Wine of the Week for July 28, 2008

Miss me? We just returned from a couple of weeks off, visiting kinfolk in the "Mid-west" where I had my fill of shiraz. Time to get back to the interesting and refreshing...

Folinari Regata IGT 2006 - $10.95
Style: W3
Italy

This blend of chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and garganega shows aromas of tree fruits, perfume, ripe apple and a touch of vanilla bean. My notes say "perky", round and nicely balanced, with apple, goose berry and a hint of citrus. Very good body with a long, nicely evolving and refreshing finish. Would go nicely with pork or flavourful seafoods. (LCBO 78014)

A Canadian Moment...

Stonechurch Riesling VQA 2006 - $12.95
Style: W3
Canada: Niagara

This off-dry version presents petrol right off the top, with dried peach and a hint of tart apple. the palate is loaded with ripe apple followed by nuances of peach and grapefruit. Good body and length, and a crisp even finish, it's very nicely done, and don't worry about the sugar. Just pair it with spicy or salty foods. (LCBO 78022)

Wine of the Week for July 7, 2008

McWilliams Hanwood Estate Merlot 2006 - $14.45
Style: R3
Australia

Always a good performer, this deep black cherry coloured merlot shows rich dark berry aromas -- mainly blackberry and blueberry -- with traces of oak and a slight medicinal note. Soft and round on the palate, approaching sweetish, with rich blackberry and cherry flavours supported by soft tannins. Very good body and length with a hit of liquorice on the close. Done in the " modern" style with grace and elegance, it will age nicely over the next 3-5 years. Stick with rich meats of the grill, game birds or wild mushrooms. (LCBO 53702)

A Canadian Moment...

Pillitteri Cabernet-Merlot VQA 2006 - $12.95
Style: R3
Ontario: Niagara

The nose here shows enormous spice, bell pepper, black currants, and a touch of animale. Laid back on the palate, but tasty, with ripe bumbleberry flavour, a cool acidity and just a touch of tannin. With medium body and length, it has a great nose for the price, but you may want to treat is as "R1". A worthy partner for burgers, meatloaf or pizza. (LCBO 349191)

Wine of the Week for June 30, 2008

Alianca Vinho Verde - $8.40
Style: W2
Portugal

Portugal's "green" wine may be the ideal summer sipper. This one shows pale platinum straw colour with aromas of baked lemon, floral and lime on the nose. The palate shows a characteristic fizziness, with lemon-lime candy flavour, medium body and medium length. Very well made and for most of July it's $1 off. Serve with lunch. (LCBO 75663)

Sogrape Gazela Vinho Verde - $8.40
Style: W2
Portugal

The second candidate is a bit lighter, with a delicate nose showing aromas of peach, lime, floral and bath soap. Tangy with lemony-lime flavour on the palate, a bright acidity, and a light spritz. Light bodied and with good length, it requires a good bit of sun to show itself properly. (LCBO 141432)

Wine of the Week for June 23, 2008

Little Black Dress Merlot 2006 - $14.95
Style: R3
USA: California

Alhough somewhat closed at this stage, the nose suggests aromas of cherry, raspberry and vanilla. Quite soft and around on the palate, somewhat sweetish, with firm tannins and ripe red berry flavours. Medium in body and length, with a touch of prune on the close. A decent mid-range wine that might benefit from a bit more cellar time, and a good choice with something off the grill or perhaps a mushroom sauce. (LCBO 72769)

A Canadian Moment ...

Legends Estate Cabernet VQA 2006 - $11.95
Style: R3
Canada: Niagara

The grape here is apparently Cab Franc, although there may be some Cab Sauv as well. The colour is an intense ruby-garnet. On the nose look for elegant spices, beetroot, prune and dried cherry with a hint of tar. Crisply acidic on the palate, with medium tannins, mainly raspberry flavour and a tangy close. Very good body and length. Although a bit young at this stage, it opens up nicely in the glass. Cellar for 1-3 years or serve with chili or BBQ beef. (LCBO 390195)

Wine of the Week for June 16, 2008

Twin Fin Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon (PET) 2006 - $11.95
Style: W2
USA: California

The LCBO’s faith in non-Canadian wine is obvious if you look at the amount of Twin-Fin currently in stock. With a bright platinum-straw colour, the wine shows rich aromas of grass, gooseberry and passionfruit with a hint of pine needles. Quite tasty, with mainly grapefruit flavour and a soft acidity. Good body and very good length, with a tangy citrus close. A bit on the light side, but a sound choice for BBQ bird, seafoods or kebabs. (LCBO 70367)

A Canadian Moment ...

De Sousa Dois Amigos Vidal VQA 2006 - $12.05
Style: W2
Canada: Niagara

Looking for a lot of decent wine at a ridiculously low price? This Ontario-grown Vidal displays delicate aromas of grapefruit, lemon and apple with a hint of pine bough. The palate is barely off-dry, with a tangy acidity, orange, lemon and apple flavours, and a crisp, apply finish. OK body and with pretty good length, this an impressive little party wine -- and it’s VQA! (LCBO 74690)

Wine of the Week for June 9, 2008

Arniston Bay Shiraz-Merlot 2006 - $9.90
Style: R2
South Africa

The rich aromas here suggest plum, mixed spices and vanilla, with the expected hint of Pinotage. Mild-mannered, showing plum and raspberry on the palate, a firm acidity, solid tannins, a nicely balanced finish, and good body and length. A solid performer that should age nicely for at least a couple of years. Try with flavourful hard cheeses, burgers or tomato sauces. (LCBO 43927)

A Canadian Moment ...

Reif Gamay Rose VQA 2006 - $11.95
Style: Z
Canada: Niagara

This solid candy-apple pink quaffer shows rich raspberry and strawberry aromas with traces of citrus, ripe apple and pepper at the tail end. Stops just short of off-dry, with raspberry, apple and lemony flavours and a crisp acidity. Very good body and length, refreshing and flavourful. (LCBO 669366)