THE LOW DOWN: A really good line up of summer whites for refreshment or lazy time sipping. And a local sparkling with the style and feel of Champagne.
You’ll find lots of charm and seduction in my three rich red picks, and Piccini Chianti Riserva is an amazing buy for fall and winters dinners. For something rustic check out Featherstone Cab Franc or Madiran from the southwest of France.
A fun and a substantial Rosé will ensure you’re covered in that department. Unfortunately I couldn’t find anything to recommend in the Argentinian or PEC features.
SPARKLING
wine style: dry sparkling
JACKSON TRIGGS 06 Sparkling Brut ‘Entourage’, VQA Niagara 234161 $22.95
The austere Champagne style with warm, toasty flavours. Seriously good and under-priced. Enjoy before and with the meal.
WHITE
wine style: fresh white
SOLAR DAS BOUCAS 10 Loureiro, Vinho Verde, Portugal 221036 $13.95
Single vineyard VV with refreshing citrus and savoury flavours. Something different for summer aperitif. Cries out for grilled sardines.
wine style: fresh white
WYNNS 09 Riesling, Coonawarra, Australia 528216 $16.95
Razor-edged. Pure as snow and mighty refreshing. A must buy for fans of Dry Riesling.
wine style: fresh white
PEDRO ESCUDERO 09 Verdejo ‘Fuente Elvira’ Rueda, Spain 218313 $13.95
Get off the Sauv Blanc wagon and get into something similar from Spain. Good summer refreshment and one of the best partners for seafood and or any meal with fresh asparagus.
wine style: fresh white
BODEGAS MARTIN CODAX 10 Albarino ‘Salterio’, Rias Baixas, Spain 2774 $17.95
Spicy, fruity, savoury. Fresh but with some heft. An interesting, action-packed experience.
wine style: nice & easy
BERTON VINEYARDS 2010 Viognier, Australia 93435 $14.95
Honey, spice and citrus. A wow for the senses ““ slightly sweet but also very refreshing. Lovely, so lovely! Could be the best brunch wine in the world.
wine style: nice & easy
LA CASA DEL REY 2010 Torrontes ‘Alta Vista’, Argentina 37127 $13.95
All the exotic, spicy flavours of Torrontes along with a refreshing whack of lime freshness. I could drink a galllon of this ““ but probably not ““ as it’s very high alcohol.
DRY ROSÉ
wine style: dry Rosé
DOMAINE LAFAGE Rosé ‘Parfum De Vignes’, Cotes du Roussillon, France 167528 $13.95
A light, lively south of France Rosé with delicious fruit flavours and a ‘be happy’ feeling. Patio lunch, dappled lighting and life will be good.
LA BASTIDE BLANCHE 09 Rosé, Bandol, France 71084 $21.95
Pale, super-rich and very south of France. Lush, sexy wine that’s worth the splurge. Needs a white tablecloth and some French flair.
REDS
wine style: rustic red
FEATHERSTONE 09 Cabernet Franc, VQA Niagara 64618 $16.95
Rustic, tart, invigorating and very real. Bistro-style wine for lighter meats. Ontario’s Barbera.
wine style: rustic red
CRU DU PARADIS 08 Madiran, France 150573 $14.95
A red for those who like rustic and realness. Tangy dry, refreshing and sure to make food tast good.
wine style: rich red
PICCINI 06 Chianti Riserva ‘Selezione Oro’, Tuscany 212498 $15.95
Mellow, fall day in the woods feeling. At a bargain price. Stock up for fireside dinners.
wine style: rich red
TORRES 07 Grand Sangre de Toro Reserva, Catalunya, Spain 315648 $15.95
Forget expensive Pinot Noir, this is the great alternative. Silky texture, spicy sweetness with an earthy tang. Fantastic for any summer BBQ.
wine style: rich red
LOUIS BERNARD 08 Gigondas, Rhone, France 222596 $15.95
A big charmer at a modest price. In the seductive style of Bernard’s red at the LCBO. Highly recommended.
wine style: rich red
AMANI PENDANA 07 Shiraz, Stellenbosch, South Africa 22079 $18.95
Lush and lovely. Smoky, spicy and not unlike a Zinfandel. The big BBQ red for sure.
