Archive for May, 2009

Taste Spring in a Glass

by Kato on May 30, 2009 in Wine Picks with No comments

caliterra-reserva_sauvignon_blancIt’s time for my favourite Spring ritual – a glass of Sauvignon Blanc
on the patio, or in the garden. On a warm day in early May I like to
take a well chilled bottle of Sauv Blanc to a spot in the sun – pour
myself a glass – and feel this great season.

Sauvignon Blanc is the extremely fresh member of the white wine
family. Invigorating for sure. The flavours are herbal, grassy and
just what we need to blow away the cobwebs of winter. It’s like having
a spa day.

I’m recommending a value priced Sauvignon for this event because it delivers wonderful freshness and fun. And it would not let you down should you decide to party on. Look for more Sauvignon Blanc and other fresh white wine recommendations in a few weeks when the local asparagus seasons hits.

CALITERRA 08 Sauvignon Blanc Reserva, Chile 275909 $11.00

Released at LCBO Vintages MAY 2. SANTA JULIA 07 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, Mendoza, Argentina (#93781 $13.95) is an invigorating Cab that hits a middle ground between gutsy and yummy. New World ripe flavours with the refreshing character of a Chianti. The perfect candidate – style and price – for summer house red. Tastes a lot like a $25 wine. Don’t miss this one, which is produced by the Zuccardi family, (the creators of ‘Fuzion’ at regular LCBO stores).

Malivoire Ladybug Rosé

by Kato on May 28, 2009 in Vintages Picks, Wine Picks with No comments

ladybug1Check this local hero out!
Malivoire 08 Rosé ‘Ladybug’, VQA Niagara 559088 $15.95 (Vintages)
Delicious fruitiness, some zest and a fun, drink-me-anytime feeling. Fun new label too. Always one of the best local dry Rosés. Was released this April.

FYI: Dry Rosé is a fantastic food wine….and superb with Indian food!
Check out my 5 Rosé picks from the June 6th Vintages too.

Time for Rosé

by Kato on May 27, 2009 in Wine Picks with No comments

fermeroseThe LCBO’s summer line-up of dry Rosé is now on the shelves and there’s lots to explore. Good values from South America and Spain, but I’m going with La Vieille Ferme again this year. A lovely combo of refreshment and teasing richness found in Rosés from the south of France.
La Vieille Ferme 08 Rosé, Côtes du Ventoux, France 622134 $10.95

Also recommended:
Marquez de Caceres 08 Rosado, Rioja, Spain 622142 $12.55
…dry, refreshing, with some guts. Party or food drink. Always one of the best.

Anakena 08 Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé, Chile 122432 $10.95
…refreshing and flavourful. Lots of character for the price. Good anytime.

P.S. How’s the Fuzion 08 Rosé? Simple, slightly sweet and okay for party gulping.

LCBO Vintages May 23, 2009

by Kato on May 21, 2009 in Vintages Picks, Wine Picks with No comments

THE LOW DOWN: New Zealand reds are the feature and I found three to recommend. The style could be likened to our local reds – bright, lively and appetizing. South African Shiraz and Californian Zinfandel are my favourite BBQ reds – check out Linton Park and Ravenswood. Pelham’s Cuvee Catharine is inching its way towards Champagne in style and quality. Something to celebrate!

A lovely Niagara Pinot Gris, an exuberant Riesling from New Zealand and a knock-out Gewurz from Italy are the pick of the whites. Finally, I recommend you work a little cider refreshment into your summer with Clos Saint-Denis from Quebec.

Cheers!
Billy

P.S. Loved the wine name ‘Hazyblur’, too bad this Aussie red is not worth the $35 price tag.

malivoireStyle: EVERYDAY NICE WHITE
MALIVOIRE 08 Pinot Gris, VQA Niagara 591305 $18.95
Lighthearted, everyday white. Crisp enough to refresh and pleasant enough to gulp. Stylish new packaging. Perfect hostess gift.

kimcrawfordStyle: EVERYDAY NICE WHITE
KIM CRAWFORD 05 Riesling ‘The Mistress’, New Zealand 90134 $24.95
Lemon fresh with delicious fruity sweetness. And the explosion of flavour that happens with aged Riesling. Rich and concentrated enough for supper, but also lively enough for the cocktail hour.

gewurtz1Style: RICH WHITE
CANTINA TRAMIN 07 Gewurztraminer, Alto Adige, Italy 117028 $19.95
Super rich Gewurz from the home of that grape. Gorgeous, exotic flavours. A late summer evening sipper. Sexy stuff.

catharineFRESH SPARKLING
HENRY of PELHAM Brut ‘Cuvée Catharine’, VQA Niagara 616441 $29.95
Austere, stony dry in the Champagne style. ALmost no flavour but full of character – a high note that leaves you hanging and wanting more. Outstanding aperitif. Best batch yet of this wine – and possibly the best ever Brut out of Niagara.

REDS
coopersStyle: (ALMOST) RICH RED
COOPERS CREEK 07 Syrah, New Zealand 120808 $19.95
Fruity, peppery Syrah in the French style. Bright, lively, fun and very gulpable. Great Summer red. Moderate alcohol level.

lintonStyle: RICH RED
LINTON PARK 04 Shiraz, Paarl, South Africa 910844 $15.95
Juicy, peppery, lively and delicious Shiraz for the BBQ season. A little smokiness, a lot of yummy drinkability, and good value. Go get it.

falestateStyle: RICH RED
PALLISER 06 Pinot Noir, Martinborough, New Zealand 120766 $28.95
Spicy, sweet, seductive New World-style Pinot. A charmer for sure. Good with everything. Could spice up your life.

carrickStyle: RICH RED
CARRICK 06 Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand 919837 $39.95
Serious Pinot in the Burgundian-style. Bone dry, firm – traditional red wine character. Could use another year in the bottle.

ravenswood1Style: RICH RED
RAVENSWOOD 06 Zinfandel ‘Vintners Blend’, California 359257 $17.95
Big, bright, spicy Zin. Ton of flavour but not dense or weighty – could have some Beaujolais genes. Fun stuff for all your summer BBQs. Permanently available at all major LCBOs.

saintcrossCIDER
Style: REFRESHING CIDER
CLOS SAINT-DENIS 07 Cider, Quebec 89490 $15.95
Dry cider that kicks in at 10 percent alcohol – a sipper. Refreshing appley flavours with the earthy character of Calvedos. The tartness would hit the spot on a hot afternoon. Lovely cheerful label.

Kato’s Colour Course for Painters

by Kato on May 19, 2009 in Events with No comments

colourcourseCalling all wanna-be painters!
And painters who want to improve their colour awareness.

Check out Kato’s painting with colour workshop. Six wonderful days at the Dunedin Art Retreat near Creemore…July 5 to 10, 2009.

It’s a great place – where you’re connected to nature and given permission to create in a free and intimate surrounding. We’ll learn about colour mixing, colour theory but still you can paint whatever rocks your world. Lots of slides of artists work will be shown and discussed related to colour expression….yoga daily, great food and the most fantastic company! Here’s the PDF for the retreat.

www.katowake.com

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