THE LOW DOWN: Don’t miss this opportunity to experience wines from France’s Loire Valley. Red and white with bright flavours and a pure, spring-like quality. And a sensational sweetie. There is nothing like these at regular LCBOs.
Niagara Riesling is back on form with the 08 vintage so it’s time to start buying again. I’m recommending [...]
THE LOW DOWN: Unfortunately, most of the Spanish reds offered in this release are super-rich/smooth – catering to the North American palate – but I did find some interesting and reasonable priced picks. France keeps giving us reasons to return to the motherland of wine: a white Burgundy, a red Bordeaux and a Côtes du [...]
Posted in Vintages Picks, Wine Picks | Also tagged Australia, Côtes du Rhône, chardonnay, France, red wine, Rioja, Southbrook, Spain, Sparkling, VQA, white wine |
THE LOW DOWN: Six picks ranging in price from $15 to $25. Blockbuster, crowd-pleasing Argentinan wines are the feature but they are outdone by my Cotes du Rhone pick. France also scores with a Sauv Blanc. Malivoire Gamay and Southbrook Chard are outstanding locals.
WHITES
wine style: fresh white
LA CHABLISIENNE 08 Sauvignon, Saint-Bris, France 641753 $14.95
Seriously dry [...]
THE LOW DOWN: Love the catalogue with the Italian feature – timely, as so many Italian reds have a woodsy, fall-day feeling. Check out the Capraia Chianti. But whites are best in this release, with outstanding local Riesling, Soave and Chardonnay from Burgundy. For Thanksgiving, I highly recommend going local – Henry of Pelham 07 [...]
Look for the following premium Gamays on your Niagara winery visits.
Peller Estates 07 Gamay Noir ‘Private Reserve’ $18.95 (also at Vineyards stores)
Delicious fruitiness and freshness. Truly yummy! A friend said it was the most delicious red she ever tasted.
Malivoire Estates 07 Gamay Noir $17.95
Super-concentrated. Have with hearty pasta.
13th Street Winery 07 Gamay $18.00
***Now in their [...]
SOUTHBROOK 08 Cabernet Rosé, VQA Niagara on the Lake
(Winery/Vintages in the Fall) $17.95
Hits a lot of wine spots – refreshing, kinda rich and pleasant. Good for lunch, afternoon or supper. An organic/biodynamic wine that shows the potential of Ontario dry rosé. Premium priced but delivers quality.
P.S. Malivoire’s delicious ‘Ladybug’ Rosé (previous recommendation) will be back [...]
My friend Neil drinks almost as much wine as I do. He’s a no nonsense guy who has figured out a few different wine styles to suit his moods and needs. If it’s daylight Neil drinks Pinot Grigio. “Background stuff, but it sort of pleases me.”
Pinot Grigio is the blue jeans of the wine world [...]
A few days ago I celebrated Martin Malivoire Day – my annual get together/tasting with the owner of one of Niagara’s top wineries (and organic too) at Gamelle restaurant.
As you might know, my reviews are based on independent tastings done either at my office or at trade events but I also welcome the opportunity to [...]
THE LOW DOWN: New Zealand reds are the feature and I found three to recommend. The style could be likened to our local reds – bright, lively and appetizing. South African Shiraz and Californian Zinfandel are my favourite BBQ reds – check out Linton Park and Ravenswood. Pelham’s Cuvee Catharine is inching its way towards [...]
Posted in Vintages Picks, Wine Picks | Also tagged California, Cantina Tramin 07 Gewurztraminer, Carrick, Cider, Clos Saint-Denis, Coopers Creek, Cuvee Catharine, Henry of Pelham, Kim Crawfored, Linton Park, New Zealand, Niagara, Palliser, pinot noir, Quebec, Ravenswood, South Africa, VQA, Zinfandel |
before you go Pick up a copy of Wineries of Ontario at LCBO stores. It has maps and all the contact info for wineries, restaurant and hotels. www.winesofontario.ca
the low down The wonderful 07 Vintage is the current hot topic but don’t overlook the wines of 06, which are drinking really well right now. This cool [...]
Posted in Food & Restaurants, Travel Notes, Wine Picks | Also tagged 13th Street, Add new tag, Angels Gate Winery, Calamus, Cave Spring, Charles Baker, Chateau des Charmes, Clos Jordanne, Coyote’s Run, Creekside, De Sousa, Featherstone, Fielding Estates, Flat Rock Cellars, Foreign Affair, Frogpond Farm, Henry of Pelham, Hidden Bench, Hillebrand winery, Inniskillin, Jackson-Triggs, Lailey, Megalomaniac, Mountain Road Wine Company, Niagara, Olson's Food & Bakery, Organized Crime, Peller Estates, Peninsula Ridge, Ravine Vineyard, red wine, Southbrook, Stone Road Grille, Stratus, Strewn Winery, Tawse, The Ice House, Thirty Bench, Vineland Estates, VQA, white wine |
