All posts tagged riesling

LCBO Vintages Saturday May 28

by Kato on May 25, 2011 in Vintages Picks with 1 Comment

THE LOW DOWN: Didn’t plan it but I ended up selecting an excellent Variety 6-Pack of white wines. Gruner, Verdejo, Riesling, Chenin, Chardonnay and Muscadet. And a Sparkling – so I guess it’s a 7-Pack. Should get you through the weekend. But you’ll also need some Rosé – primo local or a Chilean bargain.

Carmenere and Ripasso are the best bets in red but you must have at least one summer supper with Moulin-a-Vent, the queen of Beaujolais.

SPARKLING
naparosewine style: dry sparkling
MUMM NAPA Rosé Sparkling, Napa Valley, California 205641 $29.95
Champagne-style wine and quality at half the price. Elegant and exciting way to start an event. Best sparkling I’ve tasted in a long time.

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What You See

by Kato on March 25, 2011 in Wine Picks with 1 Comment

yalumbaWHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET

In a previous post I lamented that the wine label did nothing to suggest the pleasure inside the bottle. Now I’m going to show you a label that ‘tells all’. Look below and tell me what you’d expect from this wine? Perhaps a burst of spring-like freshness! Of course.  The citrussy flavours will blossom as the wine matures over the summer – which is when you should be enjoying this livewire Riesling. Think patio lunches and early evening aperitif.
YALUMBA 10 Riesling ‘The Y Series’, Australia 212753 $14.95

This Really Happened #2

by Kato on February 26, 2011 in Billy's World with No comments

THIS REALLY HAPPENED #2

The Via train to Toronto was very crowded and the crew guy spotted me looking for a seat. “Come with me,” he beckoned and was led to the First Class car. No sooner had I settled in and begun to read the Vintages catalogue (wines I was going to taste that day) another crew member asked “can I offer you a glass of Riesling?” The catalogue page open in front of me featured three local Rieslings. The smile on my face lasted all day.

AND SPEAKING OF RIESLING…

I’m looking forward to attending TERROIR Hospitality Symposium, March 1 at Hart House, U of Toronto. A stellar lineup of winemakers, sommeliers, chefs, front of house stars and everything in between! For anyone in the hospitality, food, wine industry, I highly recommend attending the 5th annual.

Charles Baker from Charles Baker Riesling is leading a ‘Riesling Kamp’ breakout session, Bonny Doon winemaker Randall Grahm is speaking about the Importance of Terroir, and Kato is co-leading a marketing/branding session! It’s a fab day from 7:30am to 6:30pm…with the after party at the Drake. Get tickets.www.terroirsymposium.com

The Future of Dry RieslingNew

by Kato on January 20, 2011 in Wine Picks with No comments

RieslingsA lot of drinkers still don’t trust Riesling. “Isn’t it very sweet?” or “Too tart for my liking.” Both comments are valid because Riesling is capable of expressing itself in a range of styles. And the label doesn’t always tell you which.

But don’t fault the wine for being skittish. You can simplify Riesling by shopping Australia or New Zealand because their wines are always dry – with refreshing, pure flavours. A lovely early evening, or weekend sipper. It’s impossible not to be charmed by Wolf Blass Riesling (505370 $14.95), or check-out the new Kiwi Riesling called Trout Valley. Naturally it comes with a fly fishing tip. (Where’s the ice fishing tips on Ontario Rieslings?)

TROUT VALLEY 08 Riesling, Nelson, New Zealand 177790 $14.95

Good & Fun in Niagara

by Kato on September 23, 2010 in Billy's World, Food & Restaurants, Wine Picks with No comments

This is the time of year when you hear and see lots of promo for local wines. It’s Ontario month at the LCBO and naturally I’m going to do my part and tell you about some of my favourite local stuff. Wines and wineries to visit.

If you’re headed to Niagara this fall here’s two locations to put on your list.

ravineRavine Winery and Café/Food Shop for the quality of food and novel  rustic setting. It’s a bit like being at a cottage that had Jamie Kennedy cooking in the basement! Sit in the food shop or on the huge wrap-around porch with views of the pizza oven and vineyards. Take home some of the best bread in Ontario. You’ll find the winery next door in a handsome, tastefully restored Georgian house. A delightful contrast to the café. Excellent, French inspired reds. Ravine reminds me of the wonderful rustic-meets-upscale places you find in California. So great to have the experience closer to home. Bravo to the Harder family for this exciting enterprise. ravinevineyard.com

elgastroAnother Niagara GOOD + FUN experience is the Gastronomo Vegabundo food truck at Flat Rock winery. El Gastro serves up delicious gourmet tacos, tapas, southeast Asian dishes, salads and desserts which you can enjoy alongside Flat Rock wines in the picnic area. Gourmet food from a truck is all the rage in the US and is now in Niagara. (Wish El Gastro was in every city – including Prince Edward County!)

Flat Rock is one of the highest elevated wineries on the Beamsville Bench, with spectacular views of the vineyards and Lake Ontario. Check out the outstanding Nadja’s Riesling ($19.95) and Sparkling Brut ($35) with a beer cap. www.flatrockcellars.com

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