THE LOW DOWN: Vintages serves two purposes: the supply of high-priced wines for those that need them, and the supply of everyday-priced wines in styles not available at regular LCBOs. My picks are mainly from the later category – wines for the enthusiast seeking adventure in their drinking.

South Africa is this week’s star in Rosé, especially the sparkling. Check out Ch. Ferran and I’m sure agree that good white Bordeaux is due a come-back. John Howard has the most impressive Niagara cellar at Megalomaniac and his semi-dry Riesling is no slouch either.

Fans of Cabernet Franc will want to explore the original from Chinon and if it’s  a hit of Tuscany you’re after look for Castellani Chianti. Stratus is also offering rustic in the form of an earthy Rosé. Barbaresco is usually a bit pricy but not so the seductive Santa Vittoria, and my blockbusters from Argentina and France also offer great value.

I did find one wine – Groth Chardannay, in the catalogue’s high priced and high score feature that delivers some magic.

Slainté.

Billy

ROSÉ
wine style: sparkling dry Rosé
GRAHAM BECK Brut Rosé, South Africa 175588 $18.95
Best value sparkling Rosé on the planet. Classic Champagne styling and elegance. A no-brainer to kick off summer events. Get a case.

wine style: dry Rosé
BOEKENHOUTSKLOOF 2010 Rosé ‘The Wolftrap’, South Africa 169409 $12.95
Dry Rosé with a little smokiness – the perfect BBQ partner. Light the charcoal!

WHITES
wine style: semi-dry white
MEGALOMANIAC 09 Riesling ‘Narcissist’, Edra’s Vineyard, VQA Niagara 67587 $17.95
Semi-dry, low-alcohol summer sipper. Wonderful mineral freshness. Alfresco lunch or any lazy times.

wine style: fresh white
CHATEAU FERRAN 07, Bordeaux, France 100867 $21.00
Novel and challenging. Fans of the gutsy/earthy/savoury character of Aussie Sem/Sauv should check out this original model. Wonderful aperitif and seafood appetizer partner. Not for fans of ‘pretty’.

wine style: nice & easy white
SUMMERHOUSE 09 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 218305 $19.95
Yes, it’s possible to craft SB in a yummy, friendly style – with a lazy, summer day feeling. Warm and sunny, but with gentle breezes. Five o’clock on the deck would be a perfect fit. Love the poetic back label.

wine style: rich white
GROTH 08 Chardonnay, Napa, California 225672 $37.95
A wow Chard experience. Warm, buttery richness and glamour – along with the something extra that not only seduces, but excites. Too good to share with food. Or fools.

REDS
wine style: rustic red
JEAN–MAURICE RAFFAULT 09 Chinon, Loire, France 244798 $16.95
Very rustic, very tangy dry and very real. Classic French bistro red to stimulate the palate and partner charcuterie or white meats. Needs the table. Wonderful pure expression of the Cabernet Franc grape variety.

wine style: rustic red
STRATUS 09 Rosé ‘Wildass’, Niagara 71712 $19.95
The label says rosé and it looks like rosé, but the wine feels and acts rustic. Earthy, solid and in need of a food partner. Could handle almost anything off the BBQ.

wine style: rustic red
CASTLELLANI 07 Chianti Classico Riserva, Italy 970707 $14.95
Classic, everyday Tuscan red. Lots of spunk, vigour and a country feeling. Best with white meats, pasta or pizza….and a second bottle.

wine style: rich red
SANTA VITTORIA 07 Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy 211805 $21.95
A mature, friendly edition of this Italian classic – at a nice price. Warm, woodsy flavours and a little mystery. Buy for fall and winter dinner parties.

wine style: rich red
ERAL BRAVO 08 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina 58081 $17.95
A great value, big impact wine with an international star personality. Argentina heft combined with the warm and earthy feeling of blockbuster wines from the north of Spain. Hearty never tasted better! And was more affordable. Bring on the beef or lamb.

wine style: rich red
DOMAINE BOUDAU 09 ‘Le Clos’, Cotes du Roussillon, France 149989 $16.55
If you like Merlot, you’ll love this wine. Silky rich, plummy sweet and super seductive. Spicy/peppery flavours mark the wine’s south of France origin. The price tag is reasonable, but not the alcohol – so enjoy in moderation, if you can.

wine style: rich red
DOMAINE ANDRE AUBERT 09 Visan, Cotes du Rhone-Villages, France 224915 $12.95
Spicy/sweet, dense, yummy, super-rich red at a bargain price. Go get it.

ANOTHER ROSE REPORT

TORRES 10 Rosado, ‘Sangre de Toro’, Spain 233437 $11.95
The fruity, strawberry, fun character of Spanish Rosés. Perfect for parties and substantial enough for food. Handy screw cap and friendly price. Perfect.

MARQUES DE CACERES 10 Rosado, Rioja, Spain 622142 $12.95
Caceres has been our most consistent supplier of good dry Rosé and the 2010 vintage is just as tasty and refreshing as the previous years. Also perfect.

TERRES de SAINT LOUIS 10 Rosé, Coteaux Varois en Provence, France 234575 $10.95
Understated at first but becomes more flavourful. Not the traditional rich Provence style but a great value for everyday drinking.

Previously recommended:
MASI 10 Rosato ‘Modello delle Venezie, Italy 587725 $10.95
Masi’s wine is crisp with delicious cherry/berry flavours. Bone dry and light in the traditional style. Spot-on as the Brits say.

CONO SUR 10 Carmenere Rosé Reserva, Chile 234567 $11.95
The Chilean winery, Cono Sur, never puts a foot wrong and their Carmenere Rosé is one of the hits of the season. Crafted for the modern taste – fruity, off-dry, easy drinking and kinda rich. Sure to put a smile on the faces of your party friends. And would be a good partner for spicy/hot foods.

Decent second stringers
CAVE SPRING 2010 Rosé, VQA Niagara (#295006 $13.95) is low flavoured but good hot day refreshment. For a crowd-pleasing, slightly sweet, party wine check out HENRY OF PELHAM 2010 ‘Sibling Rivalry’ Pink, VQA Niagara (#171033 $13.95). A good choice for lunch is the lighthearted, low alcohol and slightly sweet  REMY PANNIER 2010 Rose d’Anjou, Loire, France (#12641 $11.95).

SPARKLING
wine style: dry sparkling
JACKSON TRIGGS 06 Sparkling Brut ‘Entourage’, VQA Niagara 234161 $22.95
The austere Champagne style with warm, toasty flavours. Seriously good and under-priced. Enjoy before and with the meal.

WHITE
wine style: fresh white
SOLAR DAS BOUCAS 10 Loureiro, Vinho Verde, Portugal 221036 $13.95
Single vineyard VV with refreshing citrus and savoury flavours. Something different for summer aperitif. Cries out for grilled sardines.
wine style: fresh white
WYNNS 09 Riesling, Coonawarra, Australia 528216 $16.95
Razor-edged. Pure as snow and mighty refreshing. A must buy for fans of Dry Riesling.

wine style: fresh white
PEDRO ESCUDERO 09 Verdejo ‘Fuente Elvira’ Rueda, Spain 218313 $13.95
Get off the Sauv Blanc wagon and get into something similar from Spain. Good summer refreshment and one of the best partners for seafood and or any meal with fresh asparagus.

wine style: fresh white
BODEGAS MARTIN CODAX 10 Albarino ‘Salterio’, Rias Baixas, Spain 2774 $17.95
Spicy, fruity, savoury. Fresh but with some heft. An interesting, action-packed experience.

wine style: nice & easy
BERTON VINEYARDS 2010 Viognier, Australia 93435 $14.95
Honey, spice and citrus. A wow for the senses – slightly sweet but also very refreshing. Lovely, so lovely! Could be the best brunch wine in the world.

wine style: nice & easy
LA CASA DEL REY 2010 Torrontes ‘Alta Vista’, Argentina 37127 $13.95
All the exotic, spicy flavours of Torrontes along with a refreshing whack of lime freshness. I could drink a galllon of this – but probably not – as it’s very high alcohol.

DRY ROSÉ
wine style: dry Rosé
DOMAINE LAFAGE Rosé ‘Parfum De Vignes’, Cotes du Roussillon, France 167528 $13.95
A light, lively south of France Rosé with delicious fruit flavours and a ‘be happy’ feeling. Patio lunch, dappled lighting and life will be good.

LA BASTIDE BLANCHE 09 Rosé, Bandol, France 71084 $21.95
Pale, super-rich and very south of France. Lush, sexy wine that’s worth the splurge. Needs a white tablecloth and some French flair.

REDS
wine style: rustic red
FEATHERSTONE 09 Cabernet Franc, VQA Niagara 64618 $16.95
Rustic, tart, invigorating and very real. Bistro-style wine for lighter meats. Ontario’s Barbera.

wine style: rustic red
CRU DU PARADIS 08 Madiran, France 150573 $14.95
A red for those who like rustic and realness. Tangy dry, refreshing and sure to make food tast good.

wine style: rich red
PICCINI 06 Chianti Riserva ‘Selezione Oro’, Tuscany 212498 $15.95
Mellow, fall day in the woods feeling. At a bargain price. Stock up for fireside dinners.

wine style: rich red
TORRES 07 Grand Sangre de Toro Reserva, Catalunya, Spain 315648 $15.95
Forget expensive Pinot Noir, this is the great alternative. Silky texture, spicy sweetness with an earthy tang. Fantastic for any summer BBQ.

wine style: rich red
LOUIS BERNARD 08 Gigondas, Rhone, France 222596 $15.95
A big charmer at a modest price. In the seductive style of Bernard’s red at the LCBO. Highly recommended.

wine style: rich red
AMANI PENDANA 07 Shiraz, Stellenbosch, South Africa 22079 $18.95
Lush and lovely. Smoky, spicy and not unlike a Zinfandel. The big BBQ red for sure.

Please excuse the delay in getting this out. But these 5 wines are still available. I’ll post a few more recommendations on Friday.

You can’t go wrong with Zenato’s Rosé for refreshment and Malivoire’s for mealtime. (Peninsula Ridge Rosé in this release was recommended last week).

If you want to know why I consider Côtes du Rhones to be the best red wines on the planet, check out my three picks.

ROSÉ
wine style: dry Rosé
MALIVOIRE 10 Rosé ‘Ladybug’, VQA Niagara 559088 $15.95
Malivoire pioneered local Rosé as a serious wine. Not serious in style, but serious as in good. This vintage has savoury and earthy flavours that would partner well with foods – even BBQ’d meats. Seriously good, dry Rosé.

wine style: dry Rosé
ZENATO 10 Bardolino Chiaretto, Veneto, Italy 45203 $11.95
Bardolino is a neighbour of Valpolicella and the red wines are naturally light, fruity and refreshing. Hot weather gulpers. The Rosés (called Chiaretto) are similar but even more refreshing. My favourite for daytime drinking.

REDS
wine style: rich red
VIGNERONS D’ESTEZARGUES 09 ‘La Granacha’, Cotes du Rhone-Villages, France 82560 $17.95
Exciting mix of bold peppery and earthy flavours, richness and a refreshing tang. Warmth and vitality. New World bigness with Old World refreshment. Better than most reds at twice the price. A lovely treat for the price.

wine style: rustic red
LA COTERIE 09 Seguret, Cotes du Rhone-Villages, France 219428 $15.95
The mid-range of Cotes du Rhone – fresh, frank wine that’s really good in a no-nonsense way. Very bistro. Very Traditional. Very good value.

wine style: rich red
DOMAINE LE GRAND RETOUR 09 Plan de Dieu, Cotes du Rhone-Villages, France 224592 $13.95
Semi-rich red with delicious spicy/fruity flavours and tons of charm. Feels both down-to-earth and glamorous. A budget hotel run by an interior designer. I could live on this! So good and so reasonably priced.

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.

Quintarelli is a wine folk hero and always worth the experience. You are sure to please putting Malivoire’s Rosé on the Thanksgiving table. (And any of my white picks would be popular too.) Chateau St. Jean is a must for Pinot addicts.

ROSE
wine style: dry rosé
MALIVOIRE 09 Rosé ‘Ladybug’, VQA Niagara 559088 $15.95
Delicious fruitiness and some richness. Perfect for Thanksgiving and stock up for Christmas too. Dry Rosé is a great food wine in general.

WHITES
wine style: fresh white
PETER LEHMANN 08 Riesling, Eden Valley, Australia 186361 $14.95
Tart, super refreshing with a tease of citrusy flavours. Unusually understated and low alcohol for an Aussie. Aperitif.

wine style: nice & easy white
SOELLNER ‘Toni’ Grüner Veltliner, Austria 184085 $14.95
Zippy, spicy with a gentle and friendly feeling. Better than a happy pill.

wine style: rich white
TORRES ‘Gran Vina Sol’ 08 Chardonnay, Penedes, Spain 171660 $14.95
Semi-rich Chardonnay with a refreshing tartness. And a solid earthy feeling. Built for food, not glamour. Good value.

REDS
wine style: rustic red
LITTLE YERING 08 Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Australia 188094 $14.95
A great buy for fans of ‘barnyard’ Pinots. Raunchy and very Burgundian. Needs food. Check out more value wines from this winery on the regular LCBO shelves.

wine style: rich red
CHATEAU ST. JEAN 07 Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, California 687970 $19.95
Big, lush and seductive. Very Californian. Would impress at a fancy dinner. St. Jean always does well with Pinot.
wine style: rich red
QUINTARELLI 01 Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy 986117 $84.95
Vapolicella that thinks it’s Tawny Port. Lush, spicy, earthy and full of mystery. More exciting, and more rare, than most Amarones or any wine at this price. Quintarelli delivers the goods. Treat yourself, or gift a good friend. Sip after dinner.

wine style: rich red
LES COTEAUX 07 ‘Visan’, Cotes du Rhone-Village, France 179226 $13.95
A yummy, spicy, peppery, rich red for those who missed the Rhone special a few weeks ago.
wine style: rich red
CHARLES CIMICKY 06 Shiraz ‘Trumps’, Barossa Valley, Australia 07383 $24.95
Dark, dense and solid. With a plummy, Port-like warmth. I’d pour this after dinner.

wine style: rich red
WYNNS 06 Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, Australia 84996 $24.95
Wynns Coonawarra is an Australian classic. Modeled on Bordeaux, it combines boldness with some seriousness. As formal as it gets down under. Needs beef, of course.

wine style: rich red
MAXWELL 08 Shiraz/Grenache/Viognier ‘Four Roads’, McLaren Valley, Australia 57000 $19.95
Cotes du Rhone in style with extra ripeness and richness. Guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser with any hearty meal.

Megalomaniac is a classic cellar door winery, but this is no ordinary cellar. John owns a chateau in Bordeaux and has brought French sensibility and splendor to his Niagara winery. For sure, a must visit. Sue-Ann Staff makes the wines here, and also at her own winery close by.

The first Megalomaniac wine at the LCBO is a white called Homegrown. It has the bowler-hat-guy label of all the other wines, but this time the suit is a Niagara map showing the vineyard location. And just in case you don’t get the message that the wine is homegrown, the bottles neck has a sticker saying ‘100% grown by Grape Growers of Ontario’. The wine is off-dry, low alcohol with the easy drinking character of Riesling. Summer patio sipper.

MEGALOMANIAC 06 ‘Homegrown’, VQA Niagara 183061 $12.95

P.S. One of my favourite local Rosé of the season (so far) is MEGALOMANIAC 08 ‘Pink-Slip’, VQA Niagara. Gorgeous red berry flavours and a little creaminess mixed with refreshment. A hard-to-put-down glass. At the winery only $14.95. An excuse to visit.

Wildass Rosé is almost serious and perfect for any Summer meal. As are my Gamay picks. For something more substantial check out a Niagara treat from Nyarai, and my yummy French or Californian offerings.

WHITES
Wine style: fresh white
MICHEL DELHOMMEAU 08 Muscadet, Loire, France 164624 $12.95
A must try Muscadet. Lemony and loaded with mineral freshness. The perfect hot weather white. Nice price, nice modern label.

Wine style: fresh white
TIEFENBRUNNER 08 Chardonnay, Alto Adige, Italy 746545 $16.95
Tasty and refreshing non-oaked Chardonnay. Teasing, elegant and a joy to sip on a Summer evening. Really delightful stuff.

Wine style: nice & easy white
DI LENARDO 09 Pinot Grigio, Friuli, Italy 173328 $14.95
Lazy time Pinot Grigio. A little richness, a little creaminess and a whole lot of yummy drinkability.

Wine style: rich white
PAGOS DEL REY 08 Verdejo, ‘Blume’, Rueda, Spain 166736 $12.95
Not for everyone, but if you’re tired of overly fruity whites check out this earthy character. Bold herbaceous flavours, refreshing, and a solid, old fashioned feeling. Lots of character for the price. BBQ’d chicken.

REDS
Wine style: lively red
MALIVOIRE 08 Gamay, VQA Niagara 591313 $17.95

Great vitality. So vibrant. Malivoire has turned the usually mild-mannered Gamay into a rock start. Loud and clear. Great Summer red. Lightly chill and have with grilled salmon or white meats.

Wine style: lively red
GEORGES DUBOEUF 08 Julienas ‘La Trinquee’, Beaujolais, France 177543 $16.95
The bright flavours of Beaujolais with an assured, confident feeling. Shades of a Pinot – light, lively and gulpable. Charming too. Bring on the bistro food. Anything really. Lightly chill and get the bottle open.

Wine style: rustic red
NYARAI 07 Cabernet/Merlot, VQA Niagara 179739 $18.00
Solid, gutsy, earthy and invigorating. Feels as if it had some Italian blood. A suggestion of Bordeaux too. Wonderful food wine. Steve Byfield of Nyarai is producing wines with lovely pure flavours. And offering them at reasonable prices.

Wine style: rich red
CH. PESQUIE TERRASSES 08 Cotes du Ventoux, Rhone, France 652313 $13.95
The warm, lush, peppery feeling of wines from the South of France. Very chummy, very tasty. But not overly rich. Great value.

Wine style: rich red
PARDUCCI 07 Petite Sirah, Mendocino, California 75598 $15.95
Parducci makes wines that have an old-style, honest character. Wines for food rather than show. Get some beef or lamb on the BBQ and tuck into this lovely mix of rustic and rich.

ROSÉ
Wine style: rich rosé
STRATUS 08 ‘Wildass’ Rosé, VQA Niagara 71712 $19.95
This is really a light red. With the gamey, peppery flavours found in some Niagara Gamay wines. A bit pricey but an excellent partner for grilled or roasted white meats.

My second annual Men in Pink luncheon took place last week on Allen’s patio with Ontario Rosé producers and friends. Beppi Crosariol wrote about it today in the Globe. Read it here.

Pick up a few bottles of Rosé for your next summer meal…it’s terrific with most foods, including Indian and anything spicy, charcuterie and paella…and this hot weather makes it feel all the more wonderful.

More Rosé news coming soon….

Keep cool!

Slainte. and hope your team wins.
Billy
WHITES
wine style: fresh white
HIDDEN BENCH 08 Riesling, VQA Beamsville Bench 183491 $24.20
Classic Ontario Dry Riesling. Tart with pure flavours. A must buy for Riesling fans.

wine style: fresh white
BODEGAS AGNUSDEI 08 Albarino ‘Terra Firme’, Galicia, Spain 166751 $13.95
Tart, fruity, ctrussy wine from the col northeast of Spain. Frank, fresh aperitif or seafood partner.

wine style: nice & easy white
DOMAINE DU TARIQUET 09 Ugni Blanc/Colomard, Côtes du Gascogne, France 175240 $11.95
Zesty, low alcohol white for alfresco lunches or warm day gulping. Lovely carefree feeling. Ultra modern wine from the Cognac region.

wine style: nice & easy white
CASUSO & MININI ‘Terre di Giumara’ 08 Grecanico, Silicy 174961 $11.95
Another light white with spring day fragrance and freshness. Refreshment meets relaxation. The Grecanico grape is a Sicilian speciality.

wine style: rich white
PROVA REGIA 08 Arinto, Bucelas, Portugal 166587 $14.95
Semi-rich with mineral freshness. Arinto is Portugal’s answer to Chardonnay. It develops huge flavours as it ages…without the help of oak barrels! A natural charmer that’s a must buy for those with a cellar. Give it 3-5 years. But it’s also wonderful now. Could be the bargain of the year in white wine.

ROSÉ
wine style: dry rosé
YULUMBA 09 Sangiovese Rosé, Australia 169425 $15.95
Quite brisk and refreshing. Shades of a light Chianti. The perfect partner for a platter of salumi. Too tart for party time. Delightful label.

wine style: dry rosé
FLATROCK CELLARS 09 Pinot Noir Rosé, VQA Twenty Mile Bench 39974 $14.95
Another tart Rosé that’s best with food. The feel and flavours of a light PInot so think grilled salmon or chicken, or paella.

RED
wine style: rich red
URBAN UCO 08 Malbec/Tempranillo, Mendoza, Argentina 166397 $12.95
Silky smooth, slightly sweet and super-rich. If you enjoy blockbusters, this is a great value.

wine style: rich red
M. CHAPOUTIER 08 ‘Bila-Haut’ Cotes de Roussillon-Villages, France 168716 $15.00
The wild tang of Spain, the silky texture of Grenache and the fruitiness of Corignan. Earthy and soulful – my kind of rich red for today’s BBQ or hearty winter meals.

wine style: rich red
SALCHETO 07 Rosso di Montepulciano, Tuscany 165357 $14.95
Gutsy, vibrant and earthy – the feeling and flavours of Tuscany. Needs the beef or any hearty meal.

wine style: rich red
CELLAR DE CAPCANES 06 ‘Costers del Gravet’, Montsant, Spain 707059 $16.95
Spain’s Montsant region delivers rich, modern reds that also have characteristics of traditional regions such as Bordeaux and the Rhone. This is a great all-rounder – as vibrant as it’s label.

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.

The quick story on Rosé (dry) is: buy south of France for richness and sexiness, Spain for value, and Ontario for a great hit of local.

Unfortunately the local is premium priced, but it can be awfully good. The best are available only through Vintages, or at the wineries.

I’ve already recommended lots of Vintages Rosé on this blog and here are a few regular LCBO offerings. Most are great buys at $11.95 but the Stoneleigh is worth a splurge.

I’ve yet to have a food that wasn’t good company for dry Rosé.

This might have something to do with how the wine is perfect for the summer season and how it always makes me feel good. Hot/spicy foods are particularly good partners.

Rosé Recommendations – available at regular LCBOs

CHIVITE 09 Rosé ‘Gran Feudo’, Navarra, Spain 165845 $11.95
Refreshment meets spicy/fruity flavours and flesh. The perfect house Rosé. At a perfect price. Handy screw cap.

CAMPO VIEJO 09 Rosé, Rioja, Spain 175620 $11.95
The richer, Rioja experience. Delicious spicy/sweet flavours and the heft to partner dinner. Not to mention the seduction. Lover’s Rosé.

OGIER 09 Rosé, Ventoux, Rhone, France 134916 $11.95
The 09 vintage has just arrived. Flavours and feeling of south of France – the soil, the sun, and the fun. Pale, semi-rich and suggestive of a two bottle patio lunch. Great value.

JACOB’S Creek 09 Rosé, Australia 376222 $11.95
Fruity, dry and more refreshing than most Aussies. Excellent house Rosé.

CAVE SPRING 09 Rosé, VQA Niagara 295006 $12.75
A good hit of tart refreshment and appetizing herbaceous flavours. Thirstquencher for sure, and best value in local.

STONELEIGH 09 Pinot Noir Rosé, Marlborough, New Zealand 122275 $16.95
Super-refreshing in the NZ style. Hints of strawberries – in keeping with the Pinot character. Suggests a stylish dinner. Grilled salmon perhaps.

HENRY of PELHAM 09 Pink ‘Sibling Rivalry’, VQA Niagara 171033 $13.95
An off-dry, fruity, low alcohol, party gulping Rosé. Refreshing too.

Also tasted: Fuzion 09 Shiraz (Argentina) $7.45 is austere but could hit the spot on a hot day. It’s cousin, Misterio 09 Rosé Malbec/Shiraz $7.95 is soft and simple, as is Argento 09 Rosé Malbec $9.95. The theme continues in La Casona 09 Rosé (Spain) $7.95. Passion of Portugal 09 Rosé $8.95 is another soft and simple offering. The Beach House 09 Rosé (South Africa) $9.95 is off-dry, pleasant and sure to be a party favourite. Two locals in the fruity, off-dry, crowd-pleasing style are: Open 09 Rosé $10.95 and Colio 09 Rosé ‘Lake & River Series’ $8.95.

Niagara Riesling is back on form with the 08 vintage so it’s time to start buying again. I’m recommending a Malbec for all you fans of big reds.

P.S. DRY ROSÉ
Add to my previous list of recommended Rosés from Vintages May 15th release.
MALIVOIRE 09 Rosé ‘Ladybug’, VQA Niagara 559088 $15.95
More pleasant than refreshing. A little smokiness suggests pairing it with BBQ’d foods.

WHITES

wine style: fresh white
HENRY OF PELHAM 08 Reserve Riesling Off-Dry, VQA Short Hill Bench 557165 $15.95
Crisp with beautiful pure flavours and loaded with refreshment. Dancing lightly – a great tease for the palate. Almost bone dry. Age a year or two, or have with your next patio lunch.

wine style: fresh white
STRATUS 08 Riesling, VQA Niagara 131011 $29.20
Already delivering the ‘petrol’ flavours so loved by some Riesling fans. Exuberant, confident and concentrated, with a perfect balance of zest and fruitiness. The austerity of Dry Riesling with a hit of glamour. Expensive but special.

wine style: fresh white
JEAN-MICHEL SORBE 08 Reuilly, Loire, France 168898 $17.95
DOMAINE LECOMTE 08 Quincy, Loire, France 172528 $18.95
These Loire whites offer something different in Sauvignon Blanc – more grace than force. Refreshment with a gentle purr. And a classy feeling.

REDS
wine style: lively red
DOMAINE DU CARROI 08 Chinon ‘Cuvée des Folies’, Loire, France 170241 $13.95
Very tart, very refreshing and a bit of a challenge. This is Cab Franc in its purest form – invigorating, lighthearted stuff for summer lunches and picnics.

wine style: rich red
FINCA EL ORIGEN 08 Malbec Gran Reserva, Mendoza, Argentina 65425 $19.95
Big, jammy, smooth and rich. Move over Merlot. Crowd-pleaser.

SWEET WHITE
CH. SOUCHERIE 02 Coteaux du Layon, Loire, France 952069 $18.95
Luscious, honeyed wine that feels both sweet and refreshing. Best value sweet wine in the world – a MUST buy. And get lots, because this Chenin Blanc wine ages beautifully – usually up to 30 to 50 years!

Sláinte,
Billy
ROSÉ
wine style: Dry Rosé
SOUTHBROOK 09 Cabernet Rosé, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake 168492 $18.95
Rosé in the Provence style – and colour. Refreshing but also substantial enough for food. Charcuterie, paella, Indian food.

wine style: Off-dry Rosé
FEATHERSTONE ESTATE 09 Rosé, VQA Niagara 117861 $14.95
Delicious, off-dry, fruity Rosé for summer sipping. Such as lunches, family gatherings and patio parties.

WHITES
wine style: Fresh white
CASA CAMBRAGO 08 Soave ‘Vigne Maiores’, Veneto, Italy 161679 $13.95
Soave makes a comeback! Interesting, savoury flavours and lots of refreshment. Summer aperitif, and a super partner for seafood. Give ‘nice’ a rest and excite your palate with this.

wine style: Fresh white
DOMAINE ROMANIN 08 Macon-Solutré-Pouilly, Burgundy 160218 $17.95
Macon is the original non-oaked Chardonnay – refreshment with savoury/earthy flavours. Jolting, refreshing, and good pucker fuel for the palate. Wonderful aperitif, or seafood partner.
wine style: Nice & easy white
ROBERT OATLEY 08 Pinot Grigio, South Australia 159806 $17.95
Not your typical Aussie – this is pure and refreshing. Medium-bodied and the perfect all-evening white.

wine style: Rich white
BISQUERTT 08 Viognier ‘La Joya’, Chile 168542 $13.95
Care to try the prettiest white wine in the world! Caresses and charmes. Delicate and delicious. Sip your cares away.

wine style: Nice & easy white
ALTA VISTA 08 Torrontés, Argentina 37127 $13.95
Here’s another pretty one. Torrontes is Argentina’s edition of Gewurztraminer – spicy, exotic flavours. And great drinkability.

REDS
wine style: Rich red
BOTALCURA 07 Reserve Syrah/Malbec, Chile 18630 $13.95
Solid, dense, he-man stuff. Yummy too. Sure to impress. And great value.

wine style: Rich red
CONO SUR 08 Pinot Noir ‘Vision’, Chile 689992 $15.95
One hell of a delicious drink. Combines traditional Pinot woodsy character with modern bright flavours. Spicy and seductive. One of the best under twenty dollar Pinots in the world.

wine style: Rich red
MANGA del BRUJO 07, Calatayud, Spain 15073 $15.95
Big impact red. Earthy, mysterious flavours add interest to the richness. Shades of Rhone with more heft. Should be wonderfully satisfying for at least three years.

SWEET WINE
Wine style: Port
DELAFORCE Fine Ruby Port, Douro, Portugal 164608 $12.95
Lovely, lovely Port at an everyday price. Nitecap with a chunk of chocolate!

WHISKEY
INISHOWEN Irish Whiskey, Cooley Distillery 656017 $37.95
Some peat but a lot of other stuff too. Earthy, spirited and exciting for the price. Aperitif whiskey perhaps!

Mateus, of course!

What’s Mateus, you young-uns ask? A light, fresh, slightly fizzy Rosé wine from Portugal. It was the Fuzion of the 60s. A first date wine, a wedding wine and a drink for times in between.

On a blazing hot Easter Sunday afternoon I decided to revisit Mateus – I was with some 60s ‘kids’ and Rosé season was soon arriving. Well, let me be the first to lead the charge back to Mateus – it’s pleasant, refreshing, lighthearted and drier than before. Perfect for afternoon drinking. Better still, have a few glasses with lunch. (Only 11% alcohol.)

Sogrape MATEUS ROSE, Portugal 166 $8.95  NOW on SALE for $7.95

SPARKLING
Wine style/fresh white
13 STREET ‘Cuvee 13′ 06 Rosé, VQA Niagara 147504 $24.95
Very dry and tart with just a tease of fruity flavour. Classy aperitif and very Champagneish. Gorgeous salmon/bronze colour.
Wine style/rich white
JACKSON-TRIGGS ‘Grand Reserve’ 04 Brut, VQA Niagara 587691 $22.95
Quite rich and golden for sparkling. Big, toasty flavours. Niagara’s answer to Bollinger! Would be a great partner for a seafood appetizer or main dish. Or a fancy lunch. A value for sure.

WHITES
Wine style/fresh white
HENRI BOURGEOIS 08 Sauvignon Blanc ‘Petit Bourgeois’, VDP Val du Loire, France 672345 $14.95
Razor sharp and oozing Spring Freshness. Lipsmacking good. A mini Sancerre. The Loire was doing Sauvignon Blanc long before the Kiwis got into the game.

Wine style/nice ‘n easy white
CALAMUS ESTATE 07 Riesling, VQA Niagara 158642 $16.95
Off-dry sipper with lovely fruitiness and citrus tang. A nice hit of Summer, and sure to be a fast bottle.

Wine style/nice ‘n easy white
CATENA ‘ALAMOS’ 08 Viognier, Mendoza, Argentina 507830 $13.95
Really pretty and out to please. Feels like a Pinot Grigio that’s been to charm school. Or house wine at Club Med!  Lovely, lovely.
Wine style/nice ‘n easy white
DOMAINE ALLIMANT-LAUGNER 08 Muscat, Alsace, France 930362 $17.95
Muscat is the most exotic dry white wine on the planet and once in a while we get a very good sample from Alsace. Buy a few bottles, wait for a Summer moment that calls for ‘something different’, and have a Hallelujah moment. Too special to be shared with food.

Wine style/nice ‘n easy white
UBY 09 Colombard/Ugni Blanc, Cotes de Gascogne, France 151019 $11.95
Delightful, off-dry anytime sipper produced from the grapes used to produce Cognac. Quite fruity and low in alcohol. Bring on summer parties.
Wine style/rich white
IRONSTONE 07 RESERVE CHARDONNAY, Sierra Foothills, California 158774 $26.95
Blockbuster Chardonnay with the flavour concentration of whiskey. Earthy and manly for sure. BBQ or late evening sipping.

ROSE
Wine style/rich rosé
MAS des BRESSADES 09 Rosé ‘Tradition’, Costieres de Nimes, France 950576 $13.95
My favourite French rosé arrives early this year. As ever it has the perfect combination of refreshment, richness and sexy south of France flavours. Classic food Rosé. And as ever the label is dead boring so get out the decanter, and get an early start on summer.

REDS
Wine style/lively red
CESARI 08 Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy 159434 $13.95
Cesari Ripasso (Mara) has been a favourite in LCBOs for decades and now it’s time to meet the lighter cousin. Delicious fruitiness, lots of vitality and dangerous drinkability. Will work for pizza, pasta, the chalet, or the party.

Wine style/lively red
THE WINERY of GOOD HOPE 09 Pinot Noir, South Africa 146415 $14.95
Slightly odd at first till you notice the bright flavours, great refreshment and ‘have fun’ feeling. The Beaujolais spirit with an extra shot or flavour and richness. I’ll be buying lots for Summer – with BBQed whites meats or salmon. And just drinking. Lightly chilled of course.

Wine style/rustic red
GIORDANO 07 Barbera d’Asti, Piedmont. Italy 159491 $13.95
Rustic, invigorating red with a down to earth feeling. Love the contrast of tangy bite and bright flavours. Gets the taste buds humming. See why Italians drink millions of bottles daily. With Italian food of course.
Wine style/rustic red
CHATEAU GRAND VILLAGE 06 Bordeaux, France 565317 $17.00
Today most Bordeaux are crafted in the popular smooth, rich, commercial style but not this guy. Meet the traditional. Very dry with pure flavours and lots of gusto.  Classic bistro red. Bring on the food.
Wine style/rich red
ZUCCARDI 08 SYRAH ‘Serie A’, Mendoza, Argentina 141317 $16.95
Tastes a lot like Crozes Hermitage from the Rhone Valley. Feels both rich and refreshing. Very dry with earthy, and peppery flavours. Think lamb dishes. Could be cellared for two or three years.
P.S. A lot of the Zuccardi wines (makers of Fuzion) have traditional European styling.

P.S. High scoring wines are the feature. While some are impressed with impact and richness, I found that most of the wines were overworked and the experience overwhelming. Port-like richness is not something I welcome in supper-table wines. Or party drinks. For an example of contrived, try Chimeres, Cotes du Roussillon-Villages (119354 $19.95) on page 11 in the catalogue. The taste description is a classic piece of wine gobbledegook.

WHITES
wine style: fresh white
ANGELS GATE 08 Riesling, VQA Beamsville Bench 160523 $13.95
The super refreshing character of Dry Riesling. Tart, clean as a whistle and worth stocking for summer events. I like the pure, fresh flavours and reasonable prices of Angels Gate wines.

wine style: fresh white
TERREDORA di PAOLO 08 Greco di Tufo, Campania, Italy 983197 $19.95
Regular readers will be familiar with my fondness for indigenous Italian whites. Wines with so much character they never need oak ageing. Flavours are more eathy than fruity and there’s a refreshing mineral tang. Great partner for the world of seafood. On the patio overlooking a lake always works for me. Could be aged a few years.

wine style: rich white
CONCHA y TORO 08 Reserva Chardonnay/Pinot Grigio/Pinot Blanc ‘Trio, Chile 433938 $12.95
The richness of New World Chardonnay with side notes from the other grapes. Glamour meets street smarts. Lemony freshness too. Wonderful stuff for the price.

REDS
wine style: dry rose
ZENATO 08 Bardolino Chiaretto, Italy 45203 $11.95
OK, it’s only February, but why not get started on your summer stash with this classic bistro Rosé? Tasty, refreshing and fun. Or you could have it with a Indian curry tonight. Rosé is an all season wine.

wine style: rich/rustic red
DELAS 07 Côtes du Rhône ‘Saint Esprit’, France 729962 $14.95
Unusually earthy, rustic edition of Côtes du Rhône due to the high Syrah content. Classic bistro red – invigorating, refreshing and a great partner for all the meat dishes. I love the traditional style int his wine – the ‘non smooth’

wine style: rich red
BUIL & GINÉ 06 Priorat, Spain 67843 $17.95
Starts out lively, fruity and tart – shades of the Rhône (same grapes) but on the second glass there’s wonderful down ‘n dirty flavours that are the hallmark of the old vine wines from the Priorat region. Lots of character.

We’re talking dry Rosé here, refreshment as well as fun, and of course, served chilled as you do with whites. You also get some of the flavour characteristics of red wine, especially when the Rosé warms up on the table. It partners well with all kinds of food and the colour complements the festive spirit.

Lamberti Chiaretto has been a good staple house Rosé for over a decade. Delicate in flavour and feeling, but with enough refreshment to liven the palate.

For a richer, supper table Rosé, check out the new kid from Ventoux in the South of France. Tasty fruit flavours along with a little earthiness. Very bistro and very good value.

Jackson-Triggs produces a berry flavour Rosé with a touch of sweetness. A good party drink or partner for spicy hot foods.

Lamberti 08 Bardolino Chiaretto ‘Santepietre’, Veneto, Italy 396572 $11.25
Ogier 08 Rosé Ventoux, Rhône, France 134916 $11.95
Jackson-Triggs 08 Cabernet Franc Rosé, VQA Niagara 79467 $13.95

WHITES
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.

Taste 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

Yalumba ‘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.

Paul & 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.

REDS
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.

Henry 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 red
Classic Chianti. Tart, gutsy, earthy and challenging. Invigorating stuff for fall and winter dinners.

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

…and a Rosé too!
Lighthearted, sort of fruity, sort of refreshing – but mainly fun. A low alcohol gulper for any sunny day. Lighthearted price too. Handy screwcap.
Henry of Pelham 07 Rosé Dry, VQA Niagara $12.45 ($11.45 July 19 to August 15)