ROSEWOOD 09 Pinot Noir, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara (Vintages) 112177 $20.00 (NOW on sale! $18.00)

http://www.rosewoodwine.com

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.

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!

SPARKLING

DOMAINE DE VAUGONDY Vouvray Brut, Loire, France
154567 $17.95
A perfect blend of tartness and delicate flavours. Elegant, marble hall feeling. Fantastic aperitif, or as a base for ‘Champagne’ cocktails. Get a case for the holidays.

13th STREET ‘Cuvee 13’ Brut Rosé, VQA Ontario
147504 $24.95
Super refreshing. And good looking. Dreaming of a pink Christmas.

WHITES

Wine Style: FRESH WHITE
DOMAINE BERNARD 08 Chablis ‘Cote de Lechet’, 1er cru, France
17541 $34.95
Austere with mineral freshness and just a trace of flavour. Classic Chablis – which is a rare find. A set-up wine to tease the palate or complement anything out of the ocean. Oysters for sure.

Wine Style: RICH WHITE
CLOSSON CHASE 08 Beamsville Bench Chardonnay. Ontario
230904 $39.95
Blockbuster white. Tons of flavour and richness with the warm, toasty flavours of mature Chardonnay. Very Burgundian, very exotic, and a very wonderful local.

Wine Style: RICH WHITE
KUHLMANN-PLATZ 08 Pinot Gris, Alsace
224204 $17.95
Richness combined with a little spicy/sweetness. Pinot Gris is Alsace’s answer to Chard. Would be a perfect partner for the big bird and all the trimmings. And all the family.

Wine Style: RICH WHITE
DOMAINES SCHLUMBERGER 07 Riesling, Kessler, Alsace, France
61176 $25.95
A must for the Riesling fan. Bone dry and just starting to express itself with intriguing, hard-to–pin-down flavours. Love that. Elegant and a wonderful tease.

REDS

Wine Style: RUSTIC RED
CHATEAU FONGABAN 06 Cotes de Castillon, Bordeaux, France
138735 $15.95
Rustic, invigorating and down to earth. Classic bistro red. Best with beef or lamb.

Wine Style: RICH RED
ROCCA DELLE MACIE 06 Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany, Italy
930966 $21.95
I don’t usually like mature Chianti but who could resist the woodsy, fall-day flavours, and charm in this wine. Enjoy with oven toasted anything, and thoughts of Tuscany.

Wine Style: RICH RED
DELAS 09 Cotes du Rhone ‘Saint-Esprit’, France
729962 $14.95
Fruity, spicy flavours combined with a tangy edge and some richness. The Rhone experience. Both heartwarming and refreshing. Good with everything.

Wine Style: RICH RED
GUIGAL 07 Gigondas, Rhone, France
331900 $29.95
Something special and seductive at a good price. Both sexy and solid, and ready to go. Guigal is one of the top producers in the Rhone and Gigondas outperforms most super deluxe wines.

Wine Style: RICH RED
FRAMINGHAM 09 Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand
699322 $24.95
Here’s a lush, exotic edition of Pinot. A charmer. Pamper yourself with a favourite dish, and partner.

Wine Style: RICH RED
SOKOL BLOSSER 08 Pinot Noir, Oregon
748434 $34.95
The Pinot purist will love this combination of delicious berry/spicy and ‘farmyard’ flavours. A bigger than usual presence for Pinot. Would be fab with duck breast!

Wine Style: RICH RED
STRATUS 08 Red, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
131037 $44.20
A multi grape blend in the sturdy, earthy Stratus style. Tons of personality and a refreshing change from the world of sameness in deluxe reds. Great local statement.

Wine Style: RICH RED
MASI ‘SEREGO ALIGHIERI’ 05 Amarone della Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy
462812 $69.95
Expensive but really good Amarone. Light on the usual dried fruit flavours but big on the mid palate stuff that makes expensive wines  worthwhile. Sip with after dinner chat. From the estate of Dante – impressive gift choice.

SWEET

LENZ MOSER 08 Trockenbeerenauslese, Burgenland, Austria
729657 375ml/$19.95
Amazing concentration of sweet/spicy flavours in a low alcohol wine. Deep and delicious. The sweet wine buy of the decade.

CROFT Pink Port, Portugal
140871 $19.95
Lighthearted Port for the non Port drinker. And good at it.  Lightly chilled this is a lovely drink for aperitif, party-time, or whenever.

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

A decade ago it was predicted that the Central Otago region in New Zealand would be the next Mecca for Pinot.

The wine is a perfect mix of the austerity of the original Burgundy Pinot, and the more fruity/friendly New World style. It’s refreshing and earthy – and also seductive. Just a delicious drink that exudes a Summer day, life is good feeling. Some predictions come true! I’d have to say it might be the best under $20 Pinot on the planet.
MUD HOUSE 08 PINOT NOIR, CENTRAL OTAGO, New Zealand 190462 $17.95
http://www.mudhouse.co.nz/wines

Pinot is always a bit premium priced but fans are usually willing to pay up. Especially if the quality is there. Such as with Henry’s 07 just released at LCBO Vintages.

The style is very local which means it’s similar to Burgundy. Down and earthy, farmyardy and even dirty. All the stuff that serious Pinot fans love and crave. There’s lots of pleasant stuff in the wine too so it’s okay to pour for non-pinot people. At peak now so drink this Fall or Winter. Or it will really get nasty.

HENRY OF PELHAM 07 PINOT NOIR RESERVE VQA NIAGARA 268392 $24.95

SANTA BARBARA WINERY 09 Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, California 942946 $20.95 (LCBO Vintages)

The life of a Pinot drinker keeps getting better.

They’re from Australia, a climate previously considered too warm for Pinot. (Once again, a reminder to NEVER believe anything you read about wine. Unless it’s the truth, which you’ll only find here!)

Barwick is out to seduce with sweet/spicy flavours but it’s also lively and playful. Refreshes and charms. My favourite combo. Have with BBQ-sauced foods – and your loved ones.

Pikes is one of my favourite Aussie wineries and the Lenswood Hills Pinot is tangy/rustic in the Burgundian style. You’ll also meet lovely berry flavours and refreshment. A great summer red for lightly chilling and having with anything other than red meat.

BARWICK 09 Pinot Noir, Pemberton, Western Australia 215194 $15.95

PIKES VINTNERS 10 Pinot Noir, Lenswood Hills, Australia 215095 $17.00

Can you handle it? How much Pinot lovin can you take? Well, here’s one way to find out. The Ontario Wine Society is hosting a tasting of local (35 wineries) and the traditional stuff from Burgundy (Jadot, Bichot, Roux and others).

While some might see it as a ‘them and us’ contest I think it’s a great opportunity to explore the local wine and see what you think. All the big local Pinot names are coming out: Malivoire, Le Clos Jordanne, Coyotes Run, Pelham, Flat Rock, Lailey, Tawse, Norman Hardie, etc. And it’s at a castle, not really mine – the crazy Casa Loma in Toronto. Weather permitting we’ll be out on the terrace pretending we’re in Monte Carlo.

Don’t miss this one. Only $68 ($58 for members and guests). There will be an additional $1 charge for tastes of the premium wines.

May 19th at Casa Loma, 6:00 to 9:00 pm

More info here

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.

Amity Pinot Noir

As you all know, or should, Pinot Noir is always expensive and the twenty dollar stuff is usually terribly lean, or doctored-up with sweetness. Amity’s wine is neither. It has the structure, vitality and modest alcohol of a Cru Beaujolais from France, but the gulpability is West Coast. Instant fun, that turns into love on the second glass. Lightly chill and start imagining summer evenings on the patio. Having fun blowing the budget!

AMITY 07 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon 124594 $23.95

WHITES
Wine style: Fresh white
LEIRA 09 Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain 115816 $16.95
Refreshment plus. Lemon/lime flavours combined with spiciness and richness. Very appealing and complete without any oak influence. From Spain’s land of seafood.

Wine style: Fresh/Rich white
VARANDA do CONDE 09 Vinho Verde, Portugal 966663 $13.95
Great blast of lemony freshness. High spirited refresher. Needs hot weather to show its stuff – buy a stash for Summer afternoons or evenings. A classic Vinho Verde produced from Alvarinho (Albarino in Spain) and Trajadura grapes

Wine style: Rich white
SELLA & MOSCA 09 Vermentino di Gallura, ‘Monteoro’, Sardinia, Italy 203422 $16.95
Semi-rich with an appetizing, savoury character. Shades of Sem/Sauv. Low-keyed in a good way. Different. Really good all evening white. Vermentino is just one of Italy’s many wonderful indigenous white grape varieties.

REDS
Wine style: Rustic red
MALIVOIRE 09 Old Vines Foch, VQA Ontario 551036 $19.95
This dark, hard and tart wine is not for everyone. But if you’re up for wine adventure and enjoy the back roads, Mr Foch will take you there. Needs food and should never be poured at a party – unless you’re pulling the plug on the event.

Wine style: Rustic red
VILLA PONCIAGO 09 Beaujolais-Villages, France 207449 $15.95
Fruity meets refreshment, meets rustic. While you get the lighthearted feeling of Beaujolais there is also character to grab on to. Interest to keep you drinking. And happy. One sip and you’ll be thinking French bistro. One glass and you’ll be there. Would be one hell of a great Summer red. Lightly chilled of course.
P.S. Produced by Bouchard Pere et Fils using traditional vinification as opposed to the normal carbonic maceration – hence the rustic edge and extra shot of character.

Wine style: Rustic reds
CH. de FONTENILLE 08 Bordeaux, France 199109 $14.95
CH. COTES de SAINT CLAIR 06 Bordeaux, France 199026 $14.95
It’s becoming rare to find traditional style Bordeaux at a reasonable price but here are two. Hurrah! Expect dusty dryness, herbaceous flavours and lots of vigor. Along with lower than normal alcohol levels and an invitation to gulp. Forget the Chateau designation and think gutsy, earthy, French Country wine. Fontenille is the lighter and the Saint Clair more hearty. Naturally both are food, not party, wines. These would be an eye opener for anyone who has never tasted Merlot/Cabernet in a pure form.

Wine style: rustic red
QUINTA NOVA ‘Pomares’ 08 Douro, Portugal 214007 $16.95
Rustic with a capital R. As with many Douro reds there is a resemblance to the dry, rustic character of Bordeaux. Draws you in – engaging you and your appetite. Wonderful partner for red meats, a hearty appetite and earthy company. Or just a good friend.

Wine style: Rich red
PASQUA 08 Valpolicella Ripasso ‘Black Label’, Italy 203968 $18.95
Warm, toasty Amarone-like feelings for less than $20! Rich, earthy,  late nigh supper wine. Pasqua is one of the great Valpolicella houses but this is the first time we’ve seen their Ripasso.

Wine style: rich red
PERRIN & FILS 08 Vinsobres ‘Les Cornuds’, Rhone, France 566844 $17.95
Perrin’s ‘Cru’ Rhone reds are among the most reliable wines in the world. Rich but never overbearing or overworked. Expect the peppery, spicy character of Rhone-Villages plus a little extra to engage the imagination with some mystery. Enjoy with almost any food. Could be cellared a year or two.

Wine style: rich red
SANTA BARBARA 09 Pinot Noir, California 194332 $19.95
Californian Pinot that’s not too sweet nor pricey. Dry, lively in the Burgundy style. Very refreshing and fun to gulp. If you enjoy vitality in your reds, get this. Yummy, yummy stuff. Lightly chill.

Thank you Vintages for offering the excellent Irish whiskeys from the Cooley distillery.

WHITES
wine style: fresh white . . . upscale
CHARLES BAKER 08 Riesling ‘Picone Vineyard’, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara 126433 $35.20
Flinty dry with just a tease of flavour. Delicate but characterful. Classic local Dry Riesling from one of the best vineyards in Niagara. Worth the splurge for a special summer lunch.

wine style: fresh white . . . refresher
THELEMA SUTHERLAND 08 Sauvignon Blanc, Elgin, South Africa 203877 $13.95
Exuberant Sauv with some tropical fruit flavours. A good partner for well spiced white meat dishes.

wine style: fresh white . . . classy
CH. de la GREFFIERE 09 Macon-la-Roche Vineuse, Burgundy, France 205898 $14.95
Beautiful non-oaked Chardonnay with the perfect mix of vitality, friutiness and gulpability. Ideal all-evening white.

wine style: nice & easy white . . . house white
CARUSO & MININI Grillo ‘Timpune’, Sicily, Italy 203943 $13.95
Not a singing duo but a delicious all-round white. A lot of luxury for the price. Would be a good introduction to the Grillo grape, and to the high quality of Sicilian whites in general.

wine style: rich white . . . manly
CONCHA y TORO 07 Chardonnay Reserva ‘Maycas del Limari’, Chile 162040 $19.95
Super rich with the earthy character of a mature Burgundy. Great white wine experience. The opposite end of the spectrum from today’s popular fruity-style Chardonnays.

REDS
wine style: fresh red . . . novel
ERMETE MEDICI A FIGLI 09 Lambrusco ‘Concerto’, Emilia-Romagna, Italy 208967 $14.95
This off-dry sparkling red wine hails from the home of proscuitto. Naturally they’re good partners, as are any foods from the deli counter. Low in alcohol. One of my favourite alfresco lunch wines.

wine style: rustic red . . . different
PISONI 08 Teroldego, Alto Adige, Italy 209353 $14.95
Teroldego is the Baco of Italy. Lively, slightly odd red that will grow on you – or not. Refreshing and a very good food partner for everyday foods. Lightly chill.

wine style: rich red . . . amazing value
CONCHA y TORO 09 Syrah Reserva, ‘Maycas del Limari’, Chile 209916 $14.95
New World ripeness and richness but there’s no mistaking Syrah’s Rhone Valley ancestory. Very appetizing. Very good and very reasonably priced.

wine style: rich red . . . charmer
VINA LEYDA 09 Pinot Noir ‘Las Brisas’, Chile 209908 $16.95
Rich, spicy/sweet style Pinot. Very seductive and a great partner for hot and spicy foods, or times.

wine style: rich red . . . warmhearted
DOMAINE des MASCARONS 09 Cotes du Rhones-Villages, France 142174 $15.95
Blockbuster, super-rich and smooth Rhone. Fireside red.

IRISH WHISKEY Take a break from the smooth Jameson and explore the wilder side of Irish with these rogues from a real Irish distillery

COOLEY DISTILLERY ‘Connemara’ Peated Single Malt 27946 $54.95
. . . not only peat but wild, mountain herbal flavours.

COOLEY DISTILLERY Locke’s 8-Year-Old Single Malt 913475 $54.95
. . . more vigour here. manly and tangy.

COOLEY DISTILLERY ‘Inishowen’ Peated Single Malt 656017 $34.95
. . . some peat but lots of other stuff too. Spirited and exciting for the price.

Is this the world’s best value in Pinot? Not really, BUT it is a great opportunity to grab a crowd-pleasing red at a good price. And to have all of the yummy features associated with Shiraz in a lighter-style wine. No less calories or alcohol but this Pinot feels more lighthearted/playful than most of today’s popular reds. Perfect for almost any food or event. And what’s not to like about a hit of California at this time of year!

Wine style: Rich Red
MIRASSOU 09 Pinot Noir, California 185249 $12.95

More and more people are embracing traditional-style red wines. They’re less rich, less showy and less tiring on the palate than today’s big selling Shiraz and Malbec wines. You get a hit of refreshment and a lighthearted feeling. Down to earthy stuff for everyday meals. And wine that you can drink all evening. Pinot Noir.

Wine geeks might say that Rothschild’s wine is not very Pinot-ish, and they’d be right. But it is a bright, lively wine with a good-buddy feeling. Welcome company on most evenings. And a good choice to put out with the holiday turkey.

ROTHSCHILD 09 Pinot Noir, VDP d’Oc, France 628289 $11.95

I’ve included a few semi-expensive picks for Holiday treats, or gifts. And a few wines from the November 13 release. Along with my usual bargains.

Enjoy.

P.S. Keep checking here for lots of Holiday picks at regular LCBOs.

WHITES

wine style: fresh white
SOLIGO 09 Pinot Grigio, Piave, Italy 181560 $13.95
The fresh, fruity and fun character of good PInot Grigio. Ideal Holiday season house white.

wine style: fresh white
FLATROCK 09 Riesling ‘Nadja’s Vineyard, VQA 20 Mile Bench 578625 $19.95 (Nov 13)
One of Ontario’s best dry Rieslings. Very sharp, very pure and very good for aperitif.

wine style: nice & easy white
ZENATO 09 Lugana, Lombardy, Italy 707158 $13.95
Zenato’s Lugana is the Michael Buble of white wine. One of the nicest drinks on the planet. Shades of non-oaked Chard.

wine style: rich white
HIDDEN BENCH 07 Chardonnay, VQA Beamsville Bench 68817 $35.20
Super lush, rich, exotic. Glam local Chardonnay in HD. Fireside sipper.

wine style: rich white
STRATUS 07 White, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake 660704 $44.20 (Nov 13)
A multi grape blend with amazing flavour concentration. The hit of a big Chardonnay but with a greater variety of flavours. Vibrant and refreshing too. Something special for sure.

wine style: rich white
SANTA RITA 08 Chardonnay ‘Medalla Real’, Limari Valley, Chile 303628 $17.95
Santa Rita is the master of blockbuster wines at Honest Ed prices. Get the rich Chardonnay experience for less than twenty bucks.

SPARKLING

wine style: sparkling Rosé
MUMM NAPA Brut Rosé, California 205641 $29.95
Tart, with a delicious tease of berry flavours. Classic and classy aperitif. Treat yourself and your best friends.

REDS

wine style: rustic red
GEMMA 09 Dolcetto D’Alba ‘Madonna Della Neve’, Piedmont, Italy 185017 $13.95
Tart, vigorous, earthy – pure Italian. Lasagna or burgers.
wine style: rustic red
TENUTA di CAPRAIA 06 Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany, Italy 23374 $28.95
Hail to the original Chianti. Earthy, rustic and challenging. Next best thing to being at a farm house in Tuscany. Wild boar on the spit? Enjoy with any grilled red meat.

wine style: rich red
MacROSTIE 07 Pinot Noir, Carneros, California 674911 $24.95
Rich, spicy sweet, Californian Pinot. Very seductive, very pretty, very easy. The mood for cuddles.

wine style: rich red
DOMAINE GALEVAN 07 Cotes du Rhone ‘Paroles de Femme’, France 125930 $15.00
The French edition of Shiraz – spicy sweet, nourishing and very yummy. Perfect for Holiday entertaining.

wine style: rich red
CLOS DU VAL 08 Zinfandel, Napa Valley, California 590216 $22.95
Zin in a pure, Pinot Noir style. Bright flavours and invigorating personality. Refreshing and charming. My favourite combination in red wine.

wine style: rich red
STRATUS 07 Red, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake 131037 $44.20
Niagara’s edition of traditional red Bordeaux – solid and serious. A bit tight and tuxedo-ish right now, but would be perfect for a formal event in 3-5 years. Start planning! The perfect gift for a wine geek.

wine style: rich red
TORRES 05 Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Mas La Plana’. Penedes, Spain 129676 $44.95 (Nov 13)
Wonderful solid Cabernet expression. But not taking itself too seriously. Enjoy now or could be aged. This is the wine that beat the Bordeaux boys in a famous tasting several years ago.

SWEET WINE, PORT & BOOZE

QUADY 07 Orange Muscat ‘Essensia’, California 299552 375ml/$13.95 (Nov 13)
A huge blast of delicious apricot and orange sweetness. But not sticky. You’ll not find a more crowdpleasing and value priced sweet wine. Great to see Essensia back on the shelf.

DELAFORCE Vintage Port 1994, Portugal 163063 $69.95
Huge flavour concentration and sweetness. Late evening sipper, solo or with aged cheddar. Decant. Great value for the Port lover.

ST. GERMAIN Delice De Sureau, France 180695 $49.95
An elderflower infused eau-de-vie in one of the most beautiful bottles I’ve ever seen. Fruity herbal flavours combine with a mix of freshness and sweetness. Very delicate, very delicious. On the rocks or mix with sparkling wine or mineral water. Something new and different for the Holidays. For cocktail recipes visit www.stgermain.fr

GREEN SPOT, IRISH WHISKEY 699827 $84.95
For those who enjoy a dry, earthy style whiskey. Unique and very nourishing. A very pleasant way to support the struggling Irish economy.

WHITES
Wine-Style: Nice ‘n Easy White
Chateau des Charmes 08 Chardonnay Musque, VQA Niagara-in-the-Lake 640516 $16.95
Chardonnay Musque has become an Ontario speciality and a great example of the distinctive pure quality of local whites. A refreshing non-oaked wine with a delicate hit of Muscat. I’d call it yummy, delightful and fun. Pour this at Holiday events and watch faces light up. Joy to the world.

REDS
Wine-Style: Rustic Red
Tenuta il Corno 07 Chianti Colli Fiorentini, Tuscany, Italy 123752 $14.95
Another very traditional Italian wine. Earthy, rustic and crying out for the dinner table. With simply grilled or roasted meat.

Wine-Style: Rustic Red
Pietro Rinaldi 08 Dolcetto d’Alba ‘Madonna di Como’, Piedmont, Italy 182261 $16.95
My second Dolcetto within a month! A must for fans of traditional very dry, rustic Italian reds. Grabs the taste buds and says let’s eat. Cannot get enough of Italian gusto.

Wine-Style: Rich Red
Angelini 07 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ‘Tre Rose’, Tuscany, Italy 963199 $21.95
Vino Nobile is usually serious in style and price, but here’s an exception. Rustic meets charm. A very graceful Tuscan wine with the lighter feeling of Burgundy. At peak now. A Saturday night special for sure. Best from a decanter, and Riedels sitting on linen.

Wine-Style: Rich Red
Jackson-Triggs 07 Shiraz ‘Delaine Vineyard’, VQA Niagara 86553 $29.95
Crafted in the Rhone style but with enough spicy sweetness to get lots of wows. As exotic as we dare to get in Canada. I love the mix of refreshment and nourishment. Elegant too. I’d go with white meat. A local hero for sure.
P.S. The Delaine vineyard is on the Niagara Parkway and was planted by Donald Triggs (ex Jackson-Triggs) and his partner, Elaine – hence the name. You can find other excellent Delaine wines at WineRack Stores.

Wine-Style: Rich Red
Frei Brothers 07 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, California 91025 $22.95
Typical Californian Pinot Noir – spicy sweet and sure to seduce. A delicious dose of niceness. You cannot fail for romance, family events or fireside sipping.

Arancio is a shade New world in richness but with a hit of Italian realness. Not a bad combination. Especially on a fall evening.

GRAB THIS!! It’s a great red for the price.

wine-style: semi-rich red
Feudo Arancio 08 Pinot Noir, Sicily 113902 $12.95

WHITES
wine style: nice & easy white
TBILVINO TSINANDALI 08, Georgia 26658 $12.95
From the original home of wine and civilization! Soft, easy-drinking, non-oaked Chardonnay style. Worth a detour.

wine style: fresh white
FONTANAFREDDA 09 Gavi, Piedmont, Italy 75440 $15.95
Gavi is Italy’s answer to Chablis. A low-flavoured white with mineral freshness and a classy feeling. The tease of fruit in this one reminds me of Dry Riesling. Lovely aperitif.

wine style: fresh white
STRANDVELD VINEYARDS 09 Sauvignon Blanc ‘First Sighting’, Cape Agulhas, South Africa 18705 $14.95
Sauvignon with amazing purity and stone cold mineral freshness. Think about sea breezes. If you’re into the terroir thing this wine is the expression of a rocky outpost at the real foot of the African continent…where stubborn Dutch farmers dare to grow vines in windblown fields.

SPARKLING
JACKSON-TRIGGS Method Classique Brut 05 ‘Proprietor’s Grand Reserve’, VQA Niagara 587691 $19.95
Bargain-priced Bollinger! Bottle age has created toasty richness and charm. Feels luxurious – very Old World. Sip before and with, a nice dinner. Or for parties and celebrations. At this price you can afford to be generous. Very impressive.

REDS

wine style: lively red
NORMAN HARDIE 08 County Pinot Noir Unfiltered, VQA Prince Edward County 125310 $35.20
This is about adventure. Experience the wine that closely resembles the Pinots of Burgundy. Light (11% alcohol), tart, and an earthy feeling of soils. Barnyard for sure. Roast a bird and celebrate Canada’s new wine region.

wine style: rustic red
LAILEY 08 Pinot Noir, VQA Niagara 591404 $25.00
It doesn’t get more rustic than this. And you’ll not find a better Burgundian-style Pinot for the price. Raunchy in a good way. But don’t keep it – drink it now. I always enjoy the earthiness in Lailey’s wine.

wine style: rustic red
PIETRO RINALDI 08 Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy 182261 $16.95
A great hit of Italy. Gutsy red wine with the feeling of old soils – and meals in rustic restaurants. The soulful life. Aussie Shiraz fans will hate the tangy dry edge in this wine.

wine style: rustic red
JEAN-LUC BALDES 07 ‘Flore’, Cahors, France 176735 $13.95
Experience the original Malbec from the Cahors region in France. A gutsy, invigorating wine in the bistro style. Dry, low alcohol and sure to lead to a second bottle.

wine style: rich red
LA RESERVE DU CROUZAU 07 ‘St. Gervais’ Cotes du Rhone, France 142943 $13.95
A super-rich Rhone with enough warmth to get you through the coldest winter nights. Spicy flavours give energy to the lush, seductive feeling. A lot of action for the price.

PORT
FERREIRA 2000 LBV Port, Portugal 675751 $18.95
Plan for winter with this very concentrated, characterful Port. There’s a refreshing edge that could easily lead to over consumption. Always a danger with Port.