Natalie Spytkowsky of Rosewood Winery creates one of the purest expressions in local Pinot. Her 09 is very Beaujolais-ish, refreshing, appetizing and fun to drink. One sip and you’ll think SUMMER – on the patio, with picnic, or a BBQed side of salmon. Of course you’ll be careful to only invite your favourite fun-times friends and foods. Buy this week because it’s $2 off. Vintages department.
ROSEWOOD 09 Pinot Noir, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara (Vintages) 112177 $20.00 (NOW on sale! $18.00)
This release contains some classic editions of wine styles. A great learning opportunity. While the Argentina Pinot is a great drinking opportunity. As ever, all my picks over-deliver for the price.
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.
The lighthearted feeling, natural refreshment and moderate alcohol in Beaujolais makes it the perfect ‘around-the-house’ Holiday drink.
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
LCBO VINTAGES Saturday December 10/2011
This release is mainly about deluxe stuff for the Holidays, but I did find a few values. However, I’m including some of the fancy bottles too. ‘Tis the season.
P.S. Keep reading this blog for more Holiday drink ideas.
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.
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