‘STEAK DINNER’
Hillebrand’s Trius Red is now in its 20th vintage – a legend in local wine. It’s produced from the Bordeaux grape varieties (Cabs and Merlot) and I like how it manages to feel both stylish and crowd-pleasing. Fancy but not pretentious. The Canadian way. The early vintages of Trius were made by a French guy, and now it’s the work of an Aussie winemaker. A very fitting wine for an international event.
HILLEBRAND 08 Trius Red, VQA Niagara 303800 (Vintages Essential) $21.9
‘A COLD GLASS OF SOMETHING COLD & FUN’
This is the wine to have open in your fridge for short episodes of Olympic watching. The spicy, zesty quality of Gewurztraminer delivers an instant lift – a shot of fun. And Jackson-Triggs is the official wine sponsors of the games. Everyone wins.
JACKSON-TRIGGS 07 Gewurztraminer, VQA Niagara 526269 $11.95
‘PREMIUM SIPPING REDS’
Here’s a thought. If we’re watching our athletes competing against the best why shouldn’t we be sipping on some of our best wines? TV watching is usually associated with low quality drinks, but it doesn’t have to be. Why not multi-task – double the fun – with interesting wine experiences?Not the super-expensive, but certainly an upgrade.
Everyone loves Pinot Noir and it’s one of Canada’a best performers. Several wineries produce gold medal quality editions but I’d like to recommend a pair of ‘silvers’ that are more affordable and suited to mid-week sipping. Pelee’s Pinot is a bit of a secret and a great value. A lively partner for pizza. Prospect’s Pinot is more mellow and West Coast. Think hot ‘n spicy foods.
PELEE ISLAND 08 Pinot Noir Reserve, VQA Pelee Island 135939 $14.75
Prospect Winery 07 Pinot Noir ‘Fats Johnson’, VQA Okanagan Valley 92304 $15.95
‘THE POWER OF THE UNDERDOG’While it would be ‘cool’ to match local wines with each Olympic sport I’m not doing it because I didn’t get the contract. Nobody did. Besides it’s probably illegal to mention wine on sports programs. A TV producer once told me that I couldn’t be shown pouring or drinking the wine I was discussing on his program. Perhaps they should edit athletes doing risky somersaults or traveling at speeds in excess of 20 clicks!
As you know I’m into matching wine with mood/situation so this and future Olympic picks is based on how you’re feeling or what you’re eating.
Eating a burger while watching hockey, curling or scantily clad skaters? Several glasses of Henry’s Baco Noir will put you in a relaxed, quietly confident mood. Baco is the under dog red – very Canadian.
HENRY of PELHAM 07 Baco Noir, VQA Ontario 270926 $13.65
THE LOW DOWN: My favourite wines from the previous two releases were Côtes du Rhône, and now this release features that region (the southern Rhône). Yippee!! My five picks this week are out-and-out charmers. So warm and cuddly you may not want the winter to end.
I’m also recommending a pair of New World rich reds that are crafted with the northern Rhône Grape, the Syrah. From the Kosher feature there’s a lovely, mid-range, South African Chardonnay, and a superb Cava from Spain.
WHITES
wine style: fresh, sparkling white
ELVI WINES Cava ‘Adar’, Spain 156737 $17.95
Classic Champagne-style sparkling at a bargain price. Yeasty and super refreshing. A super wine to kick-off any event. Kosher.
wine style: fresh white
MASSERIA ALTEMURA 08 Fiano, Puglia, Italy 159475 $13.95
Lovely mineral freshness, pure, delicate flavours and gulpability. The Fiano grape is an Italian original. Ideal summer house wine.
wine style: fresh white
PLANALTO 08 Douro, Portugal
586420 $13.95
Here’s a crisp refresher to bring out on a summer’s evening. Shades of Sauvignon Blanc, but different.
wine style: nice ‘n easy white
VINELAND ESTATES 07 Riesling ‘St. Urban’, VQA Twenty Mile Bench 38117 $20.00
Dry Riesling that feels a touch sweet because the flavours are honeyed and delicious. Spring-like purity and a carefree feeling. Low alcohol. An afternoon, or anytime sipper.
wine style: fresh/nice n’easy white
BACKSBERG 09 Chardonnay, Paarl, South Africa 156661 $16.95
This non-oaked Chardonnay delivers freshness, fruitiness and friendliness. Feels classy too. Just a lovely glass of wine. Kosher.
wine style: rich white
CHRISTOBAL 09 Chardonnay ‘1492’ Mendoza, Argentina 144402 $11.95
A real crowdpleaser. Fruity, spicy and slightly sweet – yummy. Partygoers delight.
wine style: rich white
MARGAN 08 Chardonnay, Hunter Valley, Australia 141986 $15.95
Aussie Chard with a down to earth feeling. Refreshing too. A good drink and, a good food partner. Very bistro.
wine style: rich white
PELLER ESTATES 07 Chardonnay ‘Private Reserve’, VQA Okanagan Valley 618298 $17.95
Super, super rich Chard for a lot less than twenty dollars. Huge concentrated, vanilla sweet flavours – the Jack Daniels of white wine. A sipper.
REDS
wine style: rustic red
ASCHERI 08 Barbera d’Alba ‘Fontanelle’, Piedmont, Italy 982462 $17.95
The vigour and vitality of Italy. Gutsy, up-and-at-them wine. To start your evening and to partner with traditional tomato sauced foods.
wine style: rich red
DOMAINE de DIEUMERCY 07 Côtes du Rhône, France 155507 $12.95
Warm feelings combined with spicy, peppery, earthy flavours. Very nourishing. A lot of wine character for the price. Any food, anytime.
wine style: rich red
LES VIGNERONS de ROAIX 07 Côtes du Rhône Villages, France 156000 $13.95
Rich, lush and concentrated. A best friend on Winter nights. Luxury at an everyday price.
wine style: rich red
TERRES d’AVIGNON 07 Côtes du Rhône ‘Les Cardinalices’, France 155473 $14.95
All the lovely Rhone features with a lively, gutsy feeling. Dangerously gulpable. Get two bottles, cook dinner and live the bistro life.
wine style: rich red
DOMAINE SAINT-PIERRE 06 Vacqueyras, Côtes du Rhône Villages, France 130013 $25.95
A whopper of richness, spicy flavours and charm. Deep, dark and mysterious. Be prepared to be seduced. A Middle Eastern style lamb dish would be heavenly. Or just hit the couch.
wine style: rich red
CAVE de RASTEAU 07 Gigondas ‘Ortas’, Côtes du Rhône Villages, France 155440 $23.95
Here’s another couch red. Smooth, super rich and yummy. Fireside in a glass.
wine style: rich red
CONO SUR 07 Syrah ‘Vision’, Chile
24661 $15.95
Rich meets rustic. Chile meets France. Big wine with an earthy tang. Rich wine that’s good with food. Cono Sur scores again.
wine style: rich red
LOMOND ESTATE 08 Syrah, Cape Agulhas, South Africa 146464 $19.95
Another New World red with a French feeling. There’s vitality to partner the dark, earthy flavours. Could be aged a year or two.
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