There are some exceptional sale-deals currently at LCBOs, but you must grab them before closing time on Sunday. The LCBO looks good offering discounts, but they’re not the ones giving us the deal. The LCBO works along the same lines at big department stores as in providing shelf space, in return for which producers must guarantee turn-over. Or they’re out. Hence the discounted, staying-alive, prices. By purchasing these wines. we may help maintaining their availability, but if you really enjoy one in particular, keep buying it after the sale period ““ support what you love, at full price.
Download my picks for the JUNE LCBO SALE PDF HERE!
S P A R K L I N G
BEST DEAL EVER ON SPARKLING WINE
For decades, I’ve been touting Codorniu as the best everyday sparkling wine in the world. It’s produced along exactly the same lines as Champagne (second fermentation in bottle, slow ageing), and some days it tastes every bit as good. But at a fraction of the price. Cava is the Spanish name for sparkling wine produced by the Champagne method, and in a smarter world Cava would be outselling Prosecco (second fermentation in tank, no ageing). But it ain’t so because Prosecco is trendy, and trendy score with most people
CODORNIU BRUT CAVA, Penedes, Spain 215814 $14.90 ($12.40 till June 21)
W H I T E
WELCOMING THE RIESLING SEASON
As soon as we start experiencing warm, sunny weather, my thoughts turn to Riesling. Among other things of course. Cave Spring Winery was an Ontario pioneer with this grape and you cannot go wrong with any of their Rieslings. On a recent warm, early-evening, the Dry edition felt just right for gulping. Delivering refreshment, with just a tease of flavour ““ at low-alcohol level. Ideal alfresco summer lunch wine ““ especially at the sale price.
CAVE SPRING 17 Riesling “˜Dry’, VQA Niagara 233635 $15.95 ($13.95 till June 21)
RETRO WHITE at a RETRO PRICE
It’s been so long I cannot recall, but there was a time ““ around when every apartment was decorated with at least one big palm, and Fazi Battaglia was the go-to wine with up-scale people who shunned el cheapo, Castelli Romani. Well, it looks like the winery, and importer are out to start a little revival with a whopping three-dollar discount. I say, grab what you can for the wine is an excellent refresher, party sipper, aperitif and partner for lighter foods. And what’s not to like about the sexy amphora bottle. Palm shopping optional.
FAZI BATTAGLIA 19 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Marche, Italy 24422 $12.10 ($9.10 till June 21)
SUPER SUMMER SIPPER
Or should that read Summer Super Sipper! What happens when you blend Mr refreshing Pinot Grigio, with Miss pretty Torrontes? You get a wine that’s both refreshing and delightfully tasty. The perfect Summer sipper. Torrontes is Argentina’s edition of Gewurztraminer ““ a mildly spicy/tropical experience that I love in this season ““ one of my faves for patio lunches, brunches, and light suppers. Amazing amount of pleasure for ten dollars.
FUZION 19 Torrontes/Pinot Grigio “˜Alta’, Mendoza, Argentina 169419 $12 ($10.00 till June 21)
R E D
GUTSY ITALIAN
Regular readers will know of my fondness for this rustic Italian. There is no better partner for the world of tomato sauced foods ““ pasta, pizza and vegetarian. And for those “˜few glasses’ while you’re getting dinner ready. I love the authentic working-person feeling. Stock-up and lightly chill.
BERSANO 17 Barbera d’Asti, Langhe, Italy 348680 $14.15 ($11.65 till June 21)
