Top 3 Red Wines & White Wines under $16; for the Holidays

TOP 3 RED WINES PICKS UNDER $16

K W V Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon (V) 2008, Western Cape, South Africa
LCBO #328567;  Rating – 90;  $14.95

This is a complex and elegant wine from a very good vintage. It’s medium bodied with excellent length that will pair well with a nice rib eye on the bbq. Drink now and over the next 3 to 4 years. 

Goats Do Roam Red 2009, Wo Western Cape; South Africa
LCBO #718940;  Rating – 88;  $11.95

This is a very popular Rhone style wine. It is a blend of Shiraz,  Cinsaut, Carignan and Mourvedre with a little Pinotage. A lovely midweight and well balanced wine, with very good to excellent length. Makes an excellent party wine and it won't break the bank. 

Château Hauchat 2009, Ac Fronsac; Bordeaux, France
LCBO #123489;  Rating – 89;  $14.95

A nice modern style wine from the great 2009 vintage. A blend which is largely merlot with some cabernet franc. It’s medium-full bodied with good length and structure. Drinkable now but even better in a year or two.

TOP 3 WHITE WINE PICKS UNDER $14

Little Yering Chardonnay 2009, Yarra Valley, Victoria Australia
LCBO #145318;  Rating – 89;  $12.25

Unlike its Aussie peers, this is a lightly oaked chardonnay that is very stylish, yet elegant. A medium weight wine that you can sip all night with very good to excellent length. Compares well with $20 French wines. 

Stlto Chardonnay 2009, Italy; Abruzzo, Italy
LCBO #232322;  Rating – 88;  $11.95

A glitter cap, sleek bottle and stiletto image on the bottle is quite a fashion statement and what’s in the bottle lives up to the image. A pure unoaked chardonnay that is medium light with very good length. Will make a nice party sipper.  

Malivoire Guilty Men White 2009, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada
LCBO #192666;  Rating – 88;  $13.95

A Bordeaux style blend of riesling, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. It is well balanced and fruity with delicate aromas and good length. Despite the reasonable price the style is quite opulent.

10 Great Reds - LCBO/Vintages November 26th- New Wine Release

The November 26^th Vintages release marks the LCBO’s best release of the year, as they bring out some of the top wines from Bordeaux, Tuscany and California. This week I will concentrate on the value wines under $25, while next week I will give you some great gift buying suggestions for your favourite wine lover or Blogger! I will talk about the best buys up to $50; up to $75; up to $100 and the anything goes category.

We are gearing up for a very busy holiday season at The Chef Upstairs. We still have a few lunch and dinner dates available for the weeks  of December 5^th and 20^th, so if you haven’t booked your party yet, now is the time to do it. http://www.thechefupstairs.com/holiday_party.html

Also, if you have any youngsters in your life don’t forget about out Gingerbread House decorating classes on December 3^rd, 10^th and 17^th. The classes are only $40 and the kids take home their creation and we clean up the mess. http://www.thechefupstairs.com/gingerbread_house_decorating_class.html

Top 10 Red Wines under $25

Le Ferme Du Mont Le Ponnant Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2009, Ac; Rhone, France
LCBO #171371;  Rating – 90;  $17.95

This is a bright young Rhone wine, with lots of pepper and cedar notes. Very smooth with very good length. Pair it with a herb, pepper rubbed beef tenderloin.

Prado Rey Crianza 2006, Do Ribera Del Duero; Ribera Del Duero, Spain
LCBO #725820;  Rating = 90;  $20.95

A blend of 92% Tempranillo with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is medium-full bodied with excellent length that will get better over the next 2 to 3 years.

Luis Gurpegui Muga Gonzalo De Berceo Reserva 2005, Doca Rioja; Rioja, Spain
LCBO #246744;  Rating – 90;  $20.95

This wine is mature and ready to drink now. Medium-full bodied with excellent length.

Cave De Roquebrun La Grange Des Combes Saint Chinian Roquebrun 2009, Ac; Languedoc Roussillon; (Midi), France
LCBO #155804;  Rating – 89;  $16.95

This is a lovely blend of syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre from the Languedoc region in the south of France. It’s medium weight, but needs two years to settle the tannins down.

Duca Di Salaparuta Passo Delle Mule Nero D'avola 2008, Igt Sicilia; Sicily, Italy
LCBO #250928;  Rating – 89;  $19.95

A very rustic and robust wine from Sicily that demands pairing with a savoury stew.

Geografico Montegiachi Chianti Classico Riserva 2007, Docg; Tuscany, Italy
LCBO #962142;  Rating – 89;  $23.95

A very nice mid-weight Riserva with good depth and complexity for the money. It’s drinkable now, but will develop more complexity in the nest 2 to 3 years. Pair it with your favourite tomato based pasta dish.

Valiano Poggio Teo Chianti Classico 2006, Docg, Castelnuovo Berardenga; Tuscany, Italy
LCBO #250563;  Rating – 88;  $17.95

This is one of the best value buys of the release. The complexity is above what you would expect for the price. Pair with meat lasagne or roast lamb.

Reichsrat Von Buhl Pinot Noir 2008, Qba; Pfalz, Germany
LCBO #249649;  Rating – 88;  $19.95

Who would expect Pinot from the land of Blue Nun? It’s a lighter wine with a nice nose and balance. Give it a try and compare to similarly priced Pinot.

Domaine Pierre & Fils Cuvée Elisyces Minervois 2007, Ac; Languedoc Roussillon (Midi), France
LCBO #251504;  Rating – 88;  $ 19.95

A very nice blend that delivers bang for the buck. It has a very long finish and is a nice winter sipping wine.

Palacio De Sada Crianza 2006, Do Navarra; Navarra, Spain
LCBO #246736;  Rating – 87;  $14.95

A well structured wine that is a great buy at $15. It’s medium bodied and will pair nicely with your roast turkey.

5 Best White Wines under $20

Momo Pinot Gris 2010, Marlborough, South Island; Marlborough, New Zealand
LCBO #163535;  Rating – 90;  $18.95

A lovely mid-weigh pinot gris with flavours of peach and pear. This wine would pair nicely with a poached pear salad with goat’s cheese.

Amani Chardonnay 2009, Wo Stellenbosch; Stellenbosch, South Africa
LCBO #687442;  Rating – 89;  $17.95

This is a nice clean polished chardonnay that has moderate oak. It’s medium weight with excellent length. Try with grilled salmon with a light lemon dill rub.

Terrazas De Los Andes Reserva Torrontés 2010, Salta; Mendoza, Argentina
LCBO #243238;  Rating – 88;  $14.95

This is a nicely refined wine with considerable depth. It’s worth the try at this price. Pair it with a fennel green apple salad to bring it’s nose to life.

Grotta Del Sole Falanghina Dei Campi Flegrei 2009, Doc; Campania, Italy
LCBO #247940;  Rating – 88; $15.95

This is a fresh lemony, dry wine that will pair nicely with a light white fish.

Belcanto Di Bellussi Extra Dry Prosecco Di Valdobbiadene Superiore, Docg, Veneto, Italy; Veneto, Italy
LCBO #53215;  Rating – 88;  $17.95

A very fine sparkling wine that’s mid-weight and nicely balanced with very good to excellent length. Serve up a bottle to start your Christmas dinner or I hear that it’s also great on the golf course.

4 Great Italian Reds – Vintages Release - November 12, 2011

Interactive Holiday Parties at The Chef Upstairs with Wine Pairing

There is no other venue in Toronto where you can climb into the kitchen and work side by side with one of our amazing chefs. It is a party, a cooking class and a wine and food pairing event that will leave you and your guests raving for days after and many of the wines that we use for pairing come right from this bi-weekly blog.

Our calendar is filling up quickly for the holiday season, so call us now before it’s too late. We are booking both lunches and dinners. http://www.thechefupstairs.com/holiday_party.html

Call us at 416.544.9221 or send an email to events@thechefupstairs.com

Vintages release for November 12, 2011

Another wonderful pre-holiday release. Try the Chenin Blanc from South Africa for sipping and stock up on the Italian reds for winter dinners and don’t forget to pick up the two sparkling wines listed below. They will be gone by New Years eve!

Red wines under $20

Ferraton Père & Fils La Matinière Crozes Hermitage 2009, Ac; Rhone, France
LCBO #127712; Rating – 90; $20.95

While this is $1 over the limit, it will be a wonderful wine in another year or two, so a grab a few, put them in the cellar and enjoy after 2012.

Delas Frères Saint Esprit Côtes Du Rhône 2009, Ac; Rhone, France
LCBO #729962; Rating – 89; $14.95

This wine has great depth for the price, but the tannin requires a year or two to soften. Very good length. Drink 2013 to 2016

Santa Carolina Reserva De Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Maipo Valley, Chile
LCBO #684597; Rating – 89; $17.95

This is an ideal cab for cellaring. It will only get better with time. It’s full bodied, dense and balanced. Not a sipper, but will pair well with rack of lamb with a peppercorn sauce. Recipe to follow.

Villa Girardi Bure Alto Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2009, Doc Veneto, Italy
LCBO #161844; Rating -89; $17.95

This is classic Ripasso with a nose of leather, dried herbs, sun dried tomato and earth. Very drinkable. Pair with strong tomato based Italian fare.

Rocca Delle Macìe Chianti Classico Riserva 2006, Docg; Tuscany, Italy
LCBO #930966; Rating 89; $21.95

A very popular style from a very good 2006 vintage. Ready to drink now and over the next year. Pair with your favourite pasta and tomato sauce.

Manimurci Lacrima Christi Vesuvio Rosso 2009, Doc; Campania, Italy
LCBO #230557; Rating – 88; $14.95

John Szabo describes the smoky, savoury, earthy tones of this old world style wine. This is a classic wine to serve with hearty winter fare from Italy. Grilled meats with strong tomato flavouring will work well.

Sampietrana Vigna Delle Monache Riserva Salice Salentino 2006, Doc; Puglia, Italy
LCBO #247908; Rating – 88; $15.95

A full bodied blend that is quite tasty with very good length. Worth a try at this price. Pair with hearty Italian comfort food.

Château La Cheze 2005, Ac Premières Côtes De Bordeaux; Bordeaux, France
LCBO #244038; Rating – 88; $18.95

From the marvellous 2005 vintage this wine is mature and ready to drink now. It’s a good buy for mature style Bordeaux. Decant and wait an hour before drinking.

White Wines under $20

Lillet Blanc, Bordeaux, France
LCBO #322297; Rating – 92; $14.95

A wonderful fortified aperatif that is mellow and elegant with notes of orange. Mix with Gin to make a Vesper Martini.

The Winery Of Good Hope Vinum Chenin Blanc 2009, Western Cape, South Africa
LCBO #739995; Rating 89; $14.95

A well layered and flavourful example of South African Chenin Blanc. A nice citrus nose with excellent length. A very good buy at this price. Will pair well with lemon chicken or a light fish with lemon.

Sparkling and Fortified Wines

Domaine De Vaugondy Brut Vouvray, Ac, Methode Traditionnelle; Loire, France
LCBO #154567; Rating – 89; $17.95

Now is the time to stock up on your sparkling/champagne style wines for New Years. This is made from chenin blanc grapes, is very dry, with good focus and excellent length. A very good buy at this price.

Prevedello Asolo Superiore Extra Dry Prosecco 2010, Docg; Veneto, Italy
LCBO #262881; Rating – 88; $16.95

This is a wonderful light weight prosecco with aroma of cut apples and vanilla. Some people I know love this on the golf course, which tells you that it works anywhere. A great buy at the price. Save some for those upcoming holiday parties and start off the evening by pairing it with grilled shrimp.

Osborne Pedro Ximenez 1827 Sweet Sherry, Do Jerez; Jerez, Spain
LCBO #47944; Rating – 91; $17.95

This is one thick sweet wine and a great buy at this price. Drink it instead of dessert, over ice cream or with your Christmas fruit cake.

15 Top Selections – Vintages Release - October 29, 2011

Vintages hauls out some of their best wines leading up to the holiday season, so now is the time to start stocking up for those parties. I have highlighted 5 top notch wines in the $25 to $50 range and while this may seem expensive to some of you, it's less than you may pay for a $15 wine in many Toronto restaurants.

5 Top Rated Wines over $20

Tommasi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2007, Doc; Veneto, Italy
356220;  Rating – 92;  $49.95

This is a top rated, full bodied delicious wine that only gets better with time. It`s drinkable now through 2030. Will pair well with classic osso bucco or savour with cheeses (pecorino, Parmigiano Reggiano, aged cheddar or blue cheeses like Stilton, Gorgonzola or Roquefort.

Quinta Do Vale Meao Meandro 2008, Doc, Douro, Portugal
244731;  Rating – 91;  $23.95

This is one of the best wines from the Douro region. It is well balanced, intense and has excellent length. Drink now through 2018.

Kenwood Jack London Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma Valley; California, USA
944843;  Rating – 91;  $34.95

This is a benchmark cabernet that is full bodied with great structure. Will be better 2013 to 2020, but if you want to drink it now decant at least 2 hours before drinking. Put a few of these in your cellar for a future special evening.

Château Beaucastel Coudoulet De Beaucastel 2009, Ac Côtes Du Rhône, Rhone, France
48884;  Rating – 90;  $29.95

Compares with many of the top wines from neighbouring Chateauneuf AOC and for half the price. It is well balanced with a very long finish.

Miguel Torres Mas Borràs Pinot Noir 2008, Do Penedès; Penedès, Spain
673483;  Rating – 89;  $28.95

We don’t see Pinot from Spain very often, but this medium weight wine is smooth and elegant with excellent length. If you are a Pinot lover, David Lawrason says that it belongs in your collection.

5 Value Red Wines under $20

Navarro Correas Alegoria Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva (V) 2007, Mendoza, Argentina
154583;  Rating – 91;  $19.95

A superb cabernet for the price. It has good focus, is elegant, with very good length and will get better with a year or two in the bottle. Try with a nice grilled steak.

Château Hauchat 2009, Ac Fronsac; Bordeaux, France
123489;  Rating – 89;  $14.95

A  very appealing style from Bordeaux with a big, bold and exciting flavour profile. Don’t hesitate on this one, as it is certainly a smart buy at this price.

Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Maipo Valley, Chile
18721;  Rating – 89;  $15.00

An interesting old world style with a long lingering finish. Worth a try at the price.

Salcheto Rosso Di Montepulciano 2008, Doc; Tuscany, Italy
165357;  Rating – 89;  $17.95

This is mid-weight, fairly supple and elegant red with good focus and length. Certainly worth a try and will pair well with a hearty tomato meat sauce.

Wildass Red 2008, VQA Niagara Peninsula; Ontario, Canada
86363;  Rating – 89;  $19.95

Stratus is developing a reputation for their Bordeaux style reds. This blend incorporates 11 grapes in toal and makes for a very interesting mid-weight wine.

5 Value White Wines

Domaine Feuillat Juillot Cuvée Les Grappes D'or Montagny 1er Cru 2009, Ac; Burgundy, France
245803;  Rating – 89;  $22.95

A very elegant white Burgundy with light oak, solid depth and very good length. Pair with Black cod en papillote (poached in parchment).

Tawse Sketches Of Niagara Riesling 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula; Ontario, Canada
89029; Rating – 90;  $17.95

This is an off-dry Riesling that is tight and focused in the German Kabinett style. Nice balance and very good length. Try with spicy Asian fare. I have a Chicken Vindaloo recipe that would be a perfect pairing.

Inama Vin Soave Classico 2009, Doc; Veneto, Italy
949768;  Rating – 89;  $17.95

A very good quality Soave Classico with a slightly creamy palate. Good complexity and length for the price.

Boyar Estates Blueridge Xr Chardonnay 2009; Bulgaria
73197;  Rating – 88;  $11.95

A very interesting and well made Chardonnay from Bulgaria that will certainly please a crowd. The finish and depth are well above average for this price. Pick up a case and enjoy with grilled salmon.

Zenato Pinot Grigio 2010, Igt Delle Venezie; Veneto, Italy
37648;   Rating – 87;  $13.95

This is a crowd pleasing sipping wine that is crisp, clean and mid-weight. Put some in the fridge and serve nicely chilled at your holiday party.

6 Great Reds for under $20 - Vintages Release - October 15 2011

This hisvil; Green Devil; $7.50 eachrelease features some amazing wines, however unless you are a serious collector, have a bank account bigger than Warren Buffet or you just won the lottery, some of the prices are out of range for many of us. However, if money was no object I would certainly try the Château Troplong Mondot 2007, Ac Saint émilion Grand Cru from Bordeaux which is rated from 93 to 95, but will set you back $115. For the same money you can buy a half case of the Luigi Bosca Reserva (Rating – 90;  $17.95).

If the cool fall weather gets you down this weekend, here is a delicious fall soup recipe http://www.thechefupstairs.com/Spiced_Squash_and_Apple_Soup_Recipe.html

RED WINES

Luigi Bosca Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Maipü, Mendoza, Argentina
LCBO #128629;  Rating – 90;  $17.95

A very nicely balanced Cab that shows Argentina can do more than Malbec. Very good to excellent length. Buy a case at this price!
 

Guenoc Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Lake County California, USA
LCBO #104240;  Rating – 90;  $17.95

Another nice Cab for under $20. Nicely balanced, medium bodied and very good finish. This is a great value. Drink now or it will get even better with a year or two in the cellar.

Volpaia Chianti Classico 2008, Docg; Tuscany, Italy
LCBO #953828;  Rating – 90;  $21.95

This is a lovely light Chianti that is grown at very high elevation. Expect  aromas of red currant and fresh herbs. Very good to excellent length. Serve with light pasta dishes.
 

Poliziano Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2007, Docg; Tuscany, Italy
LCBO #988055;  Rating – 90;  $25.95

This exceeds my price limit of $20, but this is a classy Tuscan with nice balance and intensity. Try a bottle to see.
 

Moroder Rosso Conero 2007, Doc; Marche, Italy
LCBO #224741;  Rating – 89;  $17.95

A very nice medium bodied wine that is quite dense with excellent length. Try with some nice salty charcutierie.

Domaine Grand Veneur Les Champauvins Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2009, Ac; Rhone, France
LCBO #76331;  Rating – 88;  $18.95

This represents a ‘baby’ Chateauneuf du Pape. Great body and easy drinking for the price.

Montes Limited Selection Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère 2010, Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua Valley, Chile
LCBO #16071;  Rating – 87; $14.95

A modern blend of Cabernet and Carmenere that will delight for the price.

Korta Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2009; Chile
LCBO #236034;  Rating – 87;  $13.95

This young cab offers decent value at this price. Expect medium weight and very good length. Age it for a year or two and it will be a nice little gem.

WHITE WINES

Pierre Sparr Réserve Gewurztraminer 2009, Alsace, France
LCBO #747600;  Rating – 90;  $17.95

This is a classic Alsatian Gewurtz that is full bodied, with lovely fruit. Enjoy with rich seafood dishes or spiced Asian cuisine.

Jackson Triggs Okanagan Estate Sunrock Vineyard Chardonnay 2008, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

LCBO #249516;  Rating – 88;  $17.95
This is a well balanced wine that is medium bodied with very good length.
 

Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Marlborough, South Island New Zealand
LCBO #686675;  Rating – 88;  $18.95

Another good vintage from Spy Valley. It’s hard to go wrong with their Sauvignon Blanc wines. The 2010 is rich and ripe, very smooth and very good length. Good value.

  

Case Ibidini Insolia 2010, Igt Sicilia; Sicily, Italy
LCBO #211839;  Rating – 87;  $13.95

A bright mid-weight exotic white with melon and grapefruit notes. Good length and good value for the price.

Thanksgiving Wine suggestions

Wines for Thanksgiving Dinner

You can never go wrong with a white Riesling or lighter red such as Pinot Noir or Gamay. Here are a few suggestions for both of these. Enjoy and have a great Thanksgiving.

Reds

Château De Chatelard Les Vieux Granits Fleurie 2009, Ac; Beaujolais, France
LCBO #207886;  Rating – 90;  $17.95

Part of the great Beaujolais class of 2009. It is medium weight and very smooth, with very good length. Good value at this price.

Thatched Hut Pinot Noir 2010, Central Otago, South Island; New Zealand
LCBO #242933;  Rating – 90; 17.95

Central Otago is New Zealand’s best location for growing great Pinot Noir. It is mid-weight with very good length. Chill slightly.

Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir 2009, Marlborough, New Zealand
LCBO #146548;  Rating – 90; $19.95

This is a very affordable Pinot in a lighter style. It has very good length and is always in stock at most LCBO locations.

Pierre Andre Bourgogne Pinot Noir Reserve Vielles Vignes 2009, Burgundy, France
LCBO #168427;  Rating – 89;  $15.95

This is  a light-mid weight pinot noir with typical sour cherry, woodsy scents; ideal with roasted poultry.

Whites

Dr. Hermann Riesling Kabinett 2008, Qmp, Erdener Treppchen; Mosel Germany
LCBO #189647;  Rating – 90;  $16.95

This a wonderful Mosel Riesling that is off-dry but well balanced. Rich and honeyed in character with excellent finish.  A great price for this quality wine.

Vineland St. Urban Riesling 2009, VQA Niagara Escarpment; Ontario, Canada
LCBO #38117;  Rating – 89; $19.95

This is elegant but intense Riesling in a slightly off-dry style. A good sipping style or will pair nicely with salmon with lemon or poultry. Very good to excellent length.

Angels Gate Riesling 2009, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula; Ontario, Canada
LCBO #160523;  Rating 88;  $13.95

This is great value for $14 - a serious Riesling nicely opening up. It's mid-weight, firm, dry and a bit tart  with very good length.

Vintages Release – October 1, 2011

Today’s release is the start of the great fall programs at the LCBO as we move towards the holiday season. The next 6 releases will feature some of the best wines of the year. For this week there are some amazing dessert wines that are never available when you want them for a special dinner party. Now is the time to pick them up, to insure that you have them when you need them.

I have also picked two lovely value reds that will last you through the winter. It would be a good idea to pick up at least 6 bottles of each at these prices.

 

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is only a week away and I have selected several different whites and reds that will compliment your meal. I have also posted a recipe for the most delicious turkey (below). We cooked our turkey like this two years ago and it was definitely the tastiest and juiciest bird I have ever eaten. The dry rub we used had wonderful flavourings and made for even better soup. I will also post a recipe for the leftover turkey soup next week.

http://www.thechefupstairs.com/Dry_Rubbed_Roast_Turkey.html  

The traditional pairing with turkey is white Riesling and for red wines, either Pinot Noir or Gamy grapes. I have featured several of each and would put a bottle of white and a bottle of red on the table to satisfy the palettes of all of your guests.

The weather doesn’t look very good for outdoor work or activities today, so head out to your local fall market to pick up some of the amazing fall bounty and don’t forget to hit the LCBO on your way home.

 

Red Wines under $20

Wild Rock Gravel Pit Red 2008, Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
LCBO #163600; Rating – 87; $15.95

A blend of 71% Merlot, 25% Malbec and 4% Cabernet Franc produces a smooth and silky wine. From the producers of Craggy Range in the Gimlett Gravels area of Hawkes Bay. It is elegant and mid-weight with very good length. Enjoy this good value now to 2015.

Goats Do Roam The Goatfather 2009, Wo Coastal Region; South Africa
LCBO #11072;  Rating – 87;  $14.95

A very interesting blend of Italian Sangiovese and barbera grapes with Cabernet Sauvignon makes for a full soft and earthy wine that is very drinkable for the price. We bought a case of this last year and it was a very enjoyable wine during the colder winter months. Will pair well with grilled meats or even Spaghetti and Meatballs.

White Wines under $20

Domaine De Bellevue Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Ac; Loire, France
LCBO #251454;  Rating – 89;  $14.95

Tawse Sketches Of Niagara Chardonnay 2009, VQA Niagara Peninsula; Ontario, Canada
LCBO #89037;  Rating – 89; $19.95

Dessert Wines

Fleur Du Cap Noble Late Harvest 2008, Wo Coastal Region (375ml); South Africa
LCBO #173781; Rating – 94;  $20.95

Dessert wines such as this classic are created by introducing the botrytis (noble rot) to the Riesling grapes. The result is a deep dark orange colour, that is very sweet, luscious with excellent to outstanding length. Enjoy with hazelnut chocolates or any dessert that is sweet and or chocolate.

Château De Rayne Vigneau 2007, Ac Sauternes, 1er Cru (375ml); Bordeaux, France
LCBO #98236;  Rating – 91;  $31.00

The sauternes of Bordeaux are rare and scooped up quickly in Ontario. They are beautiful rich wines. My favourite pairing is with seared foie gras, served with either an apricot, mango or apple chutney.

Royal Tokaji Blue Label 5 Puttonyos Tokaji Aszu 2006 (250ml); Hungary
LCBO #972836;  Rating – 89;  $19.95

Wines for Thanksgiving Dinner

Reds

Château De Chatelard Les Vieux Granits Fleurie 2009, Ac; Beaujolais, France
LCBO #207886;  Rating – 90;  $17.95

Part of the great Beaujolais class of 2009. It is medium weight and very smooth, with very good length. Good value at this price.

Thatched Hut Pinot Noir 2010, Central Otago, South Island; New Zealand
LCBO #242933;  Rating – 90; 17.95

Central Otago is New Zealand’s best location for growing great Pinot Noir. It is mid-weight with very good length. Chill slightly.

Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir 2009, Marlborough, New Zealand
LCBO #146548;  Rating – 90; $19.95

This is a very affordable Pinot in a lighter style. It has very good length and is always in stock at most LCBO locations.

Pierre Andre Bourgogne Pinot Noir Reserve Vielles Vignes 2009, Burgundy, France
LCBO #168427;  Rating – 89;  $15.95

This is  a light-mid weight pinot noir with typical sour cherry, woodsy scents; ideal with roasted poultry.

Whites

Dr. Hermann Riesling Kabinett 2008, Qmp, Erdener Treppchen; Mosel Germany
LCBO #189647;  Rating – 90;  $16.95

This a wonderful Mosel Riesling that is off-dry but well balanced. Rich and honeyed in character with excellent finish.  A great price for this quality wine.

Vineland St. Urban Riesling 2009, VQA Niagara Escarpment; Ontario, Canada
LCBO #38117;  Rating – 89; $19.95

This is elegant but intense Riesling in a slightly off-dry style. A good sipping style or will pair nicely with salmon with lemon or poultry. Very good to excellent length.

Angels Gate Riesling 2009, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula; Ontario, Canada
LCBO #160523;  Rating 88;  $13.95

This is great value for $14 - a serious Riesling nicely opening up. It's mid-weight, firm, dry and a bit tart  with very good length.