All posts tagged Rosé

LCBO Vintages Saturday June 26

by Kato on June 24, 2010 in Vintages Picks with 2 Comments

THE LOW DOWN: In whites, I found two lightheared, value-priced wines for summer drinking , a seafood partner, and one of the world’s little gems – ARINTO from one of the oldest regions in Portugal. Pinot Noir and a Sangioveses Rosé would be perfect partners for summer meals or picnics. All my red picks are in the rich style. Buy for the BBQ or winter nourishment.

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.

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.

Best Rosés…so far

by Kato on June 2, 2010 in Wine Picks with 2 Comments

Rosé sales are up in England because fans drinking more of the stuff. I believe this is how it works here too – everyone whom I’ve converted to Rosé has become a fanatic. Neil in Sebringville wrote to tell me he’s already gone through four cases. All local.

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.

LCBO Vintages Saturday May 29

by Kato on May 27, 2010 in Vintages Picks with 1 Comment

THE LOW DOWN: Don’t miss this opportunity to experience wines from France’s Loire Valley. Red and white with bright flavours and a pure, spring-like quality. And a sensational sweetie. There is nothing like these at regular LCBOs.

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!

LCBO Vintages Saturday May 15

by Kato on May 13, 2010 in Vintages Picks, Wine Picks with No comments

THE LOW DOWN: Jazz up your white wine repetoire with Soave, Viognier, Torrontes, Macon and an Aussie Pinot Grigio. Locals are the stars in the Rosé feature. (Unfortunately I didn’t get to taste the MALIVOIRE 09 ‘Ladybug Rosé’, VQA Niagara 559088 $15.95. I’ll report on it later) I only found three reds to recommend – a pair of big heftys and the charming Cono Sur Pinot Noir. The French drink a lot of Ruby Port and the delicious Delaforce offering may temp us to take up the habit. Whiskey lovers should not miss the great value Inishowen.

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!

All posts tagged Rosé

LCBO Vintages Saturday June 26

LCBO Vintages Saturday June 12

Best Rosés…so far

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.

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

LCBO Vintages Saturday May 29

LCBO Vintages Saturday May 15

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All posts tagged Rosé

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.

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

Billy’s Blog Posts

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