Stock Up for Patio Season - Wine Selections for the LCBO May 28 Release

If you have been saving for a rainy day, our latest weather patterns indicate that the “day” has arrived and what better way to spend it than on a nice bottle of wine. The May 28^th release features the wines of California and Alsace, but my selections are quite wide and varied. There are several wonderful reds from Australia, Chile, Italy, Spain and the US; two delightful Rosé and an inexpensive sparkling made traditionally in Burgundy.

With regard to local produce, we are starting to see the first of the new season with asparagus, fiddle heads, ramps (wild leeks) and dandelion greens. I will post some recipes that feature these products and the wines that pair nicely.

P.S.  For the second year I am participating in the Princess Margaret Ride to Conquer Cancer. It is a 2-day, 200 mile cycling adventure that will raise over $14 million for cancer research. My goal is to raise at least $3,000 this year and it would be great if you could help me achieve this. Please click on this link to donate to this wonderful cause:

Premium Red Wines (under $25)

I Greppi Greppicante Bolgheri 2007, Doc; Tuscany, Italy
LCBO #170381;  Rating – 90;  $23.95

A modern Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc that is very polished and attractive. Well focused with excellent length. Drink now through to 2016.

Villa Mt. Eden Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Napa Valley, California, USA
LCBO #706275;  Rating – 90;  $24.95

David Lawrason from Wine Align describes this best “This has very good substance and cabernet character for the price - better than some California heavyweights at two or three times the money. It is a fairly dense, dark and reserved cabernet with a well integrated nose of chocolate, currants, dried herbs and leather. Quite full bodied and well extracted with firm but not austere tannin, and very good to excellent length. Best now to 2016.

Red Wines (under $20)

Plunkett Fowles Stone Dwellers Merlot 2008, Strathbogie Ranges, Victoria Australia
LCBO #221838; Rating – 91;  $19.95

Made in the style of great Bordeaux wines this is medium to full bodied with very good length. For the price it is the best value of the release. Grab a few bottles before it disappears! Drink now or over the next five years.

Emiliana Winemaker's Selection Syrah 2009, La Quebrada, Casablanca Valley Chile
LCBO #212407;  Rating – 90;  $18.95

This is a blend of 88% Syrah, 7% Merlot and 5% Viognier. The nose is of black pepper, cherry, smoke and vanilla. Would pair well with bbq’ed ribs in a spicy sauce.  Excellent length. Drink now, or over the next five years.

Apollonio Terragnolo Primitivo 2004, Igt Salento Rosso; Puglia, Italy
LCBO #211813;  Rating – 89;  $17.95

This wine from the 2004 vintage is ready to drink now, medium-full bodied with very good length. Ideal for grilled ribs or steaks on the bbq.

Domaine Mercouri Red 2006, Vin De Pays Des Letrinon, Greece
LCBO #652974;  Rating – 89;  $18.95

An old school traditional style red, that reminds of Italy’s nebbiolo. Medium weight with very good to excellent length.

Coto De Imaz Reserva 2004, Doca Rioja, Spain
LCBO #23762;  Rating – 89;  $19.95

This seven year old wine is ready to drink now. A traditional Rioja that is mid-weight with very good to excellent finish. Drink now to 20 14.

Westside Red Troublemaker Blend 1, Paso Robles, California, USA
LCBO #682831;  Rating – 89;  $19.95

How can you go wrong with a name like this? A blend of 53% syrah, 37% mourvedre and 10% grenache from the 2008 and 2007 vintages, with a bit of 2009 added for brightness.  This full bodied wine has excellent length and is full of flavour. Drink now to 2015.

Banfi Centine 2008, Igt Toscana, Tuscany, Italy
LCBO #980649;  Rating – 88;  $8.95 for 375ml

This half-bottle is a blend of Sangiovese (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) and Merlot. It is medium bodied with a smooth finish that is drinkable now. Perfect for that mid-week Pasta Puttanesca dinner with grilled Sweet Italian Sausage. Click here for the recipe.

White Wines (under $20)

Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc 2009, Wo Stellenbosch, South Africa
LCBO #231282;  Rating – 90;  $17.95

This is a quite rich, honeyed, spicy style. It's medium-full bodied, dry and well extracted with excellent length. Try pairing it with roast chicken or lemon pepper grilled salmon.

Louis Robin Chablis 2009, Ac, Burgundy, France
LCBO #210831;  Rating – 89;  $19.95

Sitting on a patio, a lovely chilled Chablis in your glass …does life get any better? This mid-weight wine fills the bill with its minerality and essences of lemon-lime and apple on the finish. Great wine for the price. Pair with Chevre from prince Edward County’s  Fifth Town Artisan Cheese. Available at Culinarium on Mt. Pleasant.

Angels Gate Mountainview Chardonnay 2008, VQA Beamsville Bench, Ontario, Canada
LCBO #116384;  Rating – 88;  $18.95

A nice example of the world class Chardonnays that are being made right here in Ontario. A well balanced wine that is great for sipping over the next three years.

The Winery Of Good Hope Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2009, Wo Stellenbosch, South Africa
LCBO #158121;  Rating – 88;  $11.95

John Szabo calls this a ‘Top Value Alert’.  His review; “the palate is light-medium bodied, refreshingly citrus and orange/lime/grapefruit flavoured, with lightly honeyed notes and a touch of wood, then comes the beautiful balance and refined texture, and a finish than lingers on and on. And then you check the price and say wow, that's an outstanding value. A beautiful, balanced wine built on elegance and drinkability.

Rosé Wines  (Don’t Skip this Section!!)

Rosé wines got a bad rap due to the cheap wines produced and marketed in the 70’s and 80’s. There are some truly great Rosé wines that are great for summer bbq’s and parties.

Château De Trinquevedel Tavel Rosé 2010, Ac; Rhone, France
LCBO #729947;  Rating – 89;  $17.95

From John Szabo “Finally a dry rosé with some character and class - you can tell that this is an appellation dedicated to rosé wines rather than one that allows them as an afterthought.” Medium full-bodied with very good to excellent length.

Emiliana Adobe Reserva Rosé Syrah 2010, Rapel Valley Chile
LCBO #229690; Rating – 88;  $11.95

Very well balanced, dry and refreshing. A Rosé with excellent character for the money.

Sparkling

It is not commonly known, but sparkling wines will pair well, with virtually any food. So if you are ever stumped, or you’re serving a mix of food that would require several different pairings, your ‘go to’ wine is Sparkling. BTW, only wines produced in the Champagne region may be called ‘Champagne’. However, using the same traditional wine making techniques there are many great wines available from around the world and at reasonable prices.

Veuve Ambal Brut Crémant De Bourgogne, Ac; Burgundy, France
LCBO #209619; Rating – 88;  $15.95

This is a well-balanced, dry and crisp sparkler from Burgundy. The flavour intensity, depth and length are worth far more than the asking price. Mid-weight, with very good length. Great value.

LCBO / Vintages - May 14, 2011 Release

This looks like a good weekend to do some wine shopping, as the forecast shows rain for the next 5 days. Last weekend I went to Prince Edward County to do some wine tasting. The winemakers there are taking full advantage of the climate and terroir (limestone similar to Burgundy France) and are producing world class chardonnay. The pinot noir is up and coming and the tastings we had with Norman Hardy were fantastic. If you get a chance, it's a beautiful area to visit and to enjoy great food and wine ...and beautiful quiet roads to cycle on.
The release this week is good, but not spectacular. I really like the Mulderbosch Chardonnay from South Africa. Also, try the Muscat from Greece, this is a lovely dessert wine and the price is right. For Port lovers there is a LBV Port for $19.95 that should hit the spot with some nice blue cheese or aged cheddar.
Enjoy and let me know what you like or dislike from this release.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

As BBQ season approaches, one of my favourite meals is a roasted leg of lamb. For quick grilling (30 to 40 minutes) a butterflied, boneless leg is great. For the bone-in leg, you need slower more controlled cooking. For both the marinade is very important and I recommend a minimum of 8 hours, but preferably over night. Here is the link to what I am cooking tonight.

Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb with Mint and Lemon

PREMIUM WINES

Vincent Girardin Les Vieilles Vignes Pouilly Fuissé 2008, Ac; Burgundy, France

207894; Rating 92; $24.95

David Lawrason compares this fresh, dry crisp Burgundian Chardonnay with the wonderful wines being made in Ontario’s Prince Edward County. (on a side note, I had the pleasure of trying some of these PEC wines last weekend and they were truly world class) Great wine for the price. Pair with lobster or crab dishes.

RED WINES

Mayu Reserva Carmenère 2007, Elqui Valley, Coquimbo Chile

90035; Rating – 90; $14.95

This is a marvellous red for the money. It is peppery with raisin and raspberry nuances. Try with pepper steak.

Alain Jaume Grande Garrigue Vacqueyras 2009, Ac Rhone, France

233916; Rating – 90; $22.95

Balanced, concentrated and structured, Jaume's Vacqueyras has the depth of many solid Châteauneuf-du-Pape, if not quite the length or complexity. Needs some more time, best 2012 to 2017.

Mas Des Bressades Cabernet/Syrah 2008, Vins De Pays Du Gard; Languedoc Roussillon (Midi), France

712174; Rating – 89; $18.95

This is a blend that is 70% Cabernet and 30% Syrah. Medium weight, smooth and dense with very good length. Enjoy now through 2014.

Marchesi Torrigiani Torre Di Ciardo 2006, Igt Toscana Tuscany, Italy

212084; Rating – 89; $19.95

This is a blend of sangiovese, canaiolo and merlot from a coastal vineyard in Tuscany. It pours with bright, moderately deep and mature garnet colour. It’s mid-weight, nicely harmonized if a bit dry on the finish. Good to very good length. Ready to enjoy now or hold another two to three years.

La Coterie Séguret 2009, Ac Côtes Du Rhône Villages; Rhone, France

219428; Rating – 88; $15.95

A young fresh rhone for current and easy drinking. It’s mid-weight with very good length. Best now to 2015. Try it with roasted leg of lamb.

Elementos Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Argentina

218974; Rating – 87; $12.95

Here's a pleasant, firm, flavourful, ripe but not raisined example of Argentine cabernet, with more than enough flavour intensity and length for the price. Solid value.

Ondarre Reserva 2004, Doca Rioja Spain

723452; Rating – 89; $19.95

Maturing now, but shows balance and very good length. Still fresh, this brings you back for another sip. Drink now through 2016.

WHITE WINES

Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Marlborough, South Island New Zealand

677450; Rating – 89; $19.95

Intense, lively wine with lemon zest, gooseberry, green capsicum and a suggestion of passion fruit. Tangy, mouth-watering Sauvignon Blanc with character.

Quails' Gate Chardonnay 2008, VQA Okanagan Valley British Columbia, Canada

377770; Rating – 89; $19.95

Sixty-five percent was barrel fermented (only 20% of the barrels were new) and the remainder was fermented in stainless steel. This gave winemaker Grant Stanley the opportunity to blend a fruit-forward wine with only subtle oak, in a style deliberately different from the winery’s reserve Chardonnay. Mid-weight, drink now or wait a year.

Mulderbosch Chardonnay 2009, Wo Stellenbosch South Africa

717090; Rating – 89; $19.95

His always one of my favourites. This is a lighter style of chardonnay - quite zesty and refreshing but still sporting some chardonnay richness. Nicely integrated and fairly complex aromas of spice, nougat, tobacco and dried apple. It has very good length with a taut, almost stony finish.

DESSERT WINES

Kourtaki Muscat, Aoqs Samos; Greece

938407; Rating – 92; $14.95

A wonderful fruity sweet dessert wine that is medium to full bodied. Aromas of mango and tropical citrus pairs this well with ice creams or cheese. A great buy for the price.

Cálem Lbv Port 2004, Doc Douro, Btld. 2010 Portugal

912550; Rating – 90; $19.95

Fresh and attractive fruit and berry flavours. Great value.

Vintages Release for April 16, 2011

This release features some fine wines from the cool climes of New Zealand. They are currently finishing up their fall harvest and releasing their wines from vintages past. I’ve listed one nice Pinot Noir and a couple of crisp Sauvignon Blanc wines. I’m seeing a lot of asparagus at the market these days and nothing pairs better with grilled asparagus than a nice crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

Dessert Wines

Here are two interesting wines to try. Quite often recipes call for Sherry or for a real treat the Tokaji will go great with Foie Gras, a mild Roquefort cheese or with fruit or nut-based desserts and cheesecake.

Gonzalez Byass Elegante Palomino/Pedro Ximénez Sweet Cream, Do Jerez; Spain
LCBO #196824; Rating – 92; $14.95

Dark mahogany colour with rich aromas of raisins, mocha, dark chocolate, nuts and fruit pastries. It’s medium sweet and very smooth. A wonderful after-dinner drink with blue cheese or fruit-based custards.

Pannon Tokaj Tokaji Aszú 3 Puttonyos 2003, Tokaj Hegyalja Hungary
LCBO #74328; Rating – 92; $21.95

This exceptional version of Tokaji features aromas of dried fruit, honey and candied rind. Enjoy with fruit tarts, berry pies or my favourite …foie gras. Click here for my favourite foie gras recipe (SAUTEED FOIE GRAS WITH CARAMELIZED APPLES & MANGO SAUCE)

Red Wines Close to $20

Napa Ridge Petite Sirah 2007, Napa Valley California, USA
LCBO #213686; Rating – 90; $19.95

The petite syrah grape was developed for blending, but over time because of its full rich flavour has become a wine unto its own. It is a predominantly Californian grape where it grows well. This particular wine has excellent length and will pair nicely with strong meats …game, beef, lamb and spicy sauces. Enjoy now and over the next 5 years.

Valiano Chianti Classico Riserva 2005, Docg; Tuscany, Italy
LCBO #211706; Rating – 89; $20.95

Sorry for the extra dollar here, but this is well aged (mature) and ready to drink over the next 2 or 3 years. A full bodied wine with higher alcohol (13.5%) this will work well with hearty fare or a nice salty Italian cured sausage.

Château Saint André Corbin 2008, Ac St Georges St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
LCBO #43810; Rating – 89; $21.95

The LCBO review says it best “Winner of a Gold Medal at the 2010 Concours Général Agricole in Paris. This elegant Merlot-based wine features aromas and flavours of black cherry, mint, anise and menthol. Dry, with lots of fruit up front, in synch with balanced acidity and ripe tannins. Age it for up to 10 years or enjoy it tonight with prime rib and roasted root vegetables.”

Cave De Rasteau La Domelière Rasteau Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2009, Ac; Rhone, France
LCBO #22292; Rating – 88; $15.00

Lovely Rhone wine at a reasonable price. A mid-weight wine, rich on the palate with very good length.

Mas Des Dames La Dame 2008, Ac Côteaux De Languedoc; Languedoc Roussillon (Midi), France
LCBO #223214; Rating – 88; $15.95

Compare to the Cave De Rasteau above at similar pricing. A medium weight wine, fairly dense that over delivers for the money. A fine summer BBQ wine.

Falesco Vitiano 2008, Igt Umbria; Umbria, Italy
LCBO #950204; Rating – 88; $15.95

A lovely blend of Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Great value for the money and infinitely drinkable and food friendly.

Lone Kauri Reserve Pinot Noir 2009, Marlborough, South Island New Zealand
LCBO #214858; Rating – 88; $16.95

From the LCBO panel “Classy Marlborough Pinot with aromas of strawberry-rhubarb, black cherry and wood smoke. Dry, fruity, ripe and round with a touch of crispness for balance. Flavourful, and ready to drink. A prime Pinot for grilled salmon steaks.” Definitely worth a try for the price.

Viñas Elias Mora 2008, Do Toro, Spain
LCBO #209650; Rating – 88; $18.95

For the cellar. This is a powerful red that needs 2 years of aging. Full bodied, fairly dense and very good finish. Will pair well with savoury roasts and stews.

Grove Street Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Sonoma County, California, USA
LCBO #161190; Rating – 87; $15.00

The critics seem divided on this. David Lawrason rates it 84 and calls it boring. John Szabo says that with its depth and complexity it is great value and comparable to wines at triple the price. Try a bottle with a nice T-bone on the BBQ and find out for yourself.

White Wines for $20 and Under

Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island New Zealand
LCBO #225557; Rating – 89; $17.95

A lovely medium weight classic NZ sauvignon blanc with excellent length and focus. Pairs well with grilled spring asparagus.

Pierre Sparr Réserve Gewurztraminer 2008, Ac Alsace; Alsace, France
LCBO #747600; Rating – 89; $17.95

David Lawrason states “This is a whopper and quite mature, from the golden colour through the ripe apricot, honey, lychee and a touch of earthiness and spearmint. It's medium-full bodied, medium sweet, very smooth.” Try with Asian fare.

Fielding Estate Winery Unoaked Chardonnay 2008, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada
LCBO #164491; Rating – 88; $15.95

This is a very nice summer sipping wine, similar to an unoaked French Chablis. Very good length and balance. Try it with pasta vongole.

Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, South Island New Zealand
LCBO #224428; Rating – 88; $18.95

John Szabo says it best …” Stylish, fragrant example here, with above average depth and complexity. Flavours range from yellow grapefruit through papaya, guava and passion fruit, with above average concentration and length. Fine wine for current enjoyment.” Sounds good to me!

Triade Bianco 2009, Igt Campania, Campania, Italy
LCBO #214718; Rating – 87; $12.95

A wonderful white blend of three Italian varietals. Above average depth and flavour intensity with very good length. A bargain summer sipper at the price.

Vintages Wine Selections for the April 2nd Release

In this release the LCBO features the wines of the French Bourgogne (Burgundy) and South Africa. While many of the great Bourgogne wines are out of our price range, I was still able to find several in the $15 to $25 range. The red burgundies are made from the pinot noir grape and the whites are chardonnay. What gives these wines such great character are the limestone soils on the hilly slopes and the cool climate. When I visited this region over 10 years ago, I was quite surprised to see that it was contained in such a small area. The wine-growing part of this area in the heart of Burgundy is just 40 kilometres long, and in most places less than 2 kilometres wide, hosting more than 3,000 wine producing domaines. The area is made up of tiny villages surrounded by a combination of flat and sloped vineyards on the eastern side of a hilly region, providing some rain and weather shelter from the prevailing westerly winds. The best wines - from "Grand Cru" vineyards - of this region are usually grown from the middle and higher part of the slopes, where the vineyards have the most exposure to sunshine and the best drainage, while the "Premier Cru" come from a little less favourably exposed slopes. The relatively ordinary "Village" wines are produced from the flat territory nearer the villages.

Most wine aficionados will agree that some of the best reds in the world, are the aged wines of Bourgogne. They display a distinct ‘barnyard’ nose, are a deep burnt red in colour and they will last on your pallet for a very long period of time. So, if the opportunity arises, buy one of the Grand Cru wines and age it properly for 10 years or more. The wait will certainly be worth it.

Finally, before I list this week’s selections, beginning this week, I will now feature a special recipe in each blog. Several of the Burgundy wines recommended this week, suggest food pairing with either duck or Coq au Vin. The Coq au Vin is a delicious recipe that includes a whole bottle of wine in the recipe and please remember, that when cooking with wine don`t go cheap. Cook with the same wine that you will pair with the meal. Please click on this link to download the recipe for Coq au Vin: http://www.thechefupstairs.com/downloads/CoqAuVin.pdf

Selections for $20 to $25

Domaine Gille Côtes De Nuits Villages 2008, Ac, Prop. Récolt.; Burgundy, France
LCBO #210864; Rating – 91; $24.95

Excellent Burgundy for the price. A beautiful medium weight wine that`s packed with flavour and has excellent length. Serve with coq au Vin.

Alain Geoffroy Beauroy Chablis 1er Cru 2008, Ac; Burgundy, France
LCBO #733501; Rating – 89, $24.95

This vibrant and well-structured wine is a great value for a 1er Cru Chablis. Pairs well with any shellfish or seafood dish. Drink now or even cellar for 3 to 5 years.

Domaine Louis Moreau Chablis 2009, Ac; Burgundy, France
LCBO #124305; Rating – 89; $22.95

Very typical Chablis that is subtle, stony-mineral and with decent depth and intensity on the palate. Great for sipping or pairs well with shellfish or poached trout.

Red Wines for under $20

Rivera Cappellaccio Riserva Aglianico 2005, Doc Castel Del Monte; Puglia, Italy
LCBO #984120; Rating – 90; $18.95

A dark, bold and savoury wine that is medium-full bodied. Above average intensity and excellent length. Will benefit from another year in the cellar. Pair with bold, rich dishes.

Umani Ronchi San Lorenzo Rosso Conero 2007, Doc; Marche, Italy
LCBO #981191; Rating – 89; $15.95

John Szabo describes it as clean, ripe, fruity, delicately oaky, elegant, fresh and floral; black pepper and says it is a really fine drinking wine at a nice price.

The Oak Valley Blend 2005, Wo Elgin; South Africa
LCBO #214361; Rating – 88; $16.95

A Bordeaux style blend of primarily merlot and 27% cabernet franc. Dense and elegant with very good flavour depth. Drinkable now, but one or two years of aging will help to soften the tannins.

Domaine Roux Père & Fils Côte De Beaune Villages 2009, Ac; Burgundy, France
LCBO #208520; Rating – 88; $17.95

Simple and well priced Burgundy. Dry, medium bodied and balanced acidity. Try paired with grilled tuna, herbed steaks or roast duck.

Rocca Delle Macìe Chianti Classico Riserva 2006, Docg; Tuscany, Italy
LCBO #111641; Rating – 88; $15.95

Great value for a sumptuous red from Italy. Lots of fruit and finesse for the price. Try with cioppino (Italian fish soup).

Ortas Tradition Côtes Du Rhone Villages Rasteau 2009, Ac; Rhone, France
LCBO #998716; Rating – 88; $15.00

A young plumy and rich Rhone that is simple but still classic. Very serious wine for the money. Try it now or age for 2 or 3 years.

White Wines for Under $20

Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay 2008, California, USA
LCBO #369686; Rating – 89; $19.95 for 750ml; $11.95 for 375ml

A very pleasant and rich wine that is not over powered with oak. Nice balance and very good to excellent length. Will pair nicely with poached salmon and dill sauce.

Pelee Island Winery Vendange Tardive Pinot Gris 2008, VQA Pelee Island; Ontario, Canada
LCBO #224196; Rating – 88; $16.95

Medium gold colour with notes of apple blossom, peach and apricot. Very good length. Nice for sipping or serve with salmon or chicken accompanied with a peach-mango salsa.

Domaine Saint Saturnin De Vergy Bourgogne Hautes Côtes De Nuits Blanc 2009, Ac; Burgundy, France
LCBO #128686; Rating – 88; $18.95

A clean fresh French Chardonnay that is medium weight and delicately oaked. Easy drinking with very good to excellent length. Good entry level burgundy. Serve with classic roast chicken.