VINTAGES Release September 17: Ontario + Local Fall Feast

The upcoming VINTAGES Release on September 17th will be on shelves this Saturday and features fine wines from Ontario as its main theme, while the mini-theme highlights local wines for Fall feasts.

We'll begin with the Ontario wine feature that lists 16 wines, of which only 2 are included among my wine picks. The Featherstone Canadian Oak Chardonnay has been a favourite of mine for a few years now and the 2014 vintage was fermented in barrels made from oak trees grown along the Grand River in Brantford, Ontario. The only other wine included from this feature is a sparkling wine that's crafted in the traditional method of Champagne, but is made using Riesling in a just-off dry style.

For Fall feasts, the wines featured are all from Ontario, and 3 of the 5 wines are included among my wine recommendations. Pair the Hidden Bench Chardonnay with your soup course, Flat Rock's off-dry Riesling can be paired with your main course that can be spicy. Also included is the Keint-He Voyageur Pinot Noir that is ideal for poultry or pork dishes.

From the rest of the release in red wines, there is a Spanish wine made with 100% Prieto Picudo - a local grape relatively unheard of outside of northwestern Spain. From Piedmont is a blend of mostly Barbera and Nebbiolo, while the Ruffino Super Tuscan is a blend of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% Merlot. The Portuguese red is a field blend consisting of Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Touriga Nacional, Jaen, and Alfrocheiro. From France, the Sancerre Rouge is actually made with Pinot Noir, while the mature 2009 Bordeaux red is a classic blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Lastly, the Amarone is a blend of 45% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 15% Rondinella, 5% Molinara, and 5% Dindarella.

In white wines from the rest of the release, both the Sancerre and the Schiopetto are made with Sauvignon Blanc. There's also New World Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and South Africa. Also from the New World is a Viognier and a Chardonnay, both from California. And lastly, there is a Albariño from Spain.

Enjoy my wine picks from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• ESTAY PRIETO PICUDO 2012 - Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León, Spain (#393140) (D) - $15.95  reviewed here
• LANTIDES AGIORGITIKO 2013 - PDO Nemea, Greece (#286708) (XD) - $16.95  reviewed here
• VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2013 - Maipo Valley, Chile (#57513) (XD) - $17.95  reviewed here
• FONTANAFREDDA EREMO LANGHE ROSSO 2012 - DOC, Piedmont, Italy (#454041) (XD) - $17.95
• QUINTA DE SAES RED 2013 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#452771) (XD) - $18.95
• KEINT-HE VOYAGEUR PINOT NOIR 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#373407) (XD) - $19.00  reviewed here
• CHÂTEAU PIERRE DE MONTIGNAC 2009 - AP Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#437954) (XD) - $23.95
• ROGER & DIDIER RAIMBAULT SANCERRE ROUGE 2013 - AC, Loire, France (#446401) (XD) - $28.95
• RUFFINO MODUS 2012 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#912956) (XD) - $29.95  reviewed here
• REMO FARINA MONTEFANTE RISERVA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2010 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#063636) (D) - $59.95

 

White Wine:

• MAN FAMILY WARRELWIND SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#461004) (XD) - $13.95
• FLAT ROCK RIESLING 2014 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#043281) (M) - $16.95
• ERADUS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015 - Awatere Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand (#225557) (XD) - $18.95
• BONTERRA VIOGNIER 2014 - Mendocino County/Lake County, California, USA (#128900) (D) - $19.95
• TORRES PAZO DAS BRUXAS ALBARIÑO 2014 - DO Rîas Baixas, Spain (#417667) (XD) - $19.95
• FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#149302) (D) - $21.95
• BERNARD REVERDY & FILS SANCERRE 2015 - AC, Loire, France (#200055) (XD) - $26.95
• HIDDEN BENCH CHARDONNAY 2013 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#068817) (XD) - $28.95
• SCHIOPETTO SAUVIGNON 2013 - DOC Collio, Friuli, Italy (#165027) (XD) - $32.95  FSE
• LA CREMA LOS CARNEROS CHARDONNAY 2014 - Los Carneros, California, USA (#184929) (XD) - $39.95  reviewed here

Sparkling Wine:

• THIRTY BENCH SPARKLING RIESLING - Traditional method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#469478) (D) - $34.95

Read More

Estay Prieto Picudo 2012 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is made using a grape that's little-known to most - Prieto Picudo. This grape is native to Spain and offers remarkable colour, acidity, sugar and tannin, resulting in wines of unique taste.

The wine is made by Dominio Dostares, a winery located in the town of Pajares do los Oteros, Castilla e Léon, in northwestern Spain. It is located on a plateau 810 metres above sea level with a continental climate and extreme temperatures. This winery produces only red and rosé wines from Prieto Picudo.

Like the 2011 Cepas Viejas Mencía that I tasted last year, and made by the sister company of Dominio Dostares, the label on this wine also includes braille and other raised elements to enhance to the look and feel, as well as helping those visually-impaired.

This unique red wine will be on LCBO shelves this weekend as part of the upcoming VINTAGES Release on September 17th.

Tasting Note:

ESTAY PRIETO PICUDO 2012 - Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Léon, Spain (#393140) (XD) - $15.95
100% Prieto Picudo sourced from vines more than 90 years old. Black plum, peppery and wild raspberry aromas from the cork. Medium intensity nose offers interesting underbrush and spice nose with hints of floral, wild berry, bramble, black cherry, and blackberry aromas. There's also specks of violet coming through on the nose. The palate is medium-full bodied with grippy tannins and fresh acids. Pleasing aroma replays that are quite complex with vanilla and spice nuances. Long, clean finish. Drinkable now, but should be better in 2+ years. Score: 88 pts

Read More

Mike Weir Limited Edition Riesling 2014 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Sweet wines are ideal for pairing with fiery Indian curries. To match the Chicken Madras that's on the menu tonight at Chez Megz, I elected to open up this off-dry Riesling from Niagara's Mike Weir Winery.

This wine was tasted and picked up at the winery last January during the Icewine Festival and is available at the winery only. I also enjoyed this wine when I visited the winery on a hot day in July during Food Truck Fest. Let's see how it is tonight...

Tasting Note:

MIKE WEIR LIMITED EDITION RIESLING 2014 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#229286) (MD) - $22.95
Screw cap. Clean orange citrus and petrol nose with whiffs of sweet lemon and stony minerality. It's clean and crisp on the palate, slightly fleshy, with pleasing aroma replays of medium-dry sweetness. Acids are juicy, clean and well-balanced. Fine length with some wet stone notes at the tail end of the finish. 10.5% abv. If you like sweeter wines, you will enjoy this! Available at winery only. Paired beautifully with the Chicken Madras as the sweet sugars in the wine helped calm the hot spices in the dish. Score: 89 pts

Read More

SwirlTO - Elevated Beverage Experience in Toronto

At the end of September, you will have the opportunity to heighten your senses at SwirlTO - an elevated beverage experience unlike any other. With no need for tickets or tokens, guests enjoy an all-inclusive night of wine tasting along with spirits and beer tasting for one ticket price. Premium wines, spirits and beers from more than 80 exhibitors, together with exciting entertainment and distinctive food pairings from Oliver & Bonacini make SwirlTO a must-attend event this fall.

Some of the names you'll see there include Beringer, Cesari, Foreign Affair, Henry of Pelham, Masi, Thomas George, Yalumba, Nickel Brook Brewing, and El Dorado.

SwirlTO will also feature the Canadian Whisky Tour presented by the LCBO in The Round Room, bringing guests back in time to indulge in a night of premium beverages and distinctive food pairings. Elegant décor and exuberant entertainment combined with unforgettable tastings will deliver an engaging and tantalizing experience for all the senses.

Meet winery, distillery and brewery principals that will be bringing hundreds of premium products. Each sample will have an exclusive pairing created by Oliver & Bonacini. You can also take Master Classes in wine and spirits. It’s an all-inclusive evening for the novice, enthusiast and expert.

As a bonus for my readers, use SwirlTO Promo Code VWP10 and save $10 off your tickets. Click here to buy your tickets today. Enjoy and see you there!

Event Details:

When:	Friday, September 30, 2016 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Where:	The Carlu - 7th Floor, 444 Yonge St, Toronto, ON
Tickets:	Save $10 when you use Promo Code VWP10 Buy SwirlTO Tickets Here

Read More

Bodegas del Abad Dom Bueno Mencía 2008 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine was purchased back in 2012 from the VINTAGES Release on December 8th.

Mencía has been one of my favourite varietals for a while now, ever since I tasted the Crianza from this same producer back in 2014.

This red wine has been popping up in VINTAGES periodically since 2012 and is currently available at the LCBO. Click on the product code below to see if your local LCBO has it in stock.

Tasting Note:

BODEGAS DEL ABAD DOM BUENO MENCÍA 2008 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#291989) (XD) - $15.95
Dark plum and wet forest floor aromas from the cork. Medium+ aromatics offering barnyard, earth, sweet spice and blackberry. It is full-bodied with warm blackberry, black cherry, cedar, earthy, and meaty flavours. Acids are mouthwatering. Tannins are dense, grainy, and a bit rough. Plenty of earthy, savoury notes on the long finish. Drink this earthy red wine over the next 2-3 years. Score: 88+ pts

Read More

VINTAGES Release September 3: Chile + Burgundy

The wines from the LCBO VINTAGES Release on September 3rd will be on shelves this coming Saturday and features wines from Chile as its main theme, while the secondary theme is Burgundy. Interestingly, there's no Local Talent feature; instead, there are 4 fine Scottish single malt whisky's from Glenfarclas to commemorate the 150th anniversary of a storied Canadian regiment.

We'll begin with the feature on Chile that focuses on the country's three distinct winemaking zones - Costa (the coast), Entre Cordilleras (area between coast and mountains) and the Andes. In all, there are 14 wines featured and 4 are included among my wine picks. From Costa is a Sauvignon Blanc, while the Entre Cordilleras gives us the De Martino Cabernet Sauvignon and the Junta Syrah/Carménère (65/35 blend). From the Andes is a perennial favourite of mine - the Concha y Toro terrunyo Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a single block from the Pirque Vineyard, a vineyard located along the Maipo River, near the foothills of the Andes.

Eight wines make up the Burgundy theme and two are included in my wine recommendations. Both the Montagny and the 1er Cru Chablis are unoaked Chardonnays that showcase fruit and terroir. The Bourgogne Chardonnay is found near the back of the magazine as a Flagship Store Exclusive (FSE) and is also an unoaked Chardonnay.

From the rest of the release in red wines, the Rompesedas is a mature wine made with Tinta de Toro (a.k.a. Tempranillo), while the Orben is also a Tempranillo from Rioja. Many of my red wine picks are single varietals, but the Gigondas is a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre.

In white wines, there are quite a few options if you enjoy sweeter wines. At the dry-er end (i.e. less sweet) is the Gewürztraminer, followed by the semi-sweet Pinot Gris. Going up the sweet scale a few more notches are a pair of Spätlese (i.e late harvest) wines made using Riesling and a local German varietal called Siegerrebe.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Salud!

Red Wine:

• WITS END LUNA SHIRAZ 2014 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#311258) (XD) - $17.00
• JUNTA MOMENTOS RESERVE SYRAH/CARMÉNÈRE 2014 - Curicó Valley, Chile (#464396) (XD) - $16.95
• DE MARTINO LEGADO RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Maipo Valley, Chile (#205674) (XD) - $18.95
• IL MOLINO DI GRACE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2012 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#085209) (D) - $19.95
• ZUCCARDI Q MALBEC 2013 - La Consulta and Vista Flores Vineyards, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#723478) (D) - $19.95
• ROMPESEDAS 2006 - DO Toro, Spain (#425868) (D) - $19.95
• LA CREMA PINOT NOIR 2014 - Monterey County, California, USA (#367896) (XD) - $26.95  reviewed here
• LAVAU GIGONDAS 2013 - AC, Rhône, France (#234955) (XD) - $29.95  reviewed here
• CONCHA Y TORO TERRUNYO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Las Terrazas Block, Pirque Vineyard, Pirque, Maipo Valley, Chile (#562918) (XD) - $29.95
• AUNTSFIELD SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2013 - Southern Valleys, South Island, New Zealand (#361246) (XD) - $31.95
• STAGS’ LEAP WINERY PETITE SIRAH 2013 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#590356) (D) - $39.95
• ORBEN 2011 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#191379) (XD) - $39.95

White Wine:

• ORO DE CASTILLA VERDEJO 2015 - DO Rueda, Spain (#745562) (XD) - $15.95
• ANSELMANN EDESHEIMER ROSENGARTEN SIEGERREBE SPÄTLESE 2014 - Prädikatswein, Pfalz, Germany (#910554) (S) - $16.95
• CAVE SPRING ESTATE BOTTLED GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2013 - Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#302059) (D) - $17.95  reviewed here
• VIGNERONS DE BUXY BUISSONNIER MONTAGNY 2014 - AC, Burgundy, France (#382879) (XD) - $19.95
• ERRAZURIZ ACONCAGUA COSTA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015 - Aconcagua Costa, Chile (#462614) (XD) - $19.95
• WEINGUT VOLLENWEIDER WOLFER GOLDGRUBE GOLDKAPSEL RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2009 - Mosel, Germany (#464727) (S) (375 mL) - $27.95  FSE
• JOSEPH CATTIN HATSCHBOURG TRÉSOR DES SEIGNEURS PINOT GRIS 2013 - AC Alsace Grand Cru, France (#260240) (M) - $27.95
• OLIVIER LEFLAIVE BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY 2014 - AC, Burgundy, France (#942482) (XD) - $29.95  FSE
• DOMAINE HAMELIN BEAUROY CHABLIS 1 ER CRU 2014 - AC, Burgundy, France (#391805) (XD) - $32.95  reviewed here
• KISTLER LES NOISETIERS CHARDONNAY 2014 - Sonoma Coast, California, USA (#251223) (XD) - $99.95

Rosé Wine:

• MIMI EN PROVENCE GRANDE RÉSERVE ROSÉ 2015 - AP Côtes de Provence, France (#452573) (XD) - $18.95

Fortifieds:

• TORRES FLORALIS MOSCATEL ORO - Spain (#642173) (S) (500 mL) - $15.95  reviewed here
• BURMESTER 10-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT - DOP, Portugal (#223958) (S) - $28.95

Read More

La Crema Pinot Noir 2014 (Monterey) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a lovely Pinot Noir that will be in LCBO VINTAGES on September 3.

Made by La Crema, the grapes for this wine come from a winery nestled in a long valley in Monterey, California. On one end of the valley is Monterey Bay, while on the other end is Central California.

La Crema has been making wine since 1979, with an emphasis on small-batch winemaking and a commitment to sustainability. The winery's philosophy of gentle handling produces uniquely expressive, elegant and quality wines such as this Pinot Noir.

Tasting Note:

LA CREMA PINOT NOIR 2014 - Monterey County, California, USA (#367896) (XD) - $26.95
Red and black cherry with hints of black plum and tea from the cork. Lifted nose of red cherry, raspberry, and black tea layered on top of earthy aromas. The palate is medium-bodied and very juicy with more aroma replays shining through along with some cedar oak flavours. There's fresh, juicy acidity on the mid-palate, and supple tannin that will allow for short-term ageing. Plenty of earthy, forest floor flavours on the long finish. Well made and a pleasure to sip. Score: 89 pts

Read More