Apr. 14 Wine Picks: Argentina + Eco-Friendly Wines

The next LCBO Vintages release is on April 14th, and just in time to restock after Easter and Passover holidays. Titled Heat of the Moment, the major focus in this release is on wines from Argentina.

While the overall release is rather weak, there does seem to be many more wines in the sub-$20 category. From Argentina, we have two intense reds in the CarinaE Malbec and Fabre Cab Sauv. We also have the Grenache-blended Brotte from Rhône, and an Italian Old Vines Primitivo (a.k.a. Zinfandel) who are the masters of this grape varietal.

The secondary feature is on Eco-Friendly wines, and while each region is adopting their own set of best practices, more and more wineries are trending towards making eco-friendly wines. You can read more about this subject on page 19 and 20. The Zuccardi Malbec Rosé is an organic wine, while the Herdade Penedo Gordo is a sustainable product - and both are worth a look.

As with many Vintages products, it's important to buy the day the wine is released, because you may not find it on shelves again until the next vintage (i.e. next year). Enjoy my picks and let me know if you liked any of these!


Red Wine:

• HERDADE PENEDO GORDO VINHO TINTO 2008 - DOC Alentejo, Portugal (#218339) (XD) - $13.95
• BROTTE CHÂTEAU DE BORD LA CROIX DE FRÉGÈRE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES LAUDUN 2009 - AC, Rhône, France (#264218) (D) - $16.95
• CARINAE RESERVA MALBEC 2009 - Mendoza, Argentina (#261735) (XD) - $15.95
• LA CORTE OLD VINES PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA 2010 - DOC, Puglia, Italy (#269019) (D) - $15.95
• FABRE MONTMAYOU RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 - Mendoza, Argentina (#261891) (XD) - $14.95
• PASSADOURO VINHO TINTO 2008 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#267997) (XD) - $21.95
• NORTON PRIVADA 2008 - Mendoza, Argentina (#148155) (XD) - $24.95

White Wine:

• MICHEL DELHOMMEAU CUVÉE HARMONIE MUSCADET DE SÈVRE-ET-MAINE 2010 - AC, Loire, France (#164624) (XD) - $12.95
• ST. HALLETT SEMILLON 2006 - Barossa, South Australia, Australia (#658005) (D) - $19.95
• VINELAND ESTATES CHARDONNAY MUSQUÉ 2010 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#996793) (MD) - $17.95
• INNISKILLIN WINEMAKER’S SERIES TWO VINEYARDS RIESLING 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#105387) (D) - $17.95
• FAMIGLIA BIANCHI CHARDONNAY 2011 - Mendoza, Argentina (#001461) (XD) - $14.95

Rosé Wine:

• ZUCCARDI ORGANICA MALBEC ROSÉ 2011 - Mendoza, Argentina (#271015) (XD) - $12.95

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