THE LOW DOWN: Don’t miss this opportunity to experience wines from France’s Loire Valley. Red and~ white with bright flavours and a pure, spring-like quality. And a sensational sweetie. There is nothing like these at regular LCBOs.
Niagara Riesling is back on form with the 08 vintage so it’s time to start buying again. I’m recommending a Malbec for all you fans of big reds.
P.S. DRY ROSÉ
Add to my previous list of recommended Rosés from Vintages May 15th release.
MALIVOIRE 09 Rosé ‘Ladybug’, VQA Niagara 559088 $15.95
More pleasant than refreshing. A little smokiness suggests pairing it with BBQ’d foods.
WHITES
wine style: fresh white
HENRY OF PELHAM 08 Reserve Riesling Off-Dry, VQA Short Hill Bench 557165 $15.95
Crisp with beautiful pure flavours and loaded with refreshment. Dancing lightly ““ a great tease for the palate. Almost bone dry. Age a year or two, or have with your next patio lunch.
wine style: fresh white
STRATUS 08 Riesling, VQA Niagara 131011 $29.20
Already delivering the ‘petrol’ flavours so loved by some Riesling fans. Exuberant, confident and concentrated, with a perfect balance of zest and fruitiness. The austerity of Dry Riesling with a hit of glamour. Expensive but special.
wine style: fresh white
JEAN-MICHEL SORBE 08 Reuilly, Loire, France 168898 $17.95
DOMAINE LECOMTE 08 Quincy, Loire, France 172528 $18.95
These Loire whites offer something different in Sauvignon Blanc ““ more grace than force. Refreshment with a gentle purr. And a classy feeling.
REDS
wine style: lively red
DOMAINE DU CARROI 08 Chinon ‘Cuvée des Folies’, Loire, France 170241 $13.95
Very tart, very refreshing and a bit of a challenge. This is Cab Franc in its purest form ““ invigorating, lighthearted stuff for summer lunches and picnics.
wine style: rich red
FINCA EL ORIGEN 08 Malbec Gran Reserva, Mendoza, Argentina 65425 $19.95
Big, jammy, smooth and rich. Move over Merlot. Crowd-pleaser.
SWEET WHITE
CH. SOUCHERIE 02 Coteaux du Layon, Loire, France 952069 $18.95
Luscious, honeyed wine that feels both sweet and refreshing. Best value sweet wine in the world ““ a MUST buy. And get lots, because this Chenin Blanc wine ages beautifully ““ usually up to 30 to 50 years!
Ha ha ha!! Well, Billy, yet again you’ve recommended a bottle that I thought I discovered all on my own. I should know better by now.
About a week ago I found myself in St Catharines helping a friend set up for a charity function. When the duties were done, I ~ naturally! ~ had to cruise past a few of my favourite wineries on the way home to London. First stop on the route to Beamsville was Henry of Pelham and… lo and behold: they had just released, that very day, their 08 reserve off-dry reisling. Two bottles found their way into my trunk, snuggled up beside the reason for my vist – Henry’s reserve Baco.
Thanks for keeping it real, Billy. You’re an inspiration.