Holiday Cheer Wine Picks: Dec. 10 LCBO Vintages Release

The next LCBO Vintages release is nearly upon us, and just in time for the holidays. The new release of wines will be in stores on December 10. To get ready for the holiday season, which typically means at least few get-togethers with friends & family, I have chosen something from each of the 5 major types  of wine - red, white, icewine, sparkling wine, and even a rosé.

Among the reds, two Malbecs from Argentina stand out. In white, the Pinot Gris from Alsace is off-dry. If you prefer something a bit sweeter and different, try Musqué Spritz from our local Malivoire Wines.

Want something even sweeter? Try the Stoney Ridge Vidal Icewine or the Sparkling Vidal Icewine from Inniskillin.

Enjoy my picks this week as you celebrate the holidays with your friends and family!


Red Wine

• MAIPE RESERVE MALBEC 2009 - Mendoza, Argentina (#247320) (XD) - $17.95
• FINCA EL ORIGEN GRAN RESERVA MALBEC 2009 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#065425) (XD) - $19.95
• LES HAUTS DE CASTELLAS VACQUEYRAS 2009 - AC, Rhône, France (#177634) (XD) - $19.95
• MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 - Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua Valley, Chile (#322586) (XD) - $19.95
• RAMON RAMOS MONTE TORO ROBLE 2008 - DO Toro, Spain (#247783) (XD) - $14.95

White Wine:

• ANNE BOECKLIN PINOT GRIS RÉSERVE 2008 - AC Alsace, France (#106831) (D) - $18.95
• MALIVOIRE MUSQUÉ SPRITZ 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#189670) (M) - $19.95

Rosé Wine:

• DOMAINE DE RIMAURESQ ROSÉ Cru Classé 2010 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#226647) (XD) - $18.95

Icewine:

• STONEY RIDGE VIDAL ICEWINE 2007 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#337402) (MS) 375 mL - $34.95

Sparkling Wine:

• FLAT ROCK RIDDLED SPARKLING Méthode Classique 2008 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#187377) (D) - $29.95
• INNISKILLIN SPARKLING VIDAL ICEWINE 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#560367) (MS) 375 mL - $69.95
• FOSS MARAI EXTRA DRY PROSECCO - DOC Treviso, Veneto, Italy (#729392) (D) - $18.95

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2009 MezzoMondo Sangiovese Merlot (Puglia) - Wine Review

The roof of my mouth is slightly burnt from today's lunch, so this red wine may feel a little spicier than it really is. I received this one as a gift and having looked through my database, I found that I had tasted the 2008 version last year. Let's see how this vintage compares...

MEZZOMONDO SANGIOVESE MERLOT 2009 - IGT Daunia, Puglia, Italy (#079327) (D)

Tasting Note:
Aromas of crushed red berries, black fruits, herbal notes and touch of barnyard. Replays of red fruits on the light- to medium-bodied palate. Ripe fruit and is ready to drink now. A good, quaffable wine that can satisfy many palates at family gatherings. Will be enjoying the rest of this with KFC!

The 2008 was rated as follows:
Lots of red fruit aromas, candied berries. Red fruit, licorice, herb, menthol flavours.

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2009 Gehringer Brothers Private Reserve Pinot Gris (Okanagan) - Wine Review

Purchased this white wine a couple of months back from the September 17 LCBO Vintages release.

GEHRINGER BROTHERS PRIVATE RESERVE PINOT GRIS 2009 - VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#347203) (XD) - $17.95

Tasting Note:
Apple and honey aromas faded quickly from cork. Mineral, earth, grapefruit aromas from the glass. More grapefruit on the palate + citrus notes. Dry. If you like dry Pinot Gris, then you will probably like this one; beware of the acidity, which I found a bit strong. It should pair nicely with the crab curry that I will be enjoying tonight!

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2004 Fernandez Escudo de Plata Gran Reserva (Spain) - Wine Review

This one did not sit long once I purchased it from the latest Vintages release.

FERNANDEZ ESCUDO DE PLATA GRAN RESERVA 2004 - DO Jumilla, Spain (#246751) (XD) - $19.95

Tasting Note:
Corks smell reminds me of prune and raisin - not a fan of such aromas. Having said that, the aromas and flavours from the glass are MUCH better. Red fruits, spice, herbs and vanilla and earth aromas from the glass. Lavender, raspberry, cherry and floral notes on the palate. Medium-bodied. Smooth, well integrated tannins. Could have been cellared for another 1-2 years, but definitely enjoyable now. This one deserved better than serving with leftovers of chicken lasagna, wings, spring rolls, but otherwise did pair nicely with the menu.

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2010 Tawse Sketches of Niagara Riesling (Ontario) - Wine Review

Last night's wine was an off-dry Riesling. In a blind tasting, you would have thought this white wine was made in Germany. It was purchased from the October 29 Vintages release.

TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA RIESLING 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#089029) (MD) - $17.95

Tasting Note:
Aromas of minerals, lemon, and floral. Lovely mineral notes, lemon rind, orange, citrus on the palate. Medium dry. Made in a German-style Riesling. Good acidity that allows it to be paired well with food. I greatly enjoyed this with soya sauce lamb chops, butterflied panko shrimp, and wings from All-Stars.

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Master Works - Finest Wines & Spirits for Celebrations: Nov. 26 Vintages Release

The latest Vintages release is titled "Master Works: Our finest wines and spirits for splendid celebrations" and will be in stores on November 26. As is par for the season, many of these wines are available at a very high price point, and even though they are good quality, they are not affordable. Thus, I will skip over that section and move into the rest of the release.

South Africa was the big winner among my picks - making the cut on three occasions. If you would like to venture out into the world of South African wines, now would a great time!

The very aromatic Chardonnay from Liberty School will satisfy your senses, as will the two Icewines I've recommended from Reif and Strewn. Treat yourself to these Icewines, or wrap them up to make great gifts.

Enjoy my picks! If you do purchase any, let me know. I would love to hear your reviews!


Red Wine:

• FLAGSTONE WRITER’S BLOCK PINOTAGE 2009 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#243337) (XD) - $19.95
• 13TH STREET GAMAY NOIR 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#177824) (XD) - $19.95
• VALIANO POGGIO TEO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2006 - DOCG, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Tuscany, Italy (#250563) (XD) - $17.95
• CAVE DE ROQUEBRUN LA GRANGE DES COMBES SAINT-CHINIAN-ROQUEBRUN 2009 - AC, Midi, France (#155804) (XD) - $16.95
• MOOIPLAAS THE BEAN COFFEE PINOTAGE 2010 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#251165) (XD) - $13.95
• CONCHA Y TORO WINEMAKER’S LOT 115 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 - Palo Santo Vineyard, Rapel Valley, Chile (#030965) (XD) - $17.95

White Wine:

• LIBERTY SCHOOL CHARDONNAY 2008 - Central Coast, California, USA (#960120) (XD) - $18.95
• AMANI CHARDONNAY 2009 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#687442) (XD) - $17.95

Icewine:

• REIF VIDAL ICEWINE 2008 - VQA Niagara River, Ontario, Canada (#544791) (S) 200 mL - $24.95
• STREWN CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2008 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#251140) (S) 375 mL - $59.95

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Gourmet Food & Wine Expo - Review

First time attending the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo in about 6-7 years and it has changed quite a bit (or maybe I've changed).

Got there early before the show was officially open and was able to roam around quite freely before the venue got packed - and it filled up fast once the doors opened.

I was able to attend the Cheese Pairing Seminar and it was a delight - 6 different cheeses paired with a Baco Noir, Reisling and... beer! Surprisingly, some of the cheeses did go well with beer. Check it out, if you get a chance. Many great cheese are also available throughout (quelle surprise!), some exhibitors offer free samples.

The Chilean olive oil is EXCELLENT. Very rich. Try it! I really should have purchased a bottle - I may ask someone to get me one. :) The hot sauce booths along the wall are always a favourite of mine at any show. Spanish paella was a sight to be seen - I wish I had taken a picture of the two pans.

It was great meeting friends throughout the night, and also meeting a quite a few new friends for the first time. I am sure our paths will cross again.

Ended up staying right 'til the end, when they started to usher patrons out.

Here are my Wine Reviews:

TRUMPOUR'S MILL PINOT NOIR - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#230227) - $16.95
This was the first wine I've ever tasted from Prince Edward County. Light-medium bodied, with red fruits, uncomplicated. I look forward to visiting The Grange and the area next summer.

DEVIL'S LAIR FIFTH LEG SHIRAZ MERLOT CABERNET 2010 - Western Australia, Australia (#212605) - $15.95
I was wow-ed by this one. Raspberry, red fruits, oak, some mint/herbal notes. Full-bodied, full throttle red. Tasted more expensive. Recommended.

KACABA MERLOT RESERVE 2007 - Ontario, Canada - $42.95
Deserving gold medal winner at 2011 InterVin International Wine Awards. Not your typical Merlot - big, dark fruits, chocolate/mocha, well oaked, lots of grippy tannins. Long finish. Cellar a few years or open now and decant for an hour.

AMADO SUR MALBEC BONARDA SYRAH 2009 - Mendoza, Argentina (#037036) - $15.00

A light-style of Malbec that was more fruit forward. Red licorice, currant, plum flavours.

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