Staff Pick
Jason MacPhee
Wine Category Manager
📚 Indoor Winter Hobbies
In the hills between Parma and Reggio Emilia lies Venturini Baldini, an estate founded in 1976 and known for producing high-quality, organic sparkling wines. Now managed by the Prestia family, they continue a tradition of organic farming, showcasing the diversity of Emilia Romagna. Leading the way is their Montelocco Rosso, a vibrant Lambrusco with dark cherry and blackberry aromatics, tart fruit on the palate, a touch of chocolate, and soft, frothy bubbles. A hint of tannin adds structure and balance.
March this year? It’s all about the World Baseball Classic. I’m clearing the schedule, no distractions, just locked in for every pitch like it’s Game 7. And you already know there’s a glass of Brusco in hand the entire time.
Staff Pick
Lucas Mader
Category Manager for Beer and Spirits, Cicerone
🥊 Under $30 and Punching Above Their Weight
This awesome Spanish white came into my life at a great time, I was getting a little bored of my other favourite $20 white wine. I’m such a sucker for a white grenache – ask anyone who knows me, I always say that. This wine has notes of melon, golden pear, a little biscotti, a whisper of vanilla, and it’s wrapped up with nice texture and refreshing acidity. Honestly, it’s a certified banger for $23.00.
Staff Pick
Kathryn Harding
Director of Customer Experience, Sommelier
📚 Indoor Winter Hobbies
With a new jigsaw puzzle in front of me, I can shut out the noise and settle into that perfect state of focus. It’s one of my favourite pastimes. To accompany this peaceful productivity, I usually sip on an easy, delicious glass of red, and the Rocca Castagnoli Chianti fits this perfectly. It offers just the right balance of red fruit, freshness, and a lovely mouthfeel. Approachable without being boring, it’s the ideal companion for an evening of puzzling.
Staff Pick
Alanna McIntyre
Product Specialist, Sommelier
📚 Indoor Winter Hobbies
Lately I’ve been craving comfort and familiarity; like making nourishing meals and rewatching my fav feel good show, Schitt’s Creek. My ultimate comfort wine is Chardonnay and I currently have a penchant for the Famille Fourel Chard from the Languedoc-Roussillon. It’s an unoaked style with a creamy texture, round palate, notes of white blossoms, yellow apple and stone fruit (no muskmelon here!). Its medium acidity and moderate alcohol make it an easy drinking versatile wine; delicious to sip on while preparing supper or to pair with a range of foods. Bonus; it won’t leave a stain if you happen to spill a drop on the couch while you curl up to have that last glass while watching an after supper show.
Staff Pick
Ryan Almeida
eCommerce Manager
🥊 Under $30 and Punching Above Their Weight
Fresh and vibrant, with just enough sweetness to make it one of the best food-friendly wines in the shop. Maybe you’re looking to mix it up this January with more spiced and adventurous dishes? Or maybe you need something to sip with that charcuterie board as you finish supper in the kitchen? Look no further than this Riesling from Niagara!
Staff Pick
Kate Fraser
Retail Manager, Spirits Specialist
📚 Indoor Winter Hobbies
Ardnamurchan has the midas touch when it comes to scotch, I’ve never had something from them I didn’t love. Pleasant sweetness upfront, the palate is light but very textured and woody; think salted caramel and dark chocolate. This is an easy drinking, breakfast Scotch. The perfect scotch to welcome early signs of spring and sip on your couch with a good book.
Staff Pick
Stefan Nielsen
Retail Supervisor, Sommelier
📚 Indoor Winter Hobbies
So I’m super late to the party here but I have been absolutely LOVING this beer lately. It’s a staple of the North Brewing roster, and for a good reason – it’s crispy, fresh and low on the bitterness. It’s become my go-to Cooking Beer these days (like to drink while cooking, though I suppose you could cook WITH it if you wanted to). Which is good because we’ve been spending a lot of time in the kitchen this winter…it is soup season, after all.
Staff Pick
Matt Hodgson
Store Operations Manager
📚 Indoor Winter Hobbies
I had a whole other write-up ready to go about how cool Wing Beat is — a delicious, thoughtfully made IPA best enjoyed while building a puzzle. But after reading the news that 2 Crows Brewing Co. will be closing on March 8th, this feels more important.
Thank you to 2 Crows and your incredible team for more than nine unforgettable years. You were the first brewery I visited when I moved here, and from that first pint, you set the standard. Bold, creative, and never afraid to push boundaries, your beer was always exceptional.
But what truly set you apart was the atmosphere — warm, welcoming, and genuine.
Thank you for everything you’ve given this city. Halifax won’t be the same without you.
Staff Pick
Fernando
Customer Service Sales Associate, Sommelier
📚 Indoor Winter Hobbies
I recently played Wingspan – a peaceful bird gathering card game. Bring your birds to one of three different ecosystems and chain together a variety of abilities to score the most points. I’m oversimplifying it, but I assure you it is a hoot. Ornithologists rejoice, you’ll have 160 different birds to collect. Like most games, snacks are always welcomed. If it’s salty and crunchy, I recommend the Rosa Cusine. Rose gold in the glass, bright mousse-like bubbles, and a bouquet of red berries and nuts are what you’ll find in this sparkling wine. Ideal for humans that resemble hummingbirds.
Staff Pick
Daniela
Customer Service Sales Associate
📚 Indoor Winter Hobbies
There is nothing better than getting snowed in with one of my favourite indoor hobbies: a good book. This winter, I am going with the Lord of the Rings trilogy while having a glass of the La Baronne Juste Le Rouge.
This southern French red is plush, warming, and just rustic enough to feel like it was poured at The Prancing Pony. Dark berries, a hint of spice, and velvety tannins make it perfect for long journeys through Middle Earth, lingering over maps, and second helpings of stew.
It’s the kind of bottle you pour as the Fellowship sets out from the Shire, and by the time the crown is restored in Gondor, you’ll be reaching for another.
Staff Pick
David
Customer Service Sales Associate
📚 Indoor Winter Hobbies
My nights this winter have been consumed by independent international art house cinema, supplied by MUBI, and barbera, supplied by Bishop’s Cellar. Hailing from the town of Mombaruzzo in Piedmont, four generations of grape-growing back the work of brothers Pico and Vitaliano. I love their Lavignone Barbera D’Asti, a plush and floral expression of the grape. Rose, lavender, ripe brambleberries and plum, this fresh and low tannin wine is a must buy at its current sale price.
Staff Pick
Michael Kamras
Customer Service Sales Associate
📚 Indoor Winter Hobbies
There is something about these winter days that just begs me to turn my brain off bing bong and stay cozy; to root yourself and ignore the clocks and let yourself be surprised by what time of day it is. It makes you feel like a kid. So… Build LEGO, dang it! Throw on a podcast, the radio, or some trashy reality tv and let your creativity flow!
This sherry will go down so easy and keep you nice and toasty as the sun goes down; creamy caramel with a hint of coffee is everything you want to settle in with. So go on and have another glass as you beg for
