"Wine-ding down 2012"

Happy Holidays and now, New Year's. Time flies and suddenly it is the end of the month/year and I am scrambling to make a theme of what I have been drinking and what I think is a particular value and worth sharing...

Two sparklers speak to holiday festivities and the reds are affordable dinner party companions. Tenuous themes but true, so I will stick with it!

 Niagara bubbles:

JACKSON-TRIGGS - ENTOURAGE GRAND RESERVE MÉTHODE CLASSIQUE BRUT, 2008 -$22.95
Good complexity for price. Brioche, pear and apple on nose and palate. Creamy mousse.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=entourage&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

http://on.jacksontriggswinery.com/product/2007-Silver-Series-ENTOURAGE-Sparkling-Methode-Classique

FLAT ROCK CELLARS - BRUT RESERVE, 2007 -$35.00
Complex layers of citrus and apples, with biscuit to round out nose and palate. Lingering finish.

http://www.flatrockcellars.com/products/category/sparkling-wine

 

Great value red:

BROTTE - LA FIOLE - COTE DU RHONE (GRENACHE/SYRAH) FRANCE - $13.95

Simple but pleasing wine. Good value for money with spicy and floral nose. Blackcurrant, plum and a slight herbaceous quality.

 

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=293498

Classic Chianti:

TOMMASO BOJOLA - LA CASTELLINA,  CHIANTI CLASSICO, ITALY - $21.95

Fruity and savoury nose - wild herbs and blackcurrant. Lengthy herbal, dried fruit palate with a hint of black tea.

http://www.winealign.com/wines/23520-La-Castellina-Tommaso-Bojola-Chianti-Classico-2007

Beat the early winter blues with a virtual trip to Italy's wine country

Here it is the eve of the end of another month and I am frantically writing my blog. I don't know how I got from once a week to sliding in one post a month. I have mused about too tight a focus; only writing about wines that are great value for money but reflection will be for the new year. Right now I will focus on the lead up to the holidays and crowd pleasing wines that won't break the bank.

Speaking of banks, I have had a lot of expenses and fear I will not be travelling for a while. I decided to armchair travel this winter through wine. This week to Italy; two different regions, styles of wine but both great values.

FRASCOLE CHIANTI RUFINA - 2009 - CHIANTI, ITALY - $16.95
Earthy nose of cherry, balsamic and herbs. Rich, mouthfilling and medium bodied palate, with dried cherry fruit, spice and black tea finish. Food friendly.

http://lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?itemNumber=085167
http://www.frascole.it/chianti-rufina-frascole.php

SELLA & MOSCA RISERVA CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA - 2008 - SARDINIA,  ITALY - $15.95
Cannonau known to most as Grenache. Medium bodied with baked plum, coffee and spice on the nose. There is cherry fruit and some dry herbs on the palate. Pleasing length.

http://lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=425488

Canadian Wine & Beer That Looks but Doesn't Taste Scary

As both the Frakenstorm and Halloween approach, I batten down the hatches and hold onto the decorations in the wind; my mind turns to spooky seasonal beverages that warm up the soul.

Mt. Begbie - Nasty Habit - IPA - Revelstoke, B.C. $5.60
Malt, citrus peel and grapefruit, intense fruity & floral hops, hint of resin; pleasant bitterness from hops.



Dieu du Ciel - Corne Du Diable - IPA - Quebec  - 6.5%
Dry hopped red ale with intense bitterness. A blend of American West Coast & British IPA styles.



Coffin Ridge - Back from the Dead Red - Marchal Foch - Owen Sound, ON  - $17.00
Lean and juicy; herbal, sour cherry and smoke.

Flat Rock Cellars - Twisted - White Blend - Niagara, ON - $16.95
Mineral, pear & grapefruit on nose & palate. Approachable, off-dry Riesling, Gewurtztraminer & Chardonnay blend. Crowd pleaser!

Not just the leaves grabbing the attention this fall; September Sparkles

Tyler at North of 9 Fine Wine asked me to do a Wine of the Weekend write up. I was honoured because I really like his website & blog (check it out http://www.northof9finewine.com/ ). 
The structure was a bit different for me, but I enjoyed doing it so much, I wanted to share with my readers.

SEGURA VIUDAS BRUT RESERVA CAVA, SPAIN -$14.25

This wine has predominantly apple notes but the 15 months it spends in oak gives it some biscuit and nutty complexity. Then its crisp acid and allows it to stand up to some lovely creamy cheeses like Delice de Bourgogne or St. Andre. It also pairs wonderfully with salty olives, Parmigiano Reggiano and charcuterie. The beauty of sparkling wine is its versatility. When serving hors d'oeuvres, and not certain what to match, the different flavour profiles of the food are effortlessly covered with one beverage.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=216960

http://www.seguraviudasusa.com/brut-reserva-sparkling-wine.html

BERNARD-MASSARD BRUT CUVÉE DE L'ÉCUSSON, LUXEMBOURG -$16.95

Cremant, often Cava's more elegant cousin, is still approachable in price - under $20.00. The recently released Bernard-Massard Brut Cuvee de L'Ecusson (Luxembourg) is especially impressive for $16.95  The blend of Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir creates a lovely wine of reasonable complexity. Slightly off-dry, this wonderful wine has a lemon-lime, pear bouquet that follows through on the creamy palate. A moderate finish that ends with an enticing hint of nuttiness. This too would go beautifully with cheeses that have some strength, earthiness or nuttiness like Gouda, Brie de Meaux, Munster or Tomme de Savoie. Of course Cremant, Cava, Prosecco and most other sparklers pair nicely with the standard Champagne matches of oysters, shellfish and seafood. Sparkling wine is one of the few choices that will go with eggs and proof is in matching it with tasty cheese soufflés especially when the main ingredient is Emmantal or Gruyere – so think brunch!

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/inventory/searchResults.do?language=EN&itemNumber=970970

http://www.bernard-massard.lu/en/

My Niagara Escarpment Picks: Go-to QPR Wines

It has been a couple of weeks since I posted anything. Aside from life getting in the way, I just didn't feel I had tasted anything worth talking about. Perhaps that is because of the narrow focus I have given my blog or just bad luck. I always want to share wines that I feel have a price-quality relationship, and whatever the budget, I am recommending value. Sometimes this is a stretch and I go outside of my normal circles to find things the reader may like, but this week it is not about you, it is about me.

Now with that tongue-firmly-planted-in-cheek comment aside, I do want to talk about a wine region I am passionate about - the Niagara Escarpment. With Ontario on the tips of LCBO shoppers tongues this week, it seemed only natural. It is true I have a bias to a region that I can easily drive and bike around, visiting wineries at will, but I also simply feel that many of the wines created there are quite spectacular.

While discussing this same subject last night, it was pointed out to me that you couldn't ask for much better than limestone and clay-loam soil and that if we stick to varieties that our soil and climate favours, like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling there is a huge opportunity to make our mark in the world of wine.

Below are some of my go-to wines. These not only present a good QPR but are generally quite affordable to the average consumer:

CAVE SPRINGS
Dolomite Riesling $16.95
http://cavespring.ca/wines/wine-details?wine=Riesling+Dolomite&vintage=2010&type=Niagara+Escarpment

Chenin Blanc '09 - $14.95
http://cavespring.ca/wines/wine-details?wine=Chenin+Blanc+Estate&vintage=2009&type=Estate+Bottled
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=627315



Gamay '09 (Niagara Peninsula) - $14.95
http://cavespring.ca/wines/wine-details?wine=Gamay&vintage=2009&type=Niagara+Peninsula
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=228569

FEATHERSTONE
Black Sheep Riesling '11 - $16.95
http://www.featherstonewinery.ca/wines.html
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=80234

Cabernet Franc '10 - $16.95
http://www.featherstonewinery.ca/wines.html
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=64618



FLAT ROCK CELLARS
Twisted '10 (Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay blend)- $16.95
http://www.flatrockcellars.com/products/view/51
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=1578



Nadja's Vineyard - $19.95
http://www.flatrockcellars.com/products/view/55
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=578625

Pinot Noir '10 - $19.95
http://www.flatrockcellars.com/products/view/63
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=1545

HIDDEN BENCH
Estate Riesling '10 - $24.00
http://www.hiddenbench.com/images/pdf/Current%20and%20Fall%20release%202012.pdf
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=HIDDEN+BENCH+ESTATE+RIESLING+2010&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN



KACABA
Cabernet Franc '08 - $18.95
http://www.kacaba.com/index2.html
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=272146



Syrah '08 - $29.95
http://www.kacaba.com/index2.html

TAWSE
Skteches of Niagara Riesling (Niagara Peninsula) - $17.95
http://www.tawsewinery.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=Product.display&product_id=143
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=TAWSE+SKETCHES+OF+NIAGARA+RIESLING&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN



Grower's Blend Cabernet Franc - $26.95
http://tawsewinery.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_id=175

This part of Ontario is also a lovely region to visit, here is how to find out more:
http://winecountryontario.ca/niagara-escarpment-twenty-valley

http://www.twentyvalley.ca/

Yes Virginia there is something other than Malbec from Argentina

The amount of wine study I am doing is inverely proportionate to the amount of tasting and writing I am doing. Balancing work, school and social opportunities has been a challenge. But this week - even though it was exam time - I accepted an invitation because I did not want to miss the unique experience of lunch and a tasting with Gonzalo Bertelsen of Finca el Origen.

Any chance to meet a winemaker and to talk about and taste their wines is a priviledge. In this case it was even more appealling because I feel I have had very little exposure to Argentina as compared to other regions. I was interested to have a chance to learn about the Uco Valley.

We talked about weather, hazards like hail and the unique terrior in the shadow of the Andes. It is always a pleasure taste well-crafted wines and learn about their provenence. The added benefit was aside from having lovely, well-made wines, the price point was so approachable it seemed ashame not to share.

FINCA EL ORIGEN CHARDONNAY - 2010 - MENDOZA, ARGENTINA - $ 10.95

I don't even know where to start with this wine - it is sensational for the price.

On the nose - melon, white blossom with citrus notes and a slightly flinty minerality. The palate citrus-crisp with a very clean finish, but not entirely unoaked, so there is a gentle spice that lingers.

Various batches were blended and some of those saw time in oak. There was also a blend of Malolactic fermentation vs. non. This rounded the wine a little and added complexity. This single vineyard - Las Pintadas, has three blocks with distinct soils which also added to the complexity of the wine.

It is very hard to beat this cool-climate chardonnay for the price.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=FINCA+EL+ORIGEN+CHARDONNAY&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

FINCA EL ORIGEN CABERNET SAUVIGNON - GRAND RESERVA, 2009 - $ 21.95 - 23.95

Also well worth the price but not available to those of us in Ontario, this wine has received accolades from many sources scoring high marks.

This wine was highly extracted in many ways; its deep red-purple hues, its intense nose of blackcurrant and clove and its spicy, full round mouth-feel with ripe tannins and just enough acid to give it great length.

The "Grand Reserva" had a little brother, "Reserva" that was an incredible QPR, and may even be available at the LCBO soon...

FINCA EL ORIGEN CABERNET SAUVIGNON - RESERVA - 2011 - $15.95

Quite a complex wine with black cherries and blackberries, tobacco, spice box and cedar on the nose. Rich, spicy dark fruit on the palate. Lovely balance - well integrated tannin and acid; velvety wine.

http://www.fincaelorigen.com/en/our-wines

Great Whites - The Trilogy

It is a hot summer and whites seem most appealing so I can't seem to stop writing about them. Although alcohol is not thirst quenching per say, a cool beer or chilled wine seem most agreeable on a sweltering summer day.

This week, my two choices are as different as can be, but both elegant and pleasing. Versatile sippers or food companions.

SAGET LA PERRIÈRE - MARIE DE BEAUREGARD - VOUVRAY 2009, LOIRE - $17.95
A subtle chalky minerality on the nose, with pear and a tangerine high note. Off dry palate, rich mouthfilling ginger honeyed layers - stonefruit and citrus. Lengthy finish with a lively minerality. Such a nice long cork, perhaps I should have held on to it for a while. Wine Spectator says drink through 2016. At this price, I may just have to find more...

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=276691

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1080299

TAWSE WINERY - CHARDONNAY MUSQUE 2011, NIAGARA PENINSULA - $23.95
Aromatic clone of Chardonnay. Stone fruit, lime blossom and citrus nose with a hint of flinty minerality. Elegant long finish of lemon and peach. Only 1330 bottles, always goes fast.

http://tawsewinery.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_id=160

Affordable, Approachable Summer Wines

It has been a hot summer so the focus has  been on whites and roses. Easy drinking QPR wines. This week's just happen to be from Niagara because I am back from another trip to the wineries.

HENRY OF PELHAM - SIBLING RIVALRY WHITE, NIAGARA PENINSULA - $13.95
This blend of Riesling, Chardonnay & Gewurtztraminer blend has the crisp acid of a Riesling but the both and perfume of the other varieties. White blossom, peach and gentle lemon on the nose that follows through on the palate with balanced with clean citrus finish
http://www.siblingrivalrywine.ca/sibling_rivalry.html

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=SIBLING+RIVALRY+WHITE+VQA&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

FEATHERSTONE - 2011 ROSE, NIAGARA PENINSULA - $14.95
Enticing deep coloured Rose - raspberry and strawberry fruit on both nose and palate. Medium bodied, nicely balanced wine. Would be lovely with grilled vegetables, seafood or fish.

http://www.featherstonewinery.ca/wines.html

Approachable & Affordable Cool Summer Whites

Having suffered from writer’s block – not because there wasn’t anything to write about but in fact too much! I decided that I would make it easier on myself & for the balance of the summer have regular blogs about cool, refreshing and approachable wines. Starting with these two…

CHÂTEAU MONCONTOUR TÊTE DE CUVÉE BRUT VOUVRAY, LOIRE, FRANCE - $15.95
Bright nose of green apple, pear and lime blossom. Crisp apple-lemony palate. Medium finish. Fantastic for the price! Was a stunner with Blue Haze – a smoked blue cheese. Yum!

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=207936

http://www.moncontour.com/en2dsparkling_wines.html

DOMAINE SIGALAS ASSYRTIKO 2010 - SANTORINI, GREECE - $21.00
Slate, stonefruit & floral nose. Pear, apple & mineral palate. Beautifully integrated, pleaser.
http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1069123

DOMAINE SIGALAS ASSYRTIKO/ATHIRI 2010- SANTORINI, GREECE - $16.95
The non-blend not always available at the LCBO, but the above alternative is a well-priced option!

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=276535

Great Finds from NZ & OZ

This Spring, I was lucky enough to attend the New Zealand tasting and a Grant Burge tasting in very short order. These tastings reminded me about the quality wines that come out of Australia and New Zealand. We all know the big names but beyond these there are some really wonderfully crafted wines to be had. From Summer-fresh Sauvignon Blanc to a hardy Rhone blend, they have it all...

TL Wine Co - East Coast Sauvignon Blanc 2011, New Zealand - $16.95
Tropical and stone fruit on the nose. Richly-layered palate that lingers. A beaut for the price!

http://www.tlwineco.com/

Giesen Estate Pinot Noir Marlborough 2010, New Zealand - $19.95
Bright red fruit - strawberry and red currant. Well balanced with lasting finish.

http://www.giesenwines.com/

Grant Burge - Holy Trinity Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvèdre 2008, Barossa, South Australia - $33.95

Popular Rhone-style blend. Rose petal, red cherry (almost red licorice) on nose. Extremely well integrated (although you do feel a bit of heat from climate/alcohol). Lots of ripe fruit but good tannin/acid backbone. A must try!

http://lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=GRANT+BURGE+THE+HOLY+TRINITY+GRENACHE%2FSHIRAZ%2F&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

www.grantburgewines.com.au/

Grant Burge - Summers Chardonnay 2010, Adelaide Hills/Eden Valley, South Australia - $19.95

I loved this wine. It was refined and complex. Very well made especdially for the price. The oak is very subtle and well-integrated so that the wonderful citrus and stone fruit shows through.

http://lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=GRANT+BURGE+CHARDONNAY&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

www.grantburgewines.com.au/

Treasures from Trimbach

I often marvel at how I can let things get way from me. It has been almost two months since my fabulous trip to Alsace and yet I have not uploaded any photos or commented beyond some obvious QPR treats. This flies in the face of how extraordinary my visit was, with an especially interesting stop at Trimbach.

The Trimbach's have been making wine in Alsace since 1626 and I was lucky enough to tour and taste with the very knowledgeable Anne Trimbach. There is something special about working in a long-standing family business and choosing to take up that calling. It is not so hard to believe if the business is wine and it does validate tradition.

Anne, like other women in wine that I have had the pleasure of meeting - Valerie Castan of the Domaine Castan (Beziers) & Kathy Benziger of Benziger in Sonoma - has a strong tie to family and is proud of the wines that they create. This adds a personal touch to any tour or tasting. Similar to the other two women, she is very PR & social media savvy and keeps the family business in the public eye. All three of them have passion, incredible energy and approach wine with unbridled enthusiasm. This is infectious and I believe makes the wine taste better.

Below are a few of the wines that stood out for me and seemed an accessible value. Any food pairing suggestions are Anne's. By the end of the tasting, I was so hungry from her descriptions that I quickly asked for a suggestion of where to eat. I was directed to Au Relais des Menetriers, and had the most fabulous of meals (Matelote de Sandre), but that is another story...

RÉSERVE RIESLING 2009 - $26.00 
Elderflower, fresh lemon nose - good acid backbone with lingering finish. Would complement a fish with cream sauce or partner nicely with oysters.

CUVÉE FRÉDÉRIC ÉMILE RIESLING 2006 - GRAND CRU-  35.00E ('05 $69.00 - LCBO)
Complex nose of honeysuckle & lemon with a slight hint of petrol. Very complex wine that opens up as it develops - give it lots of air and enjoy!

RÉSERVE PINOT GRIS 2008 - $23.00
Very fresh wine that would pair beautifully with Mushroom Risotto and could stand up to ginger, wasabi or soy sauce.

RÉSERVE PERSONNELLE PINOT GRIS 2005 - GRAND CRU OSTERBERG - $ 37.00
Shy nose but elegant lemon-lime palate, rich mouth-feel - long minerally finish. Matches creamy lobster and Anne suggests it could age 15-20 years. Lucky I have a few bottles now!

GEWURTZTRAMINER - CUVEE DES SEIGNEURS DE RIBEAUPIERRE- 2005
Mature nose of rose petal & lychee but not the heavy perfume sometimes associated with this varietal. The palate was equally as refined and was so well integrated I had trouble pulling out single descriptors. Like most of the other wines I tasted there was a gentle minerality that adds to the complexity.

PINOT GRIS - VENDANGES TARDIVES - 33.50E
Honeyed nose with a touch of orange rind (I am told there is some B.A.). Honey & marmalade on the palate too. Sweet but not cloying due to a wonderfully cleansing streak of acid to balance.

http://www.maison-trimbach.com/gb/wines.html

http://lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=Trimbach&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

http://www.cellartracker.com/list.asp?Table=Notes&szSearch=trimbach

 

This month's theme is "something for everyone from everywhere". The best value QPR Wines that I have had over the last month. This is a bit of a cop out as I have been to a myriad of tastings and had a wonderful visit to Alsace. Each of these experiences deserve their own blog, and this will happen; but although rich in wine, I wasn't so wealthy with time.

Since I had the most fabulous visit, of my Alsatian tour, at Trimbach; I thought I would start there and point out the great value in their #1 US seller.

Trimbach - Pinot Gris - Reserve - 2008, Alsace, France -$18 - 24.00
Fresh nose and palate of elderflower and lime. Beautifully, complex wine!

http://www.maison-trimbach.com/gb/-pinot-gris-reserve.html

http://lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=971762

http://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-23425-2008-f-e-trimbach-pinot-gris-reserve-alsace-france



Closer to home, from Niagara, is the remarkably priced Kacaba Cab Franc.

Kacaba - Single Vineyard - Cabernet Franc - 2008, Niagara, Canada - $18.95
Perfumed nose of red flowers, spicy dark fruit. Medium mouth feel. Good complexity for price.

http://lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=KACABA+SINGLE+VINEYARD+CABERNET+FRANC+2008&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

http://www.kacaba.com/index2.html



There was so much to choose from at the New Zealand tasting, that highlighting just one is a challenge. I chose one that was hitting LCBO general list in June to balance things out as some of these may be a challenge for Ontarians to find.

Giesen - Estate Riesling - 2011, Marlborough, New Zealand - $15.95
Honeysuckle with a touch of tropical fruit on nose. Lemon-lime palate. Med sweet wine but beautiful acid balance. Lingers...

http://www.giesen.co.nz/Our-Wines/The-Estate/Giesen-Wines-Our-Wines-Estate__I.16922



A blogger tasting of Grant Burge was special experience with a surprising Napa-style Cab.

Grant Burge - Corryton Park - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2009, Barossa, Australia - $33.00
Classic nose of blackberry, cedar, tobacco. Rich mouth feel and long finish. Well integrated.


http://www.grantburgewines.com.au/thewines/?wine=65


Churchill Cellars had their annual tasting and what stood out for me was a wine I had, tasted, owned but had completely forgotten to write about. More fabulously priced French bubbly.

Vincent Raimbault - Vouvray - Method Traditionelle - Brut - $17.95
Lovely pear, stone fruit, with a touch of biscuit. Delicate, persistent bubbles give nice creaminess.

http://lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=VINCENT+RAIMBAULT+BRUT+VOUVRAY&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

http://www.domainedelarobiniere.com/historique-viticulteur-vouvray-2.html



Finally, a ZAP - California Zinfandel, tasting hit Toronto. A dream come true and a chance to really compare the styles of Zins. Starting here with an accessibly priced, good quality wine.

Ghost Pines - Winemaker's Blend Zinfandel - 2009, Sonoma County, California - $19.95
Well structured, fruitforward but not jammy, lots of blackberry. Quite elegant especially for the price.

http://lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=GHOST+PINES+WINEMAKER%27S+BLEND+ZINFANDEL+2008&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

http://www.ghostpines.com/zinfandel.asp

Great wines from LENS & PEC

Recently I attended two tastings - The Taste of the County & the Ontario Wine Society's Shores of Lake Erie tasting - that allowed me to access two Ontario Wine Regions that I don't give enough space in my blog. This is not because I don't think the wines are wonderful, but is simply due to accessibility. I split my time between Toronto and Niagara which means I seldom travel to LENS or PEC. There were so many nice wines, this may just be part one!

Here are some standout QPR wines:

Lake Erie North Shore
Muscadere - Pinot Noir - 2009 - $25.00 - strawberry, red flower, gentle earthiness, nicely integrated.

Muscadere - Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - $30.00 - Herbaceous, blackberry & plum, full bodied & elegant.
http://muscederevineyards.com/ourwines/



Prince Edward County
Norman Hardie - County Pinot Noir, 2009 - $35.00 -  Bright Strawberry, integrated minerality - long finish!
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=125310
http://www.normanhardie.com/winelist.html


Karlo Estates - Riesling, 2010 - $22.00 - stone fruit & citrus nose some flint, complex, extended finish.
http://karloestates.com/buy-wine/

Uncharted Austria

Aside from the ever-trendy Gruner Veltliner, I am only vaguely acquainted with the wines of Austria. I am quite taken with the wines that the St. Laurent grape makes. There were all sorts wonderful wines at the Austria tasting, sadly in my neck of the woods they are hard to get your hands on. I hope you have better luck.

Laurenz V - Friendly - Gruner Veltliner 2010, Niederosterreich - $18.95
Complex citrus and mineral with a vibrant palate

http://www.laurenzfive.com/friendly.12.0.html

Laurenz V - Forbidden - Gruner Veltliner 2011, Niederosterreich
Off-dry, white peach, honeysuckle, slight minerlity with a long finish.

Domane Wachau - Klassik Terrassesn -Muskateller 2011, Wachau
White peach, lemon on the nose. Light but complex palate.

http://www.domaene-wachau.at/Einzellagen.435.0.html?&L=2

Domane Wachau - Federspiel - Gruner Veltliner 2011, Wachau -$17.95
http://www.domaene-wachau.at/2011-Gruener-Veltliner-Feder.500.0.html?&L=2

Andert - Barrique - St. Laurent 2008, Burgenland - $20.00
Plum, red flower, slight spice and toastiness no the nose. Rich and complex palate. elegant

http://www.austrianwine.com/producers-market/producers/details/betriebe/weinbau_andert_wein-100808/

Andert - Beerenauslese - Scheurebe 2010, Burgenland
Gorgeous, voluptuous med-sweet wine with a honeysuckle and lemon-lime nose. Great acid balance with a finish that seemingly never ends.

http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/andert+josef+beerenauslese+cuvee

Cali QPR's

I feel guilty when I don't keep up on my Blog. It is odd because the commitment is to myself and it is usually because I am distracted by living life (beyond the computer). One of these distractions was the California Wine Fair where I tasted some marvellous wine. These ones were excellent QPR's...

Bogle Vineyards - Petite Sirah, 2009 California - 16.95

Lovely full-bodied wine with a nose of black currants and plums with hints of leather and cocoa
http://www.boglewinery.com/ourwines_petitesirah.php

If you run a search on Pine Ridge Vineyards on this blog, it will be no surprise to you that I am a fan, but I even surprised myself when I was so impressed I made notes to re-review!

The new vintages of the following are also fantastic:

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Chenin Blanc & Viognier 2011, California

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Napa Valley

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Dijon Clones Chardonnay, Carneros

http://www.pineridgevineyards.com/wines

http://www.liffordwine.com/our_wines/wines.php?q=pine+ridge&price_filter=price_zero

Vina Robles - Red4 - GSM Blend 2009, Paso Robles - $17.95

Yum! Full-bodied, black cherry & prunes on the nose with a touch of clove. Wonderful spicy ripe fruit on palate.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=vina+robles&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

http://vinarobles.com/wine_store/detail/2009_REDsup4sup_Blend_of_Syrah_Petite_Sirah_Grenache_and_Mourvdre