The Macon region in Burgundy produces the best non-oaked Chardonnay in the world. Crisp, clean and refreshing – with a classy feeling. Bouchard’s wine is a lovely summer evening aperitif, or partner for seafood. Check it out at the discounted price.
Bouchard Pere & Fils 07 Macon Lugny St. Pierre, Burgundy, France 51573 $14.95
(on sale for $13.45 July 19th to August 15th)
With all the jazzy 08 Sauvignon’s arriving from down under countries it’s easy to think that 07 locals may be past their expiry date. Henry certainly isn’t. It’s mild flavoured – but turbo charged with citrussy refreshment. Drinks like a dip in the cool lake. Fantastic summer house wine. Handy screwcap.
Henry of Pelham 07 Sauvignon Blanc, VQA Niagara 430546 $14.95
…and a Rosé too!
Lighthearted, sort of fruity, sort of refreshing – but mainly fun. A low alcohol gulper for any sunny day. Lighthearted price too. Handy screwcap.
Henry of Pelham 07 Rosé Dry, VQA Niagara $12.45 ($11.45 July 19 to August 15)
THE LOW DOWN: A very good release, and most of my selections are in the $15.95 range. Seize this opportunity to experience wines not generally available – the whites in particular. My four Italian picks are exciting and delightful drinks that bring something new to the market. Wine styles that are less showy than Chard or Sauv and certainly more versatile. Try having ALL FOUR over a weekend. A South African Chenin and a local dry Riesling make it half a dozen excellent whites.
Rosé lovers will be delighted to see the return of Mas des Bressades and Codorniu’s Rosé sparkler. Both amazing values.
Rivera’s red offers something different from Puglia as does my super-rich red from Penedes in Spain. Fans of thraditional reds will enjoy the Bordeaux and Sassella.
Get out this Saturday!
SPARKLING
Style: Fresh Sparkling
CODORNIU Pinot Noir Brut Cava, Spain 665372 $16.95
Here’s the perfect summer aperitif/party starter. Tart and super-refreshing, mildly flavoured and lighthearted. An invitation to put more sparkling in your life. Especially Rosé.
WHITE
Style: Fresh
PELLER ESTATES 07 Riesling ‘Private Reserve’, VQA Niagara 641969 $15.95
The mouth grabbing bite of Ontario Dry Riesling – as refreshing and pure as mountain snow. Wine to get the senses in gear and restore some energy on a hot day. Low alcohol for gulping. One of the few good local Rieslings from the 07 vintage.
Style: Fresh White
DUCA di QUADRI CATEMARIO 07 Pinot Grigio, Friuli, Italy 120782 $14.95
Classical Friuli P.G. – lean, refreshing with just a tease of fruit. Wonderful aperitif, patio lunch partner or anytime refresher. Not to be confused with the more commercial, easy drinking editions of this grape.
Style: Nice/Easy
NAPA CELLARS 07 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, California 127027 $19.95
The zesty, invigorating character of this grape with a hit of Californian niceness. Perfect. Chill, pour and be happy. A bottle to share with favourite neighbours.
Style: Nice/Easy
MAN VINTERS 08 Chenin Blanc, South Africa 126847 $13.95
Pretty, semi-rich with yummy, honeyed flavours. A streak of tartness provides liveliness. Shades of Viognier. Something delicious and different for summer sipping.
P.S. Chenin is South Africa’s workhorse grape that gets crafted in a huge variety of styles.
Style: Nice/Easy
PALA 07 Nuragus ‘Salnico’, Sardinia, Italy 120998 $14.95
Something different and wonderful from a Sardinian grape called Nuragus. You get a hit of Sauvignon zest, Chardonnay creaminess and Pinot Grigio friendliness. How good is that! Makes me want to be at a Mediterranean café with a platter of seafood, but I’ll settle for anywhere with good company.
Style: Nice/Easy
CANTINA SANTADI 07 Vermentino ‘Villa Solais’, Sardinia 121129 $15.95
Another Italian white that delivers many favourite things. Such as the mineral freshness of Chablis, the sexy aromatics of Moscato and the instant good cheer of something Californian. Too delicious for words. Get lots. Spicy chicken or pork would be a good food partner. Vermentino is another Sardinian white grape.
Style: Fresh
DUCA di CASTELMONTE 08 Zibibbo ‘Gibele’, Sicily, Italy 121103 $16.95
The gorgeous aromas and flavour of Muscat set in a tart, refreshing wine. Beauty and liveliness. Heavenly on a summer day. Patio sipper for sure – but on a sailboat would be even better. Zibibbo is the Sicilian name for Muscat of Alexandria.
RED
Style: Rustic
CONTI SERTOLI SALIS 04 Sassella, Valtellina, Lombardy, Italy 119479 $28.95
Sassella tastes a lot like Barbaresco (and Burgundy) – tangy dry with a strong sense of the earth. A fall day in the country feeling. The perfect wine partner for a herb roasted chicken or mushroom risotto.
P.S. This was released in June but is still available.
Style: Rustic
KATNOOK 05 Shiraz ‘Founder’s Block, Coonawarra, Australia 108167 $17.95
Yes, an Aussie Shiraz in the rustic style. Gutsy and refreshing. Sure it’s kinda rich but mainly it’s about the invigorating qualities of traditional wines. For beef or lamb, but not the party room.
Style: Rich
CH. AMPELIA 05 Côtes de Castillon, Bordeaux, France 500330 $25.00
Bordeaux crafted in a modern rich style – while still retaining the traditional gutsy, earthy style. Loaded with personality and not afraid to challenge and invigorate the palate. Lovely pure expression of Bordeaux. A sure way to make your steak taste great. Mainly Merlot grapes.
Style: Rich
RIVERA 06 Nero di Troia,‘Violante’, Castel del Monte, Puglia, Italy 583435 $15.95
Bright flavours with lots vitality to accompany the richness. Shades of a Rhone with Italian gusto. Rivera is one of Puglia’s best producers – there is clarity not found in the other southern reds in this release.
Style: rich
CAN BONASTRE 06 Penedes, Spain 115733 $18.95
Blockbuster, new world style. A great value for fans of super-rich, over-blown reds.
DRY ROSÉ
Style: Dry Rosé
MAS des BRESSADES 08 Rosé ‘Cuvée Tradition’, Costieres de Nimes, France 950576 $13.95
Always the best deal in Rosé from the south of France. Creamy rich with delicious berry flavours and a ton of charm. High alcohol however, so be warned.
Style: Dry Rosé
STRATUS WINERY 07 Wildass Rosé, VQA Niagara 71712 $19.95
Rich, barrel-aged Rosé with some of the sexy feeling of Pinot. Most unusual – certainly a food Rosé. There’s a slight sweetness so I’m thinking BBQ’d chicken with a spicy/hot rub. Or lamb kebabs. Go wild.
Wanted: 50 Good Men for World’s First Ever ‘Men in Pink Luncheon’
Thursday July 16, 2009
Stand up and be counted as a Rosé drinker!
Be seen drinking pink wine in public . . . in the company of other men!
A CELEBRATION OF ROSÉ and THE MEN WHO DRINK IT!
And where better to start the revolution than in Toronto – the home of rights for everyone.
The willow-shaded backyard at Allen’s (143 Danforth Ave., Toronto) will be the setting for the first annual men in pink event. A long, leisurely lunch of grilled summer foods accompanied by a dozen of Ontario’s finest pinks – sparkling, still and sweet.
Please wear something ‘colour appropriate’.
Looking forward to your rosy company.
Thursday July 16
Reception & Tasting at noon,
followed by Lunch at 1:00 pm
Tickets $75 – inclusive of tax, gratuity extra
Reservations by email: maxwell@allens.to
Your Hosts:
Billy Munnelly www.billysbestbottles.com
John Maxwell, proprietor Allen’s on the Danforth
One of my most favourite bar discoveries was here. But you gotta hop a plane to London. First off, let me tell you we’re not talking London Pub here nor a swoosh designer place. The bar at St. John Restaurant is unique in that the space is a covered alleyway so it feels like you’re sitting on a narrow European street.
To your right is the restaurant’s bakery, opposite is the bar and behind you is the restaurant itself. The whole place is painted white so bottles of wine, loaves of bread and blackboards jump out inviting you to have it all. And I tell you I did.
On a Thursday evening I took up position at the bar and helped-out passing drinks to the after-work folks who turned the place into one great party scene. On Friday I returned for a quiet lunch – a little apprehensive that the place may not work in this context, but it did. St John has ‘the bones’ as they say – it’s perfect with or without crowds. As with all good bars the drink and foods are the owners picks. A dozen or two little-known wines from the south of France. Which is what you need to partner the unusual cuts of meat – or ‘nose to tail dining’ as it’s called. But if you’re not up for pig’s head, bone marrow, or ox heart, there’s more regular salads and sandwiches. Everything I tried was delish. The main thing is you are invited into new territory… and isn’t that what going out is all about? A young staff will gladly sample you any wine, and then sell you a bottle or two to go too at retail. All prices are reasonable for London. The restaurant itself is next door, up a few steps and watching the customers come and go is just another part of the fun of hanging out at my bar.
I struggled at first to figure out why St. John bar feels French. There’s no French décor as we know it, but maybe it’s the sound of corks popping and of human interaction.That’s French!
Billy: Yikes! Clearly I didn't drink ENOUGH.
Thanks....
Stu: Oops. Product name next to the photo notes: France. Last time I checke...
Kato: Loved Spain's Gran Feudo we had a few nights ago...great food wine....
billy: Muga is certainly better value than those cheeky French numbers....
Billy: ahem...hey you're suppose to give kudos to your teacher! not talk abou...
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