Last weekend’s Academy Awards shone the spotlight on the top movies, actors & directors of the year.  While at the LCBO, they have crowned Cabernet Sauvignon as ‘King’ of their latest release.   I tried several from every point across the globe & was impressed by many.  Also impressed by the differences.  Typically we think of Cabernets as knock your socks off red to enjoy with steak & prime rib.  While the ones that I tasted made a statement, they ranged from medium to full bodied, were elegant, well balanced & made a good impression.  No doubt in my mind that they would be enhanced with food from BBQed pork chops to Sunday roasts with all of the trimmings.

And drinking only Cabernets – or many red wines for that matter – will turn your lips & teeth purple, I have added to my shopping list some white wines & other interesting reds to add to your shopping cart.

Oh…and you may be surprised to see that the LCBO is shining the spotlight on wines from Israel. Mark my words – you will see more.  Five years ago, I was invited by the Embassy of Israel in Ottawa to join the first media tour of Canadian wine writers.  We were impressed by the incredible wineries that we visited & the HUGE wines that we tasted.  Now it is your turn to pick up a bottle & explore. Don’t by shy because it is labelled Kosher – this does not impact the taste, only the winemaking process.  All 6 wines from Israel in this release were good – splurge & you too will be impressed.

Cheers!
-Debbie

If I only had a $100, I would buy these wines at LCBO Vintages
February 28th, 2014

Wingspan Sauvignon Blanc

New Zealand
$17.95 (Vintages 365403) 13% alcohol

This is springtime in a glass.  Classic Sauvignon Blanc – cut grass (do you remember that smell after this long hard winter?), fresh herbs (thyme & mint) combined with aromas & tastes of white flowers & citrus fruits. This will melt away all thoughts of winter.  Enjoy with spring roasted chicken or fresh asparagus.

Apollonio Squizano

Italy, Puglia
$17.95 (Vintages 362475)  14% alcohol

If you don’t speak Italian nor have 20/20 eyesight you will miss this wine all together! I have never seen a label with font so small….and it is all in Italian! Ask any LCBO Product Consultant (look for those with a gold badge) and say that you are looking for the ‘Squizzy’ wine, they will apparently know exactly what you are looking for.  This Nebillio red wine is my new favorite.  Apparently this winery releases frequently into Vintages incredible red wines under $20.  Big, loaded with black fruit and a long finish.  Be on the lookout for this wine from this lesser known Italian wine region 

CedarCreek Estates Cabernet Merlot

Okanagan Valley, BC
$24.95 (Vintages 175604) 13.9% alcohol

What?!?! Under $25 for this medium to full red wine from British Columbia – how can this be so? Loaded with red & black fruit, this wine deserves to be served with beef tenderloin, Sunday roast with all the trimmings or BBQed ribs.  Buy 2 or 3 bottles while you are at it!

Flagstone Treaty Tree Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

South Africa
$16.95 (Vintages 278382) 13.5% alcohol

There was a buzz around the room about this wine.  Eyebrows were raising with each sip.  BIG and I mean BIG aromas & tastes in this plush red wine of black fruit (figs, dates) and bumbleberry jam.  Smooth texture & long finish – this was a great surprise. At this price, make it your weekday wine.

Dante Robino Bonarda

Argentina
$14.95 (Vintages 277640) 13.9% alcohol

Never heard of Bonarda grape variety? At this price, grab this wine & discover what you have been missing. Medium full bodied with concentrated aromas of red berries, plush texture in the mouth and well integrated tannins.  A food wine – bring on lamb chops or sit down to a hearty Sunday roast.

Grand total: $92.75

We’re well into Spring with the April 13 LCBO Vintages release, which features wines from New Zealand and Portugal. New Zealand’s southern hemisphere water-bound land mass offers a mid-latitude maritime environment particularly suited to the production of unique, quality wines. Not only is there diversity in the varieties cultivated—from the well-known Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, to Syrah and Viognier—but there is great regional diversity—from the established regions of Marlborough and Hawkes Bay, to the emerging Waitaki Valley.

New Zealand – commitment to sustainable winemaking

The New Zealand wine industry has made a firm commitment to innovative and sustainable viticultural and winemaking practices which they expect will reinforce their reputation for “vibrantly stylish wines”. In 2007, the New Zealand wine industry committed to having 100% of the country’s wine produced under approved independently audited sustainability standards by 2012. The industry shares practices in areas such as water usage, energy consumption, waste management and biodiversity.This Vintages release highlights New Zealand’s best-known wine regions, Marlborough and Hawkes Bay, showcasing classic Sauvignon Blanc, aromatic Pinot Gris, and clean unoaked Chardonnay, as well as elegant Pinot Noir and fruity, well-balanced Merlot.

 Portugal – tradition integrated with state-of-the art viticulture

Portugal is best known for its famous Port wine, but the country also produces tangy, fresh white wines and concentrated flavourful red wines from a broad range of native grape varieties. The country has a long history of winemaking, dating back several millennia. Since joining the European Union the 1980s, Portugal has experienced substantial change and an increasing focus on quality in the wine industry. Now Portugal is integrating traditional with modern methods to produce wines of great character, yet modern in style. While most wine was previously produced by cooperatives, and much still is, many grape growers are now establishing their own wineries (quintas) and creating wines with their own unique style. This LCBO release provides the opportunity to try a classic Alvarinho Vino Verde, as well as several red wines, many of them including Touriga Nacional, such as Monte Vilar Reserva. Touriga Nacional is one of Portugal’s best-known red grapes, used in the production of red varietal wines, red wine blends and Port. There’s great value in these wines, with the majority priced under $20.

The general release offers some tasty Niagara wines such as: Fielding Estate Cabernet Franc and Reif ‘The Magician’ Shiraz/Pinot Noir, Viewpointe Estate Auxerrois and Featherstone Rosé, the latter two included in our selection. If you want to share a taste of a rich savoury Chilean red wine, try the Perez Cruz  Cabernet Sauvignon in the 375ml format. Other full-flavoured red wines include Easton Zinfandel, Oyster Bay Merlot and Quinta de Ventozelo ‘Reserva’ Douro Tinto. There’s also great value in the fruit-forward Montepulciano and Sangiovese blend, deAngelis Rosso Piceno Superiore ($14.95) and the Rhône red blend, Le Cirque Grenache/Carignan/Mourvèdre/Syrah ($15.95). With all the great values on offer, we’re managed to include 6 wines for just under $100!

Cheers and Enjoy!

Susan

Kim Crawford ‘East Coast’ Unoaked Chardonnay 2012 

Marlborough/Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
$18.95 (Vintages #991950) 13.0% alcohol

Straw hued and delightfully expressive with aromas of white flowers, citrus and ripe stone fruit, this is a clean, fresh white wine. Dry, with a racy backbone of keen acidity, it offers flavours of melon, green apple and tangy citrus, as well as a pithy note that persists on the lengthy, mouth-watering finish. Enjoy with your choice of seafood or lemon roast chicken.

 Monte Vilar Reserva 2011

Alentejo, Portugal
$14.95 (Vintages #276105) 14.0% alcohol

An excellent value, this ruby/violet blend of native red grape varieties display remarkable complexity of aromas—vanilla, ripe fresh field berries, dried cherries, mineral and earth. Dry, medium-full bodied, the concentrated dark berry fruit is garnished with a touch of pepper and espresso and framed by fresh acidity and perceptible tannins. The finish is dry, full flavoured and long lasting. Pick up a few bottles and try them over the next several years.

Viewpointe Estate Auxerrois 2011

VQA Lake Erie North Shore, Ontario
$14.95 (Vintages #327239) 12.5% alcohol

From a dramatic boutique estate winery on the shore of Lake Erie comes this lovely pale gold wine, tantalizing the nose with delicate aromas of stone and tropical fruit, pear and flowers. Just off-dry, the flavours are quite intense—pineapple, ripe yellow plum, apricot and juicy nectarine. It’s a very tasty wine with a fine balancing seam of acidity and a delicious fruity finish. A good choice to sip on its own or to savour with lightly spiced dishes, previous vintages have sold out quickly from the winery. Don’t miss the boat!

Featherstone Rosé 2012 

VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
$14.95 (Vintages #117861) 12.0% alcohol
Produced from Gamay and Merlot, the deep rosy salmon color of this tasty rosé wine portends the intensity of aromas and flavours. Bursting with ripe red field berries and cherries, apple skin and mineral notes, it also exhibits hints of spice and pepper. Dry, mid weight, all that juicy flavour is balanced with lively acidity right through the lasting flavourful finish. A versatile, value-driven wine that will delight on its own or paired on a warm spring day with a balsamic beef and strawberry salad.

Alfredo Roca‘Reserva de Familia’ Pinot Noir 2010

Mendoza, Argentina
$19.95 (Vintages #301275) 13.0% alcohol
Aged 9 months in oak, displaying a garnet hue, this gem of a wine offers attractive aromas of cherry/berry garnished with notes of vanilla, spice and toast. Dry, silky in texture, it has a lovely core of ripe fruit—raspberry, cherry and blackberry—mingling with notes of spiced oak and earth. Approachable, with fruit deftly balanced by fresh acidity and fine tannins, it delivers a lengthy, dry yet smooth finish.

Château la Croix de Queynac 2009

AOC Bordeaux Supérieur
$15.95 (Vintages #138636) 13.0% alcohol

Deep ruby, this award-winning red wine offers depth of flavour and very nice value. The aromas are very ripe berry fruits, spice and cedar, with a sweet note of dried fruits. Dry, medium-full bodied, ripe tannins and a fine measure of acidity balance plush berry fruit, sweet spice and a trace of toasty vanilla that carries through the long-lasting dry finish. Enjoy this attractive blend now or over the next couple of years.

 Grand Total: $99.70