LCBO Vintages, Saturday August 15, 2009

THE LOW DOWN: Fabulous Furmint, a Chardonnay alternative, a blockbuster local and a fun Riesling are my white recommendations. In reds, you’ll find good value Syrah from the producers of Fuzion, a classic Bordeaux style wine from Chile and a Ripasso that’s perfect for fall meals and moods. The dry Rosé ““ buy of the year ““ rounds out my picks.

WHITES
LINGENFELDER 07 Riesling ‘Bird Label’, Pfalz, Germany
568634 $14.95
style: nice & easy
Delicious semi-dry Riesling with refreshing lime/lemon zest. Summer day in a glass.

ROYAL TOKAJI 05 Furmint, Hungary
653220 $13.95
style: rich white
For once I’m going to quote the catalogue: ‘Strong wine with enough personality to tweak many people’s interest.” The feeling is of rich Chard mixed with the mineral freshness of Riesling. The falvours are apple fresh and the overal experience is excitingly different. Try with foods in a cream sauce. Furmint in the Hungarian grape variety responsible for the famour sweet Tokaji wines.

MAS des BRESSADES 08 Tradition Blanc, Costieres de Nimes, France
701094 $13.95
style: rich white
Why pay high prices for Chardonnay when you can have this gem? Combines richness with refreshment and intriuging herbal falvours. Has a lovely pure, natural feeling. Rich white that gets more interesting with each sip, and which doesn’t try to overpower food. Fantastic now and will evolve over a few years.

WILDASS 06 White, Stratus Winery, VQA Niagara
85100 $19.95
style: rich white
Novel blend of just about all the locally grown whites. Made in the Stratus winery style of great concentration and richness. Shades of a big Alsace white that partners well with chicken or pork dishes.

REDS
CASA GIRELLI ‘Villalta’ 06 Valpolicella Ripasso, Veneto, Italy
117242 $14.95
style: rich red
Many Ripassos have cooked flavours but this guy achieved richness without losing the gutsy, vibrant fruit quality of Valpolicella. Rich meets rustic ““ lots of vigour. Very Italian. My style of red for hearty pasta, casseroles or anything off the Q.

SANTA JULIA 07 Reserva Syrah. Mendoza, Argentina
127613 $13.95
style: rich red
New World richness with a solid, earthy feeling. Hearty red that’s both invigorating and nourishing. Fall and winter stuff. Another great value from the producers of Fuzion.

CONCHA y TORO 07 Carmenere ‘Winemaker’s Lot’, Chile
30957 $16.95
style: rich red
Chile does a version of Bordeaux at a bargain price. Concentrated, with Old World flavours ““ combined with modern drinkability. A great value. For a lamb or beef dinner. Set the table nice.

DRY ROSÉ
BIELER P&F Rosé, Coteaux d’Aix en Provence, France
71423 $12.95
style: rich red
Yippee! A very decent Provence Rosé at an everyday price. Spicy and super-charming. Lovely lush, creamy richness…suggesting late summer suppers on the patio. Handy screw cap. Buy of the summer in dry Rosé.