Marvels from the Midi: Minervois under $16

It has been many months since I posted. Why? A mixture of getting caught up in work and school - a heavy personal focus on craft beer, Ontario specific wines and lack of true QPR experiences. Time rethink? Perhaps... but year-end and an inspiration from the Midi (Languedoc, France) has me offer up some value favourites.

I bought a few wines from the midi lately - anything from Clos Bagatelle in St. Chinian usually pleases but this time my focus is Minervois and the sub-appellation of La Liviniere drew me. I have been there so I can picture this hilly countryside in the western part of southern France. It is beautiful, hosts many fine producers and makes blended wines that I appreciate - mostly because of the great quality for the price. The blends contain some or any of the following: Syrah, Mouvedre, Grenache and Carignan. This GSM (C) blend gives a medium to full-bodied wine with a good tanin structure and lots of dark fruit character.

There are many good producers including Domaine Borie de Maurel which I have featured before and will again because I have a number of bottles in hibernation in my cellar, but below are two wines that I picked up on a Vintages release a number of months back and was very pleased with the result. There were others but these two were the QPR standouts!

DOMAINE LA BORIE BLANCHE- TERROIRS D'ALTITUDE 2008- LA LIVINIERE, MINERVOIS- $15.75
Very fine wine for the price. Full-bodied blend of Syrah, Grenache & Mouvedre. Big nose of black plum, leather and a smokiness. Smoke, spice and dark black fruit on the palate.
LCBO product link
Winery Link

L'OR DES TEMPLIERS 2009 - MINERVOIS - $15.95
Mid-weight wine of good complexity. A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan. Blackberry, raspberry and wild herbs both on the nose and the palate. Ripe fruitiness throughout.
LCBO link

Ontario's Other Red Grape

There is much to be said about Pinot Noir finding a home in Ontario and there is no doubt that we can make premium Pinot Noir here and that it is a signature grape. Much less talked about is Cabernet Franc, which outside of the Loire (and now Ontario) is mostly used in Bordeaux-style blends rather than to make a varietal wine. Although not perfect every vintage, there have certainly been enough good years that some standout wines have been made.

A really good Ontario Cabernet Franc has an intense nose that to me almost seems perfumed, floral. The palate is of ripe berries, red fruit and a touch of herbaceousness.

I have certainly not tried them all but I have tried many and QPR standouts for me include:

FEATHERSTONE - CABERNET FRANC 2011, NIAGARA - $ 16.95   
http://www.featherstonewinery.ca/wines.html

https://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=FEATHERSTONE+CABERNET+FRANC+2011&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

TAWSE - GROWERS BLEND - CABERNET FRANC 2011, NIAGARA - $ 26.95   
http://tawsewinery.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_id=241    

   

TAWSE-  LAUNDRY VINEYARD  - CABERNET FRANC 2010, NIAGARA - $31.95
https://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=328096

SOUTHBROOK - WHIMSY!- CABERNET FRANC 2010, NIAGARA - $34.95
http://www.southbrook.com/2010_whimsy_cabernet_franc_101
 https://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=SOUTHBROOK+WHIMSY%21+CABERNET+FRANC+2010&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

Once Again July Brought Hot Weather and Cool Chardonnay...

For the third summer in a row I found myself participating in i4C; the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration. It is a fabulous event that brings together international producers as well as local Ontario wineries. 60 wineries and 120 wines! This year I was on the trade side of the table but still managed to get exposed to dozens (and dozens) of wonderful wines - all Chardonnay, of course. As the T-Shirt reads '400,000 Acres Can't be Wrong'.

 I have listed below some wines that were real standouts for me and admit there is definitely an international focus as I am lucky enough to get regular exposure to Ontario wine and wanted to be sure I concentrated on the wines that I am not so familiar with.

Global Perspectives Tasting & Panel lead by Steven Spurrier

 

 

From the Global Perspectives blind tasting, two wines stood out both winemakers produce in Ontario and elsewhere internationally:

BACHELDER SAUNDERS VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2011, BEAMSVILLE BENCH, NIAGARA, ONTARIO  $ 44.95    

An elegant, well-balanced wine with a lovely, lingering minerality in the finish.   

http://thomasbachelder.com/

  

PEARL MORISSETTE OCCIDENTAL CHARDONNAY 2011, SONOMA COAST, CALIFORNIA $N/A   

Tropical notes but restrained and complex. Wonderful long finish.  

 

Excellent wines from i4C World Tour:

 

NAUTILUS CHARDONNAY 2010, MARBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND $24.95                                            
The fact that I was sitting with Nautilus' winemaker, Clive Jones, at lunch in no way influenced that this wine was my pick of the i4C. I just felt it was a true QPR wine - great quality delivered at an excellent price. The nose on this wine is enticing and wonderfully complex - the palate does not disappoint!

 

NAUTILUS CHARDONNAY 2011, MARBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND $24.95

Slightly rounder (warmer vintage) and more fruit forward than the '10 but still beautifully integrated fabulous quality for the price.

http://www.nautilusestate.com/cms__Main?name=marlborough-chardonnay-2010                                                                                                                                                                            
https://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=NAUTILUS+CHARDONNAY+2011&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

 

 

 

ADELSHEIM VINEYARD - CAITLIN'S RESERVE, WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON  $45.00    

Beautiful harmony between oak and fruit. Rich with long finish.  

http://www.adelsheim.com/wines/wine-profile/wine-category/white-rose-wines

  

HAMILTON RUSSELL CHARDONNAY 2011, HEMEL-EN-AARDE, SOUTH AFRICA      

$ 32.95  

Very fresh wine, with a lemon palate and certain steeliness. Excellent balance.

https://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=HAMILTON+RUSSELL+CHARDONNAY+2011&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

http://www.hamiltonrussellvineyards.co.za/

 

 

CHÂTEAU GENOT-BOULANGER CLOS DU CROMIN 2010 , MEURSAULT, BURGUNDY $49.95

Quiet nose but beautifully vibrant nuanced wine.

https://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=chateau+genot+boulanger&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN    

http://www.genot-boulanger.com/                                    

POPLAR GROVE CHARDONNAY 2011, OKANAGEN VALLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA $27.95

Fresh wine, with judicious use of oak. Great balance.

https://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=POPLAR+GROVE+CHARDONNAY+2011&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

http://www.poplargrove.ca/                                        

STAETE LANDT JOSEPHINE CHARDONNAY 2010, MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND $N/A   

At this point in the evening my notes merely said beautiful! I guess that is enough to go on.  

http://www.staetelandt.co.nz/wine/tasting-note.asp?WiID=85

 

VENTISQUERO GREY SINGLE BLOCK CHARDONNAY 2011, MAIPO VALLEY, CHILE
Very fresh, lively vibrant wine. Good length.

http://www.ventisquero.com/nosotros/

http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/ventisquero+grey+glacier+single+block+casablanca+valley+chardonnay/2011

i4C Set Up - Before the crowds

 

Syrah vs. Shiraz - which one is for you?

We all know they are the same grape but it expresses itself differently in different climates in different regions. Winemakers also choose to name their wine based on the style of Syrah they have made. Even here in Ontario where we definitely do not have the climate of Australia you will see the odd Shiraz because the winemaker sees it as a bigger more fruit-forward wine that is the Shiraz style. (Or as a jaded marketing person's point of view, a great marketing strategy since Shiraz is so popular)

If you read my blog at all, you will notice that my taste, in general, is more old world/cool climate but that is not to say I haven't had a Shiraz that I love. I prefer the less jammy versions that have a strong pepper backbone and are a little leaner. I have had some fabulous ones, but some are very expensive so I went in search of some QPR Shiraz to my taste that I could happily recommend.

WITS END LUNA SHIRAZ 2011, McLaren Vale, Australia - $ 16.95   
        
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=WITS+END+LUNA+SHIRAZ+2011&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

http://www.chalkhill.com.au/our-story/our-vineyards/wits-end-vineyard



PENFOLDS THOMAS HYLAND SHIRAZ, South Australia - $ 21.95   

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=611210   

http://www.penfolds.com/en/Age-Check.aspx?u=%2fen%2fWines%2fThomas-Hyland.aspx

   
Very good example of Ontario Shiraz:

CREEKSIDE CABERNET SHIRAZ VQA, Niagara Peninsula - $ 15.95
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=305300    

http://creeksidewine.com/wines/estate-reds/shiraz 

    


And now for some well-priced, Syrah just to contrast compare if you so choose:

CHÂTEAU MARIS LA TOUGE MINERVOIS LA LIVINIÈRE SYRAH 2009, France - $ 19.95

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=325084

http://www.mariswine.com/en/mrc1/5-la-touge-syrah.html



JEAN-LUC COLOMBO LES FÉES BRUNES CROZES HERMITAGE SYRAH 2009, France - $ 24.95

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=286351 

http://www.vinscolombo.fr/uk/      

  

Versatile sparkling a match for many foods.

I realize that I spend a disproportionate amount of time on my blog talking about sparkling wine but it is just so versatile, so yummy and makes one smile while drinking it (or at least that is my experience). One of its great attributes is its ease to pair with food. Bubbles stimulate the palate and the fresh acidity cleanses. Sparklers have a nice creamy mouth-feel but are both light in body and alcohol (comparatively) so match easily with a variety of foods without over-powering. Sparkling wines often have a faint sweetness which pairs beautifully with salty foods. Cheese is a great match because sparkling can stand up to tangy goat cheeses as well as creamy cheeses like brie. And don’t forget that bubbles are great for brunch because they are one of the few wines that pair well with eggs and because a splash of orange juice or cassis adds a festive flare! Not all bubbles have to cost as much as Champagne. Every wine-producing country has a more accessible alternative. Even here, right in our own backyard – Ontario makes some high quality Traditional Method sparkling wine at prices that won’t break the bank.

A quick search of "sparkling" on my blog will turn up many of my go-to bubbles but there is a lot of fine choices out there and my list is long so here are some more:

CODORNÍU PINOT NOIR BRUT ROSÉ CAVA 
VINTAGES 665372 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 17.95 

FREIXENET CORDON NEGRO BRUT 
LCBO 216945 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 13.95 

ROEDERER ESTATE BRUT SPARKLING 
VINTAGES 294181 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 24.90 

FEATHERSTONE JOY PREMIUM CUVÉE SPARKLING WINE 2008 
VINTAGES 310334 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 34.95 

HENRY OF PELHAM CUVÉE CATHARINE BRUT SPARKLING WINE 
LCBO 217521 | 750 mL bottle  Price $ 29.95 

13TH STREET PREMIER CUVÉE 2008 
VINTAGES 142679 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 34.95 

FLAT ROCK CELLARS RIDDLED SPARKLING WINE 2008 
VINTAGES 187377 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 24.95 

PROSECCO CONEG VALDOBBIA VENET(LA MARCA) 
VINTAGES 927004 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 19.95 

Riesling - Versatile & Fresh for Spring

As they say, Spring is in the air. You can smell the blossoms - this makes me think of Riesling. It is a lovely aromatic varietal wine. It’s fruit-forward with a crisp acid which makes it a wonderful sipper on a hot summer day. These same attributes make Riesling adaptable so marries up nicely with many food combinations. Off-dry Riesling or Riesling-based blends make an incredible companion for spicy dishes which are often a hard match for bone-dry wines. It is your saviour when serving Thai, Mexican or Middle Eastern. So go out and add some spice to your life!

Some of my Great Value Favourites - From Ontario and Beyond...
 

DIPROFIO RIESLING 2011, NIAGARA, ON - $15.95
 

http://www.diprofiowines.ca/wineshop/


 

FEATHERSTONE BLACK SHEEP RIESLING 2011, NIAGARA, ON - $16.95
 
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=FEATHERSTONE+BLACK+SHEEP+RIESLING+2011&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

 
http://www.featherstonewinery.ca/wines.html
 
FLAT ROCK CELLARS RIESLING 2012, NIAGARA, ON - $16.95
 
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=43281
 
http://www.flatrockcellars.com/products/category/white-wine

TRIMBACH RIESLING 2009 -ALSACE, FRANCE - $18.95 

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=734517
 
http://www.trimbach.fr/en/trimbach-estate/
 

ST. URBANS-HOF OCKFENER BOCKSTEIN RIESLING KABINETT 2011 - MOSEL, GERMANY   $21.95 
            
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=216622        
 
http://www.urbans-hof.de/en/unsere_region/unsere_region.html                      

 

HUGEL GENTIL 2011, RIESLING BLEND - ALSACE, FRANCE $14.95

 
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=HUGEL+GENTIL+2011&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN
 
http://www.hugel.com/en/hugel.php

ABC: Another Bottle of Chardonnay

Wine is as much about fashion and trend as any other consumer good and the saying ABC: Anything but Chardonnay is proof of that. At one point people got tired of heavily oaked, flabby Chard and a rebellion began. Sadly for some that meant walking away altogether but for others it was just embracing the style of Chardonnay they liked. Whether you are on or off the bandwagon, Chardonnay remains the #1 most planted grape in the world so it shows the difference in perception and reality. Chardonnay grapes are especially affected by oak and winemaking technique so this means the varietal has quite a range. From the elegant judiciously-oaked white Burgundies to flinty, oak-free Chablis or a warm California style which is full bodied with hints of tropical fruit, there are many options. Each of these wines is just different enough that its food match can run a wide range too. Classic Chardonnay pairings include: Cool-climate, un-oaked with oysters and other shellfish; Fuller-bodied cool-climate oak-aged with rich fish or risotto; or warmer climate, like California, oaked style with buttered lobster or chicken, pork or pasta in a cream sauce. There are too many options to list, part of the fun is coming up with your own pairing. So, if you haven’t had a Chardonnay in a while, find the right style for you, give it a try and see what inspires you in the kitchen!

CHATEAU ST. JEAN - CHARDONNAY,  SONOMA, CA - $18.95
Toasty oak and apple on the nose with hints of vanilla. Supple, round mouthfeel- slight butterscotch finish.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=269738
http://www.chateaustjean.com/

2009 FLAT ROCK - CHARDONNAY , NIAGARA PENINSULA, ON $16.95
Very well priced for the quality, Mineral, vanilla and citrus on nose and palate.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=286278
http://www.flatrockcellars.com/products/category/white-wine

2010 WILLIAM FEVRE CHAMPS ROYAUX - CHABLIS, FRANCE- $21.95
Crisp wine - apple, citrus, and a focused minerality. Long finish.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=276436
http://www.williamfevre.fr/accueil.php

The Allure of Food-Friendly Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is known as the heartbreak grape because it is notoriously difficult in the vineyard but there is nothing heartbreaking about it in the glass. It is often the perfect companion for food – from salmon to duck to pork to filet mignon to mushroom dishes - it complements them all! Its elegant combination of earthiness and fruit make it very versatile to pair. Pinot Noir is lighter in colour and body than many other red wines but amazingly it has the highest number of flavour compounds. Dazzle your friends with perfect pairing using just one wine – and if you want to feel good about going local, Ontario does this varietal very well.

 

Go to QPR Pinots:

 

Albert Bichot Bourgogne - Vielles Vignes Pinot Noir - France - $15.95
Simple but appealing, red currant, mineral, ever-so-slight earthiness.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=166959

 

 

Flat Rock Cellars - Pinot Noir - 2010, Niagara Peninsula - $19.95
Flint, red cherries and slight earthiness on the nose. Lovely evolving layers of fruit on the finish. 

http://flatrockcellars.com/products/category/red-wine/63

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=1545
 

Giesen Estate Pinot Noir Marlborough 2010, New Zealand - $19.95
Bright red fruit - strawberry and red currant. Well balanced with lasting finish.

http://www.giesenwines.com/
 

Le Clos Jordanne, Village Reserve Pinot Noir $30.00
Lovely red fruit, strawberry and cherry - good balance and structure

 

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=33894

A New Start and Great QPRs in 2013

Rather than just focusing on individual QPR wines in 2013, I plan to highlight stylistic or regional QPRs. This will help broaden the blog and exposure to styles and regions.

The South-west of France and the Languedoc-Rousillion is full of QPR wines. I have visited the Midi a number of times and although there are many standard table wines there are some wonderfully made value wines from Saint Chinian, Corbieres, Minervois etc.

Many of these wines are GSM blends - Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre and sometimes Cinsault. This makes for a lovely, spicy full-bodied wine.

My example above - Lurton Ministre - is just such blend from Saint Chinian. I enjoyed the when I purchased it but must say this 2005 was still drinking beautiful so when well made there is some holding power.

This $16 bottle still had lovelyplum and black cherry fruit with a slight earthiness on the nose and a hint of wild herb that followed through to the palate. The wine had a pleasant med+ finish.

http://www.saq.com/page/en/saqcom/vin-rouge/francois-lurton-domaine-du-ministre-2008/913178

http://www.winealign.com/wines/2631-Domaine-Du-Ministre-Rouge-2005

http://90pluswines.com/Wine/5047KPQ6/St.-Chinian-Domaine-du-Ministre/.aspx

http://www.domainesfrancoislurton.com/category.php?id_category=5

http://www.cellartracker.com/list.asp?fInStock=0&Table=List&iUserOverride=0&szSearch=J%2E+%26+F%2E+Lurton+Saint%2DChinian+Domaine+du+Ministre#selected%3DW1504187_1_K6e9ae5d600e0db7352c191f732613be9

As you can see from my LCBO St. Chinian product search below this tasting note and price-point is typical of the region so there is lots of choice. Play around with Faugeres, Corbieres and Minervois too. Enjoy!

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=St.+Chinian&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN