Niagara Icewine Festival Review 2017 - Day 1 of 2

On January 21, I visited Niagara Wine Country to experience the annual Niagara Icewine Festival to taste some fine Icewine paired with culinary creations. This was the first of two straight Saturday's in Niagara - review from January 28 activities will be posted soon are posted here.

The first stop of the day was at Fielding Estate Winery for a pairing of their 2012 Fielding Riesling Icewine (89 pts) with a savoury Butter Chicken and Naan prepared by The Smokin' Buddha. The butter chicken was flavourful and had a fairly thick gravy that seemed a bit heavy on the oregano. It was also mildly spiced, complementing the sweet flavours from the Icewine. Furthermore, the acids in the Icewine cut into some of the rich, creamy gravy from the Butter Chicken that helped lighten the pairing overall. Very good portion size as well. This was a tasty experience with a lot of different flavours battling for your attention.

On the downside, it was unfortunate that the Fielding Riesling Icewine was not available for purchase, as some folks in my group wanted to take home a bottle or two. Moreover, it was somewhat odd that not even one Icewine was available for purchase in the boutique. I suspect that the wine was nearly sold out and they used whatever remaining stock they had just for the festival, while newer vintages of this Icewine were not ready yet due to the harsh winter of 2013-2014 (remember the "Polar Vortex"?) that led to severe crop damage and limited Icewine production capabilities across the region. On the bright side, I have been advised that a newer Riesling Icewine from Fielding is coming in the near future and should be on shelves soon.

The rest of our Icewine Tour was in Niagara-on-the-Lake, with the next stop being at Niagara College Teaching Winery for a delicious, mouth-watering White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake on a Dark Chocolate Crust that was quite small in stature but packed plenty of flavour, and was paired with their 2012 Dean's List Savant Icewine. This was a very nice pairing xxxxxas the red berry flavours from each item played well together, while the fresh acids in the wine complemented the creaminess in the cheesecake. Overall, this was a sweet, balanced, and harmonious pairing that was well executed.

Our third stop of the afternoon was at The Hare Wine Co., a new winery that just opened it's doors in November. For their first appearance at the Niagara Icewine Festival, they offered a delicious Sticky Toffee Pudding prepared by Ello Gov'na that was paired with their 2014 Frontier Vidal Icewine. Portions (especially the Icewine) were once again small, however, the gooey toffee cake that was smothered in a treacle sauce and topped with Icewine Chantilly was lusciously sweet and delicious, while pairing beautifully together. The toffee cake sauce really brought out the butterscotch notes in the Icewine. Lovely pairing!

Hinterbrook Estate Winery was the fourth stop of the day. The pairing here was a Baked Square Crust filled with fresh Pineapple Jam Fruits and topped with Pine Nuts, paired with their 2014 Vidal Icewine. Lots going in the baked square - sweet, savoury, fruity, and nutty - which led to many different flavours brought out of the Icewine, especially enhanced pineapple notes. Once again, a nicely thought out pairing that worked well together.

The final stop of the day was at Konzelmann Estate Winery, Niagara's only lakefront winery, for a Lobster Bisque with a hint of spice prepared by Tide & Vine and paired with their 2010 Vidal Icewine. I recall having this combo in the past at Konzelmann and enjoyed it very much, fully expecting that I would enjoy it this time around as well! The bisque was rich and creamy with small chunks of lobster and had a hint spice that paired beautifully with the Vidal Icewine. There was just enough acids in the Icewine that helped balance the creamy bisque, while the subtle spicy notes were subdued because of the sweet flavours in the wine. Following the food & Icewine pairing, we took a private tour of the winery which included a visit to the vineyard, a tour of the facilities, and finished up in an underground tasting room where we had the opportunity to taste some of their very fine Reserve wines.

All-in-all, this was a very successful visit to Niagara Wine Country, with delicious food & Icewine pairings, as well as tasting many other delicious, local wines. Many of the wines I tasted are only available for purchase at the winery (or from the winery's website), and wine reviews of some of my favourites are provided below.

My trip to Niagara during the Icewine Festival did not end on this day, as I visited region the following weekend for more food & wine experiences. A review from the 2nd day of tasting will be posted in the coming days.

Tasting Notes:

FIELDING ESTATE BOTTLED RIESLING 2015 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#251439) (M) - $19.95
Medium+ aromas of lime, citrus and mineral, with tart/sour aroma replays on the palate. Off-dry in style, but with bright acids that cut into the sweetness. Nice chalky mineral texture that lingers on the long finish. Score: 89 pts

FIELDING SYRAH 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $39.95
Aromas are of medium-high intensity, but seem somewhat closed at the moment, and offer black pepper, dark fruits and integrated oak notes. It's full bodied with fleshy tannins, balanced acids. Some elegance and suave. Long bitter finish with some dark chocolate flavours. Will age gracefully for 5-8 years. Score: 89 pts

FIELDING CHOSEN FEW 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $59.95
Made only in the best years with wines from a chosen few barrels, the 2012 is a blend of 38% Cabernet Franc, 37% Syrah, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Pleasant, appealing aromas that are meaty and savoury combined with dark fruits of great intensity. The palate is full-bodied with well-knit flavours of black currant, dark fruit, and toasty oak. It has very good acidity and firm tannins. Finish length is excellent. Drinkable now, but should be better few years. Score: 90 pts

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2012 - VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $18.95
Medium+ intensity aromas that are heavily oak-influenced with pineapple, woody, apple and baking spice notes. It's medium-full bodied with more apple and oak spiced flavours on the palate. It has balanced acidity and very good finish length. Score: 88 pts

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN'S LIST PRODIGY ICEWINE 2012 - VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (S) (200 mL) - $33.00
This blend of white grape varietals (Vidal, Riesling and Chardonnay) has fresh, appealing aromas of apricots, pineapple, honey and lemon citrus of high intensity. The palate is medium+ bodied and offers very sweet aroma replays on the palate, balanced by fresh acids, and finishing long. Score: 90 pts

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN'S LIST SAVANT ICEWINE 2012 - VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (S) (200 mL) - $39.00
A blend of 5 red grape varietals, aromas are of medium-high intensity with notes of strawberry, burnt sugar and caramel that also appear on the palate along with flavours of honey and hints of coffee. It's very sweet, a touch syrupy, but has nicely balanced acids. Finish length is very good. Score: 89 pts

THE HARE JACK RABBIT RED 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (D) - $15.50
Selected as the official red wine of Ontario's Legislative Assembly for 2017, this has medium-intensity aromas of red & black fruits, subtle oak, and plummy notes. It's medium-bodied with sweet, rounded tannins and ripe fruited flavours. Balanced acids and medium-long finishing. There's some tannic structure for short term ageing, but I would drink this now. Blend of 60% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Score: 87 pts

THE HARE FRONTIER RIESLING ICEWINE 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (S) (375 mL) - $65.00
The fragrant nose offers sweet peach, apricot, and lemon aromas and flavours. It's medium-full bodied and balanced by nicely textured acids. Slightly tart mid-palate while having a medium-long finish. Score: 89 pts

THE HARE FRONTIER VIDAL ICEWINE 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (S) (375 mL) - $65.00
Oak-aged for 1 year in French oak, this offers medium-high aromas of honey, apricot, peach, butterscotch and steely mineral notes with pleasingly sweet aroma replays on the palate. Some oak-spiced notes appear mid-palate. Acids are well-balanced and finish length is very good. Score: 89 pts

NOMAD CABERNET FRANC RESERVE 2012 - VQA Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $69.95
Medium-high and well-balanced aromas give off a clean, elegant bouquet that's focuses on black fruits, herbs and sweet oak. It's medium-bodied on the palate with the same aromas on the flavour profile. Bitter tannins are well-integrated. It has bright acids and a milk chocolate finish. Score: 90 pts

NOMAD VIDAL ICEWINE 2014 - VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (S) (375 mL) - $49.95
Appealing aromas of medium-high intensity, featuring pineapple, honey and orange citrus notes that continue on the very sweet palate. Perhaps a touch cloying with delicately balanced acids. Very good finish length. Score: 90 pts

NOMAD CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2014 - VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (S) (375 mL) - $69.95
The highly aromatic nose offers cherry, strawberry jam, rhubarb and more sweet red fruits. The palate is medium-full bodied with well-balanced acidity and very appealing aroma replays and hints of orange peel. Finish length is excellent. Score: 90+ pts

KONZELMANN ESTATE VIDAL ICEWINE 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (S) (375 mL) - $65.00
I recall tasting this back in 2014 and it was very delicious then. Today, it is still highly aromatic with pineapple, and mature aromas of caramel and brown sugar. It's very sweet and thick with low acids making this just a touch cloying. Delicious flavours of burnt sugar and caramel on the palate. Finishes long. Drink over next year or two. Score: 90 pts

KONZELMANN CHARDONNAY FAMILY RESERVE 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $49.95
Medium-high aromatics offer pear, nutty, binned apple, and hints of bubblegum. Medium-bodied on the palate with pleasing and elegant aroma replays along with baking spice and hints of lime flavours. the finish length is very good with some mineral notes. Score: 90 pts

KONZELMANN CABERNET MERLOT RESERVE 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $39.95
A blend of 43% Cabernet Franc, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, this has an highly aromatic nose that's elegant with red and black fruits, well-integrated oak and a touch bretty. It's full-bodied on the smooth palate with suave, elegant and structured tannins. Very nice aroma replays with integrated oak flavours come through on the palate. It's well-balanced with very good acidity. Warming, long finish that's held together quite well. Drink now or better to wait and enjoy over the next 5-10 years. Score: 91+ pts

KONZELMANN CABERNET MERLOT FAMILY RESERVE 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $49.95
Similarly blended as the Reserve, this has elegant black currant, cassis, vanilla and oak aromas of medium-high intensity and seems a bit shy right now. The palate is full-bodied with structured tannins that are a bit tight. Very nice aroma replays along with some black cherry and floral hints, balanced by juicy acids. Excellent finish length. A powerful, finesse wine that should be cellared for at least few years and drink to 2020. Score 92 pts

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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

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Penon Pinot Bianco 2014 (Italy) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a new wine that arrived at the LCBO as part of the May 13 VINTAGES Release and is still widely available throughout the province.

It is produced by Cantina Nals Margreid, a cooperative winery in Italy's northernmost winegrowing area, where 138 winegrowers from across South Tyrol bring their grapes to the Nals Margreid Winery. Developed over millennia, viticulture is deeply rooted in South Tyrol, and the winery has been keeping up South Tyrolean wine culture traditions since 1932.

This Pinot Bianco (aka Pinot Blanc) is a single vineyard wine from the Penon vineyard, located on the slopes of Margreid in South Tyrol, with its pure limestone gravel soils, at an elevation between 2,300 and 2,800 feet above sea level. At this elevation, it is particularly warm and favours late maturation, with grapes turning out small and intense.

Tasting Note:

PENON PINOT BIANCO 2014 - DOC Alto Adige, Italy (#478065) (XD) - $24.95
Aged for 6 months in steel tanks and big oak barrels. Honeyed melon aromas from the cork. Floral honeysuckle, lemony, and hints of beeswax aromas with mineral underpinnings of medium-high intensity in the glass. The palate is medium-full bodied with a slightly oily texture, and vibrant, refreshing acids. There's a vague impression of sweetness, but it's essentially dry on the flavour profile with notes of lemon, honeysuckle, beeswax, saline, and mineral. It finishes long and minerally. A fine match for salads or all manners seafood. Drink now. Score: 89 pts

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Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 (Sonoma) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a VINTAGES Essentials product - i.e. always available in VINTAGES. However, the 2014 is the latest vintage of this red wine and will be on shelves as part of the upcoming June 10 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

This wine is produced by Kendall-Jackson and is the companion to the Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay that I tasted earlier this year. Kendall-Jackson is a family-owned winery based in the heart of Sonoma County and has a commitment to produce quality wines consistently, vintage after vintage, with grapes sourced from multiple appellations which are carefully matched to ideal growing regions, climates, and soil types for each varietal. This Cabernet Sauvignon uses grapes sourced from Sonoma County mountain and hillside vineyards, as well as Mendocino County mountain vineyards.

Randy Ullom is the winemaker for this wine and is celebrating his 25th year working for the Jackson family, playing a vital role in elevating the winery's winemaking program.

Tasting Note:

KENDALL-JACKSON VINTNER’S RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014 - Sonoma County, California, USA (#331603) (XD) - $22.95
Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, but also includes 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot and 1% Malbec, and aged for 10 months in French (55%) and American (31%) oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. Ripe plum, black cherry, and dark currant aromas from the cork. Ripe aromas of blackberry, black cherry, cassis and chocolate of medium intensity in the glass, with much of the same on the flavour profile, plus hints of green pepper. The palate is medium-full bodied and dry with supple, drying tannins that could use a couple of years to soften. Juicy acids. Some graphite/pencil lead flavours arrive mid-palate, finishing with cedar oak notes. Finishes with very good length. Ideal with red meat. Drink over the next 2-3 years. Score: 88 pts

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Tawse Sketches Riesling 2014 (Ontario) - Wine Review

I opened up this delightful Ontario Riesling on Monday night to celebrate Victoria Day. This white wine was purchased from the February 18 VINTAGES Release and is widely available throughout the province.

Tasting Note:

TAWSE SKETCHES RIESLING 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#089029) (M) - $19.15

Screw cap. Highly aromatic nose offers petrol, limestone mineral, tart lime citrus, and hints of white peach. The palate offers lovely aromas replays along with some honeyed melon notes. Very chalky mineral texture. Energetic acids keep everything fresh and balanced. Excellent length on the mineral-driven, lip-smacking finish. Highly recommended buy. Score: 91 pts

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Wine Picks LCBO VINTAGES Release May 27, 2017: Southern Italy + Santa Barbara

The upcoming May 27, 2017 LCBO VINTAGES Release features wines from 5 sunny Southern Italy hot spots in its main theme, while the mini-theme focuses on wines from Santa Barbara. Wines from this release will be on shelves at LCBO outlets across Ontario this Saturday.

We'll begin my top wine picks from this release with the focus on southern Italy because nothing from Santa Barbara made the cut. The hot and sunny wine regions of Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Sicily, and Sardinia are featured, with a total of 12 wines listed and only 2 are included among my top wine picks. From the island of Sicily, there is a nice Grillo, one of the key white wine grapes on the island. One of the major grapes in Campania is Aglianico, and there is a nice little wine for $14 in this release. The last wine from Southern Italy is a Chardonnay from Puglia, and is actually listed near the back the VINTAGES Magazine as a Flagship Store Exclusive (FSE) - with limited availability.

From the rest of the release, the Domaine Guisset is a spicy blend of Syrah, Carignan and Grenache, while the Black Rock from South Africa is 68% Syrah that was co-fermented with other Rhône varieties to produce this multi-varietal blend. The latest vintage of the Emiliana Coyam is organic & biodynamic and consists of 48% Syrah, 24% Carmenere, 11% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Mourvedre, 3% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. The pair of big Cabernet Sauvignon wines from California are also blends, with the Chateau Montelena including 1.5% Cabernet Franc and 1.5% Petit Verdot, while the La Jota includes one quarter other grapes - 10.5% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4.5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec.

My white wine recommendations from this release consist of either Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay or Riesling. As is quite common, Riesling can be produced in styles ranging from bone dry to very sweet. From this release, the Pearl Morissette Riesling is bone dry, while the Hidden Bench Riesling will have a kiss of sweetness to it, and the Waimea Riesling is off-dry (i.e. slight sweet).

Among my sparkling wine picks, the Cava is a blend of Parellada, Xarel-lo and Macabeo, while the vintage Champagne is a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, and 10% Pinot Meunier.

Enjoy my top wine picks from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CAMPOREALE AGLIANICO 2015 - IGP Campania, Italy (#475251) (XD) - $13.95
• DOMAINE GUISSET 2014 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, Roussillon, France (#480863) (XD) - $15.95
• CHILCAS RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014 - Lolol, Colchagua Valley, Chile (#486050) (XD) - $18.95
• FABRE MONTMAYOU RESERVA MALBEC 2014 - Mendoza, Argentina (#261867) (XD) - $18.95
• CONO SUR SINGLE VINEYARD EL RECURSO BLOCK 18 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015 - Maipo Valley, Chile (#439364) (D) - $19.95
• EMILIANA COYAM 2013 - Los Robles Estate, Colchagua Valley, Chile (#063891) (XD) - $29.95  reviewed here
• RADFORD DALE BLACK ROCK 2013 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#485490) (XD) - $29.95
• COSTA DI BUSSIA CAMPO DEI BUOI BAROLO 2010 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#475277) (XD) - $47.95
• BACHELDER LA PETITE CHARMOTTE NUITS-SAINT-GEORGES 2011 - AC, Burgundy, France (#357228) (XD) - $49.95  FSE
• CHATEAU MONTELENA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA (#718452) (XD) - $74.95
• KISTLER PINOT NOIR 2014 - Sonoma Coast, California, USA (#377259) (XD) - $109.95  FSE
• LA JOTA HOWELL MOUNTAIN ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#659755) (XD) - $110.95  FSE

White Wine:

• FEUDO MACCARI GRILLO 2015 - IGT Terre Siciliane, Sicily, Italy (#477877) (XD) - $14.95
• RIVERA PRELUDIO NO. 1 CHARDONNAY 2015 - DOC Castel del Monte, Puglia, Italy (#177303) (XD) - $16.00  FSE
• MAYCAS DEL LIMARÍ RESERVA ESPECIAL CHARDONNAY 2015 - Limarí Valley, Chile (#143768) (XD) - $18.95
• WAIMEA CLASSIC RIESLING 2016 - Nelson, South Island, New Zealand (#408666) (D) - $18.95
• PAUL CLUVER SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015 - WO Elgin, South Africa (#483743) (XD) - $19.95
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE RIESLING 2015 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (D) - $23.95
• CLOS HENRI SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#675629) (XD) - $29.95
• PEARL MORISSETTE CUVÉE BLACK BALL RIESLING 2014 - Product of Canada (#416073) (XD) - $36.20  FSE
• DOMAINE BILLAUD-SIMON LES VAILLONS CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2014 - AC, Burgundy, France (#330175) (XD) - $39.95  FSE
• KISTLER LES NOISETIERS CHARDONNAY 2015 - Sonoma Coast, California, USA (#251223) (XD) - $99.95

Sparkling Wine:

• CYGNUS ORGANIC BRUT NATURE RESERVA CAVA - Méthode champenoise, DO Penedès, Spain (#352856) (XD) - $16.95
• ANDRÉ ET MICHEL DRAPPIER PINOT NOIR BRUT NATURE CHAMPAGNE - Zero dosage, AC, France (#179275) (XD) - $58.95
• BEAUMONT DES CRAYERES FLEUR DE PRESTIGE CHAMPAGNE 2006 - AC, France (#483099) (D) - $68.95

Fortified:

• FONSECA LATE BOTTLED VINTAGE PORT 2011 - Unfiltered, DOP, Portugal (#087551) (S) - $22.95

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Gourmet Food & Wine Expo 2016 - Review

On the evening of November 17, I attended the VIP Preview Night of the 22nd Annual Gourmet Food & Wine Expo that was held, as per the usual, in the north building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in downtown Toronto.

As usual, the event was busy as the crowds poured in soon after 6 p.m. and stayed busy over the course of the evening, until the lights began flashing near the end, signalling that the Thursday night event was about to end soon at 10 p.m.

For me, this tasting is all about the wine, however, there seemed to be fewer wine-focused booths compared to previous years - hopefully this doesn't develop into a trend. Meanwhile, spirits-focused booths seemed to be at the same number compared to prior years (which is not that many), and the number of food-centric booths seemed to be more than prior years, including some new names to the show. Having more food options was definitely a pleasant surprise as, for once, I wasn't left scrambling trying to find something to eat towards the end of the show.

Some of the booths I visited included the agency booths of United Stars Corporation, where they were pouring wines from Georgia, and MCO - Interesting Wines & Spirits, where they offered pours of fine French wines. No trip to Gourmet Food & Wine Expo would be complete without a stop at the Kolonaki Group booth to sample some lovely Greek wines and the top-notch Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Gold Brut Champagne. My favourite booth every year is Wines of Germany for the some very fine sweet Riesling. This time, because it wasn't crazy busy, I also managed to taste at the Wines from Spain booth and tried the very nice PX (Pedro Ximenez) lusciously sweet Sherry.

On the local scene, Prince Edward County had a lengthy booth featuring wines from a few different wineries, including Trail Estates Winery and Closson Chase Winery. Although I didn't taste anything from Niagara wineries this time around, Hidden Bench Vineyard and Winery and Two Sisters Vineyards were among the notables that I know have quality wines.

All in all, I was quite pleased with the event. And even though the number of wine-focused booths was less than previous years, the event did compensate by having more food options that were to my liking. Many of the wines I tasted were also very good quality, with wine reviews of some of my favourites provided below. You should be able to find most of these wines at the LCBO in the General List section or in VINTAGES.

Tasting Notes:

KONCHO MUKUZANI 2013 - Kakheti, Georgia (#460501) (XD) - $13.95
Made with the indegenous Saperavi grape, this has a medium intensity nose with currant, cedar oak, red & black fruits and some spice aromas and flavours. It's medium-bodied and dry with good acids. Tannins have some structure and are a touch drying. Medium-long finish. Score: 87 pts

DOMAINE COURBIS SAINT-JOSEPH 2013 - AC, Rhône, France (#007914) (XD) - $30.95
100% Syrah. Highly aromatic and very appealing nose of black current, blackberry, red & black fruits, pepper, and hints of floral and oak. It's full-bodied with soft, velvety smooth tannins and very nice aroma replays. Very good acidity. Balanced, long finish. Superb. Score: 91 pts

SKOURAS MOSCHOFILERO 2015 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#442178) (XD) - $15.95
Medium-high intensity aromas of nice spring flower, mineral, tropical fruit and orange that continue on palate. Acids are clean and bright, offering a juicy mouthfeel. Medium-long finish. A wine for Spring. Score: 88 pts

KIR-YIANNI ESTATE WHITE 2015 - Samaropetra Vineyard, PGI Florina, Greece (#464511) - $17.95
A 50/50 blend of Roditis and Sauvignon Blanc, this has clean medium-high aromatics of kiwi, asparagus, grass, tropical fruit, and spring flowers. Acids are bright on the medium+ bodied palate with nice, ripe-fruited aroma replays and touches of mineral from the Roditis. Finish length is very good. Score: 88+ pts

ARMAND DE BRIGNAC ACE OF SPADES GOLD BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#220244) (XD) - $299.95
A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, offering medium-high aromatics that has bready, nutty, walnut, and some lime citrus aromas. Mostly comes off as dry on the fruity palate which is smooth and refined with fine bubbles. Vibrant acids are refreshing with a minerally character. Excellent finish length. Will have wide appeal at just about any table. Score: 91 pts

TRAIL ESTATE SKIN CONTACT SERIES LAKEVIEW VINEYARD RIESLING 2015 - Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $30
Fermented with 21-day skin contact - much longer than most modern white wines. Highly aromatic nose of golden apple and pear. The palate is bone dry with a chalky mineral texture, nice aroma replays, and crisp acids. Very good length on the finish. Winery only. Score: 91 pts

TRAIL ESTATE BARREL-FERMENT CHARDONNAY 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $32
Bottled one week prior, the nose is highly aromatic, offering heavily-oaked aromas of toasty oak, smoke, popcorn, apple and butter aromas. It's medium-full bodied with a creamy mouthfeel and flavours that are less oak-influenced and more fruity - stone fruit, apple and butter flavours. Balanced acids. Finish length is excellent! Winery only. Score: 90 pts

PAUL ANHEUSER SCHLOSSBÖCKELHEIMER KÖNIGSFELS RIESLING KABINETT 2015 - Nahe, Germany (#161828) (MS) - $17.95
Medium+ aromas, very mineral-driven with stone fruits and citrus adding complexity. Crunchy mouthfeel, brimming with high acids that cuts into the perceived sweetness. More mineral and stone-citrus fruits on the palate, while finishing with grapefruit flavours. Score: 88+ pts

MARKUS MOLITOR ÜRZIGER WÜRZGARTEN RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2013 - Mosel, Germany (#139005) (MS) - $36.75
Highly aromatic nose offers complex mineral, earth, matchstick/smoke, and citrus aromas. It's medium+ bodied on the palate with a fleshy mouthfeel. Semi-sweet on the palate with lovely stone fruit and pink grapefruit flavours that are nicely balanced by vibrant acids. Excellent finish length. Score: 91 pts

CLEMENS BUSCH MARIENBURG GROSSES GEWÄCHS ROTHENPFAD RIESLING 2014 - Mosel, Germany (XD)
Stony mineral, limestone, and hints of lemon pith aromas of great intensity from the glass. Dry on the palate with more lemon pith. stony earth and limestone. Composed and well-balanced through and through. It has balanced acids and a long, elegant, juicy finish. Score: 91+ pts

SELBACH OSTER ZELTINGER SCHLOSSBERG RIESLING AUSLESE * 2012 - Mosel, Germany (S)
Medium-high aromatics with lovely orange and mineral notes. The palate is very sweet with highly appealing aroma replays which are balanced by bright acids. The finish goes on and on. Well-balanced, this will age for many years and will go great at the dinner table. Score: 92 pts

OSBORNE PEDRO XIMENEZ 1827 - DOP, Spain (#047944) (S) - $17.95
This Sherry has a highly aromatic nose of caramel, walnut, fig, molasses and more nutty notes. It's very sweet on the full bodied palate with many of the aromas coming through on the lush, thick, and smooth palate. Finish length is very long. Serve with a slight chill. Score: 91 pts

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Château de Fontenelles Renaissance Corbières 2013 (Midi) - Wine Review

On Monday night, I opened up this delicious red wine that will be available at the LCBO as part of the upcoming May 13 VINTAGES Release.

This red wine is produced by Château de Fontenelles, a winery located in the north-westerly commune of Douzens in Corbières. The Domaine, with over 40 hectares of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, and Mourvèdre, has been part of the family for five generations and is currently family-owned and operated by Thierry Tastu and his wife Nelly.

The vines for this wine are grown on argilo-limestone soil on the slopes of Mont Alaric, allowing the grapes to develop well due to the cooler temperatures. Two types of vinification was used to produce this wine: Cold vinification for a few days to preserve the quality of the tannins, and strict temperature-controlled vinification of whole grape clusters.

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU DE FONTENELLES RENAISSANCE CORBIÈRES 2013 - AP, Midi, France (#148692) (D) - $19.95
A blend of 55% Syrah, 25% Grenache, and 20% Carignan/Mourvèdre. Aromas of black plum, blackberry, and oak spice from the cork. In the glass, there are aromas of black pepper, blackberry and whiffs of violets, herbs and forest floor notes of medium-high intensity. Pleasing aroma replays continue on the medium-full bodied and dry palate with rich, structured tannins and very good acidity. Lovely savoury barnyard, meaty notes arrive with air and linger through to the long, earthy finish. Enjoyable now, but should improve in 2-3 years and drink well to 2024. Score: 89 pts

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