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  • Date publishedFriday, July 8, 2016

Food Truck Fest 2016 at Mike Weir Winery

Mike Weir Winery Food Truck Fest
On , Mike Weir Winery will be hosting it's 3rd Annual Food Truck Fest. This event provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate summer in the vineyards at Mike Weir Winery, where the Food Truck Fest is held annually in their Merlot Block. Some of the winery's best wines will be poured by the glass, to go along with Live Music all day, and the best local eats you can get around town! As a bonus, all gourmet eats will be prepared using ingredients sourced from local farmers within the Lincoln area, ensuring freshness across the board.

The entire venue is licensed and guests may walk through our vineyards, the Bruce Trail, and enjoy panoramic views from the property. The retail and hospitality building will be in full function as well, offering wines by the glass and tastings all day to the general public and Food Truck Fest guests.

To keep the event fun and festive, the Groovy Food Band will be performing ALL DAY, rocking grooves from all decades and easy rock tunes! Furthermore, you can tune in to 105.7 FM as they will be playing live-to-air easy rock from the event.

The Vendors:

  • Avella’s Wood Fired Pizza – Handmade, Fresh to order
  • The Yellow Pear – Farm-to-Table cuisine, offering Gluten Free and Vegan Options*
  • The Wandering Gourmet – Authentic Californian Fresh Taco Cart, Farm-to-table
  • 494 Kitchen – International comfort food with a modern twist*
  • The Panwich Company – Anything in a panini, and I mean anything!
  • Eh Jose – Authentic Mexican
  • Gourmet Guyz – Fresh and Seasonal Fare
  • The Go-Go Food Co. (Cucina a-go-go) – Authentic Italian Street style
  • Scratch Bakery – Niagara's first Pie-Hole Approved bakery!
  • Hometown Ice Cream Truck – Creative Flavours you wouldn’t have thought, but unbelievable! (all local ingredients)

  • The Cigar Experience – Selling top quality stogies from internationally around the world. Makes a GREAT gift!

Location and Time:

Mike Weir Winery
4041 Locust Lane, Beamsville (Lincoln), Ontario L0R 1B0
Saturday, July 16, 2016 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Costs:

Entry fee is $5.00 per person (payable online or on-site), and includes one souvenir Govino glass, don’t lose it!

Vendors will have different ranges of pricing according to their menu by items. (usually between $5.00-$20.00 per plate - and worth EVERY penny)

Wine by the glass will be offered through a ticket system. Wine Tickets will be sold for $5.00 and then redeemed at the wine booth for a 5 oz. glass of wine. Wine varieties will be confirmed closer to the date, but you can bet there will be fresh, summery wines such as a rosé, Riesling, and fun reds. Here are a couple of wines that should be available at the event.

MIKE WEIR CRASH ROSÉ 2011 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada - $11.95
100% Cabernet Franc. Light, honeyed red fruit aromas from the cork. Medium-intensity nose has cooked strawberry and red cherry aromas with hints of flowers. The palate is medium+ bodied with aromas more cooked strawberry and cherry coming through on the palate, followed by herbally sage notes that add complexity and continue through to the medium-length finish. Just a touch of honey mid-palate, but essentially dry overall with juicy acids. A food wine that will go great with many of the offerings at the Food Truck Fest. Available at winery only. Score: 86 pts

Mike Weir Crash Rosé 2011 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (86 pts)

MIKE WEIR PINOT NOIR 2009 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#000075) (D)- $16.95
Ripe red berry, cherry aromas from the cork. Showing just a touch of brown on the rim. Lovely blend of spices followed by maturing red fruits, cherry and earth aromas. It's light-to-medium bodied with just a touch of tannic grip. Acids are fresh. Cherry-cranberry flavours with earthy and beetroot tones on the palate. Very good length on the finish. Enjoy by 2017. A wine that is widely available at the LCBO, but may not be the 2009 vintage. The 2009 is available at the winery. Score: 88 pts
Mike Weir Pinot Noir 2009 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (88 pts)


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  • Date publishedWednesday, July 6, 2016

Taste of Greece - Top Greek Wines, May 2016

On , I was very pleased to attend the Taste of Greece grand wine tasting held at the Royal Ontario Museum, where nearly 50 of Greece's most popular wineries poured well over 200 wines. I had the pleasure of tasting many delicious wines at this tasting, and many offered very good QPR (Quality-to-Price Ratio).


I attended the media session just after lunch, and the place was quite busy. However, since I was still working my around the room, I ended up staying for the consumer portion of the tasting that began at 2 p.m. As people filed in, the atmosphere in the room went up a few notches with a live band performing traditional Greek music. The light appetizer service prepared by Daniel et Daniel also livened the place up, in addition to the many delightful Greek wines.

Braised Lamb Shank with Roasted Tomato, Spinach, and Feta OrzoCrab Claw with Jumbo Shrimp

Overall, I was quite impressed with the Greek wines (not unexpected, I've been a fan for many years), but was surprised by the sheer number of quality wines produced by the Greeks, one of the oldest wine regions in the world. It's too bad we don't see more Greek wines coming through the LCBO (including VINTAGES) as there are a lot of good value wines that I believe LCBO customers would enjoy.

The names of many of the local Greek grape varietals may be difficult to pronounce, but it's what's inside the bottle that counts. My favourites Greek varietals are still Xinomavro [Ksee-no'-ma-vro], Assyrtiko [A-seer'-tee-ko], and Agioritiko [Ah-yor-yee'-ti-ko]. However, one grape I discovered at this tasting is a very floral, aromatic white wine grape called Savatiano [Sa-va-tya-no'].

A step in the right direction is headed by the LCBO with their "Products of the World" specialty boutique program within existing LCBO locations where customers can find many wines and spirits from a specific region. In May 2015, "Destination Greece" was the first of such boutiques to launch and is located at 200 Danforth Avenue. At this location, you can find nearly 100 Greek wines and spirits, more than anywhere else in Ontario. Quite a few of the wines tasted at Taste of Greece are available at the LCBO location on Danforth.

Destination Greece at LCBODestination Greece at LCBO

Here are some of my favourites from the Greek tasting, many which of you should be able to find at the LCBO outlet on Danforth. Alternatively, you can also contact the Agent for if you're interested in purchasing a case or more.

Ahead of the big event on Sunday, I was invited to a private tasting of Greek wines at the Vintage Conservatory on night and had the pleasure of meeting some of the men (and women) behind some very fine Greek wines. Among those in attendance was Dr. Yannis Voyiatzis, Oenologist, Head of Oenology and Viticulture Department and the winemaker behind the Boutari 1879 Legacy wine. In talking about this wine, Dr. Voyiatzis mentioned that the estate has wines from the 60's and 70's vintage and are still drinking well.

Photo Credit: Zis Parras, Kolonaki Group

Sunday Tasting Notes:

PAPAGIANNAKOS SAVATIANO OLD VINES 2015 - PGI Markopoulo, Greece (XD) - $15.60
From 60-year-old vines of the indigenous varietal Savatiano, this has explosive aromas in the glass that are very floral in nature, with hints of pear, anise, lees, and ripe fruits. It's light-to-mid weighted with citrus and floral flavours with a streak of mineral. It's very fresh and finishes off with a long, citrusy note. Contact Majestic Wine Cellars for availability. Score: 90 pts

Papagiannakos Savatiano Old Vines 2015 - PGI Markopoulo, Greece (90 pts)Alpha Estate Red 2012 - PGI Florina, Greece (91 pts)

ALPHA ESTATE RED 2012 - PGI Florina, Greece (#092361) (XD) - $32
This Syrah/Xinomavro/Merlot blend (60/20/20), some of which is old vines has a lovely nose of purple fruits, flowers, sweet spices and black pepper. The medium-firm tannins are nicely integrated on the full bodied palate. Nice aroma replays on the flavour profile. It has very good acidity and finishes long. Contact Eurovintage Wines & Spirits for availability. Score: 91 pts

DOMAINE GLINAVOS DRYADES 2007 - PGI Hepirus, Greece (XD) - $22
A blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 55% Vlachiko/Bekari from 30-year-old vines that has a medium-high intensity nose consisting of floral, blackberry and hints of graphite and iron. Refined with integrated tannins and complex aroma replays, it also has juicy acids and a long, smooth finish. Contact IntraVino for availability. Score: 90 pts

Domaine Glinavos Dryades 2007 - PGI Hepirus, Greece (90 pts)Papaioannou Microclima 2005 - PDO Nemea, Greece (91 pts)

PAPAIOANNOU MICROCLIMA 2005 - PDO Nemea, Greece (XD) - $75
Made with Agiorgitiko, this has a lovely mature nose of flowers, sweet spices and clove. The medium-full bodied offers pleasing aroma replays, with refined tannins and balanced acidity. Excellent length on the finish. Still has quite a few years of life remaining. Contact Kolonaki Group for availability. Score: 91 pts

ARGYROS SANTORINI ASSYRTIKO 2015 - PDO Santorini, Greece (#387365) (XD) - $22.95 From 60-120 year old vines, this is a mineral-driven wine with lime and stone aromas. The medium+ bodied palate offers more mineral and lime flavours joined by some saline notes. Tightly wound with vibrant acids and chalky texture. Long finishing. Let this one sit for a couple of years and enjoy until 2026. Available in VINTAGES. Score: 90 pts

Argyros Santorini Assyrtiko 2015 - PDO Santorini, Greece (90 pts)Argyros Vinsanto 4 Years 2008 - PDO Santorini, Greece (92 pts)

ARGYROS VINSANTO 4 YEARS 2008 - PDO Santorini, Greece (#189778) (S) (500 mL) - $44.95
Matured in barrel for 4 years. Gorgeous, highly aromatic and sweet nose of caramel, peach and honey notes that follow through on the full-bodied, chalky textured palate. It has bright acids to keep things fresh and keep the very sweet wine from being cloying. Well-balanced and finishing long. Blend of Assyrtiko, Aidani and Athiri. Available at Destination Greece LCBO location. Score: 92 pts


Friday Tasting Notes:

BOUTARI 1879 LEGACY 2007 - PDO Naoussa, Greece (#675081) (XD) - $50
This single vineyard wine is 100% Xinomavro and has medium-to-high intensity aromas that are elegant and refined with pleasing notes of cherry, floral, brambly and some barnyard. Very nice aroma replays on the palate with some sweet spice notes emerging with air. It is a full-bodied, powerful wine with a rich structure and dense tannins that can age easily 10-15 years. Excellent length on the finish. Drink or hold. Available via ShopGreekWine.com. Score: 91 pts

Boutari 1879 Legacy 2007 - PDO Naoussa, Greece (91 pts)Cavino Domain Mega Spileo Grand Cave Red 2009 - PGI Achaia, Peloponnese, Greece (90 pts)

CAVINO DOMAIN MEGA SPILEO GRAND CAVE RED 2009 - PGI Achaia, Peloponnese, Greece (XD) - $30
Lovely, complex nose of dried herbs, flowers, black cherry, blackberry and oak vanilla that is medium-to-high intensity. Aroma replays echo on the medium bodied palate. It is well-balanced with very good acidity and the finish length is excellent. With medium-to-firm tannins, this can be enjoyed now or over the next 5-6 years. Blend of 60% Mavrodafne and 40% Mavro Kalavritino. Slated to be in VINTAGES later this year. Score: 90 pts


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  • Date publishedMonday, July 4, 2016

VINTAGES Release July 9: Summer Pantry + Cool-Climate Chardonnay

LCBO Wine Picks: July 9, 2016 VINTAGES Release
The LCBO VINTAGES Release on will be on shelves this coming and features smart wines for the summer pantry as its main theme. The mini-theme focuses cool-climate Chardonnay, to coincide with the 6th annual International Cool-Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4c) that will take place July 22-24 in Niagara.

From the summer pantry focus that highlights great-value wines, only 3 of the 24 wines featured are included among my wine picks. There is a nice Cremant d'Alsace that is made using Pinot Blanc, Riesling, and Pinot Gris and will show just a kiss of sweetness. The Bila-Haut is a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan matured in vats. The last of the summer pantry wines is a Sauvignon Blanc from Loire.

I've always enjoyed my Chardonnay, and the delectable selection of cool-climate Chards in this release is quite good with 4 of 9 wines featured included among my wine recommendations. Local cool-climate Chardonnays include barrel-fermented styles from Henry of Pelham, Flat Rock Cellars and Château des Charmes. Also barrel-fermented is the Chardonnay from Chile. Lastly, as part of the Flagship Store Exclusive (FSE) selection is the barrel-fermented Chardonnay from Niagara's Pearl Morissette which uses only indigenous yeast during fermentation.

In red wines from the rest of the release, the Piazzano Blend 2 is a blend of 34% Colorino, 33% Sangiovese and 33% Malvasia Nero, while the Crianza is 85% Tempranillo and 15% Garnacha tinta/Mazuelo. Single varietal wines include the old vines Carignan, the Aglianico, and the Barbaresco (100% Nebbiolo). The Gran Selezione Chianti Classico and the Brunello are both 100% Sangiovese, while the Cigliano Chianti Classico includes 5% Colorino in addition to Sangiovese. From Tablas Creek in California is a red blend more reminiscent of Rhône, consisting of 40% Mourvedre, 30% Syrah, 21% Grenache and 9% Counoise.

Piazzano Blend 2 2013 - IGT Toscana, Italy (89 pts)

In white wines, the blend from South Africa consists of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Semillon. Single varietal wines include the Müller-Thurgau, the Soave (100% Garganega), and the off-dry Riesling.

The rosé wine from Tavel is made with Cinsault, Grenache, and Mourvèdre, while Brangelina's Miraval Rosé is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, and Rolle.

Enjoy my wine picks from this release.

Red Wine:

  • M. CHAPOUTIER LES VIGNES DE BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON-VILLAGES 2014 - AC, Midi, France (#168716) (D) - $14.95
  • CUNE RIOJA CRIANZA 2012 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#039925) (XD) - $16.95
  • TESSELLAE VIEILLES VIGNES CARIGNAN 2014 - IGP Côtes Catalanes, Southwest, France (#343509) (D) - $17.95
  • D’ANGELO AGLIANICO DEL VULTURE 2012 - DOC, Basilicata, Italy (#971689) (XD) - $18.95
  • VILLA DEL CIGLIANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2013 - DOCG, Tuscany (#189803) (XD) - $19.95
  • PIAZZANO BLEND 2 2013 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#455493) (XD) - $24.95  reviewed here
  • CASTELLO DI GABBIANO GRAN SELEZIONE BELLEZZA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2012 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#652438) (XD) - $39.95  reviewed here
  • NADA GIUSEPPE CASOT BARBARESCO 2012 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#456988) (XD) - $41.95
  • LA GERLA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2010 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#642561) (XD) - $63.95
  • TABLAS CREEK ESPRIT DE TABLAS 2012 - Paso Robles, California, USA (#735654) (XD) - $65.95  FSE

White Wine:

  • DOMAINE DE LA CHAISE TOURAINE SAUVIGNON 2014 - AC, Loire, France (#452540) (XD) - $14.95
  • TABALI RESERVA ESPECIAL CHARDONNAY 2013 - Limarí Valley, Chile (#663005) (XD) - $18.95
  • CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES ST. DAVID’S BENCH VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2012 - VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#430991) (XD) - $19.95
  • WATERKLOOF CIRCLE OF LIFE 2012 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#284588) (XD) - $19.95
  • ABBAZIA DI NOVACELLA MÜLLER-THURGAU 2014 - DOC Valle Isarco Alto Adige, Italy (#452557) (XD) - $19.95
  • FLAT ROCK THE RUSTY SHED CHARDONNAY 2013 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#001552) (XD) - $24.95
  • CHARLES BAKER IVAN VINEYARD RIESLING 2015 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#395921) (D) - $27.20
  • HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2013 - VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#616466) (XD) - $29.95
  • PIEROPAN LA ROCCA SOAVE CLASSICO 2013 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#092437) (XD) - $37.95
  • PEARL MORISSETTE CUVÉE DIX-NEUVIÈME CHARDONNAY 2013 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#303602) (XD) - $38.20  FSE

Rosé Wine:

  • FAMILLE PERRIN TAVEL 2015 - AC, Rhône, France (#680801) (XD) - $19.95
  • MIRAVAL ROSÉ 2015 - AP Côtes de Provence, France (#042584) (XD) - $22.95

Sparking Wine:

  • DOMAINE ALLIMANT-LAUGNER BRUT CRÉMANT D’ALSACE - Méthode Traditionnelle, AC Alsace, France (#030593) (D) - $19.95


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  • Date publishedFriday, July 1, 2016

EastDell Pinot Grigio 2015 and Black Cab 2014 - Ontario Wines for Canada Day Long Weekend

Here are a pair of fun summer wines suitable for the patio or relaxing at the cottage. Both the EastDell Pinot Grigio and the Black Cab have been on shelves at the LCBO for many years, but the latest vintage for each wine arrives with a brand new look. I must say, the new look is sharp, modern, and maybe even a little classy. These local wines are made in an easy drinking, crowd-pleasing style, and ideal for your Canada Day long weekend celebrations.

EastDell Black Cab 2014 and EastDell Pinot Grigio 2015

Tasting Notes:

EASTDELL PINOT GRIGIO 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#065367) (D) - $13.95
Screw cap. Aromatic nose offers ripe pear, green apple, and floral with hints of herbally notes. The palate is fleshy with delicate acids. Slightly sweet with stone fruit, white peach, melon, and green apple flavours, but finishes dry with some stony minerality. Good length. Made in a crowd-pleasing style. Score: 85 pts

EastDell Pinot Grigio 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (85 pts)

EASTDELL BLACK CAB 2014 - VQA Ontario, Canada (#609875) (D) - $13.95
Screw cap. Blend of 40% Baco Noir, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc. Meaty, smoky, vanilla aromas mingle with blackberry and black cherry on the nose of medium+ intensity. The medium-bodied palate has just a kiss of sweetness, showing ripe blackberry, black cherry, cranberry flavours, with a touch of chocolate. It has balanced acids smooth tannins, and good length on the finish. This wine comes in sizes ranging from 200 mL all the way up to Double Magnum (3000 mL), all of which are available at the LCBO. Score: 87 pts

EastDell Black Cab 2014 - VQA Ontario, Canada (87 pts)


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  • Date publishedWednesday, June 29, 2016

Piazzano Blend 2 2013 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Opened up this red wine blend . It comes from the family-owned and operated estate of Fattoria di Piazzano in Tuscany, Italy and will be available on LCBO VINTAGES shelves on .

This particular wine is the 2nd of two red wine blends made by the family (the first is called "Blend 1"), and is fermented using native yeasts in cement tanks. Malolactic fermentation and ageing in French oak barriques for one year. Further ageing occurs in bottle for 6-8 months prior to release.

Piazzano Blend 2 2013 - IGT Toscana, Italy (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

PIAZZANO BLEND 2 2013 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#455493) (XD) - $24.95
This blend consists of nearly equal portions (34/33/33%) Colorino, Sangiovese and Malvasia nero. Black plum aromas from the cork. Opens with yummy raspberry floral notes that give way to pungent earthy, bay leaf, herbal nose with hints of blackberry and dark cherry. It's light-to-mid weighted on the palate with light, dusty tannins providing texture. Earthy, cherry, and clove flavours, with juicy acids. Long, forest floor, cocoa-dusted finish. Enjoy over the next 2-4 years. This goes well with dark chocolate. Score: 89 pts


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  • Date publishedTuesday, June 28, 2016

Top Wines from Savour Australia Wine Tasting - May 2016

This mid-May tasting titled "Savour Australia" featured wines from about 25 wineries and was held in a compact room at George Restaurant on Queen Street East. At times, the room felt very small due to the high number of people in attendance. Overall, there were many high quality wines at various price points. As is the case with most tastings, many of the wines are not available at the LCBO, but can be ordered through the winery's representing Agent here in Ontario. Many wines from Australia at this tasting were most definitely savoured and highly recommended. Here are some of my favourite Australian wines from this tasting.

Tasting Notes:

CIRILLO 1850 ANCESTOR SEMILLON 2011 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#250281) (XD) - $42.65
Vines from 1849 and produced by the 9th generation of this family-owned winery, this Semillon has a very appealing and highly aromatic nose of mineral, wet stone, white flowers and hints honey. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with a creamy mouthfeel and tart lime and mineral flavours. It is a dry wine with very good acids and excellent length on the finish. Excellent wine will age for at least 5 years. Superb! Contact Bokke Wines for availability. Now available online at LCBO.com and at the Eglinton & Laird LCBO. Score: 92 pts

Cirillo 1850 Ancestor Semillon 2011 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (92 pts)

HOLLICK RAVENSWOOD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 - Coonawarra, South Australia (XD) - $75
Highly aromatic with elegant notes of sweet spice, red and black fruits, currant, cassis, hints of pencil lead and slightly jammy fruit notes, all of which echo very nicely on the full-bodied palate. Acids are juicy and mouth-watering, while the finish is excellent. Tannins are firm and drying, but also provide very good structure. This should be better in 2-3 years and drink well for at least decade. Contact Lifford Wine & Spirits for availability. Score: 92 pts

Hollick Ravenswood Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 - Coonawarra, South Australia (92 pts)

ALPHA BOX & DICE APOSTLE SHIRAZ DURIF 2012 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (XD) - $50
This 85/15 blend of Shiraz and Durif (aka Petite Sirah) has a medium-to-high intensity nose of red, black and purple fruits intermingling with sweet spice, herbs, mint and violets. On the palate, it is full-bodied and offers complex aroma replays framed by very good acidity and integrated tannins. In my excitement, I guess I forgot to take a photo of this absolutely delicious wine! Score: 91+ pts

STONIER CHARDONNAY 2015 - Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia (#025353) (XD) - $35
Medium-high intensity nose that's fresh and clean with bright orchard fruits and pear aromas. The mouthfeel is full with a nice texture and pleasing aroma replays on the palate. It has very good acidity and finishes long. Very well-balanced. 30% barrel fermented. Contact Select Wines to order. Score: 90+ pts

Stonier Chardonnay 2015 - Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia (90+ pts)

KILIKANOON MORT'S BLOCK RIESLING 2015 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#428342) (XD) - $19.95
A medium-to-high intensity nose offers lovely petrol aromas with underlying mineral and wet rock along hints of stone fruit, all of which show up on the flavour profile. There's some sweetness on the palate, but is shaded by bright acids. Minerally finish is long and dry with hints of citrus. Should arrive in VINTAGES in the Fall. Contact Charton Hobbs for quicker availability. Score: 90+ pts
Kilikanoon Mort's Block Riesling 2015 - Clare Valley, South Australia (90+ pts)



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  • Date publishedFriday, June 24, 2016

VINTAGES Release June 25: Southern France + Canada Day

LCBO Wine Picks from VINTAGES Release June 25, 2016
The VINTAGES Release on June 25 features wines from southern France as its main theme, while the mini-theme highlights some wines for a Canada Day picnic. All these wines will be on LCBO VINTAGES shelves this coming Saturday.

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

Domaine de l'Alba l'Ermite 2013 - AC Corbières, Midi, France (88 pts)

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

Henry of Pelham Reserve Baco Noir 2013 - VQA Ontario, Canada (90 pts)Southbrook Triomphe Organic Cabernet Franc Rosé 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (88 pts)

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

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

Enjoy my wine recommendations for this week. Cheers!

Red Wine:

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

Ca' Viola Brichet Barbera d'Alba 2012 - DOC, Piedmont, Italy (91 pts) Monte del Frá Lena di Mezzo Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2011 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (92 pts)

White Wine:

  • JARDIN INSPECTOR PÉRINGUEY CHENIN BLANC 2014 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#443473) (XD) - $15.95
  • BERSANO GAVI DI GAVI 2014 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#999979) (XD) - $16.95  reviewed here
  • EL GORDO DEL CIRCO VERDEJO 2014 - DO Rueda, Spain (#441220) (XD) - $17.95
  • CAVE SPRING ESTATE BOTTLED GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2013 - Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#302059) (D) - $17.95
  • PARKER COONAWARRA ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2014 - South Australia (#447029) (XD) - $19.95
  • ST. URBANS-HOF OLD VINES RIESLING 2014 - Qualitätswein, Mosel, Germany (#995746) (M) - $21.95  reviewed here
  • HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE RIESLING 2014 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (D) - $23.95
  • DOMAINE BOTT-GEYL SCHOENENBOURG GRAND CRU RIESLING 2012 - AC Alsace, France (#456970) (D) - $50.95  FSE
  • TOLPUDDLE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2013 - Tasmania, Australia (#447045) (XD) - $58.95  FSE
Bersano Gavi di Gavi 2014 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (88 pts)

Rosé Wine:

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

Dessert Wine:

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


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