WORLD’S MOST SEDUCTIVE RED IS NOW AVAILABLE

The LCBO is offering one of the world’s best everyday priced red Riojas. Certainly one of the most seductive. Which is what this wine is all about. I like to call Rioja the original Shiraz – a smooth red wine heavily perfumed with vanilla (from oak casks). It also offers delicious strawberry flavours from the native Spanish grape, Tempranillo. Only poor marketing has prevented Rioja from becoming the most loved red wine in the world. Check it out – before, and with any winter meal.Spain 243055 $11.95

ROSEWOOD 09 Pinot Noir, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara (Vintages) 112177 $20.00 (NOW on sale! $18.00)

http://www.rosewoodwine.com

WHITE
Wine-style: Fresh White (Classic Riesling)
HENRY of PELHAM 09 Reserve Off-Dry Riesling, VQA Short Hills Bench  557165 $15.95
Precision, poise and performance. A classic Riesling with the sleek, stylish character of a fast German car. Exciting yin yang of tartness and teasing peachy fruitiness. Quite dry and refreshing right now. Riesling fans should cellars a stash for summer patio lunches over the next five years.

REDS
Wine Style: Lively/Rustic/Rich Red
ALFREDO ROCA 10, Pinot Noir, Mendoza, Argentina 32979 $12.95
Pinot purists stay away. Those looking for something new in lightish reds should get on this right away. I’m calling it my Argentinian Beaujolais. So deliciously gulpable – my bottle was empty in no time. A fun red that I’m stocking-up on for summer events. Best lightly chilled.
Wine Style: Rich Red (Classic Modern Spanish)
BODEGAS CASTANO 06 Reserva ‘Pozuelo’, Yecla, Spain 35485 $14.95
Castano is located in the blazing heat of the south of Spain but this winery manages to produce rich red wines with wonderful fresh flavours and vitality. Not to mention nourishment, mystery and drinkability. Tasty stuff that feels very real. I’ll be drinking lots of this. Yes, it’s from the same winery as La Casona, the $8  bargain at regular LCBOs.

Wine Style: Rich Red (Classic Traditional Spanish)
BODEGAS IGNACIO MARIN 08 Garnacha ‘Old Vine’, Carinena, Spain  214205 $15.95
Crafted in the style of traditional Riojas – lots of vanilla sweetness and old world flavours. Wine that suggests dinner at your favourite Ye Old Mill Restaurant. Not for everyone, but worth exploring.

Wine Style: Rich Red (Classic South of France)
CH. de TREVIAC 08 Corbieres, France  670505 $15.95
France does blockbuster. Really well too. A solid, rich red that’s very together and satisfying. A few years of bottle has brought out some soul. Most New World wineries would charge a lot more for a show this big and interesting. I’ve recommended at least two previous vintages of Ch. Treviac.
Wine Style: Rich Red (Classic Chianti Riserva)
CASA TRIACCA 08 Chianti Classico Riserva ‘La Madonnina’, Tuscany, Italy  191361 $24.95
The woodsy, haunting, rustic feeling of good Chianti Riserva. Satisfying without a trace of excess or adornment. Fit for a King but more of a Country Squire because of the woodsy quality. Best with grilled or roasted meats.

 
P.S. PETALOS 09 Descendientes de L. Palacios, Biero, Spain 675207 $22.95
This red wine (and winemaker) gets rave reviews but I fail to see anything more than density and heft. Sure there’s impact but where’s the drinkability! Maybe in 2–3 years when the wine is less solemn and serious!

I’m doing my best to keep you posted with good stuff from Vintages. Since moving to the country it’s more difficult to attend all the tasting but I hope to find ways to keep bringing you the most interesting offerings. Such as these.
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WHITES
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DUCA di CASTELMONTE 10 Inzola, Sicily 249573 $14.95
Steely dry, low flavoured, with the classy feeling of a fancy French wine such as Chablis. Really works your taste buds and appetite so think aperitif and seafood appetizer. Best on a hot summer evening. Inzola is a native Sicilian grape.

P.S. Italy is the current champion of alternative dry white wines. The place to turn to when you’re tired of Chard, Sauv, etc.
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MURPHY-GOODE 09 Sauvignon Blanc ‘The Fumé’, California 721092 $18.95
Speaking of alternative whites, here’s a novel Sauvignon from California. Mildly herbaceous but mainly it’s a hard to describe fresh ’n tasty wine. I brought a bottle to a party and couldn’t stop drinking it. Wonderful combination of yummy and elegance. Which totally suited the party. Maybe it will be perfect for yours too.
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BAVA 10 Moscato d’Asti, Piedmont, Italy 712547 $14.95
Super-light, low alcohol, semi sweet wine with delicious exotic flavours. One of those novel whites to have open in the fridge for ‘whenever’. Such as Sunday morning, or to get you through an hour with a boring neighbour or inlaw.

P.S. Excited about our BILLY TOUR to visit my buddy Roberto BAVA in October! Read about our tour HERE!
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REDS
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HUNTER’S 09 Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand 586115  $21.95
This is really solid, good, twenty-dollar Pinot. You get a combination of bright New World-style flavours and the drier, earthy feeling of the original from France. Sensual and appetizing. Wow! The perfect wine partner for just about all foods not in the steak camp. And romantic moments.
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COYOTE’S RUN 09 Pinot Noir, VQA Niagara 53090 $19.95
Pinot fans won’t go wild over this but it delivers a decent performance for the price. Freshness, flavour, charm and that uniquely Pinot personality. Shows best with a light chilling and the mood for a light red. Perhaps with a simple take-out BBQ chicken.
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McMANIS 10 Zinfandel, California 256735 $18.95
I like how this Zin combines blockbuster with some playfulness. And delicious bright berry flavours. And a Latino spirit. While you could have it with steak, I think it’s more in the ribs or burger family. More lighthearted. You gotta have a few Zin evenings – with or without food, to get through the winter.

P.S. I’ll be offering my picks from the Jan 21 release next week. Don’t worry, the wines will still be available.

Congrats to Ravine for developing a truly local, and stylish wine experience. While it’s not everyday priced I think you’ll see the value in the experience.

RAVINE 10 ‘Sand & Gravel’ York Road, VQA Niagara 260414  $16.95

This is what’s called a ‘consignment’ wine that you order directly from the agent (by the case) to be shipped to your home, office or weekend condo. While it still will pass through the clutches of the LCBO I like the personal touch of ordering a wine directly from the importer. The guy or gal who selected it. Split the case with a friend if twelve bottles is too much.

MARC KREYDENWEISS 09 ‘Barbabelle’, Costieres de Nimes, Rhone, France  $14.95 Case of 12  $179.40

Order here by clicking on Ontario.
http://www.wineonline.ca/index.php/ci_id/1651/la_id/1/wine_color/red/tax_id/1310

I’ve just had an amazing local red. Not anything that would score big with Mr Parker and followers, nor impress on steak night, nor make your weekend party friends giggle with pleasure. This was a wine of the earth, a soulful drink, an honest drink with the rustic qualities found in old-fashioned Bordeaux reds.

So often local (and elsewhere) winemakers feel the need to soften/sweeten/tame the wild character in Cabernet Franc, but not Charmes. This is the real thing. A wonderful true expression that’s at peak right now. Best with any simply roasted/grilled meat.

Unfortunately there isn’t much remaining of this Vintages release. Do the store search by clicking on the wine name at http://www.lcbo.ca/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=453415&ITEM_NUMBER=453415&language=EN

CHATEAU DES CHARMES 07 Cabernet Franc ‘St. David’s Bench Vineyard’, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara
453415 $25.95

FRANCOIS LURTON Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Kawin’, Chile 219444 $9.95

LOW ALCOHOL: SPARKLING
 
BOTTEGA Moscato ‘Petalo Il Vino Del Amore’, Italy 588780 $12.35
…super light and semi sweet. Delicious morning drink.

BAREFOOT BUBBLY Moscato, California 215061 $12.95
…exotic, sweet flavours, but also refreshing. Playful.

VINA CASAL DE GORCHS ‘Fresita’, Chile 56697 $13.95
…semi-sweet, strawberry flavoured. Perfect.
 

LOW ALCOHOL: STILL
 
BOTTER N/V Moscato, Puglia, Italy 239517 $9.95
…frothy/sweet/musky and sure to please.

HILLEBRAND 10 Gewurztraminer ‘Artist Series’, VQA Ontario 554378 $11.45
…off-dry, mild-mannered and big on niceness.

McWILLIAM’S 09 Moscato ‘Hanwood Estate’, Australia 212696 $13.95
…semi-sweet and a big charmer.

LANGGUTH 08 Riesling ‘Black Slate’, Mosel, Germany 176917 $10.95
…off-dry. Lovely delicate feeling and flavours.

CONO SUR SPARKLING BRUT, Chile 215079 $13.95
…Cono Sur over-delivers with all its wines

HUNGARIA GRANDE CUVEE BRUT, Hungary 217539 $11.95
…earthy old-world guy.

HILLEBRAND ‘TRIUS’ BRUT, VQA Niagara 215913 $24.95
…confident, characterful local.

MUMM NAPA BRUT ‘PRESTIGE’, California 256678 $27.75
…looks good, tastes good.

NICOLAS FEUILLATTE BRUT CHAMPAGNE, France 537605 $44.95
…a value in the Champagne world.

LOUIS ROEDERER BRUT CHAMPAGNE, France 268771 $62.95 (Vintages Essentials)
…if you’re up for a splurge.
 
PELEE ISLAND ‘SECCO’, VQA Ontario 225946 $15.95
…local answer to Prosecco.

BAREFOOT BUBBLY PINOT GRIGIO, California 106088 $12.95
…high quality party plonk.

YELLOW TAIL BUBBLES, Australia 229039 $13.95
…best Yellow Tail yet. Handy screw top.

As the Holidays are traditionally celebrated with white meats, ham or fish it’s best to set aside Cab and Shiraz and open lighter reds such as Pinot Noir. Other favourable features of Pinot are a slight sweetness, compatibility with a broad range of foods – and most importantly, its natural charm.
 
If Pinot has not been on your Holiday table before you’re not alone. This is my first time recommending it because up till this year it was barely available and certainly not very affordable. I’ll be surprised, (and disappointed), if we don’t see even more availability in 2012.
 
I’ve arranged my picks into three categories so you know what to expect. Of course you’ll have the most fun if you explore all three styles.
 
LIGHT, BRIGHT: These are best suited to early evening sipping, and food, and would be my choice with the big meal. Lightly chill. Bichot’s wine is the best, everyday priced Burgundy red I’ve ever tasted. Could convert a lot of people to light reds. I love the earthy, funky character in Pelee’s wine. Lots of character. Rosewood is light, lively and delicious.
 
ALBERT BICHOT 10 Pinot Noir, Burgundy, France 166959 $14.95
PELEE ISLAND ‘Alvar’ 10 Pinot Noir, VQA Ontario 458521 $14.95
ROSEWOOD 09 Pinot Noir, VQA Twenty Mile Bench 112177 $19.95 (Vintages)
 

SLIGHTLY SWEET, BIG TIME CHARMERS: All of these have picked up vanilla and other spicy notes from time in barrel. They pair well with mildly ‘hot’ foods. And company. Very seductive drinks for Winter parties.
 
BARWICK 09 Pinot Noir, Pemberton, Western Australia 215194 $15.95
STONELEIGH 09 Pinot Noir, New Zealand 54353 $19.95
MISSION HILL 09 Pinot Noir ‘Five Vineyards’, VQA Okanagan 145128 $16.45
HAHN 08 Pinot Noir, Monterey, California 226555 $18.95 954834 $22.95

 
DRY AND UPSCALE: Burgundy is the home of Pinot and these wines are crafted in the dry, French style. A veneer of New World friendliness/richness adds a yummy note to the experience. Delicious, up-scale reds for the big bird, or any time of the year.
 
PIKES & JOYCE 10 ‘Lenswood Hills’ Pinot Noir, Australia 215095 $16.80
MUD HOUSE 08 Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand 190462 $17.95
AMITY 08 Pinot Noir, Oregon 124594 $24.95
 
P.S Pinot is also a great with chocolate. Try medium dark with one of the middle category wines.

LAURENT MIQUEL 10 Chardonnay, VDP D’Oc, France 157909 $12.95

LAURENT MIQUEL 08 Languedoc ‘L’Artisan’, France 265918 $13.95

2003 RIESLING ‘Estate’ $30 … wonderful minerality

2002 RIESLING ‘CSV’ $40 … a bit challenging, unique – an original

Cave’s brilliant Ripasso-style red is also offered.

2005 LA PENNA … amazing concentration and vitality

Contact the winery to arrange purchase and delivery 905-562-3581

cavespring.ca

BEST LOCAL WINERY – The People’s Award

One of the major Canadian magazines has given their Winery of the Year award to Tawse. For the second year in a row. I’m in total agreement because this Beamsville winery has produced a huge array of stunning wines over the past few years. If you buy wines in the $20-$45 range Tawse delivers the goods as well, if not better, than anyone on the planet. Be sure to include it on your next Niagara trip.

Now, for my People’s Winery of the Year award. The winery that delivers the most excitement at everyday prices, and which scores for availability at the LCBO is Pelee Island. Pelee is a large scale producer with lots of experience in blending fruit from all over Ontario and offering good tasting, low priced wines. If you get out of urban centres and travel around the province you’ll see how Pelee has probably converted more people to ‘local’ than any other winery.

Over the past few years, however, Pelee has upped-the-ante with their ‘Lighthouse’ and ‘Alvar’ lines which offer fabulous varietal character plus. Amazing wines for $12–$15. To top it off Pelee’s ‘Secco’ is a great Ontario edition of Prosecco. It’s about time that GM/original winemaker, Walter Schmoranz, got some recognition for decades of great work in our local industry. Go Pelee!

Sauvignon is one of life’s great aperitif wines. So much energy and vitality. But some warm climate regions are crafting Sauvignon in richer style – charming and seductive too. Delicious stuff to sip anytime. Check out Errazuriz for your Holiday parties.

ERRAZURIZ 10 Sauvignon Blanc, Chile 263574 $11.95

Argentina’s Graffigna winery

Open all three so people can have a mini-tasting. Naturally the Shiraz is the big daddy, the Malbec offers something similar but with a Tuscan feeling, and the Cabernet has a rustic/bistro character. But you’re sure to hear lots more interpretations around your dinner table. I like the honest/non-flashy character in all of the wines. And the bargain price.

Don’t worry about finishing all the reds in one sitting – they taste even better the next day.
GRAFFIGNA CENTENARIO RESERVE MULTI-PACK (4X750)
190090  (4×750 mL)  $ 39.95

Mommessin is loaded with good cheer and happy times feelings. Jadot’s wine also suggests fun times but it could partner light meals – perfect for boxing day leftovers. Angels Gate produces an excellent local edition of Gamay (the Beaujolais grape).  Lightly chill and serve at the early stages of your events. Because many people have a poor perception of Beaujolais, it’s best NOT to announce that you’re pouring it. You will get compliments, I assure you.

MOMMESSIN 10 BEAUJOLAIS, France 313734 $10.95
LOUIS JADOT 10 Beaujolais-Villages, France 365924 $15.95 (Vintages Essentials)
ANGLES GATE 09 Gamay, VQA Niagara 107714 $12.95

Sláinte.
Billy

WHITES
Sparkling
13th STREET ‘Cuvee 13’, Sparkling Brut Rosé, VQA Niagara
147504 $24.95
Classy dry sparkling in pretty pink. What’s not to like! Stylish package too. Parties, aperitif and gift giving.

ROEDERER ESTATE BRUT SPARKLING, California
294181 $28.95
Very Champagne-ish. Roederer makes the most elegant Californian bubbly. Great value.

CHARLES HEIDSIECK BRUT RESERVE Champagne, France
36962 $54.95
Always the most toasty, sensual Champagne. For loved ones.
 
WHITES
PETER ZEMMER 10 Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige, Italy
95802 $15.95
Gourmet Grigio. Delicate flavours and bags of charm. Refreshing too. Lovely opening act for the Holidays.

CHATEAU DES CHARMES 08 Riesling ‘Old Vines’, VQA Niagara–on-the-Lake
277228 $16.95
Off-dry Riesling that’s starting to deliver mature/exotic flavours. Zesty, spicy and delicious. Sip anytime. You’ll be hugely popular pouring this over the Holidays.
 
G. MARQUIS 08 Chardonnay, ‘Silver Line’, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
258681 $16.95
Chard for the seasoned drinker. Earthy, savoury and really good with food. Crafted in the very dry, traditional style. Dinner party wine.
P. S. G. Marquis is a new brand by Magnotta winery.

REDS
CLOSSON CHASE 09 Pinot Noir, VQA Prince Edward County
145888 $39.95
Here’s the deal. This is classic County wine that should appeal to the Pinot fan. Crafted in the pure, Burgundian style – feels tight/austere right now, but with a year or two of cellaring it should be a wonderful partner for grilled or roasted meats.
 
OSOYOOS LAROSE 07 RED, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC
662759 1500ml/$99.95
Don’t flip out – this is a big bottle. And a candidate for gifting or cellaring, rather than a bash this month. Osoyoos is a Canadian/French project set in the desert-like climate of Southern British Columbia. It’s crafted from the five Bordeaux grape varieties by French winemaker Pascal Madevon, and guess what? It’s very similar to Bordeaux. With a hint of the mountainside herbal flavours you find in Rhone wines. Elegance with some earthiness – my favourite combination.
 
SWEET
QUADY Orange Muscat ‘Essensia’, California
299552 375ml/$13.95
Muscat is the hot new white in the US and here’s a delicious sweet edition by a winery that’s been playing the Muscat tune for as long as I’ve been reporting. Gorgeous orange flavours. And value. Chill well and enjoy with your favourite tart. Food, or other.

It’s impossible not to feel good drinking Charmes Riesling. Off-dry with delicious, joyful summer day feelings. Perfect for creating a happy mood. The spicy flavours would partner well with turkey or ham.

As holiday meals are usually earlier in the evening, it’s best to go with light reds such as Pinot. Even lightly chilled. Charmes wine is a good mix of fruity, earthy and refreshing. With the gulpability of something you’d find at a French bistro.

A few years of bottle age has added an extra dimension of flavour, character and charm to these wines. I’ll be shocked if you’re not absolutely delighted.

CHATEAU DES CHARMES 08 Riesling ‘Old Vines’, VQA Niagara on the Lake 277228 (Vintages) $16.95

CHATEAU DES CHARMES 08 Pinot Noir, VQA Niagara on the Lake 195511 $14.55

BERINGER 09 Merlot ‘Stone Cellars’, California
462473 $13.95