All posts tagged Malivoire

LCBO Vintages October 10, 2009

by Kato on October 7, 2009 in Vintages Picks, Wine Picks with No comments

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 Gamay and Malivoire Rosé (recommended in the spring).

tedeschiWHITES
Tedeschi 08 Soave ‘Capitel Tenda’, Vento, Italy 730903 $15.95
wine style: fresh white
Soave is usually simple but this one feels elegant and expensive. Upscale house wine with delicate flavours and a crisp, starched-shirt feeling. Italian whites keep impressing.

30Taste a World Class Local
One of the wines that Niagara can stand tall with is Dry Riesling. And here is a taste test that I’d love you to take. Go to a major LCBO this Saturday and buy Thirty Bench 08 Riesling which you’ll find in the Vintages section. Chill and have for aperitif, and maybe with oysters, sushi or your favourite seafood appetizers.
The unique statement in good local Dry Riesling is a jolt and a purity that’s similar to Champagne. The violins tuning-up before the concert, your morning ski run on fresh snow, or driving home in your new car. It’s a rush. It’s about ‘the thrill’.
Dry Riesling is the Black Dress of the wine world. So simple, so good at giving nothing away, and such a good entry. Make Thirty Bench your ‘entry wine’ this Saturday.

P.S. Act two would be to get in the car on Sunday and drive to the winery for their single vineyard Dry Rieslings ($30) which you will hide in the basement for a year or two because they’re not ready yet. Thirty Bench have some of the oldest plantings of Riesling in Niagara. See my Niagara Tour for more info on this brilliant winery.

Thirty Bench 08 Riesling, VQA Beamsville Bench 24133 (Vintages)  $18.70

yalumbaYalumba ‘Y Series’ 08 Riesling, Australia 625129 $15.95
wine style: fresh white
Lots of citrussy zest and with a shade more flavour than in our locals. Fun to drink anytime. Aussie Riesling is one of the most overlooked wines in the world.

maconPaul & Mallory Talmard 07 Macon-Uchizy, Burgundy, France 733956 $16.95
wine style: rich white
Great value in semi-rich Chardonnay. Tons of flavour but drier and more food friendly than hot climate editions of this grape.
P. S. Grant Burge 07 Chardonnay ‘Summers’, Australia (57315 $19.95) is named after the winery’s accountant – honouring his 30 years of service. Nice, eh! And how’s the wine? A bit tight and reserved, of course.

bardolinoREDS
Monte del Frà 08 Bardolino, Veneto, Italy
134544 $13.95
wine style: lively red
Here’s a light, seriously tart red that’s strictly for the fan. Tons of pucker and an honest quality rarely found in today’s wine world. Needs a bowl of pasta – but have a glass while the water is boiling.

HOPgamayHenry of Pelham 07 Gamay, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara 291112 $14.95
wine style: lively red
Pelham hits a mid-point between Beaujolais and Barbera. Fun and gutsy. Great stuff for early in the evening. Lightly chill.

Tenuta di Capraia 06 Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy 135277 $19.95
wine style: rustic redcapraiaChianti
Classic Chianti. Tart, gutsy, earthy and challenging. Invigorating stuff for fall and winter dinners.

bishopBishop by Ben Glaetzer 07 Shiraz, Barossa Valley. Australia 627869 $29.95
wine style: rich red

Premium Gamays in Niagara

by Kato on September 15, 2009 in Wine Picks with No comments

Look for thpellergamaye 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.

MalGamay

Malivoire Estates 07 Gamay Noir $17.95
Super-concentrated. Have with hearty pasta.

13thstreet13th Street Winery 07 Gamay $18.00
***Now in their new location! 1776 Fourth Ave, St. Catharines
Rustic, flavourful and unique.

Southbrook’s Dry Rosé

by Kato on June 27, 2009 in Vintages Picks, Wine Picks with No comments

southbrookroseSOUTHBROOK 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 in stock on Vintages shelves in a few weeks.

Good Grigio in Ontario

by Kato on June 6, 2009 in Wine Picks with No comments

pinotgrigioMy 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 – simple but good. A feel good, and comfortable wine.

Background stuff is not something that excites, or strokes the ego of most winemakers but some here in Ontario are willing to oblige. And impress. Pelee Island has been producing very gulpable Pinot Grigio for as long as I remember and the 08 vintage may be their best ever. Fresh, fruity and a best buddy from the first sip. Summer patio stock for sure. Creekside in Niagara produces a drier edition that will hit the spot on hot days. Handy screwcap.

PELEE ISLAND 08 Pinot Grigio, VQA Ontario 326413 $11.95
CREEKSIDE 07 Pinot Grigio, VQA Ontario 83196
$13.95

P.S. In wine country look for Pinot Gris (same as Grigio) at the following wineries: MALIVOIRE 08 Pinot Gris, Niagara ($18.95) is the designer jeans of Gris – crisp for refreshment and  delicious for sipping. Stylish new packaging. Perfect hostess gift. HUFF ESTATE in Prince Edward County have elevated Pinot Grigio ($18.95) to something classy. Bright, jazzy and brimming with confidence. Shades of house wine at a fancy French restaurant. Another good County Gris is The GRANGE ‘Trumpour’s Mill’ 07 ($14.95). Lovely fruity, spicy flavours.

Tasting Malivoire Wines

by Kato on June 4, 2009 in Food & Restaurants, Vintages Picks, Wine Picks with No comments

malivoire1A 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 re-taste with a winemaker. It gives me a window on the personality, philosophy, and direction of the winery. What’s in the bottle is all about what’s in the head and heart of the owner.

malivoire52

Martin loves food, loves to travel, and for me, he’s bringing the French wine experience to Niagara. At least a version of it – which is how it should be. He’s committed to organics, to operating with style and to inviting customers to pay premium. The French way! The clincher is that Malivoire makes good wine and there’s value in every bottle. You decide where his wines might fit into your life and budget. Some are at the LCBO but most are available only at the winery.

I highly recommend the Pinot Gris, Ladybug Rosé and Gamay. The arty new labels are a welcome change from local Dullsville.

malivoire2

WHITES
Melon 08 ($9.95/375ml) is lean, tart and super-refreshing. Oyster wine. Ontario’s Muscadet! The half bottle size is perfect for aperitifs. Pinot Gris 08 ($18.95 Vintages) hits the mid-range between refreshment and something special. “Wine for drinking” says Martin. I suggest you get some and start doing it. You’ll have the best house wine on the the block. Chardonnay 06 Estate ($19.95 LCBO Essentials) is pretty, but a showstopper is the Chardonnay 06 ‘Moira Vineyard’ ($36) which is big, luscious and out to seduce. Gewurztraminer 08 ($24.95) is lively, lovely and exotic without being too cute. Something to sip in the shade. Another delightful experience can be had with half bottles of Chardonnay Musque ($11.95 Available at Vintages in 375ml for the June 20 release) which delivers lovely Muscat flavours and zest at a low alcohol level. Perfect for summer brunch – or whenever.

malivoire31ROSÉ & REDS
Ladybug 08 Rosé ($15.95 available now at Vintages) is the perfect combo of zest and fruitiness. Wine that says ‘Let’s have some FUN’. The Pinot Noir 06 ($25 Available at Vintages in August) is light, tart and challenging. Very Burgundian – wine to partner with confit. My favourite red is the Gamay 07 ($17.95) which is totally unique. Lots of fruit, lots of vigour and an earthy quality that I associate with Italian reds such as Barbera. Rustic wine for hearty pastas, or BBQ’d white meats.

malivoire4P.S. Gamelle restaurant is operated by Jean Pierre . . . who was making sauces as Martin and I sipped. His restaurant is a tiny, intimate French bistro. Very good, very romantic. Cute window tables on College, and also a backyard patio. www.gamelle.com

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