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.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

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.




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!

Saturday, September 15, 2012

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

HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE RIESLING 2010

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/