Wine of the Week for July 27, 2009

Fazi Battaglia Sangiovese 2007 - $10.95
Style: R1
Italy: Marche

Deep ruby colour. Very fruity, with ripe cherry plum and prune aromas with nuances of suet and leather. Very smooth and soft, with raspberry and plum flavours, a firm acid spine and soft tannins. Medium body and length, it's soft-spoken and easy-going yet showing ample character. A good choice for BBQ bird, antipasti, or pizza. (LCBO 326306)

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Peninsula Ridge Merlot VQA 2007 - $14.75
Style: R3
Ontario: Niagara

Deep black cherry colour. The nose shows rich dark berries, smoke, black currant, and spice. Bright red berry flavours on the palate include cherry, strawberry, smoke, and spice, with a keen acidity and lightish tannins. Good body and length. Very quaffable now but would likely age nicely over 2-3 years. Grill a steak or any kind of chop and enjoy. (LCBO 61101)

Chapter 5 is now online: oenophilenextdoor.blogspot.com

Wine of the Week for July 20, 2009

Rosemount Traminer/Riesling 2008 - $11.95
Style: W3
Australia

You never know if “traminer” is actually the grape of that name or a euphemism for gewurztraminer. Whatever the case, this is a lovely wine, with a rich nose showing rose, honeysuckle, candle wax and a touch of lime. The palate is round, full, medium-dry with subtle stone fruit flavours and a soft acidity. Very good body and excellent length, it's absolutely scrumptious. Try with Szechwan. (LCBO 244301)

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Henry of Pelham Sibling Rivalry White VQA 2008 W1 - $13.95
Style: W3
Ontario: Niagara

From the Speck brothers, we have an odd blend that could be interpreted either as at odds with Old World traditions or a perfect compliment. It's not "normal" to blend Riesling, Chardonnay and Gewurz, as has been done here -- to very good effect. On the other hand, the traditional approach is to plant and use the grapes that work best in the area. That said, look for lush aromas of spice, stone fruits, ripe melon and hints of lime and tar. The palate is "frisky", with gobs of citrus and peach, somewhat sweet with a nippy close. Very good body and length, it's anything but simple, but very quaffable and could stand in for any of its blending grapes. I'd try pork roast, ocean fish or grilled bird. (LCBO 126144)

Wine of the Week for July 13, 2009

Arancio Grillo 2008 - $11.95
Style: W3
Sicilia

Better get this one in while you can still find it on store shelves. Grillo, btw, is a little known Sicilian grape that will be getting a lot more attention. Light straw colour with a hint of green, it shows an intriguing aroma of tar off the top, switching to apricot, yellow plum, and a whiff of smoke. The palate is interesting, slightly tart, with ripe apple flavours, a firm acidity, and no trace of the tar. Very good body and length. A unique and highly-flavoured wine that would work well with pork chops or BBQ ribs. (LCBO 114710)

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Pelee Island Chambourcin Rosé VQA 2007 - $10.95
Style: Rosé
Ontario: Pelee Island

Glad to see the Chambourcin grape made it through the VQA gauntlet. Medium candy-apple pink, it has subtle aromas of raspberry and orange zest with hints of spice. Quite lush with the merest hint of sugar, red liquorice and strawberry flavour and a perky acidity. Very good body and length, it shows a robust palate and would be a good choice for simple sandwiches, grilled veg, or by itself. (LCBO 529354)

Wine of the Week for July 6, 2009

Arancio Pinot Noir 2006 - $12.95
Style: R1
Sicilia

Rich garnet colour. Spicy aromas of red liquorice and rose petals. The palate offers up firm tannins, rich dark berry flavours, and smoky oak. Quite big and with very good length, it seems more merlot-like, but is very tasty and an excellent value. Try with chicken risotto, grilled fish or mushroom dishes. (LCBO 113902)

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Pelee Island Pinot Noir VQA 2007 - $10.95
Style: R1
Ontario: Pelee Island

Look for delicate aromas of green tea, beetroot, and raspberry with a hint of tobacco. It seems slightly sweet on the front palate, with a firm mouthfeel supporting ripe cherry and raspberry flavours, and just a hint of tannin. With medium bodied, with good length, this one has great personality. (LCBO 45617)

Pelee Island Pinot Noir Reserve VQA 2007 - $12.35
Style: R1
Ontario: Pelee Island

Subtle aromas include beetroot and suet. The palate is racy, with cherry and raspberry flavours and little tannin. With medium body and length, it could stand in for a hearty white. (LCBO 135939)