Vitamin Daily

Our recent trip to Whistler's Cornucopia was a perfect time to draw up our holiday shopping lists. While the wise women of House Wine counsel never to save bubbly for special occasions, we've paired some of their top picks with the perfect excuses to open them:

Date Night: We chose Blue Mountain Brut ($30) for our wedding, and seven years later still pop a bottle regularly. Made using the Methode Traditionelle of real Champagne and the classic mix of pinot noir and chardonnay, it tastes like the real thing.

Lunch with the Ladies: Mionetto Posecco ($20) was our favourite discovery of the seminar. Crisp, fresh, and frothy, the Procecco grape is known to stimulate your appetite. Bon Apetito.

Sushi Night: The perfectly pick Oyster Bay Cuvée Rosé ($23), made with sauvignon blanc, has a herbaceous finish that pairs well with raw fish.

Christmas Morning: Newly available in Canada, the Henriot Blanc Souverain French Champagne ($77.75) has a toasty brioche characteristic that would compliment your breakfast pastries.

Boxing Day Brunch: Fresita sparkling wine ($14.49) from Chile is finished with the wild strawberries from the Patagonia region and almost qualifies as a breakfast smoothie. Almost. 

—Sarah Bancroft

All recommendations courtesy House Wine consultants at Whistlercornucopia.com