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.