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.

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Avondale Wine Tasting (South Africa)

Last month, I had the pleasure of tasting the wines of Avondale with proprietor Johnathan Grieve.

Avondale is located on a 160-hectare, picturesque farm in the Paarl valley in the southwestern part of South Africa, only 35 minutes from Cape Town, and has been cultivated for more than 300 years. Early records also indicate that this piece of land was one first in Paarl valley to be allocated specifically for the production of grapes.

Although the farm was established as early as 1693, current owners John and Ginny Grieve (Johnathan's parents) only began producing wine on the site in 1999, two years after purchasing the land. Today, it continues to be family-owned and operated with Johnathan taking up the challenge to transform the land into a balanced vineyard ecosystem using organic and biodynamic viticultural practices that he developed, along with modern science, and now terms BioLOGIC.

One of the ways Avondale promotes a balanced ecosystem is through the use of natural predators. Beginning more than 15 years ago, Avondale began unleashing White Pekin Ducks to feast on snails that were proliferating throughout the vineyards and eating the vines. Johnathan showed us a fascinating video of the ducks in action that you can view here:

Other natural predators include predatory wasps (to combat mealy bugs), Spotted Eagle Owls, Rock Kestrels, Yellow-billed and Black-shouldered Kites.

Continuing on the theme of "natural" is the waste water system that mimics the way Nature cleans water. The system is comprised of three dams interlinked by spiralling channels of cleansing reeds that replicates the natural river system. This closed-nutrient cycle yields quality water that is then used for their irrigation needs.

Avondale has 13 different soil types on their land, and vines are planted within pockets of soil types. Furthermore, when Avondale built their cellar, it was designed such that each block of fruit from these different soil types could be vinified independently of each other, allowing for terroir expression. The soil is often re-balanced using the soil balancing system pioneered by Dr. William Albrecht, followed by re-mineralization of the soil. To further help balance the soil and ecosystem, legumes and other cover crops are used to create a vibrant and diverse plant community.

All of the wines at Avondale go through natural fermentation - a process which is much slower than commercial fermentation. Some wines are also warm-fermented at this estate, producing wines that can be aged for longer periods when compared with wines that are cool-fermented.

One thing Johnathan talked about that really intrigued me was the Luna Tasting Calendar. This calendar is based on the Biodynamic Planting Calendar that was developed in the 1950's by Maria Thun and centres around the 12 Zodiac constellations and the lunar cycle. Within the calendar there are four cycles: Fruit, Root, Flower and Leaf. The Luna Tasting Calendar conjectures that any given wine will taste different based on the current cycle. The Flower cycle is regarded as the best day for tasting wine. I personally have not tried tasting wine based on this, but it's on my list of things to do this year.

The dowsing experiment using rods that Johnathan performed on one of the attendees was also very interesting. I have a pair of dowsing rods that I haven't used in quite a few years, so it was refreshing to see somebody else perform dowsing, and do it well!

Overall, I was quite pleased with the tasting. It was an eye-opener in terms of the many organic and biodynamic practices that are followed. The labels are also very pretty - with a unique story behind each of them. However, it's what's inside the bottle that counts - and the wines are delicious.

Thank you Rare Earth Wines for the invitation and the opportunity to taste these fabulous wines that also happen to be organic & biodynamic. Since most of these wines are not (yet) available at the LCBO, you can order these wines directly with Rare Earth Wines.

Tasting Notes:

AVONDALE ARMILLA BLANC DE BLANC 2009 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#) (XD) - $28
100% Chardonnay. Medium-high aromatics with toast, bread, poached pear and citrus notes. The palate has vibrant mousse and show hints of sweetness that are cut very quickly by the vibrant acids. Medium-long finish. Score: 88 pts

AVONDALE JONTY'S DUCKS PEKIN WHITE 2013 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#) (XD) - $14.95
Primarily Chenin Blanc (85%) with Roussanne, Muscat de Frontignan, Viognier and Semillon rounding out the blend. Aromas of medium-to-high intensity consisting of sweet ripe peach, citrus and lemon notes. On the palate, it's medium-bodied and fleshy with flavours of lemon/lime, citrus, tangy peach and hints of honey. Some chalky minerality mid-palate. Balanced acids and medium-length finish. Score: 87 pts

AVONDALE ANIMA 2013 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#) (D) - $22.95
100% Chenin Blanc. Elegant, medium+ intensity aromas of honeyed fruit, white peach and tropical fruit. Palate is medium-bodied with very nice aroma replays showing nice complexity. It's off-dry with good tension between fruit and vibrant, yet balanced, acidity. Long finishing. Score: 89 pts

AVONDALE CYCLUS 2012 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#295220) (XD) - $26.95
White wine blend consisting of equal parts Viognier, Chardonnay, Roussanne & Chenin Blanc, and a small amount of Semillon. Medium-high aromatics that are elegant with notions of apples, orchard fruit, floral and fennel. The palate is medium-bodied, dry, and slightly oily with a chalky mineral texture and fresh, vibrant acids. Layered flavours of herb, lemon and floral continue through to the very long finish. Score: 90+ pts

AVONDALE JONTY'S DUCKS PEKIN RED 2011 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#383547) (XD) - $14.95
Blend of 37% Shiraz, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec. Medium+ aromatic intensity with complex herbal, wild dark/red berry fruit, currant, cassis and elegant oak aromas. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with ripe, supple tannins and flavours of red/black fruits, black cherry, black currant, vanilla and chocolate. Good, balanced acids and a medium-long finish. Currently in VINTAGES. Score: 88+ pts

AVONDALE SAMSARA 2009 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#295550) (XD) - $32.95
100% Syrah. Medium+ intensity aromas of red cherry, berry, white pepper, dark plum, and soft vanillan oak. Flavours of spiced oak, plum, white pepper and currants on the medium+ bodied palate. It has brilliant acidity and firm, chalky tannins. Hints of chocolate on the spiced finish. Will age gracefully for 5-8 years. Score: 90 pts

AVONDALE LA LUNA 2009 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#) (XD) - $34.95
A Bordeaux-blend consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec, this red wine has medium+ intensity aromas with suggestions of elegant plum, red & dark fruits, floral, cedar oak and some purple fruits. It's full-bodied with refined tannins and very nice aroma replays. It also has very good acids and a long, smooth finish. Score: 91 pts

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Domaine Chevallier Chablis 2010 (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine was purchased nearly 2 years ago from the August 3, 2013 LCBO VINTAGES release. At 5 years old, let's see if this unoaked Chardonnay is still any good...

DOMAINE CHEVALLIER CHABLIS 2010 - AC, Burgundy, France (#112227) (XD) - $19.95

Tasting Note:

White grapefruit, lemon and mineral aromas from the cork. Honeyed fruit, baked apple, with whiffs of mineral and nutty aromas of medium intensity from the glass. On the palate, it's medium-to-full bodied and dry with pleasing aroma replays. Very bright acids linger through to the long, minerally finish. Good balance overall. Will be enjoyed with pan-fried Haddock. Recommended. Score: 89 pts

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June 13 VINTAGES Release: Sparkling Wine + Italian Whites + Father's Day

The next LCBO VINTAGES release will be on shelves this Saturday, June 13th. The major theme of this release is on Sparkling Wines (I guess to coincide with wedding season?), while the mini-theme is on fine white wines from Italy. There is also a feature on gifts for Father's Day.

We'll begin with Sparkling Wines. Of the 20 wines featured, 5 are included among my wine picks below. At the top of the heap is the Bollinger Champagne that is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 15% Meunier. The Cygnus Brut Cava is an organic sparkling wine made using Parellada, Xarel-lo and Macabeo grapes, while the Showcase 5 Blanc de Noirs is a unique sparkler made by Trius using 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier - this will have a hint of sweetness to it. Going up the sweetness scale a little bit is the latest vintage of the Tawse Spark Limestone Ridge Riesling. Last but not least is the off-dry (i.e. slightly sweet) Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Heredad Cava that's made up of 9 different wines, each vinified in its own separate tanks. Macabeo is the most prominent grape in the Segura Viudas blend, and the bottle is finished with very nice Pewter accents that make the bottle a nice keepsake.

The mini-theme on Italian white wines is titled "White Knights" and features just 7 wines, two of which made my wine picks. The first of these wines is the Pieropan Soave Classico which is 100% Garganega and comes from the hillside La Rocca vineyard where vines range 10-50 years old. Harvesting occurs in late-October, providing some sweetness to the wine. An outstanding wine that is probably the white wine of the release. The second wine from this feature is from Le Monde and made using 100% Pinot Bianco - a grape which is a genetic mutation of Pinot Noir.

From the rest of the release, the Xavier Ventoux is a blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre, while the Cara Nord is a blend of 42% Garnacha (a.k.a. Grenache), 38% Syrah and 20% Garrut (a.k.a. Mourvèdre). Single-varietal wines include the Montebuena (100% Tempranillo) and the Moulin-à-Vent (100% Gamay).

In white wines, the Finca Nueva Blanco is made with Viura (a.k.a. Macabeo). The only rosé among my wine recommendations is a dry (i.e. not sweet) blend that is primarily Cinsault and blended with Grenache, Syrah and Merlot.

Enjoy my wine picks for this week. Cheers!

Red Wine:

• XAVIER VENTOUX 2012 - AP, Rhône, France (#413211) (XD) - $15.95
• MONTEBUENA CUVÉE KPF 2012 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#211029) (XD) - $15.95  reviewed here
• NINQUÉN ANTU CHILEAN MOUNTAIN VINEYARD SYRAH 2013 - Colchagua Valley, Chile (#675371) (XD) - $17.95
• CARA NORD 2013 - DO Conca de Barberà, Spain (#418186) (XD) - $19.95
• SAN LEONINO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2011 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#412387) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU DES JACQUES MOULIN-À-VENT 2011 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#700187) (XD) - $29.95
• TWO HANDS BELLA’S GARDEN SHIRAZ 2012 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#636407) (D) - $63.95
• WYNNS JOHN RIDDOCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#466748) (XD) - $99.95  FSE

White Wine:

• LE MONDE PINOT BIANCO 2013 - DOC Friuli Grave, Friuli, Italy (#372417) (XD) - $16.95
• FINCA NUEVA BLANCO 2013 - Barrel fermented, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#280560) (XD) - $16.95
• KURT ANGERER KIES GRÜNER VELTLINER 2013 - Estate bottled, Qualitätswein, Niederösterreich, Austria (#12138) (XD) - $18.95
• ST. URBANS-HOF RIESLING 2013 - Estate Bottled, from Old Vines, Qualitätswein, Mosel, Germany (#995746) (M) - $19.95
• LEYDA GARUMA SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 - Leyda Valley, Chile (#99309) (XD) - $19.95
• ARGYROS SANTORINI ASSYRTIKO 2014 - PDO Santorini, Greece (#387365) (XD) - $21.95  reviewed here
• MAX FERD. RICHTER WEHLENER SONNENUHR RIESLING KABINETT 2013 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#998120) (MS) - $21.95  reviewed here
• DOMAINE ZIND-HUMBRECHT CALCAIRE GEWURZTRAMINER 2011 - AC Alsace, France (#320481) (M) - $39.95  FSE
• PIEROPAN LA ROCCA SOAVE CLASSICO 2011 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#92437) (D) - $39.95
• VASSE FELIX HEYTESBURY CHARDONNAY 2013 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#674648) (XD) - $68.95  FSE

Rosé Wine:

• DOMAINE DE TRIENNES ROSÉ 2014 - IGP Méditerranée, Provence, France (#409771) (XD) - $17.95

Sparkling Wine:

• CYGNUS BRUT NATURE RESERVA CAVA - Méthode Champenoise, DO, Penedès, Spain (#352856) (XD) - $17.95
• TAWSE SPARK LIMESTONE RIDGE RIESLING SPARKLING 2013 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#370361) (D) - $19.95
• SEGURA VIUDAS BRUT RESERVA HEREDAD CAVA - Méthode Traditionnelle, DO, Penedès, Spain (#558825) (D) - $29.95
• SHOWCASE 5 BLANC DE NOIRS 2009 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#420521) (D) - $55.00
• BOLLINGER SPECIAL CUVÉE BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#384529) (XD) - $73.95

Dessert Wine:

• PATRICIUS 5 PUTTONYOS TOKAJI ASZÚ 2003 - Hungary (#95901) (S) (500 mL) - $39.95  FSE

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

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Toronto Wine & Spirit Festival - Sugar Beach

The Toronto Wine & Spirit Festival pops the cork for its 7th year and is returning to Toronto’s Sugar Beach for three great days on the water! We are excited to be partnering with the Redpath Waterfront Festival for a second year, and are excited to make this our biggest year yet! Welcome summer the right way with sampling wine, spirit, beer, ciders and coolers right at the beach!

Mark your calendar and save the date to join us at the Toronto Wine & Spirit Festival:

June 18th, 19th, and 20th.

Wineries, breweries and distilleries will be on location to discuss and sample their products and give attendees the “goods” on new and hot summer trends. Building on last year’s line-up, a variety of premium distributors will get the season started with their summertime libations. Local restaurants will also be on hand with delicious creations, designed to tantalize the senses and complement their sampling partners.

This event is rain or shine as all pavilions are tented. Advance tickets are $25 and include an official Toronto Wine & Spirit Festival Sampling Glass and 5 food/drink vouchers. Tickets can also be purchased on-site for $35 (subject to availability) cash only.

Visit us online at: www.wineandspiritfestival.ca for advanced tickets and further information.

Thursday, June 18, 2015 – 6:00pm to 11:00pm  Buy Tickets
Friday, June 19, 2015 – 6:00pm to 11:00pm  Buy Tickets
Saturday, June 20, 2015 – Noon to 10:00pm  Buy Tickets

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wineandspiritfestival
Twitter: @winefestival, #towinefest

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La Cadierenne Cuvée Grande Tradition Bandol Rosé 2014 (Provence) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a rosé wine that will be available in the upcoming June 27th VINTAGES release.

This rosé comes from the Bandol region in Provence, in the south of France. This area has been producing wine since the Greeks first colonized the region over 2600 years ago. Bandol specializes in producing rosé wine, with over 60% of its entire wine production devoted to producing rosé.

If you like your rosé wines dry (like me), then you'll enjoy this one.


LA CADIERENNE CUVÉE GRANDE TRADITION BANDOL ROSÉ 2014 - AC, Provence, France (#119453) (XD) - $19.95

Tasting Note:

Blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, and 30% Cinsault. Fresh peaches, nectarines and spring flower aromas from the cork. Elegant white peach, citrus and floral nose, with some herbally notes adding complexity. The palate is dry and quite full-ish with flavours of blood orange, grapefruit and strawberry. Has nice, crisp acidity and good length on the finish. It paired really well with garlic herbed salmon. Score 87 pts

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Greek Wine Party at iYellow Wine Club

On May 5th, I had the pleasure of attending a Greek Wine Tasting Party hosted at the iYellow Wine Cave. The evening was filled with Greek fare such as olives, cheese, dessert, and other traditional Greek foods that were served alongside more than 30 Greek wines.

In attendance were principals of the wineries, including winemakers, who made the trek all the way from Greece. One such gentleman was Yiannis Flerianos, winemaker at Panagiotopoulos Wines.

Panagiotopoulos Wines is located in Messinia, in the southwestern part of Peloponnese. They farm organically indigenous and international grape varieties at an altitude of 400 metres above sea level. One of the 4 wines that Mr. Flerianos brought with him was made using the local Malagousia grape - a wine that was my favourite white wine of the night. Yiannis also brought an organic 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon that showed minimal greenness and fine maturity. Both of these wines are reviewed below.

When I met Mr. Flerianos earlier this month, he mentioned that they did not have representation in our market. For any Agents looking to add a Greek winery that produces yummy wines, some of which are organic, to their portfolio, take a look at Panagiotopoulos Wines.

After having enjoyed the Cavino Grande Reserve during my Greek Wine series back in April, I was curious to see what else Cavino had to offer. On this night, in addition to the Grande Reserve, they also had their Reserve bottling and the premium Mega Spileo Grand Cave Red. Wine reviews of both of these delicious wines are found below, and can be purchased via their agent United Stars.

Most of the wines available for tasting on this night were available on Consignment, while a few could be found in the LCBO General List and VINTAGES sections. A couple of easy drinking wines that could be found in LCBO General List in 1 Litre or 1.5 Litre bottles were the Apelia Moschofilero (white wine, #239863) and Apelia Agiorgitiko (red wine, #239871). Both of the wines are available quite cheaply at $10.55 (1 Litre) and $13.95 (1.5 Litre) and make for good every day or party wines.

Overall, my impression of Greek wines is good value for money when using local grape varieties. And I hope they continue to produce these delicious wines and that the LCBO continuously brings them to Ontario. A recent initiative by the LCBO to launch regional specialty wine shops will certainly go a long way to help this cause. The first such store is located on the Danforth and features roughly 90 Greek wines.

Below, you will find wine reviews of some of the wines I enjoyed at this tasting.

And lastly, thank you to Angela Aiello and the iYellow team for the invite, and Ariel Andres for providing some of these photos.

Ya sou!

Tasting Notes:

PANAGIOTOPOULOS MALAGOUSIA 2014 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (XD) - $????
Medium-high aromatics featuring orange, citrus, and wild herb notes. It's dry on the palate with balanced acids and herb, limestone, hay flavour profile. Excellent length on the finish. Score: 89 pts

PANAGIOTOPOULOS MERLOT 2009 - PGI Trifilia, Greece (XD) - $????
Aromas of medium-to-high intensity showing plum, milk chocolate, wet earth and cedar. Palate is medium+ bodied with very nice aroma replays and some mint, herbal notes for complexity. It has refined tannins, balanced acids and a long finish. Well done! Score: 89 pts

PANAGIOTOPOULOS CABERNET SAUVIGNON BIO 2008 - PGI Trifilia, Greece (XD) - $????
Made with organic grapes. Elegant medium+ aromas of cassis, dried fruit, fig, dark berry and whiffs of green pepper. The palate is medium-to-full bodied with very nice aroma replays. It has refined tannins and a very long finish. Score: 90+ pts

DOMAINE MERCOURI 2010 - PGI Letrini, Greece (XD) - $19.95
Red wine blend of 85% Refosco and 15% Mavrodaphne. Medium intensity nose with currant, vanilla, oak, bretty and smoke. Medium-bodied palate with fresh acids and a balanced flavour profile consisting of red fruit and leather. It's dry with somewhat firm, yet integrated tannins and medium-long finish with steely aftertaste. Score: 87 pts

DOMAINE LANTIDES LITTLE ARK 2014 - PDO Mantinia, Peloponnese, Greece (XD) - $????
White wine blend that is equal parts Assyrtiko and Malagousia showing medium+ intensity aromas of crisp citrus, floral, mineral and herbally notes with floral and herbal flavours emerging on the palate. It's medium-bodied and feels plumpy in the mouth. Dry (i.e. not sweet) and lengthy finish. Score: 87 pts

CAVINO NEMEA RESERVE 2009 - PDO Nemea, Greece (XD) - $14.95
100% Agiorgitiko. Perfumed floral aromas of medium+ intensity, red berry, plum and sweet spices. Palate has low tannins with nice aroma replays, and good freshness from the acidity. Finish is medium-long. Score: 88 pts

CAVINO DOMAIN MEGA SPILEO GRAND CAVE RED 2008 - PGI Achaia, Peloponnese, Greece (XD) - $24.95
Blend of 60% Mavrodafne and 40% Mavro Kalavritino. Medium-to-high intensity aromatics featuring black fruits, earthy, dark cherries, barnyard and dried flowers. It's full-bodied with smooth, integrated tannins and pleasing aroma replays. It also has mouth-watering acids and a very long finish. Score: 90 pts

TSELEPOS CLASSIC MOSCHOFILERO 2014 - PDO Mantinia, Peloponnese, Greece (#724583) (XD) - $14.95
Medium+ intensity nose with herbal, lemon and white peach aromas. The palate is dry with fresh, bright acids and very nice aroma replays with predominantly herbal notes. It has a slightly chalky mineral texture and a medium-long finish. I would expect this vintage to show up in LCBO VINTAGES at some point this year. Score: 88+ pts

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Montebuena Cuvée KPF 2012 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine is another sneak preview of a wine that will be returning to LCBO VINTAGES on June 13th.

The wine is made by Bodegas y Viñedos Labastida as part of the Unión de Cosecheros of Labastida co-operative that was formed in the mid-1960's. As can be expected, the co-operative has gone through a number of enhancements to its facilities since then, including using modern equipment such as stainless steel tanks, a cooling unit for regulating fermentation temperatures, and a new bottling plant.

Grapes for this wine were hand-harvested from the Montebuena estate vineyard, with vines averaging 25 years of age. This wine saw light oak ageing of 4 months in American oak. It will be enjoyed with Gosht (lamb curry) and fulia.

Tasting Note:

MONTEBUENA CUVÉE KPF 2012 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#211029) (XD) - $15.95
100% Tempranillo. Prune and cedar oak aromas from the cork. Black cherry, mulberry surrounded by forest floor and earthy aromas of medium intensity. The palate is medium bodied with silky, refined tannins and balanced acidity. Good complexity on the palate with flavours of black cherry, resin, light oak spice and pepper that linger through to the long finish, which also has hints of mocha. Enjoy over the next couple of years. Score: 88 pts

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May 30 LCBO Wine Picks: Southern Rhône + New World Pinot Noir

The next LCBO VINTAGES release will be on shelves this Saturday, May 30, 2015. The co-themes of this release, with 12 wines apiece, are wines from Southern Rhône and New World Pinot Noirs.

Of the 12 wines featured from Southern Rhône, three made my list of wine picks. Among them is an always reliable and dry (i.e. not sweet) Tavel Rosé comprised of Cinsault, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Also included is a Gigondas that consists of old vines Grenache (80%) and Syrah (20%), while the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Both of these red wines can be aged for a number of years.

Three of the 12 New World Pinots are also included among my wine picks. Russian River Valley (RRV), in California, makes some very nice Pinot of different styles due to it's many varied soil types. The Migration Pinot Noir from RRV is made by Duckhorn Vineyards, with grapes coming from their own vineyards' sandy loam soils. Altitude plays an important role in grape-growing as higher elevations, which normally have poorer soils, and along with cooler temperatures, contribute to vine stress and results in greater flavour concentrations. The Creekside Pinot Noir is planted at 105-145 metres above sea level in the St. David's Bench VQA (Niagara) and is the first Pinot for this estate since 2008. Last, but definitely not the least, is the Auntsfield Single Vineyard Pinot Noir from New Zealand. The vineyard at Auntsfield Estate where this Pinot was grown consists of Greywacke rock and Loess clay soils - poor soils that produce great wine!

Other red wines worth pursuing in this release include the Alvaro Castro Touriga Nacional-led blend, and the Boschendeal 1685, which is a blend of 70% Shiraz and 30% Mourvèdre.

Lastly, the dessert wine from Bordeaux is a blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

I find it interesting that more and more wines from the Flagship Store Exclusives (FSE) section near the back of the VINTAGES magazine are included among my wine picks. From this release, there are 5 such wines that I've recommended that will be available at very select LCBO VINTAGES locations.

Enjoy my wine recommendations for this week. Cheers!

Red Wine:

• ÁLVARO CASTRO RED 2011 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#285288) (XD) - $17.95
• CREEKSIDE QUEENSTON ROAD PINOT NOIR 2013 - VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#415877) (XD) - $18.95
• BOSCHENDAL 1685 S & M SHIRAZ/MOURVÈDRE 2013 - WO Coastal Region, South Africa (#403667) (XD) - $19.95
• ERRAZURIZ ACONCAGUA ALTO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 - Aconcagua Valley, Chile (#203364) (XD) - $19.95
• RUSTENBERG MERLOT 2010 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#404194) (XD) - $19.95
• QUINTA DAS CARVALHAS TOURIGA NACIONAL 2011 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#408112) (XD) - $21.95  91 pts  wine review
• PIERRE AMADIEU ROMANE-MACHOTTE GIGONDAS 2012 - AC, Rhône, France (#017400) (D) - $27.95
• AUNTSFIELD SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2012 - Southern Valleys, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#361246) (XD) - $29.95  reviewed here
• DOMAINE DU VIEUX LAZARET CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2011 - AC, Rhône, France (#983650) (D) - $39.95
• MIGRATION PINOT NOIR 2013 - Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#412437) (XD) - $44.95

White Wine:

• LAILEY UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#299776) (D) - $14.95
• REDSTONE LIMESTONE VINEYARD SOUTH RIESLING 2012 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#381251) (M) - $18.95  reviewed here
• BENZIGER CHARDONNAY 2012 - Sonoma County, California, USA (#034777) (XD) - $19.95
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE RIESLING 2013 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (D) - $23.95  reviewed here
• OLDENBURG CHARDONNAY 2012 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#374645) (XD) - $26.95  FSE
• DOMAINES SCHLUMBERGER KESSLER GEWURZTRAMINER 2010 - AC Alsace Grand Cru, Alsace, France (#307694) (MS) - $33.95  FSE
• MAISON ROCHE DE BELLENE VIEILLES VIGNES MEURSAULT 2010 - AC, Burgundy, France (#241091) (XD) - $48.95
• STONESTREET BEAR POINT CHARDONNAY 2011 - Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#411579) (XD) - $64.95  FSE

Rosé Wine:

• KÖNIGSCHAFFHAUSER VULKANFELSEN PINOT NOIR ROSÉ TROCKEN 2014 - Qualitätswein, Baden, Germany (#168237) (D) - $13.95  reviewed here
• FAMILLE PERRIN TAVEL 2014 - AC, Rhône, France (#680801) (XD) - $19.95

Sparkling Wine:

• LOUIS ROEDERER PREMIER BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#093054) (XD) (375 mL) - $40.95  FSE

Fortified:

• DOW’S LATE BOTTLED VINTAGE PORT 2009 - DOP, Portugal (#613927) (MS) - $18.95  reviewed here

Dessert Wine:

• PUKLUS PINCÉSZET TOKAJI ASZÚ 3 PUTTONYOS 2010 - Hungary (#980805) (S) (500 mL) - $20.95
• CHÂTEAU NAIRAC 2011 - AC Barsac, 2e Cru, Bordeaux, France (#302125) (S) (375 mL) - $41.85  FSE

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

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Talamonti Trabocchetto Pecorino 2012 (Italy) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine was purchased from the July 5th LCBO VINTAGES release last year with the intention of opening it during my daughter's 1st birthday party. Like many white wines, it is not meant to be aged. Let's see how this is... 3 years after vintage.

TALAMONTI TRABOCCHETTO PECORINO 2012 - IGP Colline Pescaresi, Abruzzo, Italy (#372474) (XD) - $15.95

Tasting Note:

100% Pecorino. Inviting lemon and nectarine aromas from the cork. Quite aromatic with wet hay, flinty, and lemon aromas in the glass. Dry on the palate, quite full-ish with lemon, grapefruit, peach and green apple flavours. Has balanced acids and very good length with lemony flavours on the finish. Some saltiness mid-palate continues on to the finish. Drink soon. Score: 88 pts

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16 Mile Chardonnay Niagara - Wine Reviews

Tasted these wines from 16 Mile Cellar last week with André Proulx and Krista Lamb as part our monthly #blendedcru tasting (if you would like to submit wines for a future tasting, please contact me). André gave us the story behind this winery and the naming of the wines, which I found to be very interesting. However, I won't repeat much of the story as I believe it to be somewhat controversial and is entirely irrelevant to what's inside the bottle.

We'll begin with the 2011 Civility Chardonnay that recently won Gold in the "Oaked Chardonnay over $20" category at the 2015 Ontario Wine Awards. With the winery being only founded in 2010, the fruit for this wine was sourced from Ed Hughes and made at Henry of Pelham with the assistance of world-renowned winemaker Thomas Bachelder.

The 2012 Rebel Chardonnay is also (lightly) oaked and was made by winemaker Regan Kapach. It is very much similar in style and flavour profile to the Civility - but comes in a wallet friendlier price point.

Given the quality of these wines, I hope to taste the rest of their lineup in the near future. Neither of these wines are available at the LCBO, but can be purchased at the winery or ordered online via their website.

Tasting Notes:

16 MILE REBEL CHARDONNAY 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#) (XD) - $19.95
Medium intensity aromatics showing butterscotch, sweet vanilla, pineapple and pear notes. Medium-bodied and elegantly styled with nice aroma replays and a chalky texture. Balanced acids. Finish is long and clean, with touches of oak. This really opened up in the glass as it warmed with air. Score 88+ pts

16 MILE CIVILITY CHARDONNAY 2011 - VQA Niagara Peninusla, Ontario, Canada (#) (XD) - $24.95
Apple, peach, butterscotch, pineapple and vanilla aromas of medium+ intensity from the glass. The palate is medium+ bodied with subtle oak spice, peach pit, vanilla and pineapple flavours. It is very well-balanced with very good acidity and a slightly chalky mouthfeel. Very long finish. Elegance in a glass. Score: 89+ pts

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Argyros Santorini Assyrtiko 2014 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is from Estate Argyros and follows a family tradition dating back to 1903. The grapes for this wine were cultivated from a private vineyard that is 50-60 years old and located in Episkopi Gonia, in the central part of the island of Santorini.

This wine will be available in LCBO VINTAGES on June 13th.

ARGYROS SANTORINI ASSYRTIKO 2014 - PDO Santorini, Greece (#387365) (XD) - $21.95

Tasting Note:

100% Assyrtiko. Synthetic cork. Intriguing combination of minerals, fresh sea water and lemon on the nose. The palate is medium bodied and dry, with bracing acidity and an oily texture. Thirst quenching salty mineral and lemon citrus flavours in the glass. Excellent length on the finish. Will be enjoyed with homemade Halibut and chips. Recommended. Score: 90 pts

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Summer in Wine Country Starts in the Vineyard

Join me and the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival for the 19th Annual New Vintage Festival this June. I attended this event in 2012 and 2013 and enjoyed the food and wine each time (I missed it last year as I was out of the country).

Wine Country in Ontario presents a calendar of year-round events and none is as highly anticipated as the Annual TD Tailgate Party. The 6th installment of the Tailgate Party is set to take place on Saturday, June 20th from 6:00-10:00 p.m. in the 2014/15 Grower of the Year’s vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Grape King, Kevin Buis represents the legacy of a Niagara grape-growing family and invites guests to join the Buis family in their vineyard for this special night.

The focus of this annual backyard-style event is squarely wine and culinary, and guests will experience the best food and wine that Niagara has to offer. Eight incredible chefs will serve up mouthwatering creations using the freshest local ingredients with an eye on culinary trends.

The Dairy Farmers of Canada will also be on hand to present a selection of artisanal cheeses that are unique and delicious.

And the TD Tailgate Party will host over 40 of Niagara’s favourite wineries and a showcase of their latest VQA releases; wines that are a perfect complement to summer entertaining. Join winemakers and wine industry personnel as they share their passion. From Vintage cars, to Vintage wines and incredible food and live entertainment, this is the kick-off to summer that everyone is talking about.

In addition to the Farm to Table experience at the TD Tailgate Party, guests can also sample the freshness of the season with the ever popular Discovery Pass Program. Culinary offerings produced with the first produce of the season or locally sourced ingredients will be served with perfectly paired wines.

The program takes place weekends June 13th through 21st, 2015. The Discovery Pass is your ticket to 8 wineries from the participating 41 winery partners across the region.

Discovery Passes are $40 and Tailgate Party tickets are $80 (plus HST). All are available by ordering online at www.niagarawinefestival.com or calling the Festival office at 905-688-0212.

Use Discount Code 'NV2015' before June 1st and Save $5 off your Discovery Pass.

Share your experiences at @NiagaraWineFest using the hashtags #NewVintage #DiscoveryPass and #TailgateParty.

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May 16 LCBO Wine Picks: Australia + Fresh Whites

The next LCBO VINTAGES release will be on shelves across Ontario this Saturday, May 16th. Hot on the heels of Europe's Primum Familiae Vini (PFV) feature last month is Australia's First Families of Wine (AFFW), the primary focus of this release.

AFFW was formed in 2009 by 12 of the most iconic family-owned wineries in Australia. Ten of the twelve wineries are represented in this release, with two wines from each winery. Overall, I thought this portion of the release was quite well-represented, with quality wines ranging across wide price points. However, I'm left with a feeling of wanting more.

Of the 20 wines featured, 6 made my list of wine picks. Included among them are both wines from Yalumba - a Viognier and GSM-blend (40% Grenache, 35% Shiraz and 25% Mataro) - and Tyrrell's Wines - a Shiraz and Semillon. The Semillon, in particular, is an exciting wine that will age and change quite dramatically over the next 5 years - buy 2 or more and taste the beauty of aged Semillon over the coming years. The other two Australian wines are both Cabernet Sauvignons - one from d'Arenberg and the other, which just might be the best value red from one of the AFFW, is from Howard Park Wines.

Fresh white wines for spring sipping is the mini-thematic of the release. Of the 11 wines featured, three made my list of wine picks below. All three of these wines are Sauvignon Blanc - one each from Chile, Ontario (Niagara) and the Stoneleigh Savvy from Marlborough, New Zealand. It would be interesting to try the two southern hemisphere wines, plus the Eradus Sauvignon Blanc and compare against each other, but also compare with the northern hemisphere Savvy from Niagara that is a year older. Sauvignon Blanc is typically meant to be enjoyed young, within 1-3 years after vintage.

There are two more dry rosé wines in this release that are worth your attention. The Delas from Rhône is a blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 20% Cinsault, while the version from Château la Tour is a blend of 40% Cinsault, 35% Grenache, 12% Syrah and 5 grapes making up the blend.

Hope you enjoy my wine recommendations for this week. Cheers!

Red Wine:

• DON DAVID RESERVE MALBEC 2012 - Calchaquí Valley, Salta, Argentina (#064998) (XD) - $14.95
• DE MORGENZON DMZ SYRAH 2012 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#404202) (XD) - $14.95
• SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 - Mendoza, Argentina (#260919) (XD) - $19.95
• YALUMBA THE STRAPPER GSM 2012 - Barossa, South Australia (#295873) (XD) - $19.95
• HOWARD PARK MIAMUP CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#410019) (XD) - $19.95
• TYRRELL’S RUFUS STONE SHIRAZ 2012 - Heathcote, Victoria, Australia (#091488) (XD) - $22.95
• QUINTA DO CARDO RESERVA TOURIGA NACIONAL 2010 - DOC Beiras, Portugal (#408096) (XD) - $26.95  Flagship Store Exclusive
• CARABELLA ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2012 - Chehalem Mountains, Oregon, USA (#180125) (XD) - $46.95
• D’ARENBERG THE COPPERMINE ROAD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#943399) (XD) - $49.95

White Wine:

• MATETIC CORRALILLO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 - San Antonio Valley, Chile (#347740) (XD) - $14.95
• FEATHERSTONE BLACK SHEEP RIESLING 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#080234) (M) - $16.95
• KELLEREI KALTERN CALDARO PINOT GRIGIO 2013 - DOC, Alto Adige, Italy (#317867) (XD) - $16.95
• CREEKSIDE BACKYARD BLOCK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 - VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#341792) (XD) - $17.95
• JEAN-LUC COLOMBO LES ABEILLES DE COLOMBO CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2013 - AC, Rhône, France (#413187) (XD) - $17.95
• ERADUS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 - Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#225557) (XD) - $18.95  reviewed here
• STONELEIGH LATITUDE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#324228) (XD) - $21.95  reviewed here
• YALUMBA VIOGNIER 2013 - Eden Valley, South Australia (#954644) (XD) - $24.95
• TYRRELL’S BROOKDALE SEMILLON 2013 - Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia (#269316) (D) - $24.95
• KISTLER SONOMA MOUNTAIN CHARDONNAY 2013 - Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma County, California, USA (#183921) (XD) - $98.95

Rosé Wine:

• DELAS SAINT-ESPRIT CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE ROSÉ 2014 - AC, Rhône, France (#224964) (XD) - $14.95
• CHÂTEAU LA TOUR DE L’ÉVÊQUE ROSÉ 2014 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#319392) (XD) - $18.95

Fortified:

• COCKBURN’S QUINTA DOS CANAIS VINTAGE PORT 2000 - DOP, Portgual (#335380) (S) - $39.95

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

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Thalia Sauvignon Blanc - Vilana 2014 (Greece) - Wine Review

Another summery-type of day calls for a summery-type of wine. Tonight, it's yet another wine from Greece that is a white wine blend of Sauvignon Blanc and the local varietal Vilana.

Vilana is mainly found on Greek's largest island - Crete. And even though Crete is dominated by red grapes, Vilana is the most planted white grape on the island. This varietal is quite difficult to grow and produces wines that are thirst-quenching and easy to drink. It is also good for food pairing, especially when your meal contains a wide range of contrasting dishes. Tonight, I will be sipping on this with tomato and onion tiger shrimps, followed by dal bhat (rice).

This wine is available at the LCBO as part of General List and is readily available throughout the province of Ontario.

THALIA SAUVIGNON BLANC - VILANA 2014 - PGI Crete, Greece (#273490) - $9.95

Tasting Note:
Screw cap. Citrus, melon, pineapple and herbally aromas from the glass with much of the same character on the palate. It's light-weighted with a fleshy mouthfeel and some richness. Freshness shines through on mid-palate. Dry, lingering finish. Serve well-chilled. Score: 86 pts

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Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2014 (New Zealand) - Wine Review

It's a fine spring day here in Toronto and calls for a nice, spring-like wine. Tonight's wine is this lovely Sauvignon Blanc that hails from the Awatere (Aw-wah-tree) Valley within the Marlborough region, located on the South Island of New Zealand. This is the latest vintage of this wine and will be available in the next VINTAGES release - May 16th.

ERADUS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 - Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#225557) (XD) - $18.95

Tasting Note:
Screw cap. Quite aromatic with crisp citrus, guava, kiwi and hints of gooseberry. On the palate, it's juicy with crisp, balanced acids and a flavour profile filled with pleasing aroma replays and hints of fresh cut grass. Dry, well-balanced with a fine mineral streak on the medium-long finish. Recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

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