Archive for December, 2009
Deck The Halls with Pink
And I don’t mean blush. I’m delighted to see that pink wine is at last catching on. (Even with the guys. My Men in Pink lunch was a big hit this summer. So why not keep a good thing going?) Rosé with Indian curry is one of my favourite wine and food combinations.It’s also REALLY good with TURKEY, and charcuterie…
We’re talking dry Rosé here, refreshment as well as fun, and of course, served chilled as you do with whites. You also get some of the flavour characteristics of red wine, especially when the Rosé warms up on the table. It partners well with all kinds of food and the colour complements the festive spirit.
Lamberti Chiaretto has been a good staple house Rosé for over a decade. Delicate in flavour and feeling, but with enough refreshment to liven the palate.
For a richer, supper table Rosé, check out the new kid from Ventoux in the South of France. Tasty fruit flavours along with a little earthiness. Very bistro and very good value.
Jackson-Triggs produces a berry flavour Rosé with a touch of sweetness. A good party drink or partner for spicy hot foods.
Lamberti 08 Bardolino Chiaretto ‘Santepietre’, Veneto, Italy 396572 $11.25
Ogier 08 Rosé Ventoux, Rhône, France 134916 $11.95
Jackson-Triggs 08 Cabernet Franc Rosé, VQA Niagara 79467 $13.95
Stock up on Port
Pick a Port!
Port continues to be one of the great values in wine when you consider the age, flavour concentration and overall character of what you’re buying. Get some and celebrate the season, or any cold winter night.
The drink hails from the Douro River Valley in northern Portugal, where it gets hot as hell in summer so the grapes achieve huge ripeness. Port starts out as red wine but while it’s still bubbling in the tank, brandy is added. This kills the fermentation and establishes the nature of Port – a red wine with some unfermented sugars and a fiery kick. A sweet and strong wine. Treat it with respect or you’ll suffer the next day. I’m serious.
There are many label designations for Port – too many – but basically there are only two styles; dark, manly Ports known as Vintage-style, and pale, delicate, feminine, sensual Ports known as Tawny-style. Got that?
Ports labeled Ruby are young, sweet editions of the Vintage style – fun, everyday stuff. The Reserve designation usually means a mix of Vintage and Tawny styles. You see what I mean about too many Port names!
Best times: Some enjoy Port with cheese, fruitcake or nuts . . . but I say best without food.
Taylor Fladgate ‘First Estate’ Port, Portugal 309401 $15.75
Sweet, Ruby-style Port with deep flavours. A good everyday drink.
Ferreira ‘Dona Antonia’ Reserve Port, Portugal 157586 $22.85
The bold flavours of Vintage combined with the mellow, sweet character of Tawny. Take me to your fireside. Would be a great introduction to Port.
Graham’s 03 Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port, Portugal 191239 $17.45
Huge concentration of flavours. Rich and exotic. Warms the body and soul.
Warre’s ‘Otima’ 10-Year-Old, Portugal 566174 $22.85/500ml
The Latin lover– charm and vigour. Sexy Port in a modern package.
Dreaming of Clos Pinot for the Holidays
Niagara’s Clos Jordanne has just released its 2007 Pinots and Chardonnays ($25-70) and they are as impressive as the previous releases from this organic winery. I think that the Chardonnays will need a year to lose their youthful sweetness and the single vineyard Pinot will certainly be more together with time. However, there’s one Pinot that’s ready to go and it’s the Village-Reserve, which happens to be the least expensive – and has always been one of my favourites from this winery.
I like it for its vitality, its rustic country feeling and honesty. Sure the high-priced single vineyard wines may be prettier and more gifted, but the Village-Reserve is more down-to-earth and a more engaging drink and food partner. It will keep you at the table and suggest a second bottle. The original purpose of wine.
Winery manager Thomas Bachedler has done an amazing job with Le Clos and just in case you missed my earlier blog, the good news is the wines are now sold at Wine Rack stores.
Le Clos Jordanne 07 ‘Village Reserve’ Pinot Noir, VQA Niagara
$25 Wine Rack stores Vintages 33894
P.S. Le Clos Jordanne is one of the few premium Niagara wines marketed internationally (other than Icewine). Too bad the label is so conservatively nice! How Canadian eh.
Better Get the Bubbly
People seem to be scared of buying sparkling wine. More people buy illegal drugs than bubbly. Of course, I don’t have the figures to back this up but talking someone into sparkling is as challenging as getting someone to quit smoking.
A winemaker once told me that ‘the moment is never worthy’ and I guess that’s where we make the call. Is the moment worthy? New Years and weddings are for most a worthy occasion, but that’s more custom than choice. And it’s hardly intimate or something of your own doing.
I stated making sparkling a daily ritual when I realized that everyday is worth celebrating (well, almost). It’s a habit thing just like a hobby that puts a shine on your day.
What about the cost, you might ask? A glass of Cava or Prosecco costs only slightly more than still wine and my daily glass is only four ounces – that fills my tall, slender tumbler. A bottle or two lasts the week. Don’t forget to have on hand a champagne stopper – like a corkscrew this is an essential wine tool.
Bubbly recommendations coming next!
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....