bold structure stands up to the marbled beef, or pair it with wild boar osso buco where the wine's intensity complements the rich braised meat. Winemaker Vincenzo Casamarte represents the fourth generation of his family tending vines on the south-facing Colle Maggio hillside, where abundant sunshine and cooling mountain breezes create ideal conditions for ripening Montepulciano grapes. The Torre Zambra estate has been committed to organic viticulture for decades, eschewing chemical interventions to produce wines that authentically express their Abruzzese terroir. This deeply concentrated Montepulciano represents exceptional value and will continue to evolve through 2030. Montepulciano D'abruzzo food pairings: steaks from the grill, lamb chop cassoulet, grilled game sausages. Drink: 2025 - 2030 36690 14.5% D 750 mL $25.95 Score: 90/100. December 2025. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart