Archive for June, 2009

The Local Riesling Club

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

vinelandThe Local Riesling Club
There’s no such organization, but maybe I should form one! There are lots of fans of local Riesling because it can be so good. Except in the 2007 vintage when it lost its edge and went flat.  Flat or smooth are not a good thing in Riesling. The 08’s seem to be back on track and I’ll be reporting as they become available over the summer.

A must for lazy summer sloshing on the deck or dock is Vineland 08 Semi-Dry Riesling. Delicious fruitiness, tons of zest and a wonderful happy feeling. Guaranteed to make you glad you took the day off! So fresh, it feel drier than its labeling and only nine percent alcohol. One of the gems in local wine.

Vineland 08 Semi-Dry Riesling, VQA Niagara 232033 $13.95
If you’re a real keener for something exclusive, check out Twenty Twenty Seven Cellars 08 ‘Featherstone Vineyard’ Riesling. Only a 100 cases made and selling for $24.95. It’s razor sharp, pure as snow and low alcohol. Classic dry Riesling. Only flavours now are wet stone but give it a year or three. (A second wine ‘Falls Vineyard’ has less presence). 2027 is a virtual winery creation by a Niagara College graduate, Kevin Panagapka. He has worked at Creekside, Flat Rock, Hillebrand, Thirty Bench – the winery name is his grape grower registration number. Available at Featherstone Winery in Vineland or from Kevin at 2027cellars@gmail.com

Twenty Twenty Seven Cellars 08 ‘Featherstone Vineyard’ Riesling, VQA Twenty Mile Bench $24.95

More Featherstone Wines

by Kato on June 29, 2009 in Travel Notes, Wine Picks with No comments

featherlogox240In addition to the previous recommended Featherstone 08 Riesling ‘Old Vines’ VQA Twenty Mile Bench $16.95, Featherstone also has an excellent dry Riesling ‘Old Vines’ of their own. Seriously tart and needs a year.

If you’re there check out the off-dry Rosé. Lots of zest for party sipping or alfresco meals. Featherstone is a genuine cottage winery and you’ll not meet nicer folks than owners David and Louise. Best newsletter in Niagara.

Featherstone 08 Riesling ‘Old Vines’ VQA Twenty Mile Bench $16.95

Featherstone 08 Rosé VQA Twenty Mile Bench $14.95

P.S. Another Niagara winery showing well with 08 Riesling is Fielding, $16.00. Lots of nervy energy, almost bone dry.

Recession Reds Event at Grano

by Kato on June 28, 2009 in Events, Wine Picks with No comments

grano1CAN YOU HAVE A GREAT WINE LIFE FOR $10?
Billy’s Best Bottles presented a fun night of RECESSION REDS
April 14th, 2009 at Grano restaurant, Toronto.

Over one hundred people tasted 24 reds priced under $10 selected from Billy’s Best Bottles Wines for 2009. These wines were ‘brown bagged’, with no labels showing. Wines were from Italy, France, Portugal, South Africa, Australia, Canada, Chile and Argentina. Everyone voted for their two favourites in Old World and New World categories.

– every wine scored at least ten votes
– there was no runaway winner
– a $11 Ontario red was included and it scored well
– Portugal and South Africa were the winning countries

***Print off the complete list of Recession Reds here (great shopping list!)***

Thanks to all the wine importers who donated generously, and to Roberto and Lucia of Grano for giving over their restaurant for the evening. The spaghetti meatball supper was a hit with everyone.

THE RESULTS
OLD WORLD STYLE: Very dry reds that work best with food. Rustic and refreshing.

JOINT FIRST PLACE OLD WORLD STYLE
Quinta de Crasto 07 Douro ‘Flor de Crasto’ Portugal $9.95 89870
Spinelli 07 Sangiovese, Abruzzi, Italy $7.50 621961
JOINT SECOND OLD WORLD STYLE
Cesari 07 Merlot, Venezie, Italy $7.45 572453
Sogrape 05 Douro ‘Vila Regia’, Portugal $8.15 464388
Alianca 07 Douro ‘Foral’, Portugal $8.50 239046

NEW WORLD STYLE: Rich, spicy/sweet wines that win you over on the first sip. Food or party wines.

FIRST PLACE NEW WORLD STYLE
Familia Zuccardi ‘Fuzion’ 08 Shiraz/Malbec, Argentina $7.45 83188
SECOND PLACE NEW WORLD STYLE
Obikwa 07 Cabernet Sauvignon, South Africa $8.95 665323
JOINT THIRD NEW WORLD STYLE
Ubunto 06 Shiraz, South Africa $9.95 66528
Trapiche ‘Astica’ 08 Merlot/Malbec, Argentina $7.45 359075

ALSO scored well
KWV 07 Cabernet Sauvignon, South Africa $9.95 220004
Long Flat 07 Cabernet/Merlot, Australia $12.85/1 Litre Tetra 24802

P.S. Peller Estates 07 Cabernet/Merlot, VQA Niagara ($10.95 58628), was inserted as a ringer and it finished between the first and second places. Impressive.

grano31

Back to Basics – Cab & Merlot

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

medocCabernet and Merlot originated in France, and they’re still going strong in the Bordeaux region. A cool climate and French wine culture produces a somewhat light and lean edition of these grapes – very different from the Aussie or Chilean efforts. The Bordeaux expression refreshes and invigorates the palate – what’s known as the bistro style. Great with food, but not a lot of fun for party gulping. Especially if you have a low tolerance for dryness.

I enjoy Bordeaux (most are a blend of Cabernet and Merlot) in the summer for the refreshing nature and moderate alcohol levels. The rustic bite also appeals to me – gives the wine a sense of place. Try the following.

CALVET 06 Medoc, Bordeaux  38208 $13.95
Gutsy, invigorating, traditional French wine. Modest alcohol. An elbows on the table, let’s-get-eating feeling. And bring on the second bottle. Offers a refreshing break from today’s world of super smooth rich reds.

Southbrook’s Dry Rosé

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

southbrookroseSOUTHBROOK 08 Cabernet Rosé, VQA Niagara on the Lake
(Winery/Vintages in the Fall) $17.95
Hits a lot of wine spots – refreshing, kinda rich and pleasant. Good for lunch, afternoon or supper. An organic/biodynamic wine that shows the potential of Ontario dry rosé. Premium priced but delivers quality.

P.S. Malivoire’s delicious ‘Ladybug’ Rosé (previous recommendation) will be back in stock on Vintages shelves in a few weeks.

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