What We’re Drinking Now!
With the wind howling by the windows outside, and yet another sloppy, slushy, snowy, rainy, storm making it’s way through overnight, we must admit, our thoughts are turning to spring; like kids in stuck in the backseat of long car ride, we asking each other, “Are we there yet?”
Maybe not yet, but soon, so to solace ourselves this month, we’ve enjoyed a balance between hearty winter reds and wines that will be just perfect for outside fun – if it ever gets here.
Tawse “Sketches of Niagara” Riesling, VQA Niagara Peninsula, ON 2010
$17.95 Vintages 890029
Refreshing, bright and crisp with aromas and flavours of white grapefruit, orange blossom, petrol and lemon meringue. Slightly off-dry, this is surprisingly round on the palate but zippy acidity keeps things vibrant and fresh. Lovely with pulled pork tacos or soft cheeses.
Ares Crianza Rioja, Spain 2008
$16.95 Vintages 305912
A completely enjoyable wine for a great price. Ruby red turning garnet, this is unmistakably Old World with aromas of old leather, spice, and dark fruit. Medium bodied, with fine dusty tannins on the palate and flavours of spice, dark chocolate, pickled walnut and a bloody/meaty note and a slightly hot sour cranberry finish. Pair with meat pizza or simple charcuterie.
Quinta da Ponte Pedrinha, Dão, Portugal 2008
$14.95 Vintages 219188
Looking for value? Look no further than Portugal, finding exceptional wines for dirt cheap prices is like shooting fishing a barrel. This red is a deep, dense blend of Tinto Roriz and Jaen, with a spicy, peppery, slightly earthy nose. The palate is elegant and luscious, with fine tannin and wild flavours of violet incense, crushed black pepper, dusty earth and plummy, dark cherry flavours. Drink with beef stew tonight or stick it in the cellar for another few years.
Jackson Triggs “Niagara Estate” Grand Reserve Shiraz, VQA Niagara Peninsula, ON 2010
$19.95 Vintages 317941
A powerful cool climate Shiraz, with enough sweet fruit to offer some appeal for Aussie Shiraz lovers. Youthful, dark purple ruby, with a spicy nose of crushed black pepper, juniper and cedar wood. The palate is dry and dense with grippy tannin and flavours of black wine gums, blackberry candies, vanilla extract, licorice and a subtle perfumey bergamot note. Overall, round, ripe and delicious with grilled chorizo and salty proteins.
Pondview Cab Merlot,VQA Niagara Peninsula, ON 2010
$19.95 Vintages 307561
A blend of 45% Merlot, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc making up the remaining 55%, this is medium to full bodied, with fine, but drying tannins, and flavours of ripe black fruit, spice, uplifting herbal notes and a bitter walnut finish. Easy drinking and enjoyable, keep pairings simple with grilled steak and hard cheeses.
Les Terres Bleues Cotes de Brouilly, Beaujolais, France 2011
$16.95 Vintages 590521
Ruby red with a tart, slightly earthy nose of ripe red berries and currant, cranberry cocktail and a slightly horsey aroma. Dry and mid-weight on the palate with dusty tannins and red berry, mineral notes with tart-bitter cranberry/cherry finish. Very good with salty proteins like goat’s cheese and cured sausage.
Rosehall Run “Rosehall Vineyard” Chardonnay, VQA Prince Edward County, ON 2009
$35 rosehallrun.com
Elegant, smooth and creamy, this is a lovely example of Ontario Chardonnay with aromas and flavours of lightly toasted hazelnuts, ripe peaches, creamed corn and Golden Delicious apple. A very inviting wine with a great thread of acidity which keeps everything in focus. Pair with buffalo mozzarella stuffed ravioli or simple lobster and butter.
Innocent Bystander Chardonnay, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia 2011
$19.95 (on sale from $23.95) Vintages 280206
Round and soft with a nose of flint, toasty oak, and orchard fruit, followed on the palate with vanilla, butterscotch, green apple, hazelnut and lemon peel. Creamy and rich with nice balancing acidity. Not quite worth the $24 for which it was originally selling, but $4 off bumps up the value quotient. Great with quattro formaggi pizza.
Domaine Olivier Bourgueil, Loire, France 2011
$17.95 Vintages 297903
Cabernet Franc lovers may be in for a bit of a surprise with this one; while there is Cab Franc distinctions on the nose with a distinct green herbs, and earth there’s also a surprisingly intense perfumed note of face cream or violet incense. Mid weight with and low, fine tannin, this has bright red berried fruit, that almost comes across as carbonic, spice, earth and again that interesting perfume and green herb note. At this price, this could be a very pleasant party wine, and a departure from the usual suspects.