July 29, 2014 Newsletter

Highlights include:

• Exceptional value wines  – there are 9 of 57 wines that meet the strict quality-price guidelines – all under $18. one at $12.95. All are identified by the   icon. What strict guidelines?  Click here. 
• 5-star wines – three wines rang the 5-star bell: Norman Hardie ‘Unfiltered’ Pinot Noir 2012 @ $39. found under Ontario – Taste Local feature; Kuhlmann Platz Pinot Gris 2012 @ $17.95 under Loire & Alsace feature; Château des Charmes Icewine Vidal 2013 200 ml @ $25.95 found under New in Ontario Wineries. 
• Finding Waldo – Fashioned from the once obscure ‘Mencía’ red grape, this hails from the ancient wine region of Bierzo—devastated by phylloxera in the 19th C, recently re-established, gained its wine-region accreditation in 1989. It’s 4½ stars @ $24.95. 
• Taste Local – The LCBO announced its annual Taste Local promotion encouraging restaurants to offer Ontario VQA wines by the glass September 14 to October 11. We encourage you to seek these out and have a small sample of what’s in store with six wines reviewed in a Special Feature below—one is 5-star and two are exceptional value. 

Access the LCBO store nearest you with stock of any wine with an LCBO product number by clicking on the number shown in brackets in wine reviews then clicking on select stores, then entering your postal code. You can also see the number of bottles available in each store. For Vintages Release wines, the stock should be showing on the site by the Friday before a Saturday release with some stores posting earlier. For LCBO wines, it should closely reflect stock in stores, updated every 24 hours. Still… always best to phone first.

Special Feature: Ontario - Taste Local

White Wine

 
Angels Gate Riesling 2010
VQA Beamsville Bench $13.95 (160523) 12.0% alcohol
Intense, well-defined aromas of minerality, machine oil and spice make way for a glorious river of palate-coating lemon tang, Granny Smith apple and ripe pear. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel and a crisp, clean and mouth-watering finish and aftertaste. What’s not to like? Pair with grilled or pan-seared freshwater fish like trout or pickerel. (Vic Harradine)

 
Wayne Gretzky ‘No. 99’ Riesling 2012
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (144865) 11.1% alcohol
A hint of gooseberry and wisps of tropical fruit join the piquant spice aromas in this full-flavoured, fully textured gem. It’s mid weight and lip-smacking delicious with tangy, slightly off-dry lemon curd and grilled pineapple interwoven with lime cordial. There’s sweet and tang on the mid-length finish and aftertaste. How good is that? Pour with a variety of spicy Asian dishes. (Vic Harradine)

 
Sandbanks Sauvignon Blanc 2012
VQA Ontario $16.95 (355974) 12.5% alcohol
Quiet aromas of grassy nettles and lively citrus set the stage for a tangy, racy river of lemon-lime, grapefruit and notions of pineapple streaking across the palate, infusing the dry, aftertaste. It’s a lighter-styled sipper with good focus, a mid-length finish and plenty of options for food pairing—mesclun and crumbled chèvre salad, grilled calamari, prawn ceviche. (Vic Harradine)

Red Wine

 
Colio ‘Bricklayer’s Predicament’ Cabernet-Merlot 2012
VQA Lake Erie North Shore $14.95 (371575) 13.0% alcohol
Rich, heady aromas of mixed spice and red berry fruit mingle with tar and raisin on the nose of this balanced beauty. It’s medium weight with good mouth feel. There’s good depth and concentration with charred toast and a solid tannin underpinning on the dry, lengthy finish—good value here. Aerate/decant two hours before serving. (Vic Harradine)

 
Norman Hardie ‘Unfiltered’ Pinot Noir 2012
VQA Niagara Peninsula $39.00 (208702) 12.8% alcohol
This is highly perfumed with floral, aromatic bitters and exotic spice aromas followed by a gorgeous display of spice-laden fruit—dark cherry with red and black currant interweaving with beetroot. This delivers medium weight, good mouth feel, structure and purity of fruit. The lingering luscious aftertaste is delectable, offering spice, fruit, tannin and acidity, all synchronized, balanced and beautiful. (Vic Harradine)

 
Hidden Bench Pinot Noir 2011
VQA Beamsville Bench $29.95 (274753) 13.5% alcohol
The fruit for this gem was organically farmed, hand picked, fermented by indigenous yeast and aged in French oak. It’s nicely structured with good weight and texture. The delicate nose of spice box, dark berry fruit and pipe tobacco sets the table for tangy, balanced waves of briary berry, red cherry and ripe mulberry bathing the palate, replaying on the persistent, firm finish and aftertaste. A newly minted Vintages Essentials product you should always find in select stores. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: August 2, 2014

Feature: California Wine

Beringer ‘Bancroft Ranch’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley $79.95 (362418) 14.6% alcohol
Complex, structured and über delicious, aromas of sandalwood, black currant and anise stream from this medium-full bodied, fully textured, iconic California Cab. There’s great purity of fruit and flavour—black currant, kirsch liqueur and dark, juicy, Bing cherry with notions of mint and tar. It’s deftly balanced and good to go now and on to +2019. (Vic Harradine)


Liberty School Chardonnay 2012
Central Coast $18.95 (960120) 13.5% alcohol
This dishes up very good value and a nose of buttery, oaky, toasty aromas. Lively fresh and crisp flavours skim across the palate—lemon curd, pineapple, ripe apple and pear. It’s mid weight with generous texture and a lingering, balanced and beautiful finish. It pours well alongside chicken/duck pot pie. (Vic Harradine)


Napa Cellars Chardonnay 2012
Napa Valley $23.95 (225342) 14.1% alcohol
Quiet aromas of baking spice, floral notes and racy citrus introduce a balanced, medium-bodied wash of lemon pie filling, pineapple yoghurt and mixed spice. The tang-laden finish is crisp, clean and refreshing. Pair with grilled calamari rings under a squeeze of fresh lemon. (Vic Harradine)


Hahn SLH Estate Chardonnay 2012
Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County $32.95 (382192) 14.5% alcohol
A quiet nose of pear, spice and wisps of red licorice set the stage for a sweet wave of nectarine, peach and tropical fruit—mango and grilled pineapple. This is medium bodied with creamy smooth mouth feel and a long fruit-driven finish and aftertaste. Pour with smoked duck breasts adorned with sweet mango chutney—very good value here. (Vic Harradine)


Robert Monday Fumé Blanc 2012
Napa Valley $23.95 (221887) 13.5% alcohol
Grass, nettles and gooseberry aromas abound on the heady nose of this medium-weight beauty. It bathes the palate by replaying the gooseberry along with lemon tang, blood orange and mineral. The finish lingers, mouth-watering delicious with good nerve and verve persisting through the aftertaste. Pour with arugula and mesclun salad under crumbled chèvre. (Vic Harradine)

Feature: Loire & Alsace White Wine

Jean-Max Roger ‘Cuvée C.M.’ Sancerre Blanc 2012
AOC Sancerre $27.95 (196667) 12.5% alcohol
This producer is always a top pick, this is no exception. Alluring aromas of citrus and floral notes provide segue for a racy rush of lime cordial, lemon yoghurt and notions of salinity and slate. It’s quite focused and full of nerve with balanced palate flavours infusing the lengthy aftertaste. Best poured with seafood—freshly shucked oysters, mussels steamed in white wine or prawn ceviche. (Vic Harradine)


Kuhlmann Platz Pinot Gris 2012
AOC Alsace $17.95 (224204) 13.0% alcohol
Pale gold, there’s depth and a certain viscous weight to this fine Alsatian Pinot Gris. The aromas of orchard and stone fruit are quite intense and mingle with a whiff of spice. Dry yet fruity, the nectarine and pear flavours are finely balanced with well-defined, refined acidity. This has a beautiful round mouth feel and a lush, fruity, long-lasting finish. Sip and savour or pair with grilled pork with an apricot glaze. (Susan Desjardins)

The Main Release

Sparkling Wine

Pierre Sparr ‘Brut’ Rosé Crémant d’Alsace 

AOC Alsace $17.95 (39016) 12.0% alcohol 

Pale salmon and crafted from Pinot Noir, the delicate aromas of red field berries come through on the crisp, bright and fresh palate. Just off-dry, light-medium bodied and fruity, it delivers a fine mousse and lively acidity. A refreshing and delightful choice. (Susan Desjardins)


Prevedello Asolo ‘Superiore Extra Dry’ Prosecco 2013
DOCG Veneto $17.95 (262881) 11.0% alcohol
A lovely floral, exotic spice and honeyed pit fruit nose precedes a sweet, ripe river of delicate flavour with yellow peach, ripe juicy pear and crisp green apple to the fore. This is light on its feet with a balanced and lengthy finish. Sip on its own or pour with creamy chicken Caesar salad. (Vic Harradine)

Ontario: White Wine

 
Fielding Estate Riesling 2013
VQA Beamsville Bench $18.95 (251439) 10.5% alcohol
Almost transparent, this tasty Riesling offers attractive aromas of crisp green apple, white peach, citrus, herb and mineral. Dry, light-medium bodied, the texture is silky yet lively, the palate offering clean notes of citrus and underlying mineral. There’s a delicate touch of fruity sweetness lingering through the extended finish. Enjoy with fish or seafood. (Susan Desjardins)

 
Henry of Pelham ‘Family Tree White’ 2010

VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (251116) 13.0% alcohol

Mostly Chardonnay with aromatic whites, Gewürztraminer, Viognier and Chardonnay Musqué, it’s a salad bowl of aromas with rosewater, honeysuckle and pit fruit to the fore. Broad, balanced and beautiful, there are palate-bathing flavours of lemon curd, white nectarine and melon galore. It’s medium bodied with silky-smooth texture and a lengthy, lip-smacking aftertaste. Well paced, well priced… delicious. (Vic Harradine)

 
Hidden Bench Estate Riesling 2013
VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula $23.95 (183491) 14.0% alcohol
Soft aromas of lemon-lime, Granny Smith apple and mixed spice herald a stunning gusher of tang-laden ambrosia—Meyer lemon, Key lime pie and white peach with notions of tropical fruit. This is slightly off dry, medium weight and balanced with good texture and a lingering, lip-smacking aftertaste. Pour with spicy Indonesian chicken. (Vic Harradine)

Ontario: Red Wine

 
Konzelmann ‘Family Reserve’ Merlot 2012
VQA Niagara Peninsula $26.95 (299214) 14.5% alcohol
Deep ruby, this flavourful wine offers lifted aromas of spice, vanilla, cedar and ripe dark fruits. Dry, full bodied and fruity, the wine is loaded with black cherry, red berry and plum flavours deftly paired with fine tannin and refined acidity. Notes of sweet spice and chocolate garnish a full, flavourful finish. Match to barbequed ribs or rib eye steak. (Susan Desjardins)

 
Le Clos Jordanne ‘Village Reserve’ Pinot Noir 2011
VQA Niagara Peninsula $30.00 (33894) 13.0% alcohol
Enticing complexity graces the nose and palate of this wine. Aromas and flavours of red fruit, earth, spice, herbs and smoke mingle to tantalize the senses. Dry, medium bodied, the fine structure includes defined tannin and clean acidity, while an underlying mineral quality lifts the fruit. Harmonious and deftly crafted, the wine has a lasting finish. Enjoy it with maple and hoisin-glazed salmon or grilled pork. (Susan Desjardins)

Argentina: White Wine

  
Famiglia Bianchi Chardonnay 2012 

San Rafael, Mendoza $14.95 (01461) 13.0% alcohol 

Here’s a tidy Chardonnay that won’t disappoint even the most critical. It’s well balanced, fully flavoured, nicely textured and has a price-quality ratio tipped well in your favour. Aromas of ripe apple, sweet vanilla and oodles of spice and citrus abound on the nose. It’s mid-full bodied with a satiny-smooth delivery of tropical fruit, grilled pineapple and lemon curd on the palate and long, crisp and refreshing finish. Pick up a few. (Vic Harradine)


Zolo Torrontés 2013
Mendoza $13.95 (183913) 13.8% alcohol
This certainly has more texture, body and flavour than many Torrontés. Rosewater and exotic spice aromas set the table for a river of lemon zest and lime cordial along with notions of grilled pineapple and spice on the palate, persisting through the long aftertaste. It’s nicely textured with decent weight and good flavour. Pour on its own or with lighter-styled veal or chicken appetizers. (Vic Harradine)

Argentina: Red Wine

Luigi Bosca Pinot Noir 2012
Mendoza $17.95 (143420) 13.6% alcohol
Aged 6 months in new French oak, this Pinot has a lovely ruby hue and intense aromas of ripe fruit, spice, cedar mulch and vanilla. Dry, medium bodied, it’s ripe, round and warm, displaying flavours of red cherries, berries, spice and white pepper framed by subtle tannin and clean acidity. Tasty and flavourful, it’s a good match for mushroom risotto or grilled vegetables. (Susan Desjardins)

Chile: Red Wine

Montes ‘Limited Selection’ Pinot Noir 2011
Casablanca Valley $14.95 (37937) 14.0% alcohol
Semi-transparent ruby, this wine offers notes of earth, herbs, cherry and strawberry. Dry, medium bodied, the palate exudes cherry/berry flavours, while hints of smoky oak, undergrowth and cedar mingle throughout the savoury finish. Enjoy with grilled salmon or pork. (Susan Desjardins)

Australia: Red Wine

Dandelion Vineyards ‘Lionheart of the Barossa’ Shiraz 2012
Barossa Valley, South Australia $19.95 (167189) 14.5% alcohol
Aromas of floral notes, cedar and dark berry fruit give notice of a wash of chocolate-dipped cherries and dark currants adorned by racy tang and wisps of earthy notes. It’s mid-full weight with good mouth feel and deft balance throughout. The finish showcases tang-laden cherry/berry fruit embroidered with dark chocolate and spice. (Vic Harradine)


Teusner ‘The Riebke’ Shiraz 2012
Barossa Valley, South Australia $24.95 (48470) 14.5% alcohol
Roasted herbs, toasty oak and dark berry fruit introduce a balanced, complex river of cassis, sweet mulberry and kirsch liqueur. This is medium-full bodied with satin-smooth texture and plenty of juicy tang. It finishes fruit forward and nicely structured with each sip as good or better as the previous. Give this a go with grilled rack of lamb. (Vic Harradine)


Thorn-Clark ‘Terra Barossa’ Shiraz 2012
Barossa Valley, South Australia $16.95 (595306) 14.5% alcohol
Spice, wood smoke and berry fruit on the nose, this dishes up a tangy racy stream of red currant and sour cherry streaking across the palate persisting through the crisp, clean, lip-smacking finish. It’s mid weight and nicely textured with a dry aftertaste. Pour alongside spaghetti Bolognese. (Vic Harradine)

New Zealand: White Wine

Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Marlborough $24.95 (164228) 13.5% alcohol
A beautiful, nuanced wine, this offers lifted floral and tropical fruit aromas with hints of citrus and fresh herbs. Dry, medium bodied, the wine is richly textured, creamy yet zesty, featuring a refined seam of clean acidity. It’s generous with quite lush fruit—lemon-lime, lemon marmalade, grapefruit and melon—mingling with a touch of herbs and white pepper. There’s excellent length on the lively, slightly pithy finish. Pair with seafood or halibut with a creamy lemon-dill sauce. (Susan Desjardins)


Spinyback Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Nelson, South Island $17.95 (694737) 12.5% alcohol
Quintessential Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, this offers a dazzling array of aromas including grassy notes, piquant spice, tangy citrus and gooseberry. This is tang laden and mouth watering with a gusher of Key lime, Meyer lemon and pineapple mingling with savory herbs. It’s mid weight with good texture and a racy, crisp and refreshing finish. Pick up a few and pour with salad greens and crumbled chèvre. (Vic Harradine)

New Zealand: Red Wine

Akarua ‘Rua’ Pinot Noir 2012
Central Otago $24.95 (295592) 14.0% alcohol
Offering lifted aromas of red fruit, earth, spice and vanilla, this dry, medium-bodied wine is silky and supple. Tangy fruit and fresh acidity combine to create a tasty, flavourful wine that offers attractive notes of toasty oak through the finish. Enjoy with all manner of summertime grilled meats and veggies. (Susan Desjardins)


Oyster Bay Pinot Noir 2012
Marlborough $19.95 (590414) 13.0% alcohol
Herbal, earthy notes mingle with aromas of cherries and spice in this dry, medium-bodied wine. Lively red fruit flavours, spice and vanilla dance across the palate, framed by fresh acidity and subtle tannins. This tasty, flavourful wine has a lasting finish and will be a real crowd pleaser around the barbecue. (Susan Desjardins)

South Africa: Red Wine

Nederburg ‘Manor House’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
WO Western Cape $16.95 (68767) 14.5% alcohol
There are aromas of charred toast, tarry notes and dark berry fruit galore wafting from this tangy red. Sour cherry, rhubarb and red plum dance on the palate infusing the racy finish. It’s medium bodied with decent mouth feel and a lengthy tang-laden finish. Pour with pasta in tomato sauce. (Vic Harradine)

France: Red Wine

Château La Gorce 2010
AOC Médoc $18.95 (91397) 13.5% alcohol
Sweet vanilla, baking spice and wood smoke aromas curl from this balanced and beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot dominant red blend. Red berry fruit—cherry, currant and plum—garnished with roasted herbs bathe the palate infusing the long, rich finish and aftertaste. It’s mid-plus bodied with good texture and a price-quality ratio skewed well in your favour. (Vic Harradine)


Terres d’Avignon ‘Croix Valong’ Côtes du Rhône 2011
AP Côtes du Rhône $17.95 (328443) 14.5% alcohol
This is a hedonistic crowd-pleaser bursting with fruit flavour and oodles of charm from a large, respected, Rhône cooperative. Aromas of aromatic bitters, tarry notes and anise fill the air. It bursts on the palate with a gusher of concentrated flavour—cassis, boysenberry pie and wisps of tangy red cherry. Full weight with generous mouth feel and a lengthy fruit-forward finish, there are wisps of mocha and savory herbs on the aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)


Perrin ‘Peyre Blanche’ Cairanne Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages 2012
AOC Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages $17.95 (650960) 14.5% alcohol
The Grenache shines through in the aromas and flavours of this dry, full-bodied Rhône blend. There are loads of sweet ripe raspberry and blackberry with hints of spiced rose, earth and vanilla. Juicy texture, subtle structure and a clean fresh finish make for a tasty, nicely balanced young wine. Enjoy with your favourite grilled burgers or sausages, and stash a few bottles for a rainy day. (Susan Desjardins)

Germany: White Wine

Darting Dürkheimer ‘Michelsberg’ Riesling Kabinett 2012
Prädikatswein Pfalz $18.95 (950212) 9.5% alcohol
This off-dry gem has a price-quality balance tipped well in your favour. Floral notes, mixed spice and pit fruit aromas abound. There’s a very well balanced stream of peel marmalade, sweet, ripe nectarine and mango mingling with spice and citrus on the palate while it finishes with a glorious hit of sweet and tang on the mouth-watering aftertaste. Pour with a spicy Cape Malay cuisine like bobotie. (Vic Harradine)

Italy: Red Wine

Ascheri ‘Fontanelle’ Barbera d’Asti 2011
DOC Barbera d’Asti $17.95 (982462) 14.0% alcohol
Ripe aromas of red cherry and raspberry combine with a touch of spice and earth in this vibrant red. Dry, medium bodied, nicely balanced, it’s fresh and lively, with well-defined acidity, subtle tannin and clean, bright fruit flavours. The finish is tasty and slightly warm. Enjoy with fresh bread and paté or chicken tagine. (Susan Desjardins)


Frascole Chianti Rufina 2011
DOCG Chianti Rufina $17.95 (85167) 14.0% alcohol
Semi-transparent ruby, this elegant red hits all the high notes. Fine aromas of earth, violets, wild berry and a touch of cedar drift from the glass. Dry, medium bodied, it offers a lovely smooth texture and a touch of peppery warmth underlying ripe red fruit. Defined tannin and well-balanced acidity add discipline to the harmony of this finely wrought gem. Savour with aged Italian cheeses. (Susan Desjardins)


Piccini Sallo Al Poggio 2008
IGT Toscana $19.95 (134809) 14.5% alcohol
Lively cherry, baking spice and floral aromas waft from this Sangiovese-Cab Sauv-Merlot blend. It’s tang laden with sour cherry and red currant flavour carried on a bed of racy acidity underpinned by still-resolving tannin; a two-hour aeration/decant will ameliorate the effect of the tannin. The lengthy, dry finish is crisp and clean. Pour with spaghetti and meatballs in tomato sauce. (Vic Harradine)


Viticcio Bere 2011
IGT Toscana $17.95 (224311) 13.0% alcohol
This mid-weight, generously textured red blend dishes up a nose of floral and dark berry fruit aromas. Delicate flavours bathe the palate—red cherry, dried currant and mulberry—with deft balance and good structure. The lingering dry finish sports a lick of tannin on the aftertaste. Aerate/decant two hours before serving. (Vic Harradine)


Bertani Villa ‘Arvedi’ Amarone Della Valpolicella 2010
DOCG Valpolicella $38.95 (13417) 15.5% alcohol
Here’s a flavourful Amarone that’s rich and delicious with style and panache. Baking spice, cedar and mocha aromas precede an endless river of flavour with cassis, ripe mulberry and dark juicy cherry interweaving with dark chocolate and black licorice. It’s medium-full bodied with good mouth feel and a lengthy finish. This is good value and worthy of your serious consideration. (Vic Harradine)

Portugal: Red Wine

Arrocal 2012
DO Ribera del Duero $17.95 (67868) 14.0% alcohol
Charred toast, sweet vanilla and mocha on the nose, this delivers a wave of smoky, oaky, black plum, mixed cherry/berry, roasted herbs and piquant spice on the palate. It’s medium bodied with a creamy smooth texture and mid-length fruity finish. There’s perceptible tannin throughout—drink 2016-2020. (Vic Harradine)

Spain: Red Wine

Descendientes De J. Palacios Pétalos 2011
DO Bierzo $24.95 (675207) 14.5% alcohol
This was fashioned by Alvaro Palacios—a doyen of Spanish winemaking—from the once obscure, indigenous grape, Mencía. It earns favourable reviews in this corner every vintage; this flirted with 5 stars. Toasty oak, savory herbs, Asian spice and floral aromas unleash a smooth and fruity wash on entry with black currant and black juicy cherry galore. It’s balanced on a pin, mid weight and beautifully textured with a long finish replaying juicy, lively fruit interlaced with baking spice and fennel. (Vic Harradine)

Upstream in winecurrent

Vintages Release: Fall 2014

 
Reif Estate ‘Fortune’ Cabernet Rosé 2013
VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 (372466) 12.5% alcohol
Lively aromas of piquant spice and red berry fruit open a medium-bodied, nicely textured wash of flavour with sour cherry, red currant and tangy blood orange garnished with wisps of almond. It finishes in a blaze of racy citrus and spice. Pour this Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé on its own or alongside pan-seared salmon. (Vic Harradine)

New in Seasonal Wine

Masi ‘Rosa del Masi’ Rosé 2013
IGT Rosato delle Venezie, Italy $14.95 (377267) 12.5% alcohol
From one of the most trusted producers in the world, this is a flavourful mouthful of red currant, red grapefruit tang and juicy cherry mingling with baking spice. There’s good structure and a lengthy, crisp, lip-smacking finish—right up there with the best Rosés of 2013. Easily and enjoyably sipped on its own, it has the oomph to pair with chicken Caesar salad or white pizza. (Vic Harradine)

New in Vintages

Matchbook ‘Giguiere’ Chardonnay Musqué 2012
Dunnigan Hills, California $19.95 (361576) 13.5% alcohol
Highly perfumed with aromas of exotic spice, grapey notes and honeyed, musky tropical fruit, this coats the palate with fleshy, medium-sweet wine—ripe apricot, peach and yet more honeyed tropical fruit. It’s full bodied and fully textured with a lingering, sweet, viscous finish and aftertaste. Chill well pouring with spicy Asian cuisine. (Vic Harradine)


Matchbook Tempranillo 2010
Dunnigan Hills, California $22.95 (372490) 13.9% alcohol
Rich, highly scented aromas of black berry jam, mixed spice and black plum precede a palate-coating river of concentrated, dark fruit—black currant, sweet, ripe boysenberry and Bing cherry—robed in great zest and tang. It’s medium-full bodied with creamy smooth mouth feel and a long finish. The aftertaste is balanced and fruit-forward. Pour with grilled back ribs mopped with spicy barbecue sauce. (Vic Harradine)

 
Sunnybrook Winery ‘Blossom Series’ Pear 2012
Ontario Fruit Wine $18.95 (372359) 11.0% alcohol
VQA does not regulate Ontario fruit wine, but make no mistake, many undergo as stringent and meticulous winemaking as a VQA wine. Aromas of crisp pear and notions of buckwheat honey precede a flavourful river of nicely balanced and generously textured, off-dry ambrosia. Perfect for sipping as an apearitif on the pier, patio, deck or balcony, it also pears well with fruit flan or blue-veined cheese. (Vic Harradine)


Vereto Salice Salentino Rosso 2010
DOP Salice Salentino, Italy $17.95 (379255) 13.0% alcohol
Salice Salentino is in the south of the Apulia region in the spiked heel of Italy’s boot. Earthy with cherry, roasted herbs and mixed spice aromas on the nose, this Negroamaro delivers a tang-laden wash of red currant and sour cherry interwoven with spice and tomato leaf. It’s mid weight with good texture and a dry, lip-smacking, mid-length finish. Pour this lively red alongside spaghetti Bolognese or meat-lovers pizza. (Vic Harradine)


Vinecol Bonarda 2013
Mendoza, Argentina $15.95 (375493) 14.4% alcohol
Savory herbs, charred toast and baking spice aromas herald a spice-driven, concentrated river of dark, dusty flavours—juicy black Bing cherry and black currant robed in good moderating acidity, underpinned by a supple tannin structure. Mid-plus weight and generously textured, it persists on the balanced finish and aftertaste—fruit forward and quite robust. This offers good value. (Vic Harradine)

New in the LCBO

 
Peninsula Ridge ‘Semi-dry Riesling 2013
VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.95 (387043) 11.0% alcohol
Aromas of lime cordial, lemon pie filling and green apple and pear abound. This bathes the palate with a creamy smooth wash of sweet and tang with racy lemon curd, grilled pineapple and sugared grapefruit to the fore. It’s good weight with a lingering aftertaste that’s balanced and beautiful looking for a dish of spicy Asian cuisine or Alsatian onion tart. You’ll find this on shelf in a tall green bottle decorated with a classy new label. (Vic Harradine)

 
Peninsula Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2013
VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.95 (053678) 12.5% alcohol
Three prime vineyards were sourced for this perfumed and well-balanced white–and it’s all decked out in a spanking new label. Aromas of floral notes, citrus and notions of grassy nettles waft gently, preceding a gentle wash of tropical fruit, lemongrass and notions of gooseberry jam. It’s medium weight with good mouth feel and a mid-length finish. Pour with grilled calamari rings or pan-seared fish. (Vic Harradine)

 
Reif Estate ‘The Empress’ Chardonnay 2013
VQA Niagara River $12.95 (346791) 13.0% alcohol
Ripe apple, pear and exotic spice provide segue for a crisp refreshing wash of tangy citrus, melon and white grapefruit. It’s mid weight with satin smooth texture and a mid-length, slightly off-dry aftertaste of pit fruit and baked apple. Pour with roast chicken or pan-seared tuna. (Vic Harradine)

 
Reif Estate Riesling 2013
VQA Niagara River $12.95 (111799) 12.0% alcohol
Honeyed pit fruit and mixed spice aromas show the way for a wash of racy citrus, Key lime pie and lemon drop candy wrapped up neatly, balanced and beautiful. This is nicely structured with a lingering sweet and tang aftertaste replaying flavours with good nerve and verve. Lovely sipped on its own or poured with steamed mussels or grilled prawns. (Vic Harradine)

New in Ontario Wineries

 
Château des Charmes ‘Old Vines’ Pinot Noir 2010
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $18.95 (256834) 13.0% alcohol
Garnet hued, this Pinot Noir offers lovely earthy, flowery aromas melding with ripe red fruit, and a whiff of exotic spice. Dry, medium bodied, complex, the bright red cherry, berry and currant flavours, beetroot and notions of white pepper are framed by lively acidity and perceptible tannin. The finish is dry, lengthy with a touch of coffee bean lingering. This is a wine with structure and impact that will hold its own with full-flavoured meat, pasta dishes, or cellar further. Purchase (minimum two bottles) for daily home, restaurant or office delivery from Château des Charmes. (Susan Desjardins)

 
Château des Charmes Icewine Vidal 2013
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $25.95 (565861) 200 mL 9.0% alcohol
This is impressive from cork pop to last drop with alluring aromas of apricot, mango and spun sugar leading the parade. It coats the palate with a dazzling array of flavour—peel marmalade and apricot preserve interlaced with grilled pineapple and wisps of candied lemon peel. The moderating acidity provides balance and a lip-smacking, sweet and tang aftertaste. Sip on its own or pour with crème brulée—the perfect size for after-dinner, for two. Purchase (minimum two bottles) for daily home, restaurant or office delivery from Château des Charmes. (Vic Harradine)

 
Peninsula Ridge Pinot Grigio 2013
VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.15 12.5% alcohol
The newly minted label on this lo-yield Grigio heralds aromas of honeyed pit fruit, floral notes and melon. It washes over the palate in a crisp river of racy lemon and white grapefruit flavour interlaced with piquant spice and white pepper. Medium bodied and nicely textured, this finishes crisp, clean and refreshing with a grapefruit pith aftertaste. Versatile at the table, pour with seafood, chicken or pork. Purchase by the case for daily home, restaurant or office delivery from Peninsula Ridge. (Vic Harradine)

Cheers, Vic and Susan