Natalie Spytkowsky of Rosewood Winery creates one of the purest expressions in local Pinot. Her 09 is very Beaujolais-ish, refreshing, appetizing and fun to drink. One sip and you’ll think SUMMER – on the patio, with picnic, or a BBQed side of salmon. Of course you’ll be careful to only invite your favourite fun-times friends and foods. Buy this week because it’s $2 off. Vintages department.
ROSEWOOD 09 Pinot Noir, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara (Vintages) 112177 $20.00 (NOW on sale! $18.00)
NEWS FLASH! PINOT IS THE PERFECT HOLIDAY RED
As the Holidays are traditionally celebrated with white meats, ham or fish it’s best to set aside Cab and Shiraz and open lighter reds such as Pinot Noir. Other favourable features of Pinot are a slight sweetness, compatibility with a broad range of foods – and most importantly, its natural charm.
If Pinot has not been on your Holiday table before you’re not alone. This is my first time recommending it because up till this year it was barely available and certainly not very affordable. I’ll be surprised, (and disappointed), if we don’t see even more availability in 2012.
I’ve arranged my picks into three categories so you know what to expect. Of course you’ll have the most fun if you explore all three styles.
LIGHT, BRIGHT: These are best suited to early evening sipping, and food, and would be my choice with the big meal. Lightly chill. Bichot’s wine is the best, everyday priced Burgundy red I’ve ever tasted. Could convert a lot of people to light reds. I love the earthy, funky character in Pelee’s wine. Lots of character. Rosewood is light, lively and delicious.
ALBERT BICHOT 10 Pinot Noir, Burgundy, France 166959 $14.95
PELEE ISLAND ‘Alvar’ 10 Pinot Noir, VQA Ontario 458521 $14.95
ROSEWOOD 09 Pinot Noir, VQA Twenty Mile Bench 112177 $19.95 (Vintages)
SLIGHTLY SWEET, BIG TIME CHARMERS: All of these have picked up vanilla and other spicy notes from time in barrel. They pair well with mildly ‘hot’ foods. And company. Very seductive drinks for Winter parties.
BARWICK 09 Pinot Noir, Pemberton, Western Australia 215194 $15.95
STONELEIGH 09 Pinot Noir, New Zealand 54353 $19.95
MISSION HILL 09 Pinot Noir ‘Five Vineyards’, VQA Okanagan 145128 $16.45
HAHN 08 Pinot Noir, Monterey, California 226555 $18.95 954834 $22.95
DRY AND UPSCALE: Burgundy is the home of Pinot and these wines are crafted in the dry, French style. A veneer of New World friendliness/richness adds a yummy note to the experience. Delicious, up-scale reds for the big bird, or any time of the year.
PIKES & JOYCE 10 ‘Lenswood Hills’ Pinot Noir, Australia 215095 $16.80
MUD HOUSE 08 Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand 190462 $17.95
AMITY 08 Pinot Noir, Oregon 124594 $24.95
P.S Pinot is also a great with chocolate. Try medium dark with one of the middle category wines.
BILLY AWARDS 2011
BEST LOCAL WINERY – The People’s Award
One of the major Canadian magazines has given their Winery of the Year award to Tawse. For the second year in a row. I’m in total agreement because this Beamsville winery has produced a huge array of stunning wines over the past few years. If you buy wines in the $20-$45 range Tawse delivers the goods as well, if not better, than anyone on the planet. Be sure to include it on your next Niagara trip.
Now, for my People’s Winery of the Year award. The winery that delivers the most excitement at everyday prices, and which scores for availability at the LCBO is Pelee Island. Pelee is a large scale producer with lots of experience in blending fruit from all over Ontario and offering good tasting, low priced wines. If you get out of urban centres and travel around the province you’ll see how Pelee has probably converted more people to ‘local’ than any other winery.
Over the past few years, however, Pelee has upped-the-ante with their ‘Lighthouse’ and ‘Alvar’ lines which offer fabulous varietal character plus. Amazing wines for $12–$15. To top it off Pelee’s ‘Secco’ is a great Ontario edition of Prosecco. It’s about time that GM/original winemaker, Walter Schmoranz, got some recognition for decades of great work in our local industry. Go Pelee!
Billy Munnelly’s recommendations for LCBO Vintages, Saturday November 12, 2011
I’m entertaining more expensive and classic wines as we head into the holiday season. Treats for yourself, to share, or give as gifts. This is a good time of the year to use Vintages.
FRANCE in PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY
Closson Chase has just released two very stylish wines. An elegant, mid-range Chardonnay with the refreshing feeling of Chablis. Smart aperitif/first course wine. A great ambassador for the County.
The Pinot Noir is also very French. Bone dry, lightish and tart with wonderful earthy realness. A Fall day feeling. Age a year.
I really like the clear focus at Closson Chase – high quality Chard and Pinot Noir. There is a strong connection between the sensibility displayed at the winery – the arty/rustic barn and the garden – and what’s in the bottle. Understated but self assured. Makes you feel like you’re in the French Countryside.
CLOSSON CHASE ‘CCV’ 09 CHARDONNAY, VQA County $24.95
CLOSSON CHASE ‘CCV’ 09 PINOT NOIR, VQA COUNTY $39.95
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