2008 Chateau des Charmes Vidal Icewine (Ontario) - Wine Review

Got this one specifically for the #winechat on Icewine that took place on Twitter on December 21st at 9pm EST. And wow - was it ever a GREAT choice.

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES VIDAL ICEWINE 2008 - VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#565861) (S) (200mL) - $25.95

Tasting Note:
Icewine goodness from the cork - apricot, honey aromas. Peach and honey aromas from the glass. Syrupy mouthfeel with notes of peach, burnt honey, apricot and red apple. Absolutely delicious! If you've never tried an Icewine or are craving some, this is one that will fulfill your taste buds and won't hurt your wallet too much! I wish there was a 375mL version.

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Holiday Cheer Wine Picks: Dec. 10 LCBO Vintages Release

The next LCBO Vintages release is nearly upon us, and just in time for the holidays. The new release of wines will be in stores on December 10. To get ready for the holiday season, which typically means at least few get-togethers with friends & family, I have chosen something from each of the 5 major types  of wine - red, white, icewine, sparkling wine, and even a rosé.

Among the reds, two Malbecs from Argentina stand out. In white, the Pinot Gris from Alsace is off-dry. If you prefer something a bit sweeter and different, try Musqué Spritz from our local Malivoire Wines.

Want something even sweeter? Try the Stoney Ridge Vidal Icewine or the Sparkling Vidal Icewine from Inniskillin.

Enjoy my picks this week as you celebrate the holidays with your friends and family!


Red Wine

• MAIPE RESERVE MALBEC 2009 - Mendoza, Argentina (#247320) (XD) - $17.95
• FINCA EL ORIGEN GRAN RESERVA MALBEC 2009 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#065425) (XD) - $19.95
• LES HAUTS DE CASTELLAS VACQUEYRAS 2009 - AC, Rhône, France (#177634) (XD) - $19.95
• MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 - Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua Valley, Chile (#322586) (XD) - $19.95
• RAMON RAMOS MONTE TORO ROBLE 2008 - DO Toro, Spain (#247783) (XD) - $14.95

White Wine:

• ANNE BOECKLIN PINOT GRIS RÉSERVE 2008 - AC Alsace, France (#106831) (D) - $18.95
• MALIVOIRE MUSQUÉ SPRITZ 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#189670) (M) - $19.95

Rosé Wine:

• DOMAINE DE RIMAURESQ ROSÉ Cru Classé 2010 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#226647) (XD) - $18.95

Icewine:

• STONEY RIDGE VIDAL ICEWINE 2007 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#337402) (MS) 375 mL - $34.95

Sparkling Wine:

• FLAT ROCK RIDDLED SPARKLING Méthode Classique 2008 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#187377) (D) - $29.95
• INNISKILLIN SPARKLING VIDAL ICEWINE 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#560367) (MS) 375 mL - $69.95
• FOSS MARAI EXTRA DRY PROSECCO - DOC Treviso, Veneto, Italy (#729392) (D) - $18.95

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Master Works - Finest Wines & Spirits for Celebrations: Nov. 26 Vintages Release

The latest Vintages release is titled "Master Works: Our finest wines and spirits for splendid celebrations" and will be in stores on November 26. As is par for the season, many of these wines are available at a very high price point, and even though they are good quality, they are not affordable. Thus, I will skip over that section and move into the rest of the release.

South Africa was the big winner among my picks - making the cut on three occasions. If you would like to venture out into the world of South African wines, now would a great time!

The very aromatic Chardonnay from Liberty School will satisfy your senses, as will the two Icewines I've recommended from Reif and Strewn. Treat yourself to these Icewines, or wrap them up to make great gifts.

Enjoy my picks! If you do purchase any, let me know. I would love to hear your reviews!


Red Wine:

• FLAGSTONE WRITER’S BLOCK PINOTAGE 2009 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#243337) (XD) - $19.95
• 13TH STREET GAMAY NOIR 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#177824) (XD) - $19.95
• VALIANO POGGIO TEO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2006 - DOCG, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Tuscany, Italy (#250563) (XD) - $17.95
• CAVE DE ROQUEBRUN LA GRANGE DES COMBES SAINT-CHINIAN-ROQUEBRUN 2009 - AC, Midi, France (#155804) (XD) - $16.95
• MOOIPLAAS THE BEAN COFFEE PINOTAGE 2010 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#251165) (XD) - $13.95
• CONCHA Y TORO WINEMAKER’S LOT 115 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 - Palo Santo Vineyard, Rapel Valley, Chile (#030965) (XD) - $17.95

White Wine:

• LIBERTY SCHOOL CHARDONNAY 2008 - Central Coast, California, USA (#960120) (XD) - $18.95
• AMANI CHARDONNAY 2009 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#687442) (XD) - $17.95

Icewine:

• REIF VIDAL ICEWINE 2008 - VQA Niagara River, Ontario, Canada (#544791) (S) 200 mL - $24.95
• STREWN CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2008 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#251140) (S) 375 mL - $59.95

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Wine Picks: Holiday Magic + Sweet Wines: Nov. 12 Vintages release

As we get closer to the holiday season, it's time to think about wines for get-togethers. The November 12 Vintage release primary focus is on premium (i.e. expensive) wines. I mostly skipped over these as nearly all were out of budget. However, there are some gems should you wish to purchase a premium wine for your special occasion.

The secondary focus in this release is on the sweet wines. I have chosen two dessert wines, including one Icewine that should satisfy your sweet tooth - or someone else's while making a nice gift.

As for the remainder of this release, there is something for everyone (including your guests) among my top selections. The Sonop Cab Sauv from South Africa is organic and made in a slightly lighter style, while the remaining red wines are on the "big" side.

Among the white wines, the Chardonnay is intriguing. the Pinot Gris is off-dry, and the Savvy is almost made in the classic style. Enjoy!


Red Wine:

• MAIPE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 - Mendoza, Argentina (#246116) (D) - $17.95
• FERNANDEZ ESCUDO DE PLATA GRAN RESERVA 2004 - DO Jumilla, Spain (#246751) (XD) - $19.95
• DELAS FRÈRES SAINT-ESPRIT CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2009 - AC, Rhône, France (#729962) (XD) - $14.95
• TERRA NOBLE GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2008 - Maule Valley, Chile (#957050) (XD) - $15.95
• SONOP CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#606160) (XD) - $13.95
• PODERE L’AJA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2007 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#234948) (XD) - $17.95

White Wine:

• LUIGI BOSCA RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2010 - Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#142836) (XD) - $17.95
• KUHLMANN PLATZ PINOT GRIS 2008 - AC Alsace, France (#224204) (D) - $17.95
• WITHER HILLS WAIRAU VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2010 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#919514) (XD) - $17.95

Icewine:

• HENRY OF PELHAM CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2010 - VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#672402) (S) 200 mL - $39.95

Dessert Wine:

• SIVIPA MOSCATEL DE SETÚBAL 2008 - DOC, Portugal (#246652) (MS) - $15.95

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2000 Kiralyudvar Tokaji Furmint Late Harvest (Hungary) - Wine Review

This white wine / dessert wine was purchased waaaaayyyy back in April, 2006 and opened to celebrate Diwali.

KIRÁLYUDVAR 'LAPIS' TOKAJI FURMINT LATE HARVEST 2000 - Hungary (#681338) (M) - $19.95

Tasting Note:
Cork smells of orange blosson and honey. Burnt caramel, brandy, apricot, marzipan and touch of citrus aromas. Raisin, brandy, apricot on the palate. Reminds me of a light Port. I think it was kept too long as it does taste a little washed out. I was expecting to be 'wow'-ed.

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2002 Strewn Vidal Icewine - Review

Bought this one in 2007 and only realized during the Easter long weekend that I should have opened it sometime in 2009. Oops! Let's see how the extra ageing affected this Icewine.

STREWN VIDAL ICEWINE 2002 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#467746) - $24.95 (200 mL)

Tasting Note:
Honey, peach and toast aromas. On the palate it's Syrupy honey, peach, toast (butter). Creamy texture and sweet. Looks like the extra time in bottle did not hurt at all! I enjoyed this with a triple-berry cream cake from Longo's. Yum!

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February & Valentine's Day Release - Vintages Wine Picks

Here are my top picks from the today's Vintages Release. The release has a sub-theme on Tuscany, Valentine's Day, and has a spotlight on Washington State - I have chosen at least one from each.

Red Wine:

• COLUMBIA CREST H3 MERLOT 2007 - Horse Heaven Hills, Washington, USA (#209874) - $19.95
• LORNANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2007 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#211599) - $15.95
• LE CINCIOLE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2007 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#207795) - $19.95
• RINGBOLT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 - Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia (#606624) - $19.95
• LANGA CENTENARIA GARNACHA 2006 - DO Calatayud, Spain (#194795) - $13.95
• CHÂTEAU LE GRAND MOULIN 2008 - Cuvée Grande Réserve, AC Premières Côtes de Blaye, Bordeaux, France (#198994) - $15.95
• GEORGE WYNDHAM FOUNDER'S RESERVE SHIRAZ 2007 - Langhorne Creek, South Australia, Australia (#107904) - $19.95
• L.A. CETTO PETITE SIRAH 2008 - Guadalupe Valley, Baja California, Mexico (#983742) - $11.95

Previous vintages of the Ringbolt from Australia and L.A. Cetto from Mexico are a couple of my favourites. I recall the Mexican wine used to cost $9.95 - and was a steal!

White Wine:

• JOSEPH CATTIN PINOT GRIS 2008 - AC Alsace, France (#196956) - $18.95
• YEALANDS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#199935) - $17.95

Rose Wine:

• DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER ROSÉ DE CHEVALIER 2009 - AC Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France (#209734) - $18.95

Icewine:

• FLOURISH VIDAL ICEWINE 2007 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#222356) - $18.95 (200 mL)
• RED LEAF VIDAL ICEWINE 2006 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#179705) - $17.95 (200 mL)
• FLAT ROCK CELLARS SWEET REVENGE VIDAL ICEWINE 2007 - VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#047803) - $34.95 (375 mL)

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