Seven Pours for Mid-November

This fortnight’s seven drinks run from a $14.95 organic red to a $99.95 Scotch that spent time in French wine casks. In between are a Ripasso from a family that’s been making wine near Verona since 1902, a Bordeaux red that’s happy lightly chilled, and a Spanish liqueur named for its 43 botanicals. Two come from Ontario, a weeknight red from Bask and a whisky made in the Ottawa Valley. The whisky closes things out for the cheese board.

Mouton Cadet Red
Bordeaux, France

This modern, easygoing wine is made using low-temperature vinification, a technique chosen specifically to preserve freshness and fruit character. On the nose it carries crushed wild strawberry and a savoury herbal lift, while the palate is soft and juicy with tart redcurrant, ripe berry fruit, and a cooling minty finish that holds up well served lightly chilled. The wine is a leader in implementing Fair for Life, which includes long-term contracts, fair pricing, very close day-to-day support and, last, a development fund dedicated to the wine grower community, financed by 1% of the sales of Mouton Cadet Rouge. Baron Philippe de Rothschild founded Mouton Cadet in 1930 at just 28 years old, turning a glut of unsellable Bordeaux grapes during the Depression into one of the most recognized wine brands in the world, and this new generation is clearly intent on keeping that spirit of reinvention alive. Serve it lightly chilled with grilled vegetables, a charcuterie board, or a casual weeknight pasta.

Extra Dry • 14.5% • LCBO# 943 • Mouton Cadet • $17.80 • 90 points

Tommasi Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore
 Veneto, Italy

The Tommasi family has made wine near Verona since 1902, so after four generations the trial phase is clearly over. They’re Amarone royalty, and this Ripasso is the family’s baby Amarone. Once the Amarone is made, the young Valpolicella is passed back over the leftover grape skins. It’s an old farmers’ trick that wastes nothing and adds richness and spice. Tommasi released its first Ripasso in 1995. Silky tannins carry black pepper and ripe cherry in this generous red that offers excellent value. Pair it with beef short ribs braised in Amarone or grilled lamb chops.

Dry • 13.5% • LCBO# 910430 • Tommasi • $27.95 • 93 points

The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Provence Edition Whisky
 Speyside, Scotland

George Smith licensed his Speyside distillery in 1824. This Provence Edition sends the classic 12 Year Old on a trip to the south of France. It’s finished in three kinds of French wine casks, including Provence white, Rivesaltes and Sauternes. Baked peach and marzipan lead, followed by creamy vanilla and a soft, sweet close. Scotch on holiday in Provence is my kind of travel story. Sip it neat by the fire after a holiday dinner, or give it to the whisky fan on your list. Pair it with dark chocolate truffles, smoked almonds or aged Gouda with honeycomb.

40% • LCBO# 51503 • The Glenlivet • $99.95 • 93 points

Cono Sur Organic Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenère Syrah
Colchagua, Chile

Cono Sur named itself after South America’s Southern Cone in 1993. This organic blend is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with Carmenère and Syrah in support. Blackcurrant and red berries lead, with a savoury, peppery edge. Braised short ribs or a mushroom shepherd’s pie make a cozy November supper with it.

Extra Dry • 13% • LCBO# 553792 • Cono Sur • $14.95 • 89 points

Bask Reserve Simply Red
Ontario, Canada

Bask keeps things straightforward with this Ontario VQA red, right down to the name on the label. Black olive and a whisper of clove come through first, with a savoury edge close behind. The palate is soft and round. The tannins stay easygoing from start to finish. This is the kind of red that doesn’t ask you to think too hard about it, which is exactly the point on a weeknight. Burgers off the grill or a simple pasta with tomato sauce would be a great match.

Extra Dry • 13% • LCBO# 49883 • Bask • $16.95 • 90 points

Licor 43
Spain

Licor 43, Spain is a creamy, aromatic liqueur with rich notes of vanilla, citrus, honey and warm spice. It opens with enticing aromas of candied orange peel and sweet vanilla, followed by layered hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and delicate herbal complexity. The palate is smooth and velvety with flavours of vanilla-toffee, sweet citrus and gentle spice, finishing long and warm at about 31% alcohol. Fascinating fact: Licor 43 (Cuarenta y Tres) is named for its secret recipe of 43 botanicals and spices, and it’s one of Spain’s most iconic liqueurs, dating back to the Mediterranean city of Cartagena. Serve it neat, over ice, with coffee, or in cocktails like the 43 & Coffee or a Vanilla Espresso Martini. Pair it with churros with chocolate sauce, tiramisu, caramel flan or espresso brownies.

31% • LCBO# 263780 • Licor 43 • $34.95 • 92 points

Broken Paddle Artisanal Whisky
Ottawa Valley, Ontario

The paddle on the label of this Ottawa Valley whisky nods to Whitewater Distilling’s roots in river culture. It’s broken on purpose, a symbol of Canadian ingenuity for finding a way forward when something snaps. Corn, rye and single malt whiskies from Canada are married together in barrels that once held bourbon. Roasted almond and ripe pear come first, then honey and vanilla bean, with a warm hum of rye at the end. Whitewater is a 1% for the Planet member, so 1% of its sales go to environmental groups. Set it out with sharp cheddar and apple slices before dinner, or save a dram for the pumpkin pie.

40% • LCBO# 37253 • Whitewater Distilling • $44.95 • 95 points

Natalie MacLean offers Ontario’s most popular online wine and food pairing courses, tasting classes, expert reviews and mobile apps at nataliemaclean.com. Follow her on Instagram at @nataliemacleanwine. She is the author of Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much, and a 2026 finalist for the International Wine and Spirits Competition Wine Communicator of the Year.