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.

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

SANTA BARBARA WINERY 09 Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, California 942946 $20.95 (LCBO Vintages)

THE LOW DOWN: Vintages serves two purposes: the supply of high-priced wines for those that need them, and the supply of everyday-priced wines in styles not available at regular LCBOs. My picks are mainly from the later category – wines for the enthusiast seeking adventure in their drinking.

South Africa is this week’s star in Rosé, especially the sparkling. Check out Ch. Ferran and I’m sure agree that good white Bordeaux is due a come-back. John Howard has the most impressive Niagara cellar at Megalomaniac and his semi-dry Riesling is no slouch either.

Fans of Cabernet Franc will want to explore the original from Chinon and if it’s  a hit of Tuscany you’re after look for Castellani Chianti. Stratus is also offering rustic in the form of an earthy Rosé. Barbaresco is usually a bit pricy but not so the seductive Santa Vittoria, and my blockbusters from Argentina and France also offer great value.

I did find one wine – Groth Chardannay, in the catalogue’s high priced and high score feature that delivers some magic.

Slainté.

Billy

ROSÉ
wine style: sparkling dry Rosé
GRAHAM BECK Brut Rosé, South Africa 175588 $18.95
Best value sparkling Rosé on the planet. Classic Champagne styling and elegance. A no-brainer to kick off summer events. Get a case.

wine style: dry Rosé
BOEKENHOUTSKLOOF 2010 Rosé ‘The Wolftrap’, South Africa 169409 $12.95
Dry Rosé with a little smokiness – the perfect BBQ partner. Light the charcoal!

WHITES
wine style: semi-dry white
MEGALOMANIAC 09 Riesling ‘Narcissist’, Edra’s Vineyard, VQA Niagara 67587 $17.95
Semi-dry, low-alcohol summer sipper. Wonderful mineral freshness. Alfresco lunch or any lazy times.

wine style: fresh white
CHATEAU FERRAN 07, Bordeaux, France 100867 $21.00
Novel and challenging. Fans of the gutsy/earthy/savoury character of Aussie Sem/Sauv should check out this original model. Wonderful aperitif and seafood appetizer partner. Not for fans of ‘pretty’.

wine style: nice & easy white
SUMMERHOUSE 09 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 218305 $19.95
Yes, it’s possible to craft SB in a yummy, friendly style – with a lazy, summer day feeling. Warm and sunny, but with gentle breezes. Five o’clock on the deck would be a perfect fit. Love the poetic back label.

wine style: rich white
GROTH 08 Chardonnay, Napa, California 225672 $37.95
A wow Chard experience. Warm, buttery richness and glamour – along with the something extra that not only seduces, but excites. Too good to share with food. Or fools.

REDS
wine style: rustic red
JEAN–MAURICE RAFFAULT 09 Chinon, Loire, France 244798 $16.95
Very rustic, very tangy dry and very real. Classic French bistro red to stimulate the palate and partner charcuterie or white meats. Needs the table. Wonderful pure expression of the Cabernet Franc grape variety.

wine style: rustic red
STRATUS 09 Rosé ‘Wildass’, Niagara 71712 $19.95
The label says rosé and it looks like rosé, but the wine feels and acts rustic. Earthy, solid and in need of a food partner. Could handle almost anything off the BBQ.

wine style: rustic red
CASTLELLANI 07 Chianti Classico Riserva, Italy 970707 $14.95
Classic, everyday Tuscan red. Lots of spunk, vigour and a country feeling. Best with white meats, pasta or pizza….and a second bottle.

wine style: rich red
SANTA VITTORIA 07 Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy 211805 $21.95
A mature, friendly edition of this Italian classic – at a nice price. Warm, woodsy flavours and a little mystery. Buy for fall and winter dinner parties.

wine style: rich red
ERAL BRAVO 08 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina 58081 $17.95
A great value, big impact wine with an international star personality. Argentina heft combined with the warm and earthy feeling of blockbuster wines from the north of Spain. Hearty never tasted better! And was more affordable. Bring on the beef or lamb.

wine style: rich red
DOMAINE BOUDAU 09 ‘Le Clos’, Cotes du Roussillon, France 149989 $16.55
If you like Merlot, you’ll love this wine. Silky rich, plummy sweet and super seductive. Spicy/peppery flavours mark the wine’s south of France origin. The price tag is reasonable, but not the alcohol – so enjoy in moderation, if you can.

wine style: rich red
DOMAINE ANDRE AUBERT 09 Visan, Cotes du Rhone-Villages, France 224915 $12.95
Spicy/sweet, dense, yummy, super-rich red at a bargain price. Go get it.

We all know that starting with a white and following with a red is the way to go. But what about matching wines with the food?  No problem. I’ve found that Sauvignon Blanc goes with most appetizers, and generally livens things up. And Pinot Noir goes with more main courses than any other red. Simple eh! And here’s a few more tips.

When entertaining pour semi-fancy wine as a treat for my guests – it gets noticed. And as many people have a love affair with California why not pour their wines.

So here’s my sure-fire, stress free dinner party white and red. Guaranteed to succeed. For all the above reasons and because the wines are good.

ROBERT MONDAVI 08 Sauvignon Blanc ‘Private Selection’, California 640516 $16.95

ROBERT MONDAVI 08 Pinot Noir ‘Private Selection’, California 465435 $17.95

Is this the world’s best value in Pinot? Not really, BUT it is a great opportunity to grab a crowd-pleasing red at a good price. And to have all of the yummy features associated with Shiraz in a lighter-style wine. No less calories or alcohol but this Pinot feels more lighthearted/playful than most of today’s popular reds. Perfect for almost any food or event. And what’s not to like about a hit of California at this time of year!

Wine style: Rich Red
MIRASSOU 09 Pinot Noir, California 185249 $12.95

WHITES
Wine-Style: Nice ‘n Easy White
Chateau des Charmes 08 Chardonnay Musque, VQA Niagara-in-the-Lake 640516 $16.95
Chardonnay Musque has become an Ontario speciality and a great example of the distinctive pure quality of local whites. A refreshing non-oaked wine with a delicate hit of Muscat. I’d call it yummy, delightful and fun. Pour this at Holiday events and watch faces light up. Joy to the world.

REDS
Wine-Style: Rustic Red
Tenuta il Corno 07 Chianti Colli Fiorentini, Tuscany, Italy 123752 $14.95
Another very traditional Italian wine. Earthy, rustic and crying out for the dinner table. With simply grilled or roasted meat.

Wine-Style: Rustic Red
Pietro Rinaldi 08 Dolcetto d’Alba ‘Madonna di Como’, Piedmont, Italy 182261 $16.95
My second Dolcetto within a month! A must for fans of traditional very dry, rustic Italian reds. Grabs the taste buds and says let’s eat. Cannot get enough of Italian gusto.

Wine-Style: Rich Red
Angelini 07 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ‘Tre Rose’, Tuscany, Italy 963199 $21.95
Vino Nobile is usually serious in style and price, but here’s an exception. Rustic meets charm. A very graceful Tuscan wine with the lighter feeling of Burgundy. At peak now. A Saturday night special for sure. Best from a decanter, and Riedels sitting on linen.

Wine-Style: Rich Red
Jackson-Triggs 07 Shiraz ‘Delaine Vineyard’, VQA Niagara 86553 $29.95
Crafted in the Rhone style but with enough spicy sweetness to get lots of wows. As exotic as we dare to get in Canada. I love the mix of refreshment and nourishment. Elegant too. I’d go with white meat. A local hero for sure.
P.S. The Delaine vineyard is on the Niagara Parkway and was planted by Donald Triggs (ex Jackson-Triggs) and his partner, Elaine – hence the name. You can find other excellent Delaine wines at WineRack Stores.

Wine-Style: Rich Red
Frei Brothers 07 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, California 91025 $22.95
Typical Californian Pinot Noir – spicy sweet and sure to seduce. A delicious dose of niceness. You cannot fail for romance, family events or fireside sipping.

I’m always amused when I see people pouring wines that are identical to Merlot, and hearing them say “I really dislike Merlot”.

Beringer Merlot is a doll. Delicious spicy fruitiness and friendliness. Lush, plush without feeling heavy or excessive. Dangerously gulpable. Could be mistaken for Zin. Perfect for holiday entertaining, or any night with your sweetie.

BEST USE: The mood for feel-good wine. Warm hugs.

Beringer 08 Merlot ‘Stone Cellars’, California 462473 $13.95

SPARKLING
Wine style/fresh white
13 STREET ‘Cuvee 13′ 06 Rosé, VQA Niagara 147504 $24.95
Very dry and tart with just a tease of fruity flavour. Classy aperitif and very Champagneish. Gorgeous salmon/bronze colour.
Wine style/rich white
JACKSON-TRIGGS ‘Grand Reserve’ 04 Brut, VQA Niagara 587691 $22.95
Quite rich and golden for sparkling. Big, toasty flavours. Niagara’s answer to Bollinger! Would be a great partner for a seafood appetizer or main dish. Or a fancy lunch. A value for sure.

WHITES
Wine style/fresh white
HENRI BOURGEOIS 08 Sauvignon Blanc ‘Petit Bourgeois’, VDP Val du Loire, France 672345 $14.95
Razor sharp and oozing Spring Freshness. Lipsmacking good. A mini Sancerre. The Loire was doing Sauvignon Blanc long before the Kiwis got into the game.

Wine style/nice ‘n easy white
CALAMUS ESTATE 07 Riesling, VQA Niagara 158642 $16.95
Off-dry sipper with lovely fruitiness and citrus tang. A nice hit of Summer, and sure to be a fast bottle.

Wine style/nice ‘n easy white
CATENA ‘ALAMOS’ 08 Viognier, Mendoza, Argentina 507830 $13.95
Really pretty and out to please. Feels like a Pinot Grigio that’s been to charm school. Or house wine at Club Med!  Lovely, lovely.
Wine style/nice ‘n easy white
DOMAINE ALLIMANT-LAUGNER 08 Muscat, Alsace, France 930362 $17.95
Muscat is the most exotic dry white wine on the planet and once in a while we get a very good sample from Alsace. Buy a few bottles, wait for a Summer moment that calls for ‘something different’, and have a Hallelujah moment. Too special to be shared with food.

Wine style/nice ‘n easy white
UBY 09 Colombard/Ugni Blanc, Cotes de Gascogne, France 151019 $11.95
Delightful, off-dry anytime sipper produced from the grapes used to produce Cognac. Quite fruity and low in alcohol. Bring on summer parties.
Wine style/rich white
IRONSTONE 07 RESERVE CHARDONNAY, Sierra Foothills, California 158774 $26.95
Blockbuster Chardonnay with the flavour concentration of whiskey. Earthy and manly for sure. BBQ or late evening sipping.

ROSE
Wine style/rich rosé
MAS des BRESSADES 09 Rosé ‘Tradition’, Costieres de Nimes, France 950576 $13.95
My favourite French rosé arrives early this year. As ever it has the perfect combination of refreshment, richness and sexy south of France flavours. Classic food Rosé. And as ever the label is dead boring so get out the decanter, and get an early start on summer.

REDS
Wine style/lively red
CESARI 08 Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy 159434 $13.95
Cesari Ripasso (Mara) has been a favourite in LCBOs for decades and now it’s time to meet the lighter cousin. Delicious fruitiness, lots of vitality and dangerous drinkability. Will work for pizza, pasta, the chalet, or the party.

Wine style/lively red
THE WINERY of GOOD HOPE 09 Pinot Noir, South Africa 146415 $14.95
Slightly odd at first till you notice the bright flavours, great refreshment and ‘have fun’ feeling. The Beaujolais spirit with an extra shot or flavour and richness. I’ll be buying lots for Summer – with BBQed whites meats or salmon. And just drinking. Lightly chilled of course.

Wine style/rustic red
GIORDANO 07 Barbera d’Asti, Piedmont. Italy 159491 $13.95
Rustic, invigorating red with a down to earth feeling. Love the contrast of tangy bite and bright flavours. Gets the taste buds humming. See why Italians drink millions of bottles daily. With Italian food of course.
Wine style/rustic red
CHATEAU GRAND VILLAGE 06 Bordeaux, France 565317 $17.00
Today most Bordeaux are crafted in the popular smooth, rich, commercial style but not this guy. Meet the traditional. Very dry with pure flavours and lots of gusto.  Classic bistro red. Bring on the food.
Wine style/rich red
ZUCCARDI 08 SYRAH ‘Serie A’, Mendoza, Argentina 141317 $16.95
Tastes a lot like Crozes Hermitage from the Rhone Valley. Feels both rich and refreshing. Very dry with earthy, and peppery flavours. Think lamb dishes. Could be cellared for two or three years.
P.S. A lot of the Zuccardi wines (makers of Fuzion) have traditional European styling.

Drink your way through Billy’s Best wine book – a bottle or two at a time.  Follow the instructions and you’ll be a wine wizard by Easter. New lessons are posted every week, typically Wednesday. Looking forward to hearing about your ‘homework’!

Lesson #6 EXPERIENCE NICE

Nice is the most wrongly used wine description. When we enjoy a wine we tend to call it nice. What we should be saying is “this wine is hitting the spot, right now”. On a hot day a shrill Sauvignon can feel heavenly, but it’s a mistake to describe the wine as NICE. It’s not nice – it’s a good wine when we’re thirsty.

But there are wines that are NICE. Comfortable, gentle, polite, easy. Wines for relaxation, to sip ‘n chat – hanging out with friends. A lot of Pinot Grigio falls into this category. This week I’d like you to buy the two wines below, open and have both over several evenings. Experience NICE. And an amazing wine value from Gallo.

LINDEMANS 09 Pinot Grigio ‘Bin 85’, Australia 668947 $10.95
Pleasant fruitiness, zippy freshness and a lighthearted feeling. What could be nicer!. Very social, very party gulpable.

GALLO 08 Pinot Grigio ‘Family Vineyards’, California 82594 $7.95
Great blast of lemonade freshness and summer day on the beach feeling. Drier, and way better, than most Californians in the low price range. Bring on the summer party season. Great value.

Stone Cellar Chardonnay is a hedonistic hit of flavour and richness. But there’s great vitality too. Be happy wine that will take you to Malibu beach party! With platters of seafood of course. Merlot may be out of fashion but one sip of this guy and you’ll be a returned fan. Yummy flavours combine with a lively, lighthearted feeling. Fun wine for your party, and a good partner for steak, burgers or pizza.
BERINGER ‘Stone Cellars’ 08 Chardonnay, California 606806 $13.95
BERINGER ‘Stone Cellars’ 07 Merlot, California 462473 $13.95

THE LOW DOWN: This is Vintages at its best. Offering wine styles not generally available. In whites there’s seductive Viognier, classy Quincy and an upscale Pinot Grigio. Those who share my fondness for rustic reds will have a field day with no less than six picks. I’m offering six rich reds too with Val Joanis Syrah leading the show for value.
WHITES
Wine style: FRESH WHITE
Jean-Michel Sorbe 08 Quincy, Loire, France 608877 $18.95
If you share my fondness for slightly tart whites with crystal clear flavours here’s a must buy. Spring day freshness and a great lift for the senses. Jazzy aperitif – but needs the summer season. Stick a few bottles away till then.

Wine style: NICE & EASY WHITE
Stocco 08 Pinot Grigio, Friuli, Italy
135558 $14.95
The zesty quality of PG combined with sweet kisses. Yummy, yummy stuff. Sip anytime. Would be a huge hit at holiday parties.

Wine style: RICH WHITE
Laurent Miguel 08 Viognier ‘Nord Sud’, Languedoc, France
673236 $16.95
Would be hard to find a prettier wine. Lush, lovely and slightly sweet. A lover’s kiss. Best with spicy/hot food. If you’ve never had Viognier this would be a good first date.

Wine style: RICH WHITE
Yalumba 08 Viognier, Eden Valley, Australia
954644 $22.95
Lush, exotic, glamorous and sure to seduce. Movie star edition of Viognier. A super-rich white to sip late evening on the couch.

Wine style: RICH WHITE
Thorn-Clarke Eden-Valley 08 Chardonnay ‘Terra Barossa’, Australia
651349 $14.95
Well mannered Chard with lots of refreshment and a good-with-anything feeling. Upscale house wine.

REDS
Wine style: RUSTIC RED
Boeri 08 Dolcetto, Monferrato, Piedmont, Italy 134825 $13.95
Gutsy, tart, earthy red. Very local – add crusty bread and cheese and you’re in Italy. Wine this rustic is seldom exported. Not for the Shiraz drinker but a must for fans of traditional wines. You know who you are!

Wine style: RUSTIC RED
Ascheri 07 Barbera d’Alba ‘Fontanelle’, Piedmont, Italy
982462 $17.95
Classic Barbera – rustic, invigorating and challenging. The feeling of stepping into an old country café filled with decades of history and local flavour. A bit scary at first but hang in and the rewards will be priceless. Drink with, and as you prepare an Italian supper.

Wine style: RUSTIC RED
Ch. de Gourgazaud 07 Minervois ‘Cuvée Mathilde’, France
958629 $14.95
Lots of bistro character here. Not for the timid. Gutsy wine to pair with hearty meals. You’ll that you’re in France.

Wine style: RUSTIC RED
Coyote’s Run 07 Cabernet Franc ‘Black Paw Vineyard’, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara 50450 $19.95
Seriously tart red that could be a Barbera. But what a wonderful expression of the lively Cab Franc grape. Invigorating stuff for early in the evening and to partner with traditional bistro foods.

Wine style: RUSTIC RED
Ch. de Lafaurie–Monbadon 05 Cotes de Castillon, Bordeaux
140012 $15.00
Take a trip to a French bistro with this rustic red. Refreshingly real. I love the backstreet character. Beef or lamb.

Wine style: RUSTIC RED
Barbi 07 ‘Brusco dei Barbi’, Tuscany, Italy
673160 $14.95
Traditional Tuscan expression – lots of earthy flavours, even a little gamey. The tangy bite that gets the taste buds craving food.  If you’re a fan of late Fall this is your wine. Have with anything oven–roasted.

Wine style: RICH RED
Ch. Val Joanis 06 Syrah, Rhône, France
965616 $15.95
Wonderful earthy, peppery rich red. You can taste the south of France. Stock up for winter. What a great value.

Wine style: RICH RED
Pierre Amadieu 07 Vacqueyras, Rhône, France
76398 $21.95
A mini Chateauneuf du Pape. Super rich, slightly sweet and very fireside. A winter warmer.

Wine style: RICH RED
Ch. Les Roches de Ferrand 05 Fronsac, Bordeaux, France
138669 $24.95
If you’re up for a traditional evening of Bordeaux and roast beef here’s a wine that won’t blow the budget. Dusty dry, appetizing and self assured. Best with people of similar character.

Wine style: RICH RED
Clos du Bois 06 Merlot, Sonoma, California
34900 $19.95
The folks at Clos du Bois are really good at combining Californian richness and ripeness with some French elegance. And delivering it at a reasonable price. Guaranteed to impress.

Wine style: RICH RED
Elderton 08 Shiraz ‘Friends’, Barossa Valley, Australia
660480 $15.00
Perfectly named! This is crowd-pleasing stuff that would work with ribs, turkey or for the weekend bash. Nothing dark or dense – more of the bright, lively spirit of Zin.

Wine style: RICH RED
Le Clos Jordanne 07 Pinot Noir, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara
33951 $40.00
Wonderful earthy, manly Pinot. A must buy for the fan, but it needs a year or two to really shine. Le Clos Jordanne is one of the top wineries in Canada for sure. You can find a selection of their wines at the better WineRack stores.

THE LOW DOWN: Three novel Italian whites are the hits of this release. All under $15. In reds, you’ll make a lot of people happy with my Côtes du Rhône or Napa Cab picks. I don’t usually recommend forty-five dollar wines but Foreign Affair Pinot is both novel and wonderfully satisfying if you enjoy traditional style red wine.

WHITES
ALOIS LAGEDER 08 Pinot Grigio ‘Riff’, Alto Adige, Italy 66415 $13.95
style: nice & easy white
Pinot grigio with zingy, mineral freshess and a little richness. Very pure with an elegant feeling, Classy white for a nice dinner.

CANTINA TOLLO 08 Pecorino, Abruzzo, Italy 134510 $14.95
style: nice & easy white
Pecorino is a lesser known Italian grape that produces really good, general purpose white wine. Not too light not too rich – more herbal than fruity, and best of all – something different.

STOCCO 08 Friulano, Friuli, Italy 135525 $14.95
style: fresh white
Friulano is a zesty Sauv Blanc-style white produced in Italy’s Friuli region. There’s also some fullness but the overall feeling is high-spirited and refreshing. A lovely pure, spring day experience. Have with appetizers.

REDS
TERRES d’AVIGNON 07 Côtes du Rhône ‘Cardinalices’, France 130294 $13.95
style: rich red
Super-rich and yummy – with dangerous drinkability. Charming and gentle so it works equally well with white or red meats.

AVALON 06 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California 684399 $22.95
style: rich red
Solid Californian red that’s found a middle ground between heft and drinkabiltiy. Rich, but not overpowering. Steak wine that will let the meat and company shine.

THE FOREIGN AFFAIR 07 Pinot Noir, VQA Niagara 127332 $44.00
style: rich red
Foreign Affair is a new Niagara winery producing wines by the Appassimento technique (dried grapes as in Amarone) – hence the high cost of this wine. I’m recommending the Pinot because it delivers the goods – a really interesting red with some of the richness of Amarone and a lot of the earthy quality of Barolo. Feeling and flavours of the fall, the forest, the farm…all things woodsy. Quite refreshing and very together without trying too hard. Could be called the anti-wine in this era where smoothness rules. Have with simply roasted red meats or game – don’t forget to try and create your own farmhouse feeling.

You don’t become the world’s largest winery without knowing a thing or two about popular taste. What most people enjoy. Gallo’s ‘Barefoot Bubbly’ is the style of wine I’ll take to a family gathering, to folks who are a little nervous about wine, or to an all out PARTY PARTY event. It’s lighthearted, easy drinking and out to please. And you’ve got to admit Barefoot Bubbly has a fun ring to it. Another use – Sunday brunch, or course.

Barefoot Bubbly, Pinot Grigio, California 106088 $12.95
Wine style: nice & easy

Rosé lovers will be delighted to see the return of Mas des Bressades and Codorniu’s Rosé sparkler. Both amazing values.

Rivera’s red offers something different from Puglia as does my super-rich red from Penedes in Spain. Fans of thraditional reds will enjoy the Bordeaux and Sassella.

Get out this Saturday!

SPARKLING

Style: Fresh Sparkling
CODORNIU Pinot Noir Brut Cava, Spain 665372 $16.95
Here’s the perfect summer aperitif/party starter. Tart and super-refreshing, mildly flavoured and lighthearted. An invitation to put more sparkling in your life. Especially Rosé.

WHITE

Style: Fresh
PELLER ESTATES 07 Riesling ‘Private Reserve’, VQA Niagara 641969 $15.95
The mouth grabbing bite of Ontario Dry Riesling – as refreshing and pure as mountain snow. Wine to get the senses in gear and restore some energy on a hot day. Low alcohol for gulping. One of the few good local Rieslings from the 07 vintage.

Style: Fresh White
DUCA di QUADRI CATEMARIO 07 Pinot Grigio, Friuli, Italy 120782 $14.95
Classical Friuli P.G. – lean, refreshing with just a tease of fruit. Wonderful aperitif, patio lunch partner or anytime refresher. Not to be confused with the more commercial, easy drinking editions of this grape.

Style: Nice/Easy
NAPA CELLARS 07 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, California 127027 $19.95
The zesty, invigorating character of this grape with a hit of Californian niceness. Perfect. Chill, pour and be happy. A bottle to share with favourite neighbours.

Style: Nice/Easy
MAN VINTERS 08 Chenin Blanc, South Africa 126847 $13.95
Pretty, semi-rich with yummy, honeyed flavours. A streak of tartness provides liveliness. Shades of Viognier. Something delicious and different for summer sipping.
P.S. Chenin is South Africa’s workhorse grape that gets crafted in a huge variety of styles.

Style: Nice/Easy
PALA 07 Nuragus ‘Salnico’, Sardinia, Italy 120998 $14.95
Something different and wonderful from a Sardinian grape called Nuragus. You get a hit of Sauvignon zest, Chardonnay creaminess and Pinot Grigio friendliness. How good is that! Makes me want to be at a Mediterranean café with a platter of seafood, but I’ll settle for anywhere with good company.

Style: Nice/Easy
CANTINA SANTADI 07 Vermentino ‘Villa Solais’, Sardinia 121129 $15.95
Another Italian white that delivers many favourite things. Such as the mineral freshness of Chablis, the sexy aromatics of Moscato and the instant good cheer of something Californian. Too delicious for words. Get lots. Spicy chicken or pork would be a good food partner. Vermentino is another Sardinian white grape.

Style: Fresh
DUCA di CASTELMONTE 08 Zibibbo ‘Gibele’, Sicily, Italy 121103 $16.95
The gorgeous aromas and flavour of Muscat set in a tart, refreshing wine. Beauty and liveliness. Heavenly on a summer day. Patio sipper for sure – but on a sailboat would be even better. Zibibbo is the Sicilian name for Muscat of Alexandria.

RED
Style: Rustic
CONTI SERTOLI SALIS 04 Sassella, Valtellina, Lombardy, Italy 119479 $28.95
Sassella tastes a lot like Barbaresco (and Burgundy) – tangy dry with a strong sense of the earth. A fall day in the country feeling. The perfect wine partner for a herb roasted chicken or mushroom risotto.

P.S. This was released in June but is still available.

Style: Rustic
KATNOOK 05 Shiraz ‘Founder’s Block, Coonawarra, Australia 108167 $17.95
Yes, an Aussie Shiraz in the rustic style. Gutsy and refreshing. Sure it’s kinda rich but mainly it’s about the invigorating qualities of traditional wines. For beef or lamb, but not the party room.

Style: Rich
CH. AMPELIA 05 Côtes de Castillon, Bordeaux, France 500330 $25.00
Bordeaux crafted in a modern rich style – while still retaining the traditional gutsy, earthy style. Loaded with personality and not afraid to challenge and invigorate the palate. Lovely pure expression of Bordeaux. A sure way to make your steak taste great. Mainly Merlot grapes.

Style: Rich
RIVERA 06 Nero di Troia,‘Violante’, Castel del Monte, Puglia, Italy 583435 $15.95
Bright flavours with lots vitality to accompany the richness. Shades of a Rhone with Italian gusto. Rivera is one of Puglia’s best producers – there is clarity not found in the other southern reds in this release.

Style: rich
CAN BONASTRE 06 Penedes, Spain 115733 $18.95
Blockbuster, new world style. A great value for fans of super-rich, over-blown reds.

DRY ROSÉ

Style: Dry Rosé
MAS des BRESSADES 08 Rosé ‘Cuvée Tradition’, Costieres de Nimes, France 950576 $13.95
Always the best deal in Rosé  from the south of France. Creamy rich with delicious berry flavours and a ton of charm. High alcohol however, so be warned.

Style: Dry Rosé
STRATUS WINERY 07 Wildass Rosé, VQA Niagara 71712 $19.95
Rich, barrel-aged Rosé with some of the sexy feeling of Pinot. Most unusual – certainly a food Rosé. There’s a slight sweetness so I’m thinking BBQ’d chicken with a spicy/hot rub. Or lamb kebabs. Go wild.

A lovely Niagara Pinot Gris, an exuberant Riesling from New Zealand and a knock-out Gewurz from Italy are the pick of the whites. Finally, I recommend you work a little cider refreshment into your summer with Clos Saint-Denis from Quebec.

Cheers!
Billy

P.S. Loved the wine name ‘Hazyblur’, too bad this Aussie red is not worth the $35 price tag.

Style: EVERYDAY NICE WHITE
MALIVOIRE 08 Pinot Gris, VQA Niagara 591305 $18.95
Lighthearted, everyday white. Crisp enough to refresh and pleasant enough to gulp. Stylish new packaging. Perfect hostess gift.

Style: EVERYDAY NICE WHITE
KIM CRAWFORD 05 Riesling ‘The Mistress’, New Zealand 90134 $24.95
Lemon fresh with delicious fruity sweetness. And the explosion of flavour that happens with aged Riesling. Rich and concentrated enough for supper, but also lively enough for the cocktail hour.

Style: RICH WHITE
CANTINA TRAMIN 07 Gewurztraminer, Alto Adige, Italy 117028 $19.95
Super rich Gewurz from the home of that grape. Gorgeous, exotic flavours. A late summer evening sipper. Sexy stuff.

FRESH SPARKLING
HENRY of PELHAM Brut ‘Cuvée Catharine’, VQA Niagara 616441 $29.95
Austere, stony dry in the Champagne style. ALmost no flavour but full of character – a high note that leaves you hanging and wanting more. Outstanding aperitif. Best batch yet of this wine – and possibly the best ever Brut out of Niagara.

REDS
Style: (ALMOST) RICH RED
COOPERS CREEK 07 Syrah, New Zealand 120808 $19.95
Fruity, peppery Syrah in the French style. Bright, lively, fun and very gulpable. Great Summer red. Moderate alcohol level.

Style: RICH RED
LINTON PARK 04 Shiraz, Paarl, South Africa 910844 $15.95
Juicy, peppery, lively and delicious Shiraz for the BBQ season. A little smokiness, a lot of yummy drinkability, and good value. Go get it.

Style: RICH RED
PALLISER 06 Pinot Noir, Martinborough, New Zealand 120766 $28.95
Spicy, sweet, seductive New World-style Pinot. A charmer for sure. Good with everything. Could spice up your life.

Style: RICH RED
CARRICK 06 Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand 919837 $39.95
Serious Pinot in the Burgundian-style. Bone dry, firm – traditional red wine character. Could use another year in the bottle.

Style: RICH RED
RAVENSWOOD 06 Zinfandel ‘Vintners Blend’, California 359257 $17.95
Big, bright, spicy Zin. Ton of flavour but not dense or weighty – could have some Beaujolais genes. Fun stuff for all your summer BBQs. Permanently available at all major LCBOs.

CIDER
Style: REFRESHING CIDER
CLOS SAINT-DENIS 07 Cider, Quebec 89490 $15.95
Dry cider that kicks in at 10 percent alcohol – a sipper. Refreshing appley flavours with the earthy character of Calvedos. The tartness would hit the spot on a hot afternoon. Lovely cheerful label.

The Italian immigrant farmers that lugged this grape the whole way to California would not be too happy to see it commercialized into pop wine. And if all this wasn’t distressing enough, Zinfandel is not even the wine’s proper name – it’s Primitivo. But those Italian immigrants had more pressing things on their minds than remembering the name of the grape vines hidden in their luggage. Someone in California – no one knows who – came up with the Zinfandel name.

What we do know is that Zinfandel is a fantastic red for the beefy BBQ season coming up. It feels somewhat like Merlot but is wilder and livelier. It can be a little rustic too.

Fetzer’s Zin is all of the above, and there’s no mistaking its Italian heritage. Lots of spunk and vigour here – get some food on the table, and open another bottle.

Ravenswood is more Californian – or Latino. The flavours radiate like a brilliant sunset, but it’s not heavy or dense. This guy’s more into play and charm,  and just wants to have fun. Equally at home with red or white meat.

I was going to recommend an excellent Primitivo wine from the heel of Italy but the LCBO just delisted it. Rats. But at least you know it’s the original Zin.

FETZER 07 Zinfandel ‘Valley Oaks’, California 234617 $14.95
RAVENSWOOD 07 Zinfandel ‘Vintners Blend’, California 359257 $17.95 (Vintages section, continuously available)

I’m liking Chardonnay again because of the movement to craft in a dry style – in contrast with the candy sweet Chards of the past decade. Many of the wines also seem to have purer, less adorned flavours. They feel more real.

A good first re-visit to Chardonnay is Concha y Toro. A leader in quality at everyday prices. The 07 is a great combination of richness and vigour. Keeps you energized as well as entertained. Big impact Chardonnay at a workingman’s price.

Wyndham Estates is best known for its Bin 555 Shiraz but check out the Chardonnay. It’s semi-rich, refreshing and unusually stylish for an Aussie. Very confident, together and a joy to drink. Could get us all re-hooked on Chardonnay.

Smoking Loon is pricey but what a lovely hit of glamour and elegance. Hollywood at its best.

CONCHA y TORO ‘Casillero del Diablo’ 07 Chardonnay, Chile 58420 $10.75
WYNDHAM ESTATE 07 Chardonnay ‘Bin 222’, Australia 93401 $12.15
SEBASTIANI ‘Smoking Loon’ 06 Chardonnay, California 55509 $17.75