WHITES
wine style: rich white
KWV ‘CATHEDRAL CELLARS’ 09 Chardonnay, South Africa 328559 $14.95
Big, over-the-top Chardonnay at a Costco price. A great partner for hot ‘n spicy BBQ’d white meats.

REDS
wine style: fresh red
MONTE DEL FRA 10 Bardolino, Veneto, Italy 134544 $11.95
Every bit as good as all the previous delicious wines from Monte del Fra. Bardolino is Valpolicella’a young cousin. A light red offering brisk, tangy refreshment – with a bowl of cherries feeling. Very summery. Lightly chill and have with lunch, a picnic, early in the evening or anytime the mood is lighthearted.

wine style: rich red
KWV ‘CATHEDRAL CELLARS’ 09 Shiraz, South Africa 561142 $14.95
An upscale edition of the excellent KWV reds in regular LCBOs. Rich with very appealing peppery, spicy sweetness. A steak lovers delight.

wine style: rich red
CONO SUR ‘Vision’ 07 Syrah, Chile 24661 $15.95
Loved the earthiness of this wine when it appeared last year. Now you also get a mellow warmth. Very suggestive of the South of France. Very suggestive period.

wine style: rich red
CONO SUR ‘Vision’ 09 Pinot Noir, Chile 689992 $15.95
Cono Sur produces some of the best New World Pinot. Sensual, but  with a firm handshake. I can see this working well with almost any summer BBQ.

Must be the first time I’ve recommended four Aussie wines – white, red and a to-die-for sweet. You’ll find four locals too, big ticket wines for a big night. And Italy is also represented with a foursome. Bargain of the release is a Spanish wine that could become your summer house red. Speaking of summer, my German pick is the ultimate sunny afternoon sipper.

Slainte.
Billy

SPARKLING
wine style: dry sparkling
TENUTA S. ANNA 09 Prosecco Brut, Veneto, Italy 216432 $16.95
Easy drinking bubbly in a stylish package. Perfect for parties. Wins the prize for best looking bubbly at this price.

WHITES
wine style: nice & easy white
DOMDECHANT WERNER’SCHES 08 Riesling, Hochheimer Holle, Rheingau, Germany
722413 $18.95
So delicate it almost floats. Suggestions of sweetness but the main show is lovely citrus flavours. Summer breezes never tasted better. Magical. Only 8% alcohol. From a family estate that’s been doing its thing since 1780.

wine style: fresh white
NAIA 09 Verdejo, Rueda, Spain 211045 $18.95
Fans of live wire whites will love this Verdejo. Shades of Sauvignon, but not. So exuberant, so refreshing and so good with seafood. Especially in the alfresco season….if it comes!

wine style: fresh white
CONO SUR 10 Sauvignon Blanc, Chile (organic) 213587 $12.95
Sauvignon zing with a hit of tropical fruit flavours. Love how it confuses the senses with tartness and prettiness. Organic too. Another great buy from Cono Sur.

wine style: rich white
TAHBILK 09 Marsanne, Australia 117945 $16.95
This is not for fans of pretty. Think rock concert – loud, brash and a bit sweaty. Think down and dirty. Think BBQ’d seafood on a hot, sultry night. This is a wine style that the Aussies do really well.

wine style: rich white
WAKEFIELD 09 Chardonnay, Clare Valley, Australia 711556 $15.95
Bold, earthy, tangy dry. Manly Aussie Chard – the original BBQ white. Another Aussie classic.

REDS
wine style: fresh red
TAWSE 09 Pinot Noir ‘Growers Blend’, VQA Niagara 130989 $31.95
This Pinot suggest the idyllic café life. Red wine as a refresher, a gulper and a social drink. Bring on the food later, and keep the wine flowing. Really captures the lighthearted feeling of Pinot. And the temptation to pay Pinot prices.

wine style: rustic red
DE BORTOLI 08 Pinot Noir Reserve ‘DB’, Australia 221994 $15.95
Good Pinot at a bargain price. Spicy, exotic flavours combined with an earthy feeling. Sex in the hay barn. The Pinot experience.

wine style: rustic red
FONTANAFREDDA 07 Barbera/Nebbiolo ‘Duale’, Langhe, Piedmont, Italy 616284 $14.95
Great stuff for fans of gusto. And the Italian lively spirit. Earthy, puckery and perfect for a hearty pasta…or greasy burger.

wine style: rustic red
FIRRIATO 08 Etna Rosso, Sicily 219592 $16.95
Blind tasted I would have said Chianti meets Burgundy. Medium-bodied red with vitality and charm. And a drink-lots feeling. So get more than one bottle.

wine style: rustic red
TERREDORA 08 Aglianico, Campania, Italy 602284 $14.95
Earthiness with Italian vigour and vitality. Southern Italy warmth with a refreshing edge. Pucker-up wine that feels good. Aglianico is often a brute but not this time.

wine style: rustic red
CELLER de CAPCANES 09 ‘Mas Donis’ 09, Montsant, Spain 208231 $12.95
Spain does Valpolicella. Beautiful everyday red with a little Latin charm. This could lead to a LOT of drinking. This must be the 3rd or 4th wine I’ve recommended from this winery tucked away in the hills of Northern Spain.

wine style: rich red
STRATUS 07 Red, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake 131037 $44.20
Super serious, solid local red. Bordeaux is the model but there’s also a Rhone feeling. A ‘something else’. This is a great local experience that will continue to evolve over the next few years.

wine style: rich red
OSOYOOS LAROSE 06 Le Grand Vin, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC 626325 $45
BC’s edition of the Bordeaux blend – big and bold. You get warm climate ripeness (Osoyoos is desert hot) along with Old World firmness – thanks to the hand of French winemaker Pascal Madevon. Best with a traditional roast. Could also be cellared for a few years.

wine style: rich red
SOUTHBROOK 08 Cabernet Franc ‘Triomphe’, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
237065 $22.95
Starts out a little funky but evolves into one of those earthy and interesting characters that you want at the supper table. Cab Franc at its best. Makes a refreshing change from the sea of nice, smooth reds. If Southbrook’s organic and biodynamic practices are contributing to the character of this wine, then I’m a fan.

SWEET
DE BORTOLI 07 Botrytis Semillon ‘Noble One’, Australia 917252 375ml/$29.95
Super-concentrated, luscious and lovely. But not at all candied or cloying. A natural beauty. Australia does Sauternes at a fraction of the price.

Wine style: Dry Sparkling
CONO SUR Sparkling Brut, Chile 215079 $13.95

And better than a lot of the stuff at twenty and thirty dollars. How can this be you ask? Well, all I know is that there is something magical in Chilean vineyards and when coupled with brilliant winemaking the results can make a mockery of the established wine world. The Cono Sur winery is modern, hip, happening, cutting edge so the wines have an extra shot of razzle-dazzle.

I’ve loved the Shiraz when it came out last year and now with some bottle age it’s developed an earthy, woodsy character to partner the spicy/peppery flavours. Feels grounded and nourishing. Richness meets gusto. I could see Ralph Lauren drinking this at his winter cottage. Tell him I sent you.

Enjoy Cono Sur Shiraz with any hearty, winter meal.

CONO SUR 08 SHIRAZ, Chile 64295 $9.95

Sláinte,
Billy
ROSÉ
wine style: Dry Rosé
SOUTHBROOK 09 Cabernet Rosé, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake 168492 $18.95
Rosé in the Provence style – and colour. Refreshing but also substantial enough for food. Charcuterie, paella, Indian food.

wine style: Off-dry Rosé
FEATHERSTONE ESTATE 09 Rosé, VQA Niagara 117861 $14.95
Delicious, off-dry, fruity Rosé for summer sipping. Such as lunches, family gatherings and patio parties.

WHITES
wine style: Fresh white
CASA CAMBRAGO 08 Soave ‘Vigne Maiores’, Veneto, Italy 161679 $13.95
Soave makes a comeback! Interesting, savoury flavours and lots of refreshment. Summer aperitif, and a super partner for seafood. Give ‘nice’ a rest and excite your palate with this.

wine style: Fresh white
DOMAINE ROMANIN 08 Macon-Solutré-Pouilly, Burgundy 160218 $17.95
Macon is the original non-oaked Chardonnay – refreshment with savoury/earthy flavours. Jolting, refreshing, and good pucker fuel for the palate. Wonderful aperitif, or seafood partner.
wine style: Nice & easy white
ROBERT OATLEY 08 Pinot Grigio, South Australia 159806 $17.95
Not your typical Aussie – this is pure and refreshing. Medium-bodied and the perfect all-evening white.

wine style: Rich white
BISQUERTT 08 Viognier ‘La Joya’, Chile 168542 $13.95
Care to try the prettiest white wine in the world! Caresses and charmes. Delicate and delicious. Sip your cares away.

wine style: Nice & easy white
ALTA VISTA 08 Torrontés, Argentina 37127 $13.95
Here’s another pretty one. Torrontes is Argentina’s edition of Gewurztraminer – spicy, exotic flavours. And great drinkability.

REDS
wine style: Rich red
BOTALCURA 07 Reserve Syrah/Malbec, Chile 18630 $13.95
Solid, dense, he-man stuff. Yummy too. Sure to impress. And great value.

wine style: Rich red
CONO SUR 08 Pinot Noir ‘Vision’, Chile 689992 $15.95
One hell of a delicious drink. Combines traditional Pinot woodsy character with modern bright flavours. Spicy and seductive. One of the best under twenty dollar Pinots in the world.

wine style: Rich red
MANGA del BRUJO 07, Calatayud, Spain 15073 $15.95
Big impact red. Earthy, mysterious flavours add interest to the richness. Shades of Rhone with more heft. Should be wonderfully satisfying for at least three years.

SWEET WINE
Wine style: Port
DELAFORCE Fine Ruby Port, Douro, Portugal 164608 $12.95
Lovely, lovely Port at an everyday price. Nitecap with a chunk of chocolate!

WHISKEY
INISHOWEN Irish Whiskey, Cooley Distillery 656017 $37.95
Some peat but a lot of other stuff too. Earthy, spirited and exciting for the price. Aperitif whiskey perhaps!

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.

Lesson #3  Does the situation call for the old wine camp or the new?

The old wine countries create very dry and challenging drinks, while new wine countries offer more friendly, less dry wines. This is a generalization of course but it’s useful to know that the two styles exist – and that choosing the appropriate one will go a long way in determining the success of your event. Or just your own drinking pleasure.

For this lesson you will need to buy and open both red wines below. Experience them side by side (yes, two glasses in front of you) so you can see the different experiences described below. Neither wine is better of course, but there will be a better ‘choice’ once you factor in a situation/mood/food. You could have the foods suggested with the two wines – on the same evening, or spread your lesson over two evenings.

OLD WORLD STYLE Red
CESARI 08 Merlot, Italy 572453 $7.25 page 149
(alternative: Alianca 06 Bairrada Reserve, Portugal 158741 $8.50)
very dry – an edge – earthy – challenging. Very refreshing and good at stimulating the palate – making you hungry, and keeping you hungry through the meal. Its strength is being good at helping you enjoy the meal. And not knocking you out with high alcohol. Could be likened to European movies that give you something to think about.
FOODS: Plain roasted or grilled red meats with fresh herbs. Tomato sauced pasta or pizza.
FYI: The traditional wines of France, Italy, Spain, etc are known as Old World.

NEW WORLD STYLE Red
CONO SUR 08 Shiraz, Chile 64295 $9.95 page 199
(alternative: Finca Flichman 08 Malbec ‘Misteria’, Argentina 28803 $7.80)
Smooth – fruity – spicy sweet – yummy. Instant pleasure and the ‘let’s party’ feeling. An invitation to relax – with food, or without. If there’s food, make sure it has kick-ass flavours. New World reds could be likened to Hollywood movies – lots of glitz and glam.
FOODS: Ribs, steaks or chops with spicy/sweet sauces. Burgers with all the fixins.
FYI: Australian, Chilean and Californian wines are categorized as New World.
P.S. Ontario is in this group technically, but most of our best wines are Old World and cool climate in style.