I am not an expert, just a discerning wine lover or amateur de vin (as the French say), but everyone has a different palate, likes and dislikes so it must be understood that any of my recommendations are personal. I just hope that you find them useful or at the very least - interesting. I also hope you enjoy my photos. It is more fun sharing then keeping them backed up on a hard drive.

Monday, May 28, 2012

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

TRIMBACH RÉSERVE PINOT GRIS 2007

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