Wine Picks LCBO VINTAGES Release August 18, 2018: Australia + Europe Less Travelled

The upcoming August 18, 2018 LCBO VINTAGES Release features wines from Australia as its main theme, while the mini-theme is titled "Europe less travelled". The underlying message is really a chance for you to explore what's new in Australia, as well as the wines from Europe's lesser-known wine regions. There are also a couple of other relatively obscure wines from the New World. All of these wines will be on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario this Saturday.

We'll begin with the main theme that features fifteen wines, five of which are included among my top wine picks. The island of Tasmania has been making wine for many years, but only recently has it been gaining notoriety (some of it due to climate change) for wines such as the Jansz Sparkling Rosé that is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Australians are also innovating with wines such as rosé made with Sangiovese, a blend of 81% Syrah and 19% Gamay Noir, and an interesting Pinot Noir from Yarra Valley. And if you've never tried Hunter Valley Semillon, this release has a good one that should age for at least half a decade. Lastly, there is a wild fermented Savagnin that is a Flagship Exclusive (FE).

The mini-theme features a total of ten wines from six off-the-beaten-path European winemaking countries - Austria, Georgia, Lebanon, Greece, Hungary, and Romania. Personally, I wouldn't include Greece as part of this list, but that is a discussion for another day. Four of the wines are included among my wine recommendations. There is a Grüner Veltliner from Austria and a nice dessert wine from Hungary that is a blend of 70% Furmint and 30% Harslevelu. Both Greek wines featured are also among my recommended buys - a nicely floral Moschofilero and a 2010 red made with Agiorgitiko.

A pair of wines off-the-beaten-path from the New World include a Tannat from Uruguay, and for sweet wine lovers there is an off-dry Kerner from Niagara.

Among my top red wine picks, the Côte du Rhône from France is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, while the Ribera del Duero from Spain is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CAVINO NEMEA GRANDE RESERVE 2010 - PDO Nemea, Greece (#295618) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• LA FERME DU MONT PREMIÈRE CÔTE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2016 - AP, France (#251645) (XD) - $18.95  88 pts  wine review
• GARZON RESERVA TANNAT 2015 - Uruguay (#558916) (D) - $19.95
• CHAKANA ESTATE SELECTION CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015 - Gualtallary, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#555540) (XD) - $19.95
• DE BORTOLI G.S. PINOT NOIR 2017 - Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia (#015511) (XD) - $19.95
• VILLACRECES PRUNO 2016 - DO Ribera del Duero, Spain (#312140) (XD) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
• LA BOHÈME ACT FOUR SYRAH/GAMAY 2017 - Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia (#571141) (XD) - $24.95
• KEINT-HE PORTAGE PINOT NOIR 2014 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#373415) (XD) - $25.00  89 pts  wine review
• STEPHEN ROSS SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS PINOT NOIR 2015 - Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, California, USA (#568246) (XD) - $42.95
• VERSADO RESERVA ANCIENT MALBEC 2013 - Mendoza, Argentina (#316984) (XD) - $59.95

White Wine:

• ZACHARIAS MOSCHOFILERO 2016 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#548222) (XD) - $14.95
• ESTERHÁZY GALÁNTHA GRÜNER VELTLINER 2017 - Qualitätswein, Burgenland, Austria (#568501) (XD) - $16.95
• LAKEVIEW CELLARS MORGAN VINEYARD KERNER 2017 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#443614) (D) - $17.95  87 pts  wine review
• ORGANIZED CRIME CHARDONNAY 2016 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#408435) (XD) - $18.95
• VILLA SPARINA GAVI DI GAVI 2016 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#541854) (XD) - $19.95
• PACO & LOLA ALBARIÑO 2017 - DO Rías Baixas, Spain (#350041) (XD) - $19.95
• RUSTENBERG CHARDONNAY 2016 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#598631) (XD) - $19.95
• BROKENWOOD SEMILLON 2016 - Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia (#657726) (XD) - $22.95
• HENRI DE VILLAMONT PRESTIGE BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY 2015 - AC, Burgundy, France (#416123) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
• SOUMAH WILD SAVAGNIN 2015 - Hexham Vineyard, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia (#572743) (XD) - $31.95  FE
• RADFORD DALE RENAISSANCE CHENIN BLANC 2016 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#320853) (XD) - $39.95  FE

Rosé Wine:

• THE FLOOZIE SANGIOVESE ROSÉ 2017 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#558106) (XD) - $19.95

Sparkling Wine:

• JANSZ PREMIUM SPARKLING ROSÉ - Tasmania, Australia (#037499) (D) - $27.95
• CHÂTEAU DE BLIGNY BRUT BLANC DE BLANCS CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#385112) (D) - $54.95

Dessert Wine:

• CHÂTEAU DERESZLA 5 PUTTONYOS TOKAJI ASZÚ 2009 - Tokaj, Hungary (#012203) (S) (500 mL) - $46.95

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Win Tickets to 2016 Austrian Wine Fair in Toronto

On April 14 in Toronto, over 30 vintners present up to 165 wines at the Austrian Wine Fair in cooperation with the Austrian Wine Marketing Board and the Austrian Trade Commission. Traditionally known for its white wines, did you know that a third of Austria’s vineyards are made up of red wines?

‘Austrian Wines - A Taste of Culture’ is a public tasting event that is open from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Wine lovers will enjoy not only Austria’s unique grape varietal, the beloved Grüner Veltliners, Rieslings, Sauvignon Blancs, but also the three red aces, the indigenous grape varieties Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent, complemented by our liquid gold, Austria’s sweet wine. This tasting is accompanied by hors d’oeuvres and live piano music. Book your tickets here.

Event Details:

Austrian Wines - A Taste of Culture
Where: Snell Hall & Library at St. James Cathedral - 65 Church Street, Toronto, Ontario
When: Thursday, April 14, 2016 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Admission:

$55 (includes all wine samples and hors d’oeuvres)
Click here to purchase your tickets

Contest:

Here's your chance to WIN a pair of tickets to the Austrian Wine Fair.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Loimer Grüner Veltliner 2013 (Austria) - Wine Review

Tonight's delicious dry white wine was purchased almost a year ago to the day from the October 25 VINTAGES Release. Of course, it's all sold out by now, but I expect we'll see the 2014 vintage on shelves next month.

This is better than the 2011 vintage that I enjoyed in November 2013.

Tasting Note:

LOIMER GRÜNER VELTLINER 2013 - DAC Kamptal, Austria (#142240) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. Fine lemon/lime, mineral and hints of honey aroma profile.  The mid-weight palate has ripe fruit flavours, lemon/lime, and hints of white pepper. Juicy acidity throughout, dry, balanced, hints of pink grapefruit on the long crisp finish. Lovely! Will be enjoyed with Dungeness Crab Curry. Score: 90 pts

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Loimer Grüner Veltliner 2011 (Austria) - Wine Review

Opened this white wine last night, which was purchased from a Vintages release last March. It's extra dry and sure to be enjoyed by all who like crisp, extra dry, white wines. There is a case available in Richmond Hill, if you're interested (click the 6-digit LCBO product code below and then Verify Store Inventory).

LOIMER GRÜNER VELTLINER 2011 - DAC Kamptal, Austria (#142240) (XD) - $19.95

Tasting Note:
Screw cap. Medium-high intense aromas of lemon, flint and mineral waft from the glass. It's medium-bodied and extra dry with lemon/mineral replays and some zesty citrus on the palate. Lots of spice arriving on the mid-palate which fades away to reveal a zesty and oily texture. Lively acidity with a long, mineral-driven finish. Very nice. Score: 89 pts

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