Wine of the Week for March 22, 2010

Casa Santo Lima Passion of Portugal Red 2008 - $7.75
Style: R1
Portugal

With the warmer weather upon us, it’s time to start loading up on lighter reds. This bargain wine shows yummy ripe plum, black currant, dried cherry, and a hint of vanilla on the nose. Light and cheery on the palate, with just a hint of tannin, sweetish dark berry flavours and more vanilla on the close. Good body and length. Cheap and cheerful, with the accent on the cheerful, although it clocks in at 13% ABV. A good partner for grilled steak, chili or meat-lover’s pizza. (LCBO 146449)

Wine of the Week for March 15, 2010

Errazuriz Vallee do Casablanca Chardonnay 2008 - $10.95
Style: W1
Chile

Lush butter, sweet oak, ripe mackintoshlead off, followed by hints of spice and pine bough. Silky smooth -- almost honey-like in texture -- with baked apple, butter and spiced pear flavours; good body and very good length. Somewhat sweetish, but smooth and cheery. Try with risotto, rich fish or bbq bird. (LCBO 318741)

A Canadian Moment...

Stone Church Chardonnay 2008 - $12.95
Style: W1
Canada: NOTL

Look for ubtle aromas of pear and quince with a light toastiness. Awesome on the palate, it smacks of even-handed French oak and rich apple and citrus flavours. Very good body and length. I would have guessed a much higher price for this one. (LCBO 145037)

Wine of the Week for March 8, 2010

Santa Rita Cabernet 2008 - $10.45
Style: R3
Chile

Ample aromas of blueberry, tobacco and dark chocolate, with nuances of mushroom, wood and green pepper. Quite tangy, with dense blackberry and raspberry followed by a hint of dark chocolate. Quite big with very good length and a slightly tart finish. Rock solid and worth cellaring a few bottles for a year or two. Try with any beef dish, meat loaf or sausage. (LCBO 218644)

A Canadian Moment...

Angel's Gate Cabernet-Shiraz VQA 2007 - $14.95
Style: R3
Canada: Niagara

Aromas include sweet oak, dark cherry, fruit leather and a hint of prune. Rather sweet with a soft acidity, light tannins, cherry, strawberry and green pepper flavour. Good body and length. Cheep and cheerful with good cab character and a hint of juiciness. Best bets are BBQ meats, chicken wings or chili. (LCBO 146365)

Wine of the Week for March 1, 2010

Citra Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2008 - $7.45
Style: W2
Italy 

Look for delicate aromas of peach, ripe apple and a hint of grass. Thepalate is very fruity with a suggestion of ripe berries, apple, citrus and tangerine atop a crisp acidity. Very good body and length, it has more guts than expected and would be a good candidate for cream sauces or parmesan. (LCBO 522144) Also comes in 1.5L (79046) for $ 12.95.

A Canadian Moment...

Pillitteri Pinot Grigio VQA 2007 - $12.95
Style: W3
Canada: Niagara

The colour here is a pale copper-peach. Rich, lively aromas of spiced apples, pear lead off, with a touch of citrus to follow. Somewhat racy with plenty of apple and peach flavour; silky smooth, and mellow. An excellent nose and more body than is typical for this grape, it’s a good candidate for gnocchi, mushroom dishes or smoked salmon. (LCBO 146787)