Staff Picks

Jason MacPhee

Wine Category Manager

Crowd Pleasing + Entertaining

In the hills between Parma and Reggio Emilia you will find Venturini Baldini. An estate founded in 1976 known for making the highest quality sparkling wines. The Venturini Baldini family focused on organic farming and those traditions are continued and managed today by the Prestia family. They produce many organic sparkling wines that show the diversity of Emilia Romagna and leading the way is their Montelocco Rosso 

Delightful aromatics of dark fruit (cherries and blackberries) on the nose. The fruit is tart on the palate accompanied by a note of chocolate. The bubbles are soft and frothy. There is just a hint of tannin to give the wine structure. Lambrusco is great for any holiday get together and a conversation starter.

Lucas Mader

Category Manager for Beer, Refreshment, & Spirits, Cicerone

Crowd Pleasing + Entertaining

The holidays can be a lot of things for a lot of people. But no matter the situation, the folks at Burnside Brewing have the beer for you. Enter, Happy Place DIPA – 568ml of tropical, juicy, Double IPA. For $6.00 a can you’ll be well on your way to making new friends at the local street hockey tournament you weren’t invited to, finally taking the mic at your staff party karaoke night, or convincing yourself to eat the other half of that pound cake in the fridge.

Kathryn Harding

Director of Customer Experience, Sommelier

International Food Pairings

Spaghetti & Meatballs

The Lenotti family has been making wine in the heart of Veneto since 1906, this

Lenotti Rosso Passo is easily our best deal from Italy right now! This easy-drinking blend of Sangiovese and Merlot has aromas of red berries with subtle herbal undertones. The smooth, medium-bodied wine is fruit-forward with balanced acidity and is the perfect match for homemade spaghetti and meatballs, as it enhances the tangy tomato sauce and tender meat with every sip. Perfect for these cooler November nights!

Alanna McIntyre

Product Specialist, Sommelier

Crowd Pleasing + Entertaining

Gaby McCotter

Retail Manager

Crowd Pleasing + Entertaining

Prosecco is a sparkling wine that effortlessly elevates holiday celebrations. Known for its light, refreshing bubbles and versatile flavour profile, it pairs beautifully with a wide range of dishes, from savory appetizers to sweet desserts. Its fruity notes of apple, pear, and citrus add a festive touch, making it ideal for toasting special moments.

Compared to other sparkling wines, Prosecco is often more affordable, allowing you to stock up for gatherings without breaking the bank. Whether served on its own, as the base for a festive cocktail like a Bellini, or in a punch, this Masottina Virage offers an approachable elegance that appeals to both wine enthusiasts and casual sippers alike. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser for the season!

Ryan Almeida

eCommerce Manager

Crowd Pleasing + Entertaining

Made from Carricante grapes – the indigenous varietal almost exclusively confined to Silicy’s still-active volcano Mount Etna, Tornatore’s offering boasts grapefruit, lemon-lime citrus, some stone fruits, fresh herbs, mouthwatering acidity and firm minerality. To put it simply, this wine does an excellent job of transporting you to Sicily! Volcanic soils + the fact that these grapes do so well grown at high altitudes (2,000m above sea level), there’s no wonder as to why this offers so much complexity and balance for the money. Pair this with a fresh clam pasta dish, poached white fish, or even grilled artichokes. 

Kate Fraser

Retail Supervisor, Spirits Specialist

Crowd Pleasing + Entertaining

My favourite red wine of the year! This wine is the perfect bottle to bring anywhere you are headed this holiday season…even if that place is just your very own couch. Bardolino finds itself nestled on the eastern shoreline of Lake Garda, and uses Corvina to create a wine bursting with juicy red berry fruit. Soft and extremely accessible to any palate, trust me when I say this wine will have all your guests impressed.

Stefan Nielsen

Retail Supervisor, Sommelier

Crowd Pleasing + Entertaining

You heard it here first, folks. This is one of the most affordable Champagnes in our market, and one of the best value bubbles I’ve had all year! We here at Bishop’s are huge fans of the wines of Andre Clouet and this wine is no exception. Expect layers of complexity, elegance and finesse, all supported by the red berry fruit flavours of a Pinot Noir based Champagne. There’s myriad opportunities to pop some bubbles over the holidays and this wine is sure to impress your guests or wow your hosts. Or, if you just wanna drink some great wine on the couch, this wine is up to the task. 

Matt Hodgson

Retail Supervisor

Crowd Pleasing + Entertaining

What’s an underrated part of the holidays? Cookies and cocktails.

On their own, they’re already staples at most holiday parties, but together, they’ll be the talk of the event. Refreshingly spicy and sweet, they taste as good as if they were pulled right out of grandma’s oven.

If you’re unfamiliar with Willibald, it’s time to take notice. Since 2017, this first-generation farm distillery and brewery has been making big waves. We’ve been fortunate enough to carry their products for a while now, and they never disappoint. Whether it’s a hoppy IPA or a cocktail, you can bet it’s going to be delicious.

*Gumdrop buttons sold separately.

Genny

Customer Service Sales Associate, Sommelier

Crowd Pleasing + Entertaining

This is my #1 go-to unoaked chardonnay under $30 any time of the year, but it is right at home on your holiday entertaining dining table. Grown in the Loire valley, this chardonnay is packed with the signature minerality of whites from that region. I don’t want to offend any Chablis die-hards, but if you’re not looking to pay Chablis prices for a steely, crisp, unoaked chardonnay, look no further. Serve with seafood, shellfish hors d’oeuvres, light pasta dishes, or a cheese plate.

Fernando

Customer Service Sales Associate

Crowd Pleasing + Entertaining

I love bringing sparkling to gatherings. No need for a grand event to enjoy great wines. I also believe more of the world should drink Alsatian cremants. Expect mousse-like bubbles, brioche, and baked apples – think apple turnover or strudel. I’ve been taught to open wines like this with a whisper, but good golly is it ever fun to pop it. Just remember to not point the cork at your loved ones.

Daniela

Customer Service Sales Associate

Crowd Pleasing + Entertaining

This holiday season I am taking home to share with my family a bottle of Massolino Langhe Chardonnay to have with our Christmas dinner, and you should too! Chardonnay lovers – you’ll thank me for this awesome new addition to your Chards catalog. Not a Chardonnay fan? This wine is guaranteed to change your mind about this wonderful grape. Pleasantly buttery, with ripe peach, pear and citrus flavours matched by a balanced acidity, this wine will be the star of your Christmas dinner. Cin-cin!

Allie Barter

Customer Service Sales Associate

Crowd Pleasing + Entertaining

What better way to ring in the holiday season, than sharing a bottle of bubbles with your family and friends.

Grandial Blanc de Blanc Brut is delicious, but it somehow tastes better when the price is right. It offers a smooth sparkling texture, with the pleasant flavor of a sweet lemon pound cake.

Come on down and grab a bottle (or a few) and let your bells start to jingle!

David

Customer Service Sales Associate

Crowd Pleasing + Entertaining

Heading to a dinner party and don’t know what’s being served? Try a bottle of Fontenelles Elysee! Hailing from Corbieres in Languedoc-Rousillon, wines from this region benefit from a dry, hot, sunny climate and cleansing local winds called the Cers. This wine is aged in oak and undergoes partial carbonic maceration, softening the acidity and boosting the natural fruity aromas.  Medium-bodied, fresh, and aromatic, this is a versatile food wine offering a rich combination of flavours: cherry, strawberry, and ripe fleshy plum; alongside peppery spice, cedar, and uplifting floral notes.

Sam

Customer Service Sales Associate

International Food Pairings

Haggis

St. Andrews Day is coming up this month! Which means one thing; haggis for dinner. My childhood favourite always comes with ‘neeps (mashed turnips) and ‘tatties (mashed potatoes) on the side, and that’s a guarantee. Scotch would be the appropriate first choice for a pairing, but for those who aren’t quite there yet, let me introduce you to the Achroous gin from Electric Spirit Co. With sichuan pepper and fennel, it adds a spicy and savoury note that perfectly compliments the main meal. So grab your tonic of choice and raise those G&T’s to the patron saint and toast to Scotland’s first war for independence over 700 years ago!

Ireland McDonald

Customer Service Sales Associate

Crowd Pleasing + Entertaining

Happy holidays, everyone! If you’re like me and prefer to get your holiday shopping done early, here’s a fantastic recommendation to check off your list: the perfect wine for all your festive gatherings! This beautifully crafted red is a smooth yet structured blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. With its notes of soft vanilla, dark baked berries, and a hint of oaky spice, it strikes the perfect balance between richness and approachability. It’s bold enough to impress your wine-loving guests but smooth enough to please any crowd, making it an ideal choice for entertaining this season. Cheers to the ultimate season for wine lovers!

Erica Priolo

Customer Service Sales Associate

Crowd Pleasing + Entertaining

This wine has been a great red to bring to family suppers and friend charcuterie nights. Torno is made with 100% Tempranillo with 12 months aging in neutral oak barrels. It has served to be an absolute crowd pleaser. Hitting enough body and structure to appease our bold red lovers, while remaining fruit oriented enough to be a delight to those that prefer a more refreshing style. Pair this with an array of food, & easily enjoy a glass on its own cozied up by a seasonal fire.

Michael Kamras

Customer Service Sales Associate

Crowd Pleasing + Entertaining

Look, I know what you’re thinking: “Nova Scotia can’t do good reds.” While we can’t make some of those bigger ‘old world’ reds, Blomidon Baco Noir is making the most of our climate to bring an incredibly accessible red wine. Notes of blueberry, vanilla, and a hint of smoke make this lighter red very flexible. Anything from hors d’oeuvres, to baked goods, or even light meats are going to pair wonderfully with this bad boy. Step your Table Wine game up with a little local flair!

Maida

Customer Service Sales Associate

Crowd Pleasing + Entertaining

Good times, great people and bubbles! What better way to enjoy the simple moments than with a bottle of bubbly. La Bella Prosecco is the perfect wine for both small and large gatherings with its notes of tropical fruits such as pineapples, mouth filling bubbles and just a hint of sweetness. This prosecco will impress any crowd without breaking the bank this holiday!