All posts tagged Rhône

LCBO Vintages Saturday December 11, 2010

by Kato on December 9, 2010 in Vintages Picks with No comments

THE LOW DOWN: While most of my picks suggest the Christmas season they will also taste pretty good after the tree comes down. I’ve included a few rustic Italian reds to help balance the richness of the season.

Keep checking this blog for more Holiday picks at regular LCBOs. Bettter still, get a copy of Billy’s Best Bottles Wines for 2011! A year’s worth of buying tips for $20…the price of one of these bottles. And it supports my habit! Here’s the site for paypal orders….we ship the same day.

Slainte
Billy

SPARKLING
GRAHAM BECK Brut Sparkling, South Africa 593483 $17.95
One of the world’s great value-priced sparkling wines. Crisp, refreshing, and yeasty in the Champagne style – with a shade more flavour and friendliness. Let the party begin.

SUMAC RIDGE Brut Sparkling ‘Steller’s Jay’, VQA Okanagan 264879 $24.95
We all know about the excellent Niagara sparklers, but west coast Sumac Ridge’s wine is up there with the best. Dry with a suggestion of richness. Aperitif, with seafood or sip for celebration.

PELLER ESTATES ‘Ice Cuvée’ Rosé Sparkling, VQA Niagara 113035 $35.20
Pink coloured sparkling wine infused with Icewine. Hits a middle ground between dry and sweet but there’s no mistaking the delicious flavour and charm. Big time yummy. A lovely treat for anyone who’s been nice to you.

WHITE/ROSÉ
wine style: fresh white
WOLF BLASS 08 Riesling ‘Gold Label’, Australia 606269 $199.95
Wonderful combo of citrus, mineral freshness and joie de vie. Instant happiness. Could be the hit of the holidays. For anytime sipping or with the big bird.

wine style: dry Rosé
DOMAINE de PELLEHAUT 09 Rosé, VDP Cotes de Gascogne, France 199570 $11.95
Dry Rosé is a must-have for the holiday season because it’s refreshing, it goes well with all foods, and most importantly, it’s fun. This is an amazing value.

REDS
wine style: rustic red
SALCHETO 08 Chianti, Colli Senesi, Tuscany, Italy 184903 $15.95
The Colli Senesi Chiantis are the juniors of the region – full of enthusiasm and gusto. Great entertainment for the taste buds, especially when there’s something Italian on your plate. Would make a refreshing break from richer reds.

wine style: rustic red
ELIO FILIPPINO 07 Nebbiolo, Langhe, Piedmont, Italy 184952 $15.95
Very dry, woods with a fall day feeling. If you like PInot, and other less dense reds, this is the wine for you.

wine style: rustic red
MONTARIBALDI 08 Barbera D’Asti ‘La Consolina’, Piedmont, Italy 182212 $15.95
Many of today’s Barbera’s are enriched for commercial success but here’s the real thing. Tangy dry, invigorating and without a trace of chocolate or plums. Red wine that grabs the taste buds and says, “let’s eat!” And “drink lots!” A perfect partner for roast chicken.

wine style: rustic red
LES VIGNERONS du CASTELAS 07 Cotes du Rhone-Villages, France 199299 $13.95
I’ve been recommending rich style Rhones all year but here’s a gutsy, earthy character. Lots of pucker power. Very bistro, very refreshing and very good with almost any food or situation.

wine style: rich red
PELEE ISLAND 08 Cabernet Sauvignon, VQA Pelee Island 530576 $19.95
Cabernet ripens really well down Pelee way, and this is wonderful local steak wine. Medium-rich with a little rustic edge. Pour from a decanter and celebrate Canadiana.

wine style: rich red
ACUSTIC 08 Monstant, Spain 190728 $18.95
Monstant (Catalonia) reds remind me of the Rhone (same grapes) but with more heft. And the difficult to describe ‘Spanish feeling’. Strawberries! Wonderfully refreshing for a rich red. Grilled steak or lamb.

wine style: rich red
MITOLO 09 Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Jester’, McLaren Vale, Australia 43224 $21.95
If you’re craving a big Aussie (wine that is) have a date with the Jester. Combines character with easy drinkability and warmth. Better with steak than traditional holiday fare. Impressive looking gift.

SWEET
WARRE’S Quinta da Cavadinha 1996 Vintage Port, Portugal 189605 $54.00
Big bold Vintage Port at an appealing price. Enjoy with a cheese platter. Needs decanting as there’s sediment.

LCBO Vintages Saturday October 30

by Kato on October 26, 2010 in Vintages Picks with 1 Comment

THE LOW DOWN: California is the feature and just about all the wines are delicious drinks. But at a price. Today other regions are producing similar wines for a lot less money. An exception are the very Champagne-like sparkling wines from Roederer. And I’m recommending two reds for their uniqueness.

France and Italy are the star buys once again. Wonderful wines and values for Fall and Winter evenings. Southbrook’s Syrah is elegant and worth the splurge. Never thought I’d be recommending a pink Port but it’s perfect for the party season.

WHITES
wine style: nice & easy white
JEAN JEAN 09 ‘Ormarine’ Picpoul de Pinet, Midi, France 525287 $12.95
Novel house wine. Low keyed but tasty and refreshing. Forget Pinot Grigio for a week and go with Picpoul.

wine style: nice & easy white
ZAGLIA 09 Friulano, Friuli, Italy 182204 $12.95
A delicious sipper. Refreshing but also feels slightly sweet – could be a cousin of Gewurz. Pretty floral, spicy fragrances and flavours. Would be a huge hit at family events.

wine style: rich white
GABRIEL D’ARDHUY 09 Chardonnay, Burgundy, France 183699 $17.95
Solid, semi-rich Chardonnay in the international style. Would fit in anywhere. Ideal as your first wine for winter dinner parties.

wine style: rich white
VINA CARMEN 08 Chardonnay Gran Reserva, Casablanca, Chile 961276 $14.95
The new-style rich Chardonnay. Citrussy fresh with liveliness and a ‘drink lots’ personality. The perfect all-evening white.

SPARKLING
wine style: sparkling brut
ROEDERER ESTATE Sparkling Brut, Anderson Valley, California 294181 $28.95
Half-price Champers. Seriously dry, austere sparkling with a Champagne feeling. Stock up.
P.S. The Roederer Rosé is darn good too.

REDS
wine style: fresh red
Albino Armani 08 Refosco, Friuli, Italy 181529 $13.95
Refosco is the Beaujolais of this part of Italy. Light, tart and refreshing. The perfect first bottle of the day. Always show your Armani early!

wine style: rustic red
MARENCO 08 Dolcetto d’Acqui. Piedmont, Italy 188052 $14.95
The real deal! Rustic, invigorating Dolcetto to terrorize fans of smooth. Real Italian wine for those that love the style. Count me in.

wine style: rustic red
SOUTHBROOK 08 Syrah ‘Triomphe’, VQA Niagara 129809 $24.95
The peppery flavours of Syrah along with the lighthearted, earthy feeling of a Village Beaujolais. A great tease and partner for white meats. A possible splurge choice for the holiday dinner.

wine style: rich red
FEUDI SAN PIO 07 Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy 181446 $15.95
Big taste, big rich red for the winter season. Lush, with warmhearted, mature flavours. Guaranteed to be a knock out – for heft and charm. And value.

wine style: rustic red
MAS DONIS 08 Barrica, Montsant, Spain 705863 $16.95
Rustic meets rich and the feeling is friendly and charming. I may be drinking a lot of this.

wine style: rich red
TERRES d’AVIGNON 07 Cotes du Rhone, France 194886 $15.00
The beat goes on. Another super charming Rhone. Fall day meets Moroccan bazaar. The spice of life.

wine style: rich red
ALAIN JAUME 07 Rasteau ‘Les Valats’, Cotes de Rhone-Villages, France 185876 $18.95
Lovely hit of lushness, richness and the earthy feeling of the Rhone. Lots going on. Heartwarming red for winter. Compares well with wines at twice and three times the price.

wine style: rich red
DOMAINE ZUMBAUM TOMASI 07 Pic Saint-Loup, Languedoc, France 185868 $18.95
Think Merlot meets Zin, meets south of France. Many delights. Fireside warmth for a winter dinner.

wine style: rich red
ALDERBROOK 04 Zinfandel ‘Old Vine’, Sonoma, California 603696 $23.95
Mature, elegant feeling. Could be a high priced Pinot Noir. Have with a roasted bird or sip with your sweetie.

wine style: rich red
SANFORD 08 Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara, California 206680 $44.95
Mix of delish strawberry flavours and Italina-style gusto. Not typical Californian – more cool climate elegant. Wonderful gift for a Pinot fan.

SWEET
wine style: sweet Port
CROFT PINK Port, Portugal 140871 $19.95
Not for the traditional Port fan, but you’re sure to be popular pouring this at family events. Sweet, but also refreshing and lighthearted. Lightly chill and serve in tumblers. An inch at a time.

LCBO Vintages Saturday June 12

by Kato on June 10, 2010 in Vintages Picks, Wine Picks with No comments

THE LOW DOWN: A few very good and novel South African wines to get you into World Cup mood. And to enjoy all summer, of course. Other recommendations for the season are a Provence Rosé, a red Rhone and a New Zealand Pinot. Cheers!

DRY ROSÉ
wine style: dry rosé
DOMAINE HOUCHART 09 Rosé, Côtes du Provence, France 118653 $13.95
Semi-rich, bold-flavoured Rosé in the Provence style. Yummy. Reasonable price and a beautiful label too.

WHITES

wine style: rich white
MORGENHOF 08 Chenin Blanc, South Africa 978544 $14.95
Here’s a great Summer white. Rich with a tart edge and savoury flavours. Novel. A refresher and an excellent food wine for grilled white meats.

wine style: rich-ish white
STELLAR 09 Chardonnay ‘Running Duck’, South Africa 149856 $12.95
Semi-rich Chard with a refreshing tang and great drinkability. Screw cap, organic and well-priced. What more can I say?

REDS

wine style: rustic red
SPIER 06 Pinotage ‘Vintage Selection’, South Africa 146928 $17.95
Pinotage is South Africa’s great rustic red. Earthy, woodsy but this one has charm too. Needs the beef. A must try if you enjoy Baco Noir.

wine style: rustic red
HUNTER’S 08 Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand 586115 $19.95
Classic Pinot – barnyard flavours and lots of vitality. Wonderful partner for grilled lamb.

wine style: rich red
POST HOUSE 07 ‘Penny Black’, South Africa 148619 $18.95
Huge wine offering a variety of experiences. Sort of Bordeaux meets Shiraz, meets Amarone. Too much for food – sip after dinner.

wine style: rich red
DOMAINE DU SEMINAIRE 07 Côtes du Rhône-Villages, France 173237 $14.95
Rich, with spicy flavours, lots of vitality and charm. Great drinkability. The Rhône show at the usual bargain price. Get lots.

Billy’s Online Wine School: French Lessons

by Kato on June 7, 2010 in Billy's Online Wine School, Wine Picks with 2 Comments

French Lessons

The LCBO is currently doing a French wine education theme that I highly recommend for novice drinkers. Some of the wine picks (paid promotion) are not the best, but what’s important is your opportunity to understand the origin of the major grape varieties. Australia did not invent Chardonnay or Shiraz!

If you’re interested, I’d like to offer a few of my French wine learning tips.

1. Memorize the following wine region name, Cotes-du-Rhone. It’s the Mecca of red wine. A place where grapes, soil, sun and man have combined to deliver a perfect product at an everyday price. Check out the two Louis Bernard wines.
LOUIS BERNARD 08 Cotes du Rhone, France 581645 $11.80
LOUIS BERNARD 08 Cotes du Rhone Villages, France 391458 $12.85
2. A light French red to explore for summer patio/picnic drinking is the bright, cheerful Yvon Mau Shiraz. Shades of a rustic Beaujolais. Refreshing and very gulpable. Lightly chill.
YVON MAU 08 Shiraz, VDP de l’Aude 621979 $9.79
3. Something new in French wine packaging is the fun, Cest la Vie label. The wine is light, rustic and simple but I like it. Because it offers a traditional French café wine experience. No pretence.
C’EST la VIE! 08 Pinot Noir/Syrah, VDP d’Oc, France 166934 $11.95

Most Improved Wine County

by Kato on May 3, 2009 in Wine Picks with No comments

Canada would qualify but I want to talk about somewhere that’s a much bigger player. And which once ruled the wine world. Naturally it’s FRANCE.

France has always operated a two tier system with its wines. Really good expensive stuff and not very reliable everyday wines. The fancy stuff created the reputation, which helped sell the rubbish wines. In the 1980s and 90s the low priced French wines really declined in quality and millions of people stopped buying.

Another reason for not buying French was the arrival of delicious, inexpensive wines from other places such as California and Australia. But guess what, another cycle is unfolding – everyday French wine is much improved as producers struggle for survival. And they’re cutting prices in hope of winning back customers. Good quality at low prices. How can you resist.

Before you dash off to the store let’s make sure you understand French wine. It’s more reserved – less flashy than your favourite Aussie, and it offers ‘character’ as opposed to gushy niceness. But maybe you’re tired of nice wines?

Check out these examples of the new improved France.

1. BRINGING BACK the OLD RULE
Before Australia monopolized the wine world these was a golden rule for novice drinkers, ‘you cannot go wrong with Cotes du Rhone’. The reason being this wine is friendly, has great drinkability, and is affordable. Every restaurant used to carry it, and it matched well with white or red meat. I’d like to bring back the rule because it’s even more true today. The quality and value has never been better.

LIGHT STYLE RHÔNES
Mommessin 07 Côtes du Rhône ‘Les Epices’, France 14829 $11.20
Louis Bernard 07 Côtes du Rhône, France 581645 $11.85

SEMI–RICH STYLE RHONES
Louis Bernard 06 Côtes du Rhone-Villages, France 391458 $12.95
Cave La Romaine 06 Côtes du Rhône-Villages, France 28779 $12.65

2. MORE on THE RHÔNE – DON’T SELL THE FARM, BUY IT
Cotes du Luberon and Ventoux are part of the Rhone region and the current vintages of the ‘old farm’ brand are the best yet. Both have lots of personality and great drinkability. Versatile wines for any occasion. Handy screwcap and nice price. What more can I say.
LA VIEILLE FERME 08 WHITE, Côtes du Luberon, France 298505 $11.65
LA VIEILLE FERME 07 RED, Cvtes du Ventoux, France 263640 $11.55

3. MORE on THE RHONE – LOOK FOR LOUIS’ WHITE TOO
Louis Bernard’s Rhone reds are recommended above but the winery also makes a white Cotes du Rhone which is in the style of a non-oaked Chardonnay. Fresh, fruity and very gulpable. A little Viognier in the blend adds some peachy yumminess. Could be the best $10 white in the world. Handy screwcap here too.
LOUIS BERNARD 07 Côtes du Rhône Blanc, France 589432 $10.75

4. MORE on THE RHONE – GREEN RABBIT
The rabbits are breeding and now we have an organic bunny. And it’s the best Rabbit yet. Lots of rustic French country character. Not one of those dolled-up Merlots.
GREEN RABBIT 07 Merlot, VDP des Bouches du Rhone, France 87379 $13.75 Litre Tetra

5. BETTER BORDEAUX
Bordeaux reds used to dominate the world of premium wine but most people now shop elsewhere when they want a fancy Merlot/Cabernet blend. But may I suggest you explore the only twenty-dollar Bordeaux offered by the Board. Ch. Pey La Tour (Vintages Essentials) is impressive without being too serious. Which is a good rule for all dinner party wines. It’s produced mainly from Merlot grapes.
CH. PEY La TOUR 05 Bordeaux, France 925859 $22.95

All posts tagged Rhône

LCBO Vintages Saturday December 11, 2010

LCBO Vintages Saturday October 30

LCBO Vintages Saturday June 12

Billy’s Online Wine School: French Lessons

French Lessons

Most Improved Wine County

Billy’s Blog Posts

10 Things I Liked About Australia

The Best Just Got Better

Ontario’s Missed Opportunity

First Rosé of Summer

Somewhereness Today!

Billy’s Best Bottles Wine App is Here!!!

Billy’s Online Wine School – Week 1

Win Wine & Chocolate Passes!

Yes Virginia. There’s Still Time!

WIN FREE PASSES

Blog Categories

SIGN UP FOR Billy's Newsletter!

Search Billy’s Best Bottles

All posts tagged Rhône

French Lessons

Billy’s Blog Posts

Blog Categories

Keywords & Tags

Share Billy’s Best Bottles

SIGN UP FOR Billy's Newsletter!

Search Billy’s Best Bottles