Spirits: Liqueur

Luxardo dei Cesari Sambuca Liqueur
Product of Italy $19.95 (40196) 38.0% alcohol
Seeds of star anise fruit are steam distilled to make a number of licorice-tasting liqueurs—Sambuca, Ouzo, Raki, Pastis. Sambuca is unmistakenly black licorice on the nose. It coats the palate with a glorious surge of concentrated, warm, sweet, black licorice mingling with berry fruit on the aftertaste. Drink frozen (think vodka), drink flaming (think 3 coffee beans) or toss neat (bottoms up). It’s also popular in classic cocktail recipes readily found on the net. (Vic Harradine)

Table Wine

BBQ Barbera 2011
DOC Piemonte, Italy $9.95 (234864) 13.5% alcohol
5 bonus blue Air Miles Feb 3 – Mar 2. Floral notes, roasted herbs and rich, ripe, dark berry fruit aromas presage a tangy, racy wash of sour cherry and blueberry interlaced with drying tannin and a solid line of acidity. It’s mid weight with good texture and a lengthy, drying aftertaste wreathed in savoury herbs and still-resolving tannin. A two-hour aeration/decant and poured with grilled, rare steak will tame it down nicely. If you can wait, pour 2014 and on. (Vic Harradine)


Fielding Estate Riesling 2011 

VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.95 (146761) 10.5% alcohol 

Brimming with alluring aromas, balance and lip-smacking flavour, this was tough to spit. Aromas of nectarine, apple and pear interweave with mineral notes on the nose then rocket across the palate with a gusher of spice-infused Granny Smith apple, pear and bracing lemon-lime. It’s mid weight and nicely textured finishing in a blaze of mouth-watering, just-off-dry, sweet and tang. Great value here. (Vic Harradine)


Fielding Estate ‘Red Conception’ 2010 

VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.95 (189183) 12.5% alcohol 
This unique red blend—primarily Merlot with Cab Sauv, Pinot Noir and Syrah—wafts from the glass with aromas of exotic spice, black plum and tobacco. Mid weight with good mouth feel, it dishes up a tangy river of sour cherry, briary berry and roasted herbs. The aftertaste delivers fruit-laden cherry/berry flavour mingling with savoury herbs underpinned by fine-grained tannin. (Vic Harradine)


Konzelmann Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 

VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 (112946) 12.5% alcohol 

Dill weed, roasted herbs and red berry fruit aromas waft from this mid-weight, mid-textured red. Tangy, crisp and lively, it showers the palate with sprigs of savory herbs interlaced with sour cherry and red plum. The aftertaste is dry and tangy with wisps of tannin and tobacco. Good to go now with spaghetti Bolognese decked with spicy Italian sausage. (Vic Harradine) 



Konzelmann Merlot 2011 

VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 (439281) 12.5% alcohol 

Light-ruby hued, aromas of spiced berry fruit and black plum intro a light-on-its-feet wash of charred wood smoke interwoven with Montmorency cherry and red currant. It’s lightly textured with good balance and tangy moderating acidity and racy red fruit—cranberry and pomegranate—on the dry, crisp finish. Good to go now with pasta in tomato sauce or meat-layered pizza. (Vic Harradine) 



Konzelmann Pinot Blanc 2011 

VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.15 (219279) 12.5% alcohol 

Floral, citrus and honeyed pit fruit aromas on the nose, this gorgeously textured gem is off-dry and beautifully balanced throughout. Succulent white peach, crisp Granny Smith apple and ripe pineapple interlace with tangy lemon on the palate and the crisp, refreshing aftertaste. The perfect aperitif or welcoming wine, it pours well with chicken or veal in Madeira sauce. (Vic Harradine) 



Konzelmann Riesling 2011 

VQA Niagara Peninsula $11.95 (200501) 11.5% alcohol 

Ripe tropical fruit, lemongrass and zesty pineapple aromas precede a racy river of lemon-lime, white grapefruit and oodles of crisp Granny Smith apple bathing the palate infusing the refreshing, lengthy aftertaste. This is mid weight with good mouth feel brimming with excellent acidity and a boatload of charm. Balanced and beautiful, sip on its own or pour with pan-fried seafood or prawn ceviche. (Vic Harradine)


Konzelmann ‘Canada Red’ Zweigelt-Merlot 2010 

VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 (125260) 13.0% alcohol 

Dark berry and spice aromas provide segue to a sweet, silky-smooth river of black currant and raspberry washing over the palate in waves interwoven with earthiness and toasty notes. It’s mid weight and nicely textured throughout dishing up a rustic aftertaste of tangy berry fruit, spice-infused black plum and tobacco. Good to go now with grilled meat, burgers or meat-laden pizza. (Vic Harradine) 



Konzelmann ‘Canada White’ Riesling 2011 

VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 (125278) 11.5% alcohol 

Honeyed pit fruit and floral notes on the nose, it sports a slightly off-dry wash of lime zest, ripe pineapple and lemon rind flowing over the palate echoing on the lingering racy finish. It’s mid weight with generous mouth feel and hints of spiced yellow plum on the aftertaste. Pours well on its own or alongside spicy Asian cuisine. (Vic Harradine)


Thorn-Clarke ‘Terra Barossa’ Merlot
Barossa Valley, Australia $15.95 (218826) 14.0% alcohol
5 bonus blue Air Miles Feb 3 – Mar 2. Boysenberry, charry wood smoke and spice box aromas herald a luscious river of tangy, juicy black cherry, ripe mulberry and cassis on the palate. It’s medium bodied, nicely textured and brimming with balanced fruit flavour. It finishes drying, garnished with savoury herbs and is lip-smackingly racy. (Vic Harradine)