LCBO Vintages Saturday October 30

THE LOW DOWN: California is the feature and just about all the wines are delicious drinks. But at a price. Today other regions are producing similar wines for a lot less money. An exception are the very Champagne-like sparkling wines from Roederer. And I’m recommending two reds for their uniqueness.

France and Italy are the star buys once again. Wonderful wines and values for Fall and Winter evenings. Southbrook’s Syrah is elegant and worth the splurge. Never thought I’d be recommending a pink Port but it’s perfect for the party season.

WHITES
wine style: nice & easy white
JEAN JEAN 09 ‘Ormarine’ Picpoul de Pinet, Midi, France 525287 $12.95
Novel house wine. Low keyed but tasty and refreshing. Forget Pinot Grigio for a week and go with Picpoul.

wine style: nice & easy white
ZAGLIA 09 Friulano, Friuli, Italy 182204 $12.95
A delicious sipper. Refreshing but also feels slightly sweet ““ could be a cousin of Gewurz. Pretty floral, spicy fragrances and flavours. Would be a huge hit at family events.

wine style: rich white
GABRIEL D’ARDHUY 09 Chardonnay, Burgundy, France 183699 $17.95
Solid, semi-rich Chardonnay in the international style. Would fit in anywhere. Ideal as your first wine for winter dinner parties.

wine style: rich white
VINA CARMEN 08 Chardonnay Gran Reserva, Casablanca, Chile 961276 $14.95
The new-style rich Chardonnay. Citrussy fresh with liveliness and a ‘drink lots’ personality. The perfect all-evening white.

SPARKLING
wine style: sparkling brut
ROEDERER ESTATE Sparkling Brut, Anderson Valley, California 294181 $28.95
Half-price Champers. Seriously dry, austere sparkling with a Champagne feeling. Stock up.
P.S. The Roederer Rosé is darn good too.

REDS
wine style: fresh red
Albino Armani 08 Refosco, Friuli, Italy 181529 $13.95
Refosco is the Beaujolais of this part of Italy. Light, tart and refreshing. The perfect first bottle of the day. Always show your Armani early!

wine style: rustic red
MARENCO 08 Dolcetto d’Acqui. Piedmont, Italy 188052 $14.95
The real deal! Rustic, invigorating Dolcetto to terrorize fans of smooth. Real Italian wine for those that love the style. Count me in.

wine style: rustic red
SOUTHBROOK 08 Syrah ‘Triomphe’, VQA Niagara 129809 $24.95
The peppery flavours of Syrah along with the lighthearted, earthy feeling of a Village Beaujolais. A great tease and partner for white meats. A possible splurge choice for the holiday dinner.

wine style: rich red
FEUDI SAN PIO 07 Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy 181446 $15.95
Big taste, big rich red for the winter season. Lush, with warmhearted, mature flavours. Guaranteed to be a knock out ““ for heft and charm. And value.

wine style: rustic red
MAS DONIS 08 Barrica, Montsant, Spain 705863 $16.95
Rustic meets rich and the feeling is friendly and charming. I may be drinking a lot of this.

wine style: rich red
TERRES d’AVIGNON 07 Cotes du Rhone, France 194886 $15.00
The beat goes on. Another super charming Rhone. Fall day meets Moroccan bazaar. The spice of life.

wine style: rich red
ALAIN JAUME 07 Rasteau ‘Les Valats’, Cotes de Rhone-Villages, France 185876 $18.95
Lovely hit of lushness, richness and the earthy feeling of the Rhone. Lots going on. Heartwarming red for winter. Compares well with wines at twice and three times the price.

wine style: rich red
DOMAINE ZUMBAUM TOMASI 07 Pic Saint-Loup, Languedoc, France 185868 $18.95
Think Merlot meets Zin, meets south of France. Many delights. Fireside warmth for a winter dinner.

wine style: rich red
ALDERBROOK 04 Zinfandel ‘Old Vine’, Sonoma, California 603696 $23.95
Mature, elegant feeling. Could be a high priced Pinot Noir. Have with a roasted bird or sip with your sweetie.

wine style: rich red
SANFORD 08 Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara, California 206680 $44.95
Mix of delish strawberry flavours and Italina-style gusto. Not typical Californian ““ more cool climate elegant. Wonderful gift for a Pinot fan.

SWEET
wine style: sweet Port
CROFT PINK Port, Portugal 140871 $19.95
Not for the traditional Port fan, but you’re sure to be popular pouring this at family events. Sweet, but also refreshing and lighthearted. Lightly chill and serve in tumblers. An inch at a time.