June 10, 2017 VINTAGES Release: Australia + France + Father's Day + Canada 150

The June 10, 2017 VINTAGES Release will be on shelves at LCBO outlets across Ontario this coming Saturday and has four themes featured. In this Release, the main themes are warm-weather wines from Australia, French wines under $20, Father's Day gifts, and many Canadian wines to celebrate Canada 150. There could also easily be a fifth theme with all of the fine Rosé wines listed.

We'll begin with main theme which lists twelve wines for summer fare from Australia. Just two of the twelve wines made my list of wine picks, and includes a nice Aussie Shiraz from Margaret River in Western Australia. The other wine from Australia is a Viognier from Tahbilk - a family-owned winery since 1860 that was named 2016 Winery of the Year by James Halliday.

As part of the Australian thematic, there's a neat side note about wine serving temperatures. As a general rule, you should chill your white wines for 2 hours in the fridge (or 20 minutes in an ice bucket), rose wines for 1.5 hours in the fridge (or 15 minutes in an ice bucket), and red wines for 1 hour in the fridge (or 10 minutes in an ice bucket).

The second theme of the release is titled "French Lessons" and lists seven wines from France, all under $20, two of which are included among my top wine recommendations. From Beaujolais, there is a Gamay from Vieilles Vignes (i.e. Old Vines) that are more than 40 years old. The second wine from this mini-theme is a mature Malbec from Cahors, the native home of the Malbec grape.

From the Father's Day thematic which listed five wines plus a Cognac, and being a Father myself, I would love to have either the Châteauneuf-du-Pape (which is a blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre) or the Amarone that is a blend of 70% Corvina/Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, and 10% Croatina/Oseleta.

For Canada 150 celebrations, there are sixteen wines listed and many good choices among them. Viognier is not grown much in Ontario, but there's a good one from Creekside, a producer that's been making quality Viognier for quite a few years now. A pair of dry rosés are also worth your attention, one is made by Creekside using Cabernet Sauvignon, while the Malivoire Rosé is made with Pinot Noir.

This leads us into the fine selection of rosé wines that are being released, most of which are from France. The rosé wine from Rhône is a blend of Syrah and Grenache, while the La Riviera is a blend of Grenache and Cinsault, and the Leoube Rosé consists of Grenache, Cinsault with touches of Syrah and Mourvèdre.

In red wines from the rest of the release, from Midi, the M. Chapoutier is a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Carignan, while the Bugadelles is a blend of Syrah and Grenache. From Spain, the Crianza is 100% Tempranillo, while the Rioja is actually a blend of 77% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, 8% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo. From Chile, the Intriga Cabernet Sauvignon contains 8% Cabernet Franc, and last but not least, the Barbaresco from Piedmont is made with Nebbiolo.

Among my white wine picks, the white Bordeaux is mostly Sauvignon Blanc, with Semillon added to complete the blend. For sweet wine lovers, the mature Riesling Kabinett should be on your list, as well as the Tokaji from Hungary.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• M. CHAPOUTIER LES VIGNES DE BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON VILLAGES 2015 - AC, Midi, France (#168716) (XD) - $15.95
• LIONEL OSMIN & CIE CAHORS MALBEC 2012 - AC Cahors, Southwest, France (#247544) (XD) - $16.95
• OVIDIO GARCÍA ESENCIA CRIANZA 2009 - DO Cigales, Spain (#489757) (XD) - $18.95
• STÉPHANE AVIRON VIEILLES VIGNES MOULIN-À-VENT 2013 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#368134) (XD) - $19.95
• FRANKLIN TATE ESTATES SHIRAZ 2015 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#489948) (XD) - $19.95
• INTRIGA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Maipo Valley, Chile (#057901) (XD) - $22.95  reviewed here
• DOMAINE LES BUGADELLES 2014 - IGP Pays d’Oc, Midi, France (#493536) (XD) - $25.95  FSE
• MARQUÉS DE MURRIETA FINCA YGAY RESERVA 2012 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#209148) (D) - $29.95
• PASQUALE PELISSERO BRICCO SAN GIULIANO BARBARESCO 2012 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#214551) (XD) - $38.95
• CHÂTEAU FORTIA CUVÉE DU BARON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2013 - AC, Rhône, France (#959999) (D) - $44.95
• LATIUM MORINI CAMPO LEÒN AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2011 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#334300) (D) - $46.95

White Wine:

• BELLINGHAM HOMESTEAD SERIES THE OLD ORCHARDS CHENIN BLANC 2015 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#484055) (XD) - $15.95
• CHÂTEAU ROQUEFORT BLANC 2016 - AC Bordeaux, France (#313346) (XD) - $16.95
• TAHBILK VIOGNIER 2016 - Nagambie Lakes, Central Victoria, Australia (#271387) (XD) - $18.95  reviewed here
• MARKUS HUBER TERRASSEN GRÜNER VELTLINER 2015 - DAC Traisental, Austria (#484956) (XD) - $19.95  reviewed here
• HEDGES H.I.P DIONYSUS VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2013 - Columbia Valley, Washington, USA (#488528) (XD) - $19.95
• SCHLOSS SCHÖNBORN HATTENHEIM NUSBRUNNEN RIESLING KABINETT 2008 - Hattenheim, Rheingau, Germany (#496497) (MS) - $19.95
• DOMAINE RAOUL GAUTHERIN CHABLIS 2014 - AC, Burgundy, France (#488809) (XD) - $24.95
• CREEKSIDE RESERVE VIOGNIER 2014 - Queenston Road Vineyard, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#264168) (D) - $29.95

Rosé Wine:

• CREEKSIDE CABERNET ROSÉ 2016 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#048819) (XD) - $14.95
• CHÂTEAU VAL JOANIS TRADITION ROSÉ 2016 - AP Luberon, Rhône, France (#707281) (XD) - $15.95
• LA RIVIERA CÔTES DE PROVENCE ROSÉ 2016 - AP Côtes de Provence, France (#494120) (XD) - $18.95
• MALIVOIRE VIVANT ROSÉ 2016 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#498535) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU LÉOUBE ROSÉ DE LÉOUBE 2016 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#491100) (XD) - $25.95

Dessert Wine:

• CHÂTEAU DERESZLA 5 PUTTONYOS TOKAJI ASZÚ 2009 - Tokaj-Hegyalja, Hungary (#012203) (S) (500 mL) - $45.95

Read More

VINTAGES Release June 25: Southern France + Canada Day

The VINTAGES Release on June 25 features wines from southern France as its main theme, while the mini-theme highlights some wines for a Canada Day picnic. All these wines will be on LCBO VINTAGES shelves this coming Saturday.

From the main theme on wines from southern France - which in this release encompasses the regions of Southwest, Languedoc, Roussillon, Rhône and Provence - 3 of the 16 wines made my list of wine picks, and all are red wines. We'll begin with the Domaine les Yeuses Syrah, one of the best values around, year-after-year. Also in this release is the Domaine de l'Alba l'Ermite that is a blend of 60% Carignan, 30% Grenache, and 10% Syrah. Lastly, the Domaine des Terrisses is a rich blend, mostly consisting of grapes you've likely never heard of - 60% Braucol (a.k.a. Fer Servadou), 20% Duras, and 20% Syrah.

To celebrate Canada Day with some Canadian wine, there is a fine selection of wines, all of which happen to come from Ontario. Among my wine recommendations for Canada Day celebrations is a 55/45 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, an always delicious off-dry Riesling, a lovely oaked Baco Noir - a grape I generally don't like but found this wine to be quite nice, and an Icewine that's rarely made using Chardonnay. A pair of rosé wines not included as part of the "Canada Day" theme, but can certainly be opened to celebrate the day include a dry rosé from Southbrook, and an off-dry version from Wildass.

Among the red wines from the rest of the release, the Australian wine is a biodynamic wine made using a 65/35 blend of Shiraz and Grenache, while the Amarone is a blend of 65% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, and 15% Corvinone.

In white wines, the Gavi is made with the Cortese varietal. And for sweet wine lovers, in order from least sweetest to most sweetest, look for the Gewürztraminer or the Rieslings from Alsace, Niagara, or Germany.

Enjoy my wine recommendations for this week. Cheers!

Red Wine:

• DOMAINE LES YEUSES LES ÉPICES SYRAH 2013 - IGP Pays d’Oc, Midi, France (#177584) (XD) - $15.95
• DOMAINE DE L’ALBA L’ERMITE 2013 - AC Corbières, Midi, France (#446138) (XD) - $17.00  reviewed here
• DOMAINE DES TERRISSES GRANDE TRADITION GAILLAC 2012 - AC, Southwest, France (#451922) (XD) - $17.95
• KACABA CABERNET/SYRAH 2013 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#317925) (XD) - $18.95  reviewed here
• PAXTON AAA SHIRAZ/GRENACHE 2013 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#149898) (D) - $19.95
• HENRY OF PELHAM RESERVE BACO NOIR 2013 - VQA Ontario, Canada (#461699) (D) - $24.95  reviewed here
• CA’ VIOLA BRICHET BARBERA D’ALBA 2012 - DOC, Piedmont, Italy (#452813) (XD) - $36.95  reviewed here
• PODERE LA CAPPELLA QUERCIOLO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2011 - Unfiltered, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#095893) (XD) - $38.95  FSE
• GEMMA GIBLIN RISERVA BAROLO 2007 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#185025) (XD) - $38.95
• MONTE DEL FRÁ LENA DI MEZZO AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2011 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#047506) (D) - $53.95  reviewed here
• CHIMNEY ROCK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 - Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, USA (#731810) (XD) - $99.95

 

White Wine:

• JARDIN INSPECTOR PÉRINGUEY CHENIN BLANC 2014 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#443473) (XD) - $15.95
• BERSANO GAVI DI GAVI 2014 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#999979) (XD) - $16.95  reviewed here
• EL GORDO DEL CIRCO VERDEJO 2014 - DO Rueda, Spain (#441220) (XD) - $17.95
• CAVE SPRING ESTATE BOTTLED GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2013 - Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#302059) (D) - $17.95
• PARKER COONAWARRA ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2014 - South Australia (#447029) (XD) - $19.95
• ST. URBANS-HOF OLD VINES RIESLING 2014 - Qualitätswein, Mosel, Germany (#995746) (M) - $21.95  reviewed here
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE RIESLING 2014 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (D) - $23.95
• DOMAINE BOTT-GEYL SCHOENENBOURG GRAND CRU RIESLING 2012 - AC Alsace, France (#456970) (D) - $50.95  FSE
• TOLPUDDLE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2013 - Tasmania, Australia (#447045) (XD) - $58.95  FSE

Rosé Wine:

• WILDASS ROSÉ 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#071712) (D) - $17.95
• SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE ORGANIC CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#279117) (XD) - $19.95  reviewed here

Dessert Wine:

• TAWSE CHARDONNAY ICEWINE 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#443739) (S) (200 mL) - $34.95

Read More

June 27 VINTAGES Release: Fan Favourites + Pan-Am + Canada Day

The next LCBO VINTAGES release will be on shelves this Saturday, June 27th and has 3 features. The first theme is titled "Back by Popular Demand", while the second and third mini-themes are small and feature wines from the Americas in an ode to the upcoming Pan-Am Games in Toronto, and wines for Canada Day festivities.

We'll begin with the biggest of the three themes - popular wines that have returned to VINTAGES. However, of the 16 wines featured, only 2 are included among my wine picks. The first wine is the Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc - a crisp, dry white wine that has been consistently good in recent years and worthy of returning to shelves. The second wine is a Tavel Rosé that is dry and composed of 60% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah and 10% other grapes rounding out the blend.

From the two mini-themes, there is only one wine from each theme that made my list of wine picks - a Carmenère from Chile, and an aromatic and sweet Chardonnay Musqué from Ontario's Malivoire Wine Company.

The rest of the release has a few nice "New to VINTAGES" selections. Included among them is an Aglianico from Basilicata and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina. A couple of wines that are not new to VINTAGES but are included in my wine picks below are the Borsao Berola from Spain that is 70% Garnacha (Grenache), 20% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, while the wine from Carpineta Fontalpino is nearly equal parts Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.

In white wines, the Château Saint-Genès is a blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

Besides the Tavel Rosé mentioned above, there is also a rosé from Gerard Bertrand that is off-dry and made using a grape that mutated from Grenache into what is known as Grenache Gris. Other dry rosés to consider in this release are both. From Château de Lancyre is a blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Cinsault, and the Bandol Rosé which is a blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache and 30% Cinsault.

Both sparkling wines recommended below are on the sweeter side of the spectrum - the Lambrusco is off-dry in style, while Brachetto is very sweet.

Enjoy my wine picks for this week! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• TENUTA DEL PORTALE STARSA 2012 - IGT Basilicata, Italy (#416164) (XD) - $15.95
• BORSAO BEROLA 2011 - DO Campo de Borja, Spain (#371518) (XD) - $17.00
• FINCA SOPHENIA RESERVE MALBEC 2013 - Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina (#066837) (D) - $17.95
• MICHEL GASSIER LES PILIERS SYRAH 2012 - AC Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#678086) (XD) - $18.95
• SUR DE LOS ANDES GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 - Mendoza, Argentina (#404186) (XD) - $18.95
• MONTES ALPHA CARMENÈRE 2012 - Colchagua Valley, Chile (#143230) (D) - $19.95
• SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE CABERNET FRANC 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#275958) (XD) - $21.95  reviewed here
• FATTORIA CARPINETA FONTALPINO DO UT DES 2011 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#048827) (XD) - $37.95
• TWO HANDS LILY’S GARDEN SHIRAZ 2012 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#683086) (XD) - $54.95  FSE

White Wine:

• CHÂTEAU SAINT-GENÈS 2013 - AC, Bordeaux, France (#418889) (XD) - $15.95
• FLOR DE VETUS VERDEJO 2013 - Old vines from Segovia, DO Rueda, Spain (#320259) (XD) - $15.95
• ANSELMANN EDESHEIMER ROSENGARTEN SIEGERREBE SPÄTLESE 2012 - Prädikatswein, Pfalz, Germany (#910554) (S) - $15.95  reviewed here
• KEN FORRESTER OLD VINE RESERVE CHENIN BLANC 2014 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#231282) (XD) - $17.95
• BESTHEIM CLASSIC GEWURZTRAMINER 2013 - AC Alsace, France (#656801) (XD) - $18.95
• MALIVOIRE MUSQUÉ SPRITZ 2014 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#189670) (S) - $19.95
• VILLA MARIA CELLAR SELECTION SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#974527) (XD) - $19.95  reviewed here
• DOG POINT SECTION 94 SAUVIGNON BLANC 2012 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#325977) (D) - $44.95  FSE

Rosé Wine:

• GÉRARD BERTRAND GRIS BLANC ROSÉ 2014 - IGP Pays d’Oc, Roussillon, France (#409870) (D) - $16.95
• DOMAINE MABY LA FORCADIÈRE TAVEL ROSÉ 2014 - AC, Rhône, France (#701318) (XD) - $16.95
• CHÂTEAU DE LANCYRE PIC SAINT-LOUP LE ROSÉ 2014 - AC Coteaux du Languedoc, Midi, France (#374900) (XD) - $16.95
• LA CADIERENNE CUVÉE GRANDE TRADITION BANDOL ROSÉ 2014 - AC, Provence, France (#119453) (XD) - $19.95  reviewed here

Sparkling Wine:

• TRE SECOLI BRACHETTO D’ACQUI 2012 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#415273) (S) - $17.95
• MEDICI ERMETE & FIGLI ARTE E CONCERTO LAMBRUSCO 2013 - DOC Reggiano Lambrusco, Emilia-Romagna, Italy (#208967) (D) - $19.95

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

Read More

Molson Canadian Cider and Stone Fruit Cider

These were the second and third Canadian beverages enjoyed on Canada Day - see yesterday's post for first items.

I received these as part of the #shareyourdare campaign. Given that these items would probably not be the first beverage I'd be reaching for on Canada Day - as it would surely be an Ontario wine - it was definitely a pleasant alternative. I dared to be different on Canada Day and was not disappointed.

MOLSON CANADIAN CIDER
Made with 100% Canadian apples. Aromas of apples, pears and yeast. The palate has refreshing bubbles and sweet flavours of poached apples and pears. Finish is rather short. 5% abv. Available at the LCBO (and probably at The Beer Store) in 2 formats - $2.95 per 473 mL can OR $13.55 per 6 x 341 mL bottle

MOLSON CANADIAN STONE FRUIT CIDER
Highly aromatic peach and apricot nose. Fine mousse on the palate with more peach and apricot flavours. Medium-length finish. A joy to drink. 5% abv. Available at the LCBO (and probably The Beer Store) for $2.95 in a 473 mL can.

Read More

Great Lakes Brewery Chill Winston Grisette + Neal Brothers Kettle-style Chips

To kick back this Canada Day, I decided to open up a few locally-made, Canadian treats that I recently received.

First up are a pair of newly launched, chef-inspired Kettle-style Potato Chips created by Neal Brothers in collaboration with Montreal chef and television host Chuck Hughes, and Vancouver-based chef and CBC's newest Dragon, Vikram Vij.

Chuck's Srirachup chips shows a nice blend of sweet ketchup and spicy sriracha on the nose with more of the same flavours, and some garlicky notes. Has a nice kick to it. Quite nice.

The Vikram's Delhi-licious chips show a blend of garam masala and curry aromas, and also reminds me of homemade white potato & green pea samosas flavoured with mineral salts.

Both of these flavours were inspired by each chef's own cuisine, and favourite spices and sauces. Neal Brothers' line of Kettle-style potato chips are hand-cut, crispy chips using naturally-grown non-GMO potatoes and contain no preservatives or artificial flavours. Chips are kettle-cooked in non-GMO sunflower oil and dusted with natural spices and seasonings.

Other flavours in this line include Himalayan Pink Salt, Sweet & Smoky BBQ, Pink Salt and Vinegar, and Maple Bacon, none of which I have tasted yet but hope to try in the near future.

Launched in May 2012, Neal Brothers Kettle-style Chips are now available at well-known retailers, independent specialty and natural food stores across Canada.

The second treat is the Chill Winston Grisette beer made by 2013 & 2014 Canadian Brewery of the Year - Great Lakes Brewery. This beer is very summery in nature and shows floral, sweet citrus and spice aromas. Medium+ bodied with medium-fruitiness on the palate and some pleasing bitter notes on the long finish. 3.8% abv. Perfect at dockside.

Read More

June 21 LCBO Wine Picks: Grape Expectations + Canada Day

As I write this from sunny California after having spent the better part of Monday touring and tasting in Napa, back home, the next LCBO Vintages release will be on shelves on Saturday, June 21. This edition is titled "Grape Expectations" and focuses on 17 grapes and where they are grown best. This is broken down into two parts - 9 grapes which were transplanted from their original home and now thriving outside its homeland, and 8 other grapes that currently thrive in just a single wine region in the world. The second focus of the release are Canadian wines for Canada Day.

For Canada Day, the rosé from Tawse would make an excellent sipper. It is off-dry (slightly sweet) and likely contains some Cab Franc and Pinot Noir. Not from the Canada Day feature but locally made is the Norman Hardie Riesling that blends grapes from both Niagara and Prince Edward County.

Riesling is one of the 9 grapes that thrive in multiple regions, and the Norman Hardie Riesling is one of the two wines featured. Ontario is the newbie on the wine scene and makes some great Riesling, while Riesling dates back to at least the year 1435 in Germany. The Riesling Kabinett from Schloss Schönborn is fabulous! Both of these wines are off-dry.

Crisp, dry, white wine lover's will want to look to Chenin Blanc. It's original home is in Loire, specifically in Vouvray. In the new world, Chenin Blanc has made a name for itself in South Africa.

Syrah is most prominent in Rhône, and Shiraz is grown widely in Australia - they are the same grape, in case you didn't know. Styles tend to differ between the two regions. and even though the version from Saltram is a Shiraz, it is more like a Syrah.

Other grapes that were featured include Sauvignon Blanc from Loire and New Zealand, Chardonnay from Burgundy, California and Ontario, Pinot Noir from Burgundy and New Zealand, Malbec from Southwest France and Argentina, Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux and California, and Primitivo/Zinfandel (again, same grape, different name) from Puglia (Italy) and California. Keep this in mind the next time you're shopping for wine.

Grapes that excel in just a single wine region include Bonarda in Argentina, Nebbiolo in Piedmont (Italy), and Tempranillo in Spain. Each of these grapes made my wine picks below.

From the rest of the release, the Château Canteloup is from the great 2010 Bordeaux vintage and consists of 55% Merlot and 45% Cab Sauv, while the Rhône wine from La Ferme du Mont is a Grenache-led blend that returns to Vintages $3 higher than last year. There are also a pair of Italian wines made using some relatively obscure grape varieties. From Piedmont, the Malvirà Roero is made using 100% Arneis, while the Poggio Al Tufo is made with 100% Alicante Boushet. And finally, the dry rosé wine from Provence is a blend of Cinsault and Grenache.

That's it for my wine recommendations for this week. Enjoy!


Red Wine:

• VINECOL ORGANIC BONARDA 2013 - Mendoza, Argentina (#375493) (XD) - $15.95
• CHÂTEAU CANTELOUP 2010 - AC Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#243923) (XD) - $16.95
• ERCAVIO TEMPRANILLO ROBLE 2011 - Vino de La Tierra de Castillia, Spain (#067504) (XD) - $16.95
• MURIEL VENDIMIA SELECCIONADA RESERVA 2008 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#276030) (XD) - $19.95
• LA FERME DU MONT LE PONNANT CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2011 - Unfiltered, AP, Rhone, France (#171371) (XD) - $19.95  reviewed here
• MALVIRÀ ROERO 2009 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#368472) (XD) - $19.95
• POGGIO AL TUFO ALICANTE 2010 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#070797) (XD) - $19.95
• MAGPIE ESTATE THE SACK SHIRAZ 2010 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#094078) (XD) - $21.95
• STONELEIGH LATITUDE PINOT NOIR 2012 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#325654) (XD) - $25.95  reviewed here
• PAOLO CONTERNO RIVA DEL BRIC BAROLO 2009 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#172783) (XD) - $42.95
• CAPANNA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2008 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#378513) (XD) - $48.95

White Wine:

• CAPE POINT VINEYARDS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2012 - WO Cape Point, South Africa (#285221) (XD) - $15.95
• CHATEAU OLLWILLER CLOS DE LA TOURELLE PINOT BLANC 2009 - AC Alsace, France (#377788) (D) - $16.95
• ALPHA ESTATE AXIA MALAGOUZIA 2012 - PGI Florina, Greece (#371666) (XD) - $17.95
• DR. HERMANN ÜRZIGER WÜRZGARTEN RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2007 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#313528) (M) - $18.95
• VINCENT ET JULIEN RAIMBAULT BEL AIR VOUVRAY 2012 - AC, Loire, France (#205468) (XD) - $19.95
• NORMAN HARDIE RIESLING 2012 - VQA Ontario, Canada (#131169) (D) - $21.00  reviewed here
• SCHLOSS SCHÖNBORN ERBACHER MARCOBRUNN RIESLING KABINETT 2008 - Prädikatswein, Rheingau, Germany (#928861) (D) - $21.95  reviewed here

Rosé Wine:

• TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA ROSÉ 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#172643) (D) - $15.95
• CHÂTEAU LA MASCARONNE QUAT’SAISONS ROSÉ 2013 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#375634) (XD) - $19.95

Fortified:

• SIGNATURE VIN DOUX NATUREL RASTEAU 2009 - AC, Rhône, France (#371740) (S) (500 mL) - $24.95

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

Read More

June 22 Wine Picks: Rhône + South Africa + Canada Day

The next LCBO Vintages release will be on shelves across Ontario on Saturday, June 22. This edition of the Vintages magazine begins with a look at the Rhone Valley, specifically focusing on the vintages of 2009, the stellar 2010's, and the just now starting to come to market - 2011 vintage. The secondary feature in this release is on wines from South Africa that showcase the different varietals grown in the country, and includes a few blended wines. Unfortunately, most of the 6 South African wines are quite average, and none made my list of wine picks below.

From the 2009 Rhône vintage is a red-blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Carignan from Château Signac. From the fabulous 2010 Rhône vintage, we have the GSM-blended Domaine de la Charbonnière Châteauneuf-du-Pape from vines that are between 30-55 years old, and is made from 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Château la Nerthe is also a 2010 blend that is mostly Grenache. From the 2011 vintage, we have yet another Grenache-led blend from La Ferme du Mont. Not from the Rhône-feature - because it's a 2012 - is a Tavel Rosé from one of the more popular French houses and is a dry blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Mourvèdre.

To help celebrate Canada Day, the Vintages team has selected 8 wines from across our great country - including a Muscat-led sparkling wine from Nova Scotia, a Vidal Icewine from Niagara, and a red-blend from Niagara's Creekside Estate Winery consisting of 47.3% Cab Sauv, 37.2% Merlot, 10.8% Shiraz, and 4.7% Malbec.

From the rest of the release, we have a couple of great value red-blends from Portugal. The Quinta do Roncao is a blend of 50% Touriga Franca, 30% Tinta Roriz & 20% Touriga Nacional, while the Alvaro Castro is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Tinta Roriz & Jaen (aka Mencía).

Also, worth mentioning is the Torres Floralis from Spain that is made using the Moscatel de Alejandría grape. I tasted this dessert wine recently at the Family Wine Merchants tasting and it is absolutely gorgeous - and a steal at $16.95.

Enjoy my wine picks for this week and Happy Canada Day to all. Cheers!


Red Wine:

• QUINTA DO RONCÃO RESERVA 2011 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#147942) (XD) - $14.95
• ALVARO CASTRO RED 2009 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#285288) (D) - $16.95
• LA FERME DU MONT LE PONNANT CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2011 - AP, France (#171371) (XD) - $17.00
• CHATEAU LOS BOLDOS VIEILLES VIGNES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 - Cachapoal Alto, Chile (#000661) (XD) - $18.95
• CREEKSIDE LAURA’S RED 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#117960) (XD) - $19.95
• CONCHA Y TORO MARQUÉS DE CASA CONCHA SYRAH 2009 - Buin, Maipo Valley, Chile (#019042) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU SIGNAC CUVÉE TERRA AMATA 2009 - AC Côtes du Rhône-Villages Chusclan, France (#140079) (D) - $22.95
• GRANT BURGE CORRYTON PARK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#317834) (XD) - $32.95  reviewed here
• CASCINA DARDI BUSSIA BAROLO 2006 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#268516) (XD) - $35.95
• DOMAINE DE LA CHARBONNIÈRE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2010 - AC, Rhône, France (#062711) (D) - $39.95
• CHÂTEAU LA NERTHE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2010 - AC, Rhône, France (#735407) (XD) - $43.95

White Wine:

• FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2012 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#089011) (D) - $19.95
• BURGÁNS ALBARIÑO 2011 - DO Rias Baixas, Spain (#945063) (XD) - $17.95
• DOMAINES SCHLUMBERGER KESSLER PINOT GRIS 2008 - AC Alsace Grand Cru, France (#249623) (D) - $25.95
• LE CLOS JORDANNE VILLAGE RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#033936) (XD) - $30.00
• STAGS’ LEAP WINERY CHARDONNAY 2011 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#655381) (XD) - $34.95

Rosé Wine:

• FAMILLE PERRIN TAVEL ROSÉ 2012 - AC, Rhône, France (#680801) (XD) - $19.95

Dessert Wine:

• TORRES FLORALIS MOSCATEL ORO - Spain (#642173) (MS) (500 mL) - $16.95  reviewed here
• REIF VIDAL ICEWINE 2011 - VQA Niagara River, Ontario, Canada (#544791) (S) (200 mL) - $24.95

Sparkling Wine:

• BENJAMIN BRIDGE NOVA 7 2012 - Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada (#256289) (S) - $25.95

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

Read More