LCBO Vintages Saturday November 21, 2009
THE LOW DOWN: Fancy wines at fancy prices are the features in this release. Go get em! For something more interesting and affordable check out the following.
P. S. Hate to say it, but I was disappointed with the premium local offerings.
WHITES
wine style: NICE & EASY WHITE
Aveleda 08 Alvarinho ‘Follies’, Portugal 59048 $15.95
Imagine the zest of Vinho Verde combined with the pretty, pleasantness of Pinot Grigio. This is one yummy, anytime sipper. Treat self or friends.
wine style: NICE & EASY WHITE
Kurt Darting 07 Riesling Kabinett, Pfalz, Germany 950212 $16.95
Medium-dry wine with heavenly flavours and tingling freshness. A low-alcohol, Sunday afternoon sipper. You MUST get some for the holidays.
wine style: NICE & EASY WHITE
Cave de Frontignan 08 Muscat Sec ‘Terres Blanches’, VDP d’Oc, France 653188 $13.95
Dry Muscat is one of the most exotic wines on the planet. Shades of Gewurztraminer but less of a show-off. Drier and more refreshing. This would be a great Holiday season house wine. You’ll get a lot of wows.
REDS
wine style: RICH RED
Bodegas Martin Codax 07 Mencia ‘Cuatro Pasos’, Bierzo, Spain 39313 $16.95
A mix of richness, hearty flavour and a rustic edge. Spain does a version of Ontario Baco! The feeling of being at the dinner table in winter ““ with good conversation.
wine style: RICH RED
Tabali 07 Syrah Reserva, Chile 662692 $16.95
Big and lush. But not overdone. Crowd-pleasing, winter warmer.
wine style: RICH RED
Mission Hill 07 Syrah ‘S.L.C.’, Okanagan, British Columbia 68379 $36.95
Dark. dense, earthy and very dry. Seriously good. Shades of the original from the Northern Rhone. Cellar a year or two.
SWEET
wine style: SWEET WHITE
Open 07 Vidal Icewine, VQA Niagara 149799 375ml/$29.95
Value-priced Icewine that’s really good. Luscious tropical flavours and lemony zest. Low alcohol too. Would be a lovely afternoon sipper, or add a splash to dry sparkling wine for a festive cocktail.
wine style: SWEET RED
Quinta de Ventozelo 10-Year-old-Tawny Port, Portugal 141044 $27.95
The exotic, tangy experience of Tawny. Sexy meets earthy. Port with a Middle Eastern feeling. Sip after dinner, or anytime.