Thanks to Neil for passing this my way.
Archive for May, 2010
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LCBO Vintages Saturday May 29
THE LOW DOWN: Don’t miss this opportunity to experience wines from France’s Loire Valley. Red and white with bright flavours and a pure, spring-like quality. And a sensational sweetie. There is nothing like these at regular LCBOs.
Niagara Riesling is back on form with the 08 vintage so it’s time to start buying again. I’m recommending a Malbec for all you fans of big reds.
P.S. DRY ROSÉ
Add to my previous list of recommended Rosés from Vintages May 15th release.
MALIVOIRE 09 Rosé ‘Ladybug’, VQA Niagara 559088 $15.95
More pleasant than refreshing. A little smokiness suggests pairing it with BBQ’d foods.
WHITES
wine style: fresh white
HENRY OF PELHAM 08 Reserve Riesling Off-Dry, VQA Short Hill Bench 557165 $15.95
Crisp with beautiful pure flavours and loaded with refreshment. Dancing lightly – a great tease for the palate. Almost bone dry. Age a year or two, or have with your next patio lunch.
wine style: fresh white
STRATUS 08 Riesling, VQA Niagara 131011 $29.20
Already delivering the ‘petrol’ flavours so loved by some Riesling fans. Exuberant, confident and concentrated, with a perfect balance of zest and fruitiness. The austerity of Dry Riesling with a hit of glamour. Expensive but special.
wine style: fresh white
JEAN-MICHEL SORBE 08 Reuilly, Loire, France 168898 $17.95
DOMAINE LECOMTE 08 Quincy, Loire, France 172528 $18.95
These Loire whites offer something different in Sauvignon Blanc – more grace than force. Refreshment with a gentle purr. And a classy feeling.
REDS
wine style: lively red
DOMAINE DU CARROI 08 Chinon ‘Cuvée des Folies’, Loire, France 170241 $13.95
Very tart, very refreshing and a bit of a challenge. This is Cab Franc in its purest form – invigorating, lighthearted stuff for summer lunches and picnics.
wine style: rich red
FINCA EL ORIGEN 08 Malbec Gran Reserva, Mendoza, Argentina 65425 $19.95
Big, jammy, smooth and rich. Move over Merlot. Crowd-pleaser.
SWEET WHITE
CH. SOUCHERIE 02 Coteaux du Layon, Loire, France 952069 $18.95
Luscious, honeyed wine that feels both sweet and refreshing. Best value sweet wine in the world – a MUST buy. And get lots, because this Chenin Blanc wine ages beautifully – usually up to 30 to 50 years!
Welcome to The County
The first week living full-time in The County a guy stopped me on the street and handed me a package. “Hi. My name is Gord and I got you this.” The bag contained two ‘bottle coats’ – the hugging type – with ‘Billy’s Best Bottle’ written on each. What a nice gesture!
I found out later that they’re called wine koozies. Gord is in the promo business and has recently moved to The County along with his artist partner Lori, who operates www.astonesthrowstudio.com. Check out Gord’s line at www.beerkoozies.com
Good Hotel Food
Good Hotel Food in Downtown Toronto
Bb33 bistro and brasserie at the Delta Chelsea (33 Gerard Street West) is much overlooked. Every meal I’ve had there has been outstanding – for food and service. And I love the gigantic ‘countryside’ murals. I know that a lot of out-of-town visitors stay here, so check it out. Clearly the style, talent and enthusiasm of F&B director, Elayne Bassett leads the show. Email Elayne at elbassett@deltahotels.com to join the Bb33 Wine Club and to hear about wine-themed dinners. Tell her I sent you!
www.bb33.ca
Billy’s Online Wine School
Lesson #11: The Fun of a Good Café Red
Our culture is still relatively new to wine, so we tend to go for the big show – especially in reds. We entertain light/refreshing whites as long as we know there’s a blockbuster red to follow. But what about the idea of a red that will refresh, and complement most everyday foods? What the Europeans call café wine. A red to drink with gusto and which has some of the lipsmacking character of white wines. A red to have the minute you get home.
Valpolicella is one of the world’s great everyday reds. Vibrant, juicy and delightful. I drink a ton of the stuff. Chilled ever so lightly. Tommasi makes a good one.
TOMMASI 08 Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy 669150 $13.95
P.S. If you live near a Vintages store you MUST try this Valpolicella. Juicy, furity flavours combined with high energy. A wow for the senses. Very invigorating and an invitation to get pasta on the table – and pour more wine. MONTE DEL FRA 08 Valpolicella ‘Lena di Mezzo’, Vento, Italy 160226 $13.95
