Bottega Gold Prosecco (Italy) - Wine Review

Tonight's shiny sparkling wine review was recently listed as a VINTAGES Essentials product at the LCBO and is now widely available all year round across Ontario.

It is produced by Bottega, a family-owned, third generation company led by Barbara, Sandro, and Stefano Bottega in Bibano, Treviso, north of Venice, that has been producing premium quality, typical Italian wines, grappa, spirits and food products since 1977. The headquarters are located in a 19th century farmhouse that was renovated to preserve the original architectural and environmental characteristics, and is surrounded by 10 hectares of vineyards.

Bottega Gold is a premium quality Italian Prosecco characterized by its shiny, iconic metallized bottle, an idea that was conceived by Sandro Bottega in 2000 to create an eye-catching package for their premium quality Prosecco. However, this Prosecco is more than just a fancy bottle.

Even though this bottle is labelled as DOC, the Bottega Gold is actually the higher designated DOCG - where the native Glera grapes used for Prosecco are grown (in a mix of old and new vines) and hand-picked in Valdobbiadene within the heart of the DOCG area. It is labelled as DOC because Italian regulations preclude Bottega’s gold-plated bottle from being labelled as a DOCG.

This Prosecco undergoes a single fermentation, directly transforming the grape must into sparkling wine, followed by a second fermentation in autoclaves (pressurized tanks) with the addition of selected yeasts for approximately 40 days. This unique method is known as the Charmat-Martinotti method and helps preserves freshness and all of the characteristics that the Glera varietal is known for, such as white flowers, green apple, pear and citrus.

Tasting Note:

BOTTEGA GOLD PROSECCO - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#621458) (D) - $27.95
Faint aromas of pear, white peach, citrus and floral from the glass. The palate has an initial crispness, giving way to frothy, mouthfilling mousse and flavours of pear, floral, and citrus with just a touch of sweetness. There's good structure and balanced acidity. It's also nicely balanced throughout with lingering citrus notes on the finish that veers towards dry, with good length. A well-made Prosecco that can be enjoyed at the table. Score: 87 pts

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Monte del Frá Tenuta Lena di Mezzo Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2008 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine was purchased nearly 7 years ago from the April 28, 2012 LCBO VINTAGES Release that featured wines from Veneto in its main theme. Let's see how it is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MONTE DEL FRÁ TENUTA LENA DI MEZZO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2008 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#272500) (D) - $15.95
Blend of 80% Corvina Veronese and Corvinone, and 20% Rondinella from the terraced estate of Lena di Mezzo that is an hilly area with tufaceous, clay and limestone soils. Deep garnet colour with a brownish tinge on the edge. Generous aromas are very earthy and savoury in the glass with dirt, tree bark, and touches of dried cherry and floral. It is medium+ bodied on the palate with tobacco and spice flavours, plus some dried cherry/berry and floral notes. Fruit is starting to fade while tannins have softened but leave a chalky and drying mouthfeel. Acids are juicy. Earthy and stony mineral notes linger on the long finish. Quite nice for an 11-year-old Valpolicella. Drink now. Score: 89 pts

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La Prua Appassimento 2016 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a delicious red wine that recently arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on March 2nd.

It is produced by Mare Magnum, a fairly new wine company that produces wine not only in various parts of Italy, but is also involved in winemaking in various other parts of the world. Takis Soldatos and Mario Calzolari are the leaders behind Mare Magnum, and they have worked in the wine industry for more than 20 years. Together, they strive to produces wines that are outstanding value-for-money in an attractive and innovative package.

Tasting Note:

LA PRUA APPASSIMENTO 2016 - IGT Rosso Veneto, Italy (#530543) (D) - $15.95
100% Corvina grown on the cool climate volcanic slopes of Monte Lessinis. A large part of the grapes were dried for three weeks. Aged for 8 months in French oak barrels. The medium+ intensity nose is spicy and earthy, layered on top of bright cherry and chocolate aromas, with hints of smoke. It is medium-full bodied on the palate with supple tannins with just a touch of chalkiness, and fresh acids. Blackberry, cherry, and mocha chocolate flavours with some oak undertones. Some sweetness arrives on the mid-palate. Chocolate and dark berry notes close out on the finish, with good length. Score: 87 pts

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Cantina di Negrar Appassimento 2017 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a red wine that recently arrived to the LCBO and is widely available throughout Ontario.

It is produced by Cantina Valpolicella Negrar, a winery that was founded in the commune of Negrar in Veneto in the 1930's.

The catchy and interesting label of this Appassimento depicts Ulysses' (a.k.a. Odysseus in Greek) 10-year journey home from Troye to Ithaca. Every facet of his journey captivates the sense of discovery, self-discovery, and world discovery Ulysses experiences in those enchanted 10 years, including  Lotus eaters, Circe the Enchantress, the singing winged sirens, the one-eyed giant Cyclops, the six-headed monster Scylla, the violent whirlpool Charybdis, his journey to the underworld to learn of his future, the bags of wind from Aeolus, and his 7 year stay with the nymph Calypso. Each tale embodies a sense of enchantment and delight, drawing the reader in, the urge to know and discover more. Let's see if what's inside the bottle is just as captivating.

Tasting Note:

CANTINA DI NEGRAR APPASSIMENTO 2017 - IGT Veneto, Italy (#629865) (D) - $15.90
A Corvina-based blend made using dried grapes (i.e. appassimento method). Medium+ intensity nose features sweet spice, fig, cherry, and earthy aromas. It is medium-full bodied with smooth, dusty tannins and a juicy core with pleasing milk chocolate, cherry, and earthy aroma replays in an off-dry flavour profile. Some tannic grip arrives mid-palate. Nice balance throughout, with earth and cocoa flavours lingering on the long, juicy finish. Widely appealing style. Score: 87 pts

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Cantina di Negrar Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2015 (Veneto) - Wine Review

I recently enjoyed the 2016 Cantina di Negrar Corvina, and tonight is another lovely wine from the same producer.

Cantina Valpolicella Negrar is the producer considered to be the birthplace of Amarone and the typical Valpolicella Classica wines. In 1936, just 3 years after the winery was founded, the Cantina's President, Gaetano Dall'Ora, pronounced "This is not an Amaro, it’s an Amarone!" (amaro means bitter in English) after tasting a Recioto wine that had accidentally been left to ferment for a long time, thus giving rise to the name of the actual symbolic wine of Valpolicella.

Amarone is traditionally made from partially dried grapes, the majority consisting of Corvina with some Rondinella, and sometimes other indigenous varietals. This process is called appassimento and concentrates the remaining sugars and flavours. After the grapes have been dried, the grapes go through a long fermentation which results in a drier wine - a short fermentation results in sweeter Recioto wine. The final step is often many months of barrel ageing.

The Cantina di Negrar brand is the soul of Cantina Valpolicella Negrar, and the St. Mark's winged lion on the label is a tribute both to the winery's philosophy of cooperative production and to the history of the local area. The lion, a symbol of Venice's once great power in the 16th century, sits atop a column in the centre of the commune of Negrar.

This delicious red wine is a General List product at the LCBO and widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario, as well as online at lcbo.com.

Tasting Note:

CANTINA DI NEGRAR AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#044784) (D) - $34.95
The medium+ intensity nose offers enticing aromas of sour cherry, tobacco, chocolate, oak spice, and fig. It is full-bodied with lovely fig, chocolate, oak spice, and dark berry flavours supported by fresh, vibrant acidity. Sweet tannins are nicely textured with just a touch of grip. Pretty chocolate notes on the mid-palate continue through to the lovely, long finish. Will be better at end of 2019. Very good value in Amarone! Score: 89 pts

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Bottega Accademia Red Prosecco (Italy) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a nice sparkling wine that just arrived at the LCBO in time for the holiday season. This Prosecco is packaged in an attractive transparent red bottle that would be ideal for gift-giving or to open at your next holiday gathering.

It is produced by Bottega, a family-owned company located in Bibano, Treviso (45 km North of Venice) that has been producing premium quality, typical Italian wines, grappa, spirits and food products since 1977. However, the history of Bottega goes back much further, as forefather Andrea was cultivating vines as a tenant farmer in 1635 in the beautiful hills near Molinetto della Croda in Refrontolo.

Domenico Bottega was a wine trader and passionate oenologist in the 1920's who could easily identify the best grapes in the vineyard. Domenico's son, Aldo, expanded on his father's passion for grappa in the 1950's and 60's, creating the first monovarietal grappa, and eventually founding Bottega in 1977.

Today, Bottega is a third generation business led by siblings Barbara, Sandro, and Stefano Bottega, the children of Aldo. The headquarters are located in a 19th-century farmhouse, renovated to preserve the original architectural and environmental characteristics, and are surrounded by 10 hectares of vineyards. With the goal of delivering health, well-being and pleasure through its products, Bottega advocates Quality (Italian taste and authenticity), Design (expression of the excellent aesthetic character of being made in Italy) and Social Responsibility towards the environment and the community.

Tasting Note:

BOTTEGA ACCADEMIA RED PROSECCO - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#578955) (D) - $19.95
Produced using the Martinotti method (i.e. Charmat) using Glera grapes. Subtle on the nose with green apple, citrus, white peach, and acacia flowers, and melon. It's medium-bodied with frothy, creamy mousse and lively acids. A shade off-dry on the flavour profile with grapefruit, blood orange, lemon citrus, and hint of floral notes. Slightly yeasty and leesy on the mid-palate, and some bitterness on the finish, with good length. Score: 87 pts

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Cantina di Negrar Corvina 2016 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a General List product that is widely available at the LCBO and sells for under $10!

This red wine is produced by Cantina Valpolicella Negrar, a co-operative that was founded in 1933 and is located just a few kilometres from Verona, near Lake Garda, in northeastern Italy. The people of Cantina Valpolicella Negrar includes 230 families of winemakers who cultivate over 700 hectares of vineyards, and are led by a highly professional technical staff. Together, they are dedicated to the production of quality wines that are a true expression of the land from which they are born.

The winery is constantly doing research to gain insights and knowledge, with an eye towards keeping tradition as well as innovating. As such, all of the work in the vineyards is done by hand with respect for the environment and its biodiversity due to the need for sustainable viticulture. The in-depth study of the biology, ecology and environment where winemakers work allows them to adopt good practices in soil management, promote biodiversity in the vineyards, and pest control with minimal environmental impact on operators and consumers.

Tasting Note:

CANTINA DI NEGRAR CORVINA 2016 - IGT Verona, Veneto, Italy (#519199) (D) - $9.95
Screw cap. Made with 100% Corvina, the principle grape used in the production of Amarone and Valpolicella wines, and uncommon to find as a single varietal wine. Generous nose is plummy with spice surrounded by a dark berry-cherry, savoury, and earthy core, and hints of white pepper. The light-to-medium bodied palate is dry, ripe and fruit forward, with slightly raisined plum, cherry, and blackcurrant flavours, with a touch of spice. It is supported by supple, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. The finish length is very good. Will have wide-appeal. Score: 87 pts

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Monte Zovo Sa' Solin Ripasso Valpolicella 2014 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is another VINTAGES Essential that is always available in the VINTAGES section at LCBO outlets across Ontario and is currently on promotion ($2 off) until November 26.

This red wine is made by Diego Cottini, a third-generation winemaker and oenologist in Valpolicella. He belongs to one of the oldest and largest wine-producing families in the area, and began helping at the winery and in the vineyards at the age of 16.

Azienda Agricola Monte Zovo is one of Cottini's brands and is named after the hill on which the modern winery is located in the Bardolino DOC, just west of Valpolicella. This wine is made using the Ripasso technique, where the Valpolicella wine is "re-passed" over dried grape skins that are leftover from Amarone pressings. This technique essentially adds complexity to regular Valpolicella wines.

Tasting Note:

MONTE ZOVO SA' SOLIN RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA 2014 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#650713) (D) - $18.95 $16.95 until Nov. 26, 2017
Corvina-based blend. Intense black plum and oak spice aromas from the cork. In the glass, this is quite complex with meaty, dark cherry and herb aromas with hints of blackberry, black licorice and prune. It's medium-full bodied on the palate with supple tannins providing a dusty texture. There's some sweetness on the flavour profile, but it's mostly hidden behind the high acids. Complex aromas, plus oak spices, deliver on the palate, touch warm on the mid-palate and finishes long with some power. You could almost consider this to be a baby Amarone. Very good value! Score: 88 pts

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Montecillo Crianza 2011 (Rioja) and Lamberti Santepietre Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2015 (Veneto) - Wine Reviews

As we begin enjoying the hot summer weather, here are a couple of affordable wines that should quench your thirst. The first is a Pinot Grigio and is usually a crowd favourite, while the Crianza is a savoury red wine made with Tempranillo that will be suitable for your backyard BBQ party. Both of these wines are widely available at the LCBO.

If you're heading outdoors, you can pack your wines (and food items) in a cooler bag so they stay nice and cool. You'll also want to remember to pack plastic wine glasses because you don't want to risk breaking your expensive stemware. And lastly, you'll want to pick up a set of DrinkGuards - these are non-slip silicone drink covers that keep bugs and debris out of your glass, which also doubles as a drink marker and even a coaster!

Tasting Notes:

LAMBERTI SANTEPIETRE PINOT GRIGIO DELLE VENEZIE 2015 - IGT, Veneto, Italy (#560524) (XD) - $12.10
Screw cap. Clean, fresh lemon and citrus aromas of medium+ intensity with a hint of white flowers from the glass. Some earthy/musky notes arrive as it warms up. The palate is fleshy, medium-bodied and dry with lemony white floral, and herbally flavours. It has balanced acidity, with good finish length that has touches of minerality. Easy going wine to enjoy on the patio. Score: 87 pts

MONTECILLO CRIANZA 2011 - DOC, Rioja, Spain (#144493) (XD) - $14.95
Sweet oak spice and black plum aromas from the cork. Medium+ intensity nose from glass, showing sandalwood, oak spice, cherry, raspberry, earth, forest floor, and barnyard aromas all mingling nicely. The palate is medium+ bodied with good fruit concentration, tannins a touch drying, and more savoury earthy, dark cherry, forest floor, barnyard, and oak flavours. It has juicy acids, some heat on the mid-palate, while the finish length is very good with more savoury earthy, forest floor and barnyard notes. A savoury wine ideal for the BBQ. Drink over the next 2 years. Score: 88 pts

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Lamberti Santepietre Pinot Grigio 2015 (Italy) - Wine Review

Last night I opened up this easy drinking Pinot Grigio from Northern Italy.

This wine is produced by Cantina Lamberti, a winery that was established in 1964 and is named after one of the oldest noble families of Verona. The grapes for this wine were harvested from Trentino and Veneto vineyards along the Adige Valley in Northern Italy, and were picked during the last 10 days of September.

It is readily available at LCBO locations throughout the province and is made in a crowd-pleasing and versatile style, which will make it suitable for your holiday gatherings. It's also budget-friendly, retailing for just $11.95 until January 27, 2017.

Tasting Note:

LAMBERTI SANTEPIETRE PINOT GRIGIO 2015 - IGT Venezie, Italy (#560524) (XD) - $11.95
Screw cap. Lemony fresh aromas with a whiff of minerality on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with candied citrus, lemon, along with hints of white flowers and saline. Lemony acids are fresh and juicy, while the finish has fine length with a touch of saline character. Serve nicely chilled. Good value. Score: 87 pts

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San Raffaele Monte Tabor Pinot Grigio 2015 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Opened up this organic white wine last night ahead of it's release onto LCBO VINTAGES shelves on October 29th.

The grapes for this organic Pinot Grigio come from vineyards in the area around Verona, west of Venice, and is managed by winegrowers who have been cultivating organically for more than 25 years.

This 2015 vintage is a step up in quality from the 2014 San Raffaele Monte Tabor Pinot Grigio that I tasted last year, and is sure to be liked by many.

Tasting Note:

SAN RAFFAELE MONTE TABOR PINOT GRIGIO 2015 - IGT Veneto, Italy (#204768) (XD) - $13.95
Organic wine. Light aromas of fresh lemon and tropical fruits from the cork. Perfumed aromas of melon, tropical fruit and lemon of medium intensity. The palate is ripe and juicy with good fruit concentration, showing peach, apricot and lemon flavours in a dry style (i.e. not sweet). Acids are fresh, while the finish length is good. Should appeal to many. Score: 87 pts

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May 28 VINTAGES Release: Veneto + Judgment of Paris

The May 28 VINTAGES Release will be on shelves this coming Saturday and features the wines from Veneto as its main theme, while the mini-theme features the players from the 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting.

We'll begin with the secondary theme that honours the 40th anniversary of the famous Judgment of Paris tasting that pitted the relatively unknown Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays from California against the top red wines from Bordeaux and top Chardonnays from Burgundy. California fared quite well in the tasting and ended up taking top prize in both red and white wine categories. The rest, as they say, is history. This mini-theme is anything but mini, with four excellent wines from the seven included among my wine picks.

Three California Chardonnays from Judgment of Paris players made my list of wine picks, including wines from Chateau Montelena, Heitz Cellar, and an organic wine from Grgich Hills. The only red wine chosen from this mini-theme is the Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon which contains 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Merlot, and needs some time before it can be enjoyed over the ensuing three decades. Not included as part of the Judgment of Paris theme but also available in this release as part of the Flagship Store Exclusive (FSE) program is another Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon that's blended with 14% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc.

From the major theme of the release, the wines from Veneto were mostly lacklustre except for a Masi Amarone that came through VINTAGES last November in a magnum bottle, but now returns in the more popular 750 mL format. The other Venetian wine is the Pieropan Soave Classico crisp, dry white wine that is a blend of 85% Garganega and 15% Trebbiano di Soave.

South Africa is well-represented among my wine picks with a Chenin Blanc and an oaked Chardonnay, but there's also a lovely little South African organic red wine that is a blend of 37% Shiraz, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec. Other red wines in this release include a Portuguese wine blend consisting of Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional, while the Rhône blend consists of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault.

The latest vintage of the dry rosé wine returns to VINTAGES shelves, consisting of Syrah and Grenache, while the sparkling wine is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release. Cheers!

Red Wine:

• AVONDALE JONTY’S DUCKS PEKIN RED 2011 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#383547) (D) - $14.95  reviewed here
• HERDADE DA PIMENTA ALENTEJANO 2013 - DO Alentejo, Portugal (#445114) (XD) - $16.95
• MONTGRAS ANTU CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Maipo Valley, Chile (#444703) (XD) - $17.95
• D’ARENBERG THE FOOTBOLT SHIRAZ 2013 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#984021) (D) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU PEGAU CUVÉE MACLURA CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2013 - AC, Rhône, France (#452250) (XD) - $19.95
• VITICCIO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2012 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#283580) (XD) - $22.95
• JOHN GLAETZER JOHN’S BLEND NO. 38 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 - Langhorne Creek, South Australia (#927640) (D) - $39.95
• BACHELDER LA PETITE CHARMOTTE NUITS SAINT GEORGES 2013 - AC, Burgundy, France (#357228) (XD) - $58.95  FSE
• MASI COSTASERA RISERVA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2009 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#324137) (D) - $69.95  reviewed here
• RIDGE VINEYARDS ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 - Monte Bello Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA (#89284) (XD) - $74.95  FSE
• RIDGE MONTE BELLO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA (#405332) (XD) - $191.95

White Wine:

• FLAT ROCK UNPLUGGED CHARDONNAY 2014 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#68015) (XD) - $16.95
• PIEROPAN SOAVE CLASSICO 2014 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#946848) (D) - $17.95
• 13TH STREET JUNE’S VINEYARD RIESLING 2013 - VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#147512) (D) - $19.95  reviewed here
• FORREST THE DOCTORS’ SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#317842) (D) - $19.95
• RUSTENBERG CHARDONNAY 2014 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#598631) (XD) - $19.95
• OLDENBURG VINEYARDS CHENIN BLANC 2014 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#443358) (XD) - $20.95  FSE
• CAVE SPRING CSV RIESLING 2013 - Estate bottled, Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#566026) (D) - $29.95  reviewed here
• HEITZ CELLAR CHARDONNAY 2014 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#205500) (XD) - $49.95
• GRGICH HILLS ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2013 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#346304) (XD) - $67.95
• CHATEAU MONTELENA CHARDONNAY 2014 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#701748) (D) - $75.95

Rosé Wine:

• CHÂTEAU VAL JOANIS TRADITION ROSÉ 2015 - AP Luberon, Rhône, France (#707281) (XD) - $15.95

Sparkling Wine:

• JACKSON-TRIGGS ENTOURAGE GRAND RESERVE BRUT 2011 - Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#234161) (D) - $24.95

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San Raffaele Monte Tabor Pinot Grigio 2014 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is an organic wine that will be in stores as part of the October 17th LCBO VINTAGES release.

Monte Tabor has been cultivating vines organically since 1970. In 2006, Monte Tabor began managing another 50 hectares of Soave vineyards in Illasi. Today, viticulturalists and oenologists collaborate on the production of organic wines from these vineyards with the Fasoli family - a family that has been organic producers in the area for over 25 years.


SAN RAFFAELE MONTE TABOR PINOT GRIGIO 2014 - IGT Veronese, Veneto, Italy (#204768) (XD) - $13.95

Tasting Note:

Organic Pinot Grigio. Lemon peel and citrus scents from the cork. Subtle nose of lemon, citrus, white grapefruit with a slightly oxidized character. The palate is medium-bodied and dry with lime peel and grapefruit flavours. It has crisp, balanced acidity and some bitterness on the lingering finish. Score: 86 pts

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Apr. 4 LCBO Wine Picks: Veneto + Ontario Wines for Easter

The next LCBO VINTAGES release will be on shelves this Saturday, April 4, 2015. For those folks in Toronto's downtown core, you may find wines on shelves as early as Wednesday and some stores in and around the city may have them out as early as Thursday or Friday. Pay a visit to your local store prior to Saturday to see when they stock the shelves.

In this release, the major theme is on wines from Veneto, while the secondary theme highlights Ontario wines for upcoming Easter feasts.

The VINTAGES team did something interesting in this release with the Veneto thematic by trying to associate each letter of the alphabet with something from the region (e.g. A is for Amarone, B is for Baroque Music, C is for Corvina, etc.). However, only 11 wines were selected as part of the theme, four of which fell under V is for Valpolicella.

Only three Veneto wines are included among my wine picks, including one of the aforementioned Valpolicellas from Feudi San Pio that is made using the Ripasso technique - expect some sweet-fruited flavours. From the letter "R" is a Recioto from Monte Faustino that takes the sweetness levels up a few notches in this red wine. Lastly, under the letter "S" is a Soave, Veneto's signature white wine, from Montresor that is made using Garganega.

The mini-theme of Ontario wines for Easter featured 6 wines, and only the Fielding Viognier made my wine picks. Other Ontario wines not part of the thematic, but I think would also be perfectly suitable for Easter are the Flat Rock Riesling (medium sweet), Creekside Laura's White (a blend that is mostly Sauvignon Blanc), and Henry of Pelham Chardonnay.

From the rest of the release are a pair of matured Spanish reds, including the 10-year-old Monasterio de las Viñas (60% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo and 10% Cariñena) and the 7-year-old Bodegas Muriel Reserva that is 100% Tempranillo. Another fabulous wine from the great 2010 Bordeaux vintage is the Château Haut Selve Réserve that is nearly 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend and should be cellared for at least a couple of years prior to opening.

And finally, if you want to end your Easter festivities this year with one terrific wine, check out the Château La Tour Blanche. This sweet dessert wine is a blend of Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle, from Noble Rot-affected grapes. You may see me lining at a VINTAGES Flagship Store up for this one.

Enjoy my wine recommendations for this week and Happy Easter. Cheers!


Red Wine:

• AGRIVERDE PIANE DI MAGGIO MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2013 - DOC, Abruzzo, Italy (#394999) (D) - $15.95
• MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS GRAN RESERVA 2005 - DO Cariñena, Spain (#082024) (XD) - $16.95
• FEUDI SAN PIO RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2012 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#181446) (D) - $17.95
• CARMEN GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2012 - Apalta, Colchagua Valley, Chile (#439166) (XD) - $17.95
• MURIEL RESERVA VENDIMIA SELECCIONADA 2008 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#276030) (D) - $18.95
• TSCHARKE MARANANGA GNADENFREI SHIRAZ 2011 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#303370) (XD) - $26.95
• CHÂTEAU HAUT SELVE RÉSERVE 2010 - AC Graves, Bordeaux, France (#235424) (XD) - $27.95
• MONTE FAUSTINO RECIOTO DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2008 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#403857) (M) (500 mL) - $45.95
• FULIGNI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2008 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#245225) (XD) - $49.95
• VITANZA RISERVA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2007 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#236232) (XD) - $89.95  Flagship Store Exclusive

White Wine:

• MONTRESOR SOAVE CLASSICO 2013 - DOP, Veneto, Italy (#408302) (D) - $13.95
• FLAT ROCK RIESLING 2014 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#043281) (M) - $16.95
• GEHRINGER BROTHERS PRIVATE RESERVE PINOT GRIS 2013 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#347203) (XD) - $18.95
• CREEKSIDE LAURA’S WHITE 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#121764) (XD) - $18.95
• HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2013 - VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#268342) (XD) - $19.95
• FORREST THE DOCTORS’ SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#317842) (D) - $19.95
• DOG POINT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#677450) (XD) - $24.95
• FIELDING VIOGNIER 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#142323) (D) - $25.95
• DOMAINE JEAN COLLET & FILS MONTMAINS CHABLIS 1 ER CRU 2011 - AC, Burgundy, France (#405704) (XD) - $31.95

Fortifieds:

• CÁLEM LÁGRIMA WHITE PORT - DOP, Douro, Portugal (#912568) (S) - $16.95

Dessert Wine:

• CHÂTEAU LA TOUR BLANCHE 2011 - 1er Cru, AC Sauternes, Bordeaux, France (#296319) (S) (375 mL) - $49.85  Flagship Store Exclusive

The rest of the wines from this release can be found here.

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San Raffaele Monte Tabor Soave 2013 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Opened this crisp and refreshing white wine Sunday night.

Monte Tabor has been cultivating vines organically since 1970. In 2006, Monte Tabor began managing another 50 hectares of Soave vineyards in Illasi. Today, viticulturalists and oenologists collaborate on the production of organic wines from these vineyards with the Fasoli family - a family that has been organic producers in the area for over 25 years.

This organic wine is featured in the February 7, 2015 LCBO VINTAGES release and will be on shelves this Saturday.


SAN RAFFAELE MONTE TABOR SOAVE 2013 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#277392) (XD) - $13.95

Tasting Note:
100% Garganega. Elegant lime, peach and orange aromas from the cork. In the glass, aromas are low-to-medium intensity with ripe notes of citrus, peach and almond with much of same on the medium-bodied palate. Vibrant acids give way to mineral notes and a kiss of citrus sweetness. Decent length. Score: 86 pts

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Apr. 12 LCBO Wine Picks: Appassimento + Easter

The next Vintages release will be on shelves across Ontario on Saturday, April 12th. Appassimento wines are the main focus of this release, while wines for Easter are highlighted in the small secondary feature.

In case you didn't know, Appassimento is a winemaking technique that involves drying grapes and tends to produce naturally sweeter wines. There are 3 major styles of Appassimento wines - Recioto, Amarone and Ripasso - all of which are represented in this release. Of the 16 wines featured, quite a few would be worthy additions to your cellar, and 3 of my wine picks below are excellent buys.

The Bertani Ripasso is a blend of Rondinella and Corvina Veronese and during the 2nd fermentation (i.e. ripasso) was refermented on pomaces of Recioto and Amarone. The Tenuta Sant'Antonio is a dry Amarone (i.e. not sweet) and consists of 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 5% Croatina and 5% Oseleta; it will age gracefully and can be enjoyed over the next 10 years. And finally, the Brigaldara Amarone is an off-dry version (i.e. slightly sweet) made with 50% Corvinone, 20% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 10% other grapes and can be enjoyed over the next 13 years. With both of these Amarones, you'll want to wait at least a year before opening as their both still a bit young.

Easter is the second feature of the release and highlights just 5 wines to help make your festive day more festive. Three of these wines made my list of wine picks - Featherstone's Rosé, Lailey's Chardonnay, and Reif's Vidal Icewine are all recommended, even if you don't celebrate Easter.

For Chardonnay fans, all of the Chardonnays mentioned below are oaked, except for the Chablis (50 yr old vines). For Riesling lovers, the German Riesling is the sweetest of the three I recommend and will have exotic notes typical of Piesporter wines. The Godelia Red is 100% Mencía with grapes coming from three zones with differing soils.

Enjoy my wine recommendations for this week. Cheers!


Red Wine:

• GRANT BURGE 5TH GENERATION SHIRAZ 2012 - Barossa, South Australia (#361295) (XD) - $18.95
• CAPARZO ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2011 - DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#333575) (XD) - $19.95
• BERTANI VILLA NOVARE RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2010 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#095810) (XD) - $19.95
• CONCHA Y TORO MARQUES DE CASA CONCHA CARMENÈRE 2008 - Peumo, Rapel Valley, Chile (#169862) (XD) - $19.95
• GODELIA RED 2009 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#368043) (XD) - $20.95
• JULICHER 99 ROWS PINOT NOIR 2010 - Te Muna Road, Martinborough, North Island, New Zealand (#367979) (XD) - $24.95
• JIM BARRY THE COVER DRIVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#677476) (XD) - $26.95  reviewed here
• TENUTA SANT’ANTONIO SELEZIONE ANTONIO CASTAGNEDI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2010 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#685107) (XD) - $43.95
• BRIGALDARA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2009 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#300012) (D) - $49.95

White Wine:

• PERRIN & FILS RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2012 - AC, Rhône, France (#499509) (XD) - $14.95
• GUSTAVE LORENTZ RÉSERVE RIESLING 2012 - AC Alsace, France (#641639) (D) - $17.95
• LAILEY CHARDONNAY 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#193482) (XD) - $19.95
• 13TH STREET JUNE’S VINEYARD RIESLING 2011 - VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#147512) (D) - $19.95  reviewed here
• REINHOLD HAART PIESPORTER RIESLING KABINETT 2010 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#727461) (M) - $19.95
• LANDER-JENKINS SPIRIT HAWK CHARDONNAY 2011 - California, USA (#162651) (D) - $19.95
• SYLVAIN MOSNIER VIEILLES VIGNES CHABLIS 2010 - AC, Burgundy, France (#357152) (XD) - $26.95
• BACHELDER OREGON CHARDONNAY 2011 - Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#273334) (XD) - $29.95
• LA CREMA CHARDONNAY 2012 - Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California (#067231) (XD) - $37.95

Rosé Wine:

• PETIT RIMAURESQ GRENACHE/CINSAULT/SYRAH ROSÉ 2012 - Provence, France (#276360) (XD) - $13.95
• FEATHERSTONE ROSÉ 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#117861) (D) - $14.95

Dessert Wine:

• PUKLUS PINCÉSZET TOKAJI ASZÚ 3 PUTTONYOS 2008 - Hungary (#980805) (MS) (500 mL) - $20.95
• REIF VIDAL ICEWINE 2012 - VQA Niagara River, Ontario, Canada (#544791) (S) (200 mL) - $24.95

The rest of the wines from this release can be found here.

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Brigaldara Valpolicella 2010 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Purchased this red wine just last week from the VINTAGES Veneto release. It's a good one and many are still available in LCBO outlets.

BRIGALDARA VALPOLICELLA 2010 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#917864) (XD) - $14.95

Tasting Note:
Made with grape varietals Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara. Cork was dry. Licorice, black cherry, plum, pepper and hints of smoked meat aromas. Lots of red cherries on the palate. Spicy core with good acidity throughout. Light- to medium-bodied. Dry with well-balanced ripe tannins. Perfect for chicken lasagna. Very good wine.

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