PUT A TROPHY ON THE TABLE For true grape nuts, nothing says "I love you" quite like a big, warm hug from a corpulent cabernet sauvignon. And nowhere is the grape encouraged to flaunt its rich, palate-caressing flavours of blackcurrant, chocolate and vanilla more than in California, epicentre of the cult-cabernet phenom.
Mercifully for those of us on limited budgets, stupidly priced examples such as the famously rare $500 (U.S.)-a-bottle Screaming Eagle (just 500 cases made annually) aren't available in Canada. Ditto Harlan Estate, Bryant Family and Colgin, which are all soaring near the half-G-note stratosphere. Even relatively "affordable" California classics, such as Dominus, Opus One and Caymus Special Selection, will run you about $200 (often more) and tend to sell out soon after they're released each year. So, why not consider a less-familiar California beauty? Here, a few trophies for your shelf, but you'll want to catch these rabbits quickly, before they sprout wings.
For the collector Nothing scores points with collectors quite like scarcity. A new winery, Coniglio, offers the gift-giver serious bragging rights in that regard. It made only 600 cases of Coniglio Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 ($63). That's just 100 more than Screaming Eagle's annual output.
For the idealist Well under the radar of all those Screaming Eagles is Volker Eisele Cabernet Sauvignon ($55). The winery has been farming organically for more than 30 years. You'd be hard-pressed to find a purer, more complex-tasting cab for the money.
For the storyteller At $74, David Arthur Meritaggio is not exactly a stocking stuffer; however, the wine does come with the bonus of a novel tale: Taking cues from the great super-Tuscan wines of Italy, David Arthur added sangiovese to California's more common Bordeaux-style mix of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. You could call it Cal-Tuscan. All wines available in Ontario through Vintages Classics catalogue, 1-800-266-4764 or e-mail vintages@lcbo.com
MAKE A GREAT ESCAPE (IF ONLY FOR A DAY) A romantic spa package offers something for him and her Secret Garden Spa, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario A 40-minute drive from Toronto, Niagara's Prince of Wales hotel makes the most of its vineyard surroundings. Enjoy a tipple from the 4,000-bottle cellar before heading to the Secret Garden Spa for more inventive uses of the grape. For her Wine-based antioxidants and luxuriant champagne lotion make the Vinotherapy Wellness wrap ($105) supremely indulgent. For him The Purple Feet pedicure ($85) uses local products to smooth rough heels. Secret Garden Spa
Rainspa, Montreal Grand 19th-century architecture houses swish Y2K design at Old Montreal's stunning Le Place d'Armes hotel. Downstairs, the chic, blue-tiled Rainspa offers the city's only hammam (steam room) therapies. A two-night couples package (starting at $820) combines the two. For him An exfoliating facial ($95) using Australia's Skinn line, a fave of Hugh Jackman's. For her A cleansing back treatment with mud from Normandy's Mont St. Michel ($98).
Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino, B.C. Although it offers year-round surfing, golfing and kayaking, Tofino's Wickaninnish Inn is at its best when the skies are at their worst. Before a treatment in the Ancient Cedars Spa, bundle up for the inn's Stormy Weather walk to see Mother Nature thrash the Pacific. For both A private ocean-side cabin is the ideal location for a side-by-side massage (from $270). Wickaninnish Inn