Signature Italian Grapes + Chardonnays: July 23 Vintages Wine Release

Saturday, July 23 is the next LCBO Vintages Release. This week's release focuses on the signature grape  varieties from Italy, as well as (expensive) Chardonnays from cool-climate regions such as Ontario, Oregon, South Africa, and Côte de Beaune (Burgundy).

Overall, there are lots of good, refreshing whites from the Italian feature, and slim pickings for sub-$20 Italian reds. However, the Tedeschi Capitel red from Veneto (#719294) does stand apart from the crowd.

The Ontario highlight of this Release focuses on Niagara's Twenty Mile Bench area. Great area, if you have never been! It's also not often we get a rosé from British Columbia - hopefully this is well-stocked on Saturday! Enjoy!

Red Wine:

• TEDESCHI CAPITEL SAN ROCCO RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2008 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#719294) (XD) - $18.95
• CHÂTEAU L’ARGENTYRE 2006 - AC Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#226217) (XD) - $19.95
• LAMADRID SINGLE VINEYARD RESERVA BONARDA 2008 - Mendoza, Argentina (#232652) (XD) - $16.95
• SHINGLE PEAK PINOT NOIR 2009 - Matua Valley, New Zealand (#032441) (XD) - $19.95

White Wine:

• TERREDORA LOGGIA DELLA SERRA GRECO DI TUFO 2009 - DOCG, Italy (#983197) (XD) - $17.95
• INNISKILLIN WINEMAKER’S SERIES THREE VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY 2009 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#105379) (XD) - $17.95
• ARTESA CHARDONNAY 2009 - Carneros, California (#657585) (D) - $19.95
• BODEGAS SHAYA VERDEJO 2009 - DO Rueda, Spain (#241554) (D) - $17.95
• DOMAINE TROTEREAU QUINCY 2009 - AC, Loire, France (#225185) (XD) - $17.95
• VINEA GARGANEGA 2009 - IGT Veronese, Veneto, Italy (#230656) (XD) - $12.95

Rosé Wine:

• MISSION HILL FIVE VINEYARDS ROSÉ 2010 - VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#229716) (D) - $15.95

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2009 Rose Hill Private Edition Cabernet Merlot (Niagara) - Wine Review

It was a busy (and fun) weekend, with my cousin's wedding (some of you may have noticed my tweets from the reception Saturday night). Here is the red wine that was served on each table and at the bar. There was also a Rose Hill white wine (I believe a Chardonnay), that I did not taste.

ROSE HILL PRIVATE EDITION CABERNET MERLOT 2009 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

Tasting Note:
Dark fruit, red berries and currant aromas. Not overbearing on the palate, with sweet fruit replays. Fairly easy drinking, food-friendly and crowd pleasing. It went well with Chicken Tikka and the Supreme Chicken (among the many very delicious dishes that were on the menu!)

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2006 The Garden Path Shiraz/Cabernet (Australia) - Wine Review

Purchased this one back in November of 2010, and could have cellared it for a couple more years, but felt like opening it tonight.

THE GARDEN PATH SHIRAZ/CABERNET 2006 - Langhorne Creek, South Australia, Australia (#199539) (XD) - $17.95

Tasting Note:
Mint, cassis, black currant, oak, earth/barnyard aromas. Black currant and blueberries on the palate. Ripe tannins. Fleshy, medium-bodied. Tasty. I think it will go well with the Chicken Biryani we're having tonight!

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2009 Naia Verdejo (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is an impressive offering from great 2009 vintage in Spain. Purchased from the April 30 Vintages Release.

NAIA VERDEJO 2009 - DO Rueda, Spain (#211045) - $18.95

Tasting Note:
Muted aromas of citrus, floral (I think I chilled it too much). Rich and creamy on the palate, with tree fruits like apple and pear. Lees aging evident. Made in a dry style with a long finish. Could have been aged for another year or two. Quality wine.

***edit***
One thing I forgot to add - this is definitely a "food" wine (i.e. it would go well with various lunch or dinner fare).

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Top Marks New 90+ Wines and Sparklers: July 9 Vintages Wine Release

The upcoming Vintages Release on Saturday, July 9 looked promising when I first gazed at the cover. However, I found the bulk of the 90+ wines were well over $20, and tasting notes that seemed a little dated based on the ageability of the wine.

On the other hand, the feature on Sparkling Wines, including Champagne is outstanding. Lots of variety with great value! On page 18, you will also find a table on various different methods used to make Sparkling wines.

If you're looking for something to cellar away for a couple of years, the Bordeaux red (#231886) from the great 2009 vintage, the 2007 Lirac (#213082) from Rhône, or the 2005 Lan Reserva (#042929) from Spain are good candidates.

Red Wine:

• LAN RESERVA 2005 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#042929) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU AUGUSTE 2009 - AC, Cuvée du Moulin, Bordeaux, France (#231886) (D) - $16.95
• LOMOND SYRAH 2008 - WO Cape Agulhas, South Africa (#146464) (XD) - $19.95
• BAGLIO DI PIANETTO SHYMER SYRAH/MERLOT 2008 - IGT Sicilia, Italy (#219501) (D) - $15.95
• DOMAINE DUSEIGNEUR ANTARÈS LIRAC 2007 - AC, Rhône, France (#213082) (D) - $19.95

White Wine:

• LEONE DE CASTRIS MESSAPIA VERDECA 2009 - IGT Salento, Puglia, Italy (#221879) (D) - $14.95
• GURRUTXAGA TXAKOLI 2009 - DO Bizkaiko Txakolina, Spain (#240333) (XD) - $18.95
• MOLTÈS RÉSERVE RIESLING 2009 - AC Alsace, France (#223925) (D) - $17.95
• DR. PAULY-BERGWEILER RIESLING 2009 - QbA Mosel, Germany (#596601) (MD) - $12.95

Sparkling Wine:

• FERRÉ I CATASÚS BRUT RESERVA CAVA - Spain (#224717) (D) - $16.95
• LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE D’AURORE BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE - AC, Burgundy, France (#048793) (XD) - $18.95
• CERRINO BRÎCH MENU MOSCATO D’ASTI 2010 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#159822) (MS) - $13.95

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2009 Granacha Signargues (Rhône, France) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine was purchased in May, from the May 14 Vintages Wine Release, featuring wines from Southern Rhône.

Tasting Note:
Lovely cherry, brandy, raspberry, earth, pepper aromas. Strong herbal characteristics, some plum and tobacco on the palate; short finishing. Definitely ready to drink now, but lip-smacking tannins would reward cellaring 1-2 years. Will be having this with fish in curry sauce.

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2010 Malivoire LadyBug Rosé (Ontario) - Wine Review

To celebrate Canada Day, I was determined to choose something made locally. Fortunately, I had one Canadian-made wine ready to drink now (the rest are being aged). This wine was purchased from the May 14th Vintages Release, which had a tremendous focus on refreshing rosés.

2010 MALIVOIRE LADYBUG ROSÉ - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#559088) - $15.95

Tasting Note:
I have purchased this wine in previous vintages and enjoyed it each and every time. It has become a personal favourite. The 2010 features citrus, spring flowers, and strawberry aromas. Watermelon, red berries on the palate. Medium-bodied and feels heavy (not typical of a rosé.) Slightly off-dry. It's well made and definitely recommended. Happy Canada Day to all!

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