Wine of the Week for Oct 25, 2010

Weingut St.Urbans-Hof Urban Riesling 2008 - $ 14.95
Style: W3
Germany: Moselle

The brilliant lemon straw colour here alludes to the lush riesling nose showing dried apples, paraffin and perfume. Medium sweet (is this a late harvest wine?) with luscious ripe apple flavour with hints of lemon and ripe peach. Very good body and excellent length, it's a fabulous example at this price. My choice would be pork roast or schnitzel. (LCBO 184051)

Currently 103 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

A Canadian Moment...

Generations Wine*  Union White VQA 2009 - $ 13.95
Style: W3
Canada: Niagara

The nose is a bit closed right now, but still shows nuances of citrus, apple and almond. Very smooth and soft, just off-dry, with citrus and apple flavours. A mild mannered sipper with good body and length, that would work well with full-flavoured fish or chicken salad. (LCBO 197145)

Currently 225 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

* Generations Wine is a startup winery owned by Vincor/Jackson-Triggs expats Allan Jackson and Andrew von Teichman.

Wine of the Week for October 18, 2010

Panascal Tempranillo 2006 - $ 9.85
Style: R3
Spain: Castilla y Leon

Look for aromas of dark chocolate, cedar and black raspberry. Lush on the palate, with firm tannins and a slightly racy acidity supporting plum, blackberry and dark cherry flavours. Quite big, with very good length, it's awesome for the price. A good partner for goulalsh, portobellos or salty cheeses. (LCBO 343434)

Currently 221 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

From The Frugal Oenophile's WinegrapePrimer Tempranillo (tem-pruh-NEE-yoh) Variety The workhorse and most important noble grape of Spain, Tempranillo is the main ingredient in the red wines of Rioja, Pened�s and Ribera del Duero. The grape covers roughly 1/4 of Spain�s vineyards, and thrives in that nation�s challenging climate. Outside Spain it can be found in Portugal, where it is called Tinta Roriz and goes into Dao, Douro and Port. There are plantings in Languedoc, California (called Valdepe�as there), Argentina, Mexico, and South Africa, but Spain is where Tempranillo rules. Usually blended with garnacha and carignan, it can also be found partnered with cabernet sauvignon or standing alone as a varietal. The wine is usually aged in oak, and in old world Spain may rest too long in American oak barrels.

Milcampos Tempranillo 2006 - $ 9.95
Style: R3
Spain: Ribera del Duero

This one is almost tar black in the glass, and shows an interesting sweet pickle aroma right off the top, followed by black cherry and plum flavours. Rather full, with good length, and a firm tannic close. Still young in the tannin area, but it shouild work well with heartier meats off the barbie. (LCBO 173625)

Currently 176 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)