Billy Munnelly – Billy's Best Bottles Wine Blog » French

Must Try Rhone

Kato — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 05:08:11 +0000

YOU GOTTA TRY THIS SOULFUL FRENCH RED

Recently I’ve been recommending lots of Cotes du Rhone in the very rich style but here’s my favourite.

A more everyday, traditional character. Very bistro-ish – no high alcohol, no heaviness. Just lots of vitality and refreshment to stimulate the palate and put you in the mood for a two hour supper. With a second bottle of course. Did I mention delicious spicy/peppery flavours and charm!

Read about the soulful winemaker here. http://louisdressner.com/Texier/

ERIC TEXIER 07 COTES DU RHONE-VILLAGES, France 226845 $13.95 (LCBO Vintages July 23/2011)

LCBO Vintages Saturday June 26

Kato — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:56:26 +0000

THE LOW DOWN: In whites, I found two lightheared, value-priced wines for summer drinking , a seafood partner, and one of the world’s little gems – ARINTO from one of the oldest regions in Portugal. Pinot Noir and a Sangioveses Rosé would be perfect partners for summer meals or picnics. All my red picks are in the rich style. Buy for the BBQ or winter nourishment.

Slainte. and hope your team wins.
Billy
WHITES
wine style: fresh white
HIDDEN BENCH 08 Riesling, VQA Beamsville Bench 183491 $24.20
Classic Ontario Dry Riesling. Tart with pure flavours. A must buy for Riesling fans.

wine style: fresh white
BODEGAS AGNUSDEI 08 Albarino ‘Terra Firme’, Galicia, Spain 166751 $13.95
Tart, fruity, ctrussy wine from the col northeast of Spain. Frank, fresh aperitif or seafood partner.

wine style: nice & easy white
DOMAINE DU TARIQUET 09 Ugni Blanc/Colomard, Côtes du Gascogne, France 175240 $11.95
Zesty, low alcohol white for alfresco lunches or warm day gulping. Lovely carefree feeling. Ultra modern wine from the Cognac region.

wine style: nice & easy white
CASUSO & MININI ‘Terre di Giumara’ 08 Grecanico, Silicy 174961 $11.95
Another light white with spring day fragrance and freshness. Refreshment meets relaxation. The Grecanico grape is a Sicilian speciality.

wine style: rich white
PROVA REGIA 08 Arinto, Bucelas, Portugal 166587 $14.95
Semi-rich with mineral freshness. Arinto is Portugal’s answer to Chardonnay. It develops huge flavours as it ages…without the help of oak barrels! A natural charmer that’s a must buy for those with a cellar. Give it 3-5 years. But it’s also wonderful now. Could be the bargain of the year in white wine.

ROSÉ
wine style: dry rosé
YULUMBA 09 Sangiovese Rosé, Australia 169425 $15.95
Quite brisk and refreshing. Shades of a light Chianti. The perfect partner for a platter of salumi. Too tart for party time. Delightful label.

wine style: dry rosé
FLATROCK CELLARS 09 Pinot Noir Rosé, VQA Twenty Mile Bench 39974 $14.95
Another tart Rosé that’s best with food. The feel and flavours of a light PInot so think grilled salmon or chicken, or paella.

RED
wine style: rich red
URBAN UCO 08 Malbec/Tempranillo, Mendoza, Argentina 166397 $12.95
Silky smooth, slightly sweet and super-rich. If you enjoy blockbusters, this is a great value.

wine style: rich red
M. CHAPOUTIER 08 ‘Bila-Haut’ Cotes de Roussillon-Villages, France 168716 $15.00
The wild tang of Spain, the silky texture of Grenache and the fruitiness of Corignan. Earthy and soulful – my kind of rich red for today’s BBQ or hearty winter meals.

wine style: rich red
SALCHETO 07 Rosso di Montepulciano, Tuscany 165357 $14.95
Gutsy, vibrant and earthy – the feeling and flavours of Tuscany. Needs the beef or any hearty meal.

wine style: rich red
CELLAR DE CAPCANES 06 ‘Costers del Gravet’, Montsant, Spain 707059 $16.95
Spain’s Montsant region delivers rich, modern reds that also have characteristics of traditional regions such as Bordeaux and the Rhone. This is a great all-rounder – as vibrant as it’s label.

LCBO Vintages Saturday March 20

Kato — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:22:06 +0000

THE LOW DOWN: What a great selection of wines! Everything from white to red to rosé to sparkling. A full bar! Whites cover the spectrum from delicate Riesling to exotic Muscat to rich Chardonnay. And a few styles in between. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience two of Italy’s great everyday reds – Barbera and Valpolicella. And a bargain red from South Africa.
P.S. My dull wine award goes to FRANCIS COPPOLA. The three wines in this release are dreary and over priced. As have been all the previous wines I’ve tasted from this winery.

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 Beaujolais Now!

Kato — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:12:55 +0000

Beaujolais’ liveliness, fun nature and low alcohol makes it perfect for summer gulping. Red wine to have on picnics, early in the evening and anytime when the mood is lighthearted. And, it’s the only red wines that is thirst-quenching – providing you know to lightly chill it. Too bad the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau in November gets people thinking it’s a winter drink. It’s not. Drink it NOW!

The good news is the quality is excellent in both the 07 and 08 vintages. And prices have barely increased in a decade – Beaujolais is one of today’s wine bargains. Try the following recommendations. But please don’t write and tell me you served Beaujolais at your steak BBQ and nobody enjoyed it. I’m NOT telling you to serve it with steak.

BOUCHARD AINE & FILS 08 Beaujolais, France 9431 $12.45
Brisk and brimming with summer berry flavours. A come alive, energetic red for summer refreshment and socializing. Save the Shiraz till later and start the party with Beaujolais. Lightly chilled of course.

MOMMESSIN 08 Beaujolais, France 313734 $11.95
Exuberant with Beaujolais’ great mix of fruitiness and tartness – white wine in a red wine cloak. Delicious summer refreshment. Alfresco lunches, early evening, or to partner with grilled salmon.
P.S. Mommessin is much improved from the old days.

CHAUVENET 07 BEAUJOLAIS, France 6114 $11.75
Fruity, fresh and very gulpable. The classic Beaujolais combination of berry fruits and lip-smacking tartness. A rustic, county feeling adds to the appeal. I have a fondness for this wine because in my Stratford days, a former local restaurant used sell it after hours in a tea pot. Did it taste good with a 2am greasy burger? You bet.

LCBO Vintages July 4, 2009

Kato — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:48:24 +0000

VINTAGES JULY 4, 2009
THE LOW DOWN: Most of my selections are from the old wine world. Characterful wines at reasonable prices – the reason to shop at Vintages.

SPARKLING
SIMONNET-FEBVRE Brut, Cremant de Bourgogne, France
126318 $18.95
This Chablis producer has crafted a wine that’s terribly close to Champagne. Not a surprise really, as the two regions have identical soils, grapes and climate. This is the bargain of the century for Champagne lovers!

FRESH WHITE
ALBINO PIONA 08 Custoza, Veneto, Italy 119446 $14.95
Super-zesty with a refreshing lemony tang. Lots of pep, lots of fun – perfect for the hot weather.

STREWN 06 Riesling ‘Terroir’, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake 467613 $16.95
Low-alcohol, dry Riesling that’s starting to develop the Fino Sherry tang. Heavenly stuff if you’re a fan. Aperitif and a great partner for BBQ’d shrimp.

DRY ROSÉ
MUGA 08 Rosé, Rioja, Spain 603795 $12.95
Lots of pucker. And lots of flavour. But not too rich. A great refresher, alfresco lunch or aperitif wine.

RED LIVELY
VILLA GIADA 07 Barbera D’Asti ‘Suri’, Piedmont, Italy 117168 $14.95
Here’s something to delight those who share my fondness for gutsy, tart, Italian reds. Explodes with cherry flavours and refreshment – makes you crave food. Wine’s original purpose.

RICH RED
QUINTA da CARREGOSA 07 Douro, Portugal 115725 $16.95
Super-rich red produced from the Port grapes. If you like Shiraz, you’ll love this.

CH. de JAU 06 Cotes du Roussillion-Villages, France 955070 $14.95
A great summer BBQ red – delicious fruity flavours, lively personality and not killer rich. There’s even a refreshing tang. Could be the red buy of the season.

BONNY DOON 05 Syrah ‘Le Pousseur’, California 732511 $21.95
Bonny Doon favours the Rhone style so this is quite gutsy and dry. Really good food wine for BBQ’d red meats.

Forget Shiraz, Think Bistro

Kato — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:36:02 +0000

Yvon Mau Shiraz looks like an attempt to cash in on the popularity of that grape. I expected it to be soft and smooth but instead it’s rustic and mouth puckering. Refreshing with an appealing honest feeling. No fuss, bistro wine that invites elbows on the table bottle, home cooking and hanging out. Perhaps with another of the same.

Yvon Mau 07 Shiraz, VDP de l’Aude, France 621979 $9.15

Bye Bye Bonnet

Kato — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:04:01 +0000

My longest running recommendation, Chateau Bonnet White Bordeaux, is no longer available at the LCBO. Too bad, because it stood head and shoulders above the other $12 whites – offering great value, great drinkability and personality. But wine buyers have stopped visiting the French section. How long before the Board deslists other good, every French wines? We get what we support.

Time for Rosé

Kato — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:02:26 +0000

The LCBO’s summer line-up of dry Rosé is now on the shelves and there’s lots to explore. Good values from South America and Spain, but I’m going with La Vieille Ferme again this year. A lovely combo of refreshment and teasing richness found in Rosés from the south of France.
La Vieille Ferme 08 Rosé, Côtes du Ventoux, France 622134 $10.95

Also recommended:
Marquez de Caceres 08 Rosado, Rioja, Spain 622142 $12.55
…dry, refreshing, with some guts. Party or food drink. Always one of the best.

Anakena 08 Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé, Chile 122432 $10.95
…refreshing and flavourful. Lots of character for the price. Good anytime.

P.S. How’s the Fuzion 08 Rosé? Simple, slightly sweet and okay for party gulping.