Wines for BBQ Season  

Nativ Rue Dell'Inchiostro Aglianico 2019 
(Vintages LCBO # 631606, $19.95, Italy) 
Wines made from Aglianico in Campania can trace their history all the way back to ancient Greek vine plantings in the region, which is where the varietal name (Aglianico, from 'Hellenic') derives. This 100% Aglianico is bold and structured, with dark, smoky fruit, and will go wonderfully with grilled beef or lamb. Score - 94. (lucamaroni.com, Jan. 27, 2020) 
Serving Suggestions: Paired with Stone Fired Pizza is spot on.

Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc 
(LCBO # 495507, $10.50, Western Cape, South Africa)
This wine punches above its weight in the value sector by offering layers of fruit and balanced acid on a medium bodied and refreshing palate. Expect a nose that offers aromas of pear, honey and herbs and a palate that is laden with pear, honey and citrus fruit followed by a fresh finish. 
Serving Suggestions: Perfect for pairing patio side 
 

White Wines that surprised me this month! 

Burnt Ship Bay Sauvignon Blanc VQA
LCBO # 517185, $15.95, Niagara)
Sited in historic Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Burnt Ship Bay Estate Winery is making delicious wines for all palates. Expect lifted aromas and flavours of grapefruit, minerality, herbs and nuts.
Serving Suggestions: Light and refreshing this is a perfect match for grilled salmon with rosemary potatoes and grilled vegetables.

Bolla Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie IGT
LCBO # 363622, $15.50, Italy)
Pale straw; fresh bread, mushrooms, spice, pear and minerally notes; extra dry, medium-bodied palate with a fresh and clean finish.
Serving Suggestions: It’s great by itself but paired with a creamy pasta will do better!

 

Wine winners from the holidays. A couple of my picks I enjoyed last month.

Popcorn Chardonnay VQA
(LCBO # 20264, $15.95, Niagara)
This cool-climate chardonnay displays beautiful orchard fruit aromas of apples and pears, as well as a buttery, oaky character. It is full-bodied and elegant with nice acidity and a dry finish.
Serving Suggestions: Pair with popcorn and a movie, or flaky and chicken pot pie.

Plantaze Monte Cheval Vranac
LCBO # 542498, $10.70, Montenegro)
Medium garnet; lifted, plum, smoke and licorice aromas with a note of salumi; smoky, plummy fruit flavour with a hint of spice.
Serving Suggestions: It’s great by itself but a good steak will do as well!

 

With the weather turning drab stay warm and lively with some spicy spirits.
SPICEBOX CANADIAN SPICED WHISKY
(LCBO #258954, $29.45, Quebec, Canada)
Brilliant amber with gold highlights; very pronounced vanilla bean underscored by apple pie spices and toasty grain whisky aromas; medium sweet and round on the palate with flavours of vanilla and spice in a medium length finish.
Serving Suggestions: Mix with cola and lime or use in baking a coffee cake.

THE KRAKEN BLACK SPICED RUM
(LCBO #225698, $30.95, USA)
Deep amber brown; molasses, orange peel vanilla and spice aromas; sweet vanilla, orange peel and spice flavours with warm spice finish.
Serving Suggestions: Mix in a Zombie or rum punch and serve with spiced nuts.

 

Wines for the Patio!

Kim Crawford Rosé
(LCBO Vintages# 650325, $16.95, New Zealand)
Hawke's Bay is one of New Zealand's oldest wine regions and classic Bordeaux varietals do exceptionally well there. This rosé is made from Merlot and Malbec and will offer pink grapefruit, red currant, floral, red plum and candy notes
Serving Suggestions: Perfect for summer salads or grilled seafood.

Cupcake Chardonnay
(LCBO # 230821, $15.95, California)
Golden yellow colour; lifted aromas of smoky oak, yellow melon and spice; ripe, medium-bodied with a soft mouthfeel and soft balanced acidity; smoky vanilla oak notes, melon and spice flavours leading to a medium-long, balanced finish.
Serving Suggestions: Pair with a patio on a hot summer day!

Summer Sippers!

Sunny with a Chance of Flowers Pinot Noir
(LCBO # 18946, $17.95, California)
It's like sunshine in a glass. This pinot noir gleams with aromas and flavours of sweet black cherries, pomegranate and a hint of toasted oak. A clean finish caps the light-bodied and fruity palate.  Serving Suggestions: Pair with rotisserie chicken, tomato basil pasta, or BBQ turkey burgers.

Pelee Island Lola Blush VQA
(LCBO # 450981, $12.95, Ontario)
Good things come in pretty packages! This flavourful frizzante is layered with aromas and flavours of watermelon, fruit candy with a hint of spice. Soft yet extra dry creating along with the aroma replays a compelling profile.  Serving Suggestions: Pair with a hot summer day!

Spirits to enjoy on St. Patty's Day!

Jameson Caskmates Irish Whiskey 
(LCBO #429258, $39.95, Ireland)
Nose of crisp orchard fruits like green apples and pears, mild pot still spices. Tastes of subtle touch of hops and cocoa beans, Marzipan and charred oak.  The finish is long and sweet with Milk Chocolate and Butterscotch
Serving Suggestions: Neat, on the rocks, or pair with pub fare

Guinness Blonde American Lager 
(LCBO # 433623, $2.70, Pennsylvania, USA) 
Breaking from tradition, Guinness would like to introduce you to its American styled blonde brother. Gold with a lacy white head; the nose offers aromas of cereal, malt, banana, floral and citrus. The palate is fruity and malty with notes of pine and honey on a medium body with soft carbonation.
Serving Suggestions: Fish and Chips, or cheers with friends.
 

 

Some wines to share with your Valentine!

Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 
(LCBO Vintages# 413179, $49.95, Italy) 
From a quality-focused family winery, this is big and powerful, even for an Amarone. Rich and plush-textured with luscious blackberry, dried fruit and chocolate flavours
Serving Suggestions: Demands a hearty meal like barbecued back ribs, rack of lamb or steak.

Veuve Clicquot Rose Champagne 
(LCBO # 19661, $93.25, France)
2018 marked the 200th anniversary of Veuve Clicquot Rosé. Made today using the same technique of blending in a specially-created red wine. Experience lifted aromas of citrus, red berries and toast. The palate is dry with light-medium body and flavours of citrus, fresh strawberry, cherry and a touch of biscuit on the finish.
Serving Suggestions: Serve by itself or with strawberries and cake.
 

 

It’s a New Year, let’s make it better than the last!  Start with trying something new
 
19 Crimes Snoop Dogg Cali Red 
(LCBO # 18116, $19.95, California, USA) 
19 Crimes wines are defiant by nature, bold and always uncompromising, just like the D-O-double-G! Cali red was created as a collaboration with entertainment icon Snoop Dogg. This red blend exhibits bold and uncompromising dark berry fruit, spice and toasted oak tones, with a powerful yet smooth finish. 
Serving Suggestions: Pair it with BBQ meats.  I had it with homemade pizza, it’s also good by itself!

Megalomaniac Much Obliged Red 
(LCBO # 17523, $14.95, Niagara, ON)
Honouring our brave healthcare workers, a portion of the proceeds of each bottle sold will be donated by Megalomaniac to Food Banks Canada. This blend of 100% Ontario grapes displays flavours of red berries and dark fruits with nuances of spiciness and dried flowers. 
Serving Suggestions: Superb with roast lamb or a selection of local cheeses.
 

With Summer coming to a close, enjoy it while you can!

MCMANIS FAMILY VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY 2019
(LCBO Vintages # 265983, $19.95, California) 
McManis delivers remarkable value, vintage after vintage, with this classically styled California Chardonnay. It's typically crafted to reflect a lighter use of oak than one might anticipate from California, and you can expect apple and butter tones throughout. 
Serving Suggestions: The moderate oaking allows this to serve as a bold sipping wine as well as being a match for grilled seafood or grilled chicken.

CASILLERO DEL DIABLO RSV CARMENERE 
(LCBO # 620666, $13.95, Chile)
Concha y Toro sources the grapes from Chile's Rapel Valley for this Carmenere. It exudes aromas of blackberry, bell pepper and spice with mouth-filling flavours of raspberry, blackberry and toasty oak. 
Serving Suggestions: The medium body and smooth finish make it very food-friendly. Pair with grilled steak, hearty stews or aged cheeses.
 

Summer Sippers for the Home Patio and BBQ!

CREEKSIDE ESTATE PINOT GRIGIO VQA

(LCBO # 83196, $14.95, Niagara VQA)

Pale straw colour; apple, pear and mineral aromas with some floral notes; dry, medium body; apple and lemon flavours with crisp acidity to finish

Serving Suggestions:  Serve with pasta in cream sauce or seafood.

  

SMALL GULLY The Formula Robert’s Shiraz

(LCBO Vintages# 142935, $19.95, Australia)

Formula for success: (three passionate partners + 40-year-old vines + estate vineyards) x a single-minded focus on quality = a powerful and savoury Shiraz with rich dark fruit, chocolate, woodsmoke and big, ripe tannins.

Serving Suggestions:  Perfect for roasted or grilled meats.

 

Enjoy a taste of the Irish this upcoming St. Pattys Day with some new flavors

Baileys Strawberries & Cream

(LCBO  # 551598, $31.95, Ireland)

This flavourful addition to the classic Bailey's lineup is like a strawberry milkshake for adults. Smooth and creamy with appealing strawberry flavour,
Serving Suggestions: Delicious poured over chocolate ice cream or served neat.
 

Guinness Hop House 13

(LCBO # 536227, $2.85, Ireland)

Hop House is brewed at Guinness' renowned St James's Gate Brewery in Ireland using Guinness yeast and Irish-grown barley. The lager has aromas of citrus and malt, with flavours of grapefruit, apricot, cereal and a hint of caramel. The finish is flavourful and balanced.

Serving Suggestions: Serve with medium cheeses or spicy chicken wings.

 

 

Get cozy and romantic with your Valentine with help from this pair.

LAURENT-PERRIER CUVÉE ROSÉ BRUT CHAMPAGNE

(LCBO  Vintages # 158550, $99.95, Champagne, France)

Precise and very crisp. Wide range of small red fruits: strawberries, red currants, raspberries and black cherries. Amazing freshness.  Intensely fruity flavors, clean, well-defined and slightly sharp, the wine then opens up to provide an impression of plunging into a basket of freshly picked red berries: strawberries, Morello cherries, black currants and raspberries. The wine is supple and rounded on the finish.

Serving Suggestions: Fruit desserts, Fine Cheeses, Sushi or try it with a spicy dish.
 

APOTHIC CRUSH

(LCBO # 428599, $16.95, California)

Apothic has developed a reputation for producing bold wines, loaded with fruit and big appeal. Crush is the latest addition to this popular portfolio and only available for a limited time. It offers both fruity and savoury notes in a full-bodied and smooth package.

Serving Suggestions: Enjoy with your Valentines Date!

 

With the weather turning drab stay warm and lively with some spicy spirits.

SPICEBOX CANADIAN SPICED WHISKY

(LCBO #258954, $26.80, Quebec, Canada)

Brilliant amber with gold highlights; very pronounced vanilla bean underscored by apple pie spices and toasty grain whisky aromas; medium sweet and round on the palate with flavours of vanilla and spice in a medium length finish.

Serving Suggestions: Mix with cola and lime or use in baking a coffee cake.

 

THE KRAKEN BLACK SPICED RUM

(LCBO #225698, $29.95, USA)

Deep amber brown; molasses, orange peel vanilla and spice aromas; sweet vanilla, orange peel and spice flavours with warm spice finish.

Serving Suggestions:  Mix in a Zombie or rum punch and serve with spiced nuts.

 

 

 

Hold on to summer weather as it comes to an end with a pair of warm weather favorites!

WOLF BLASS SAUVIGNON BLANC

(LCBO # 611475, $16.00, Australia)

Medium straw colour; aromas of pear, melon and hay aromas; dry, light to medium bodied, well balanced, with fresh cut grass, lime and herb flavours.

Serving Suggestions:  Jambalaya, steamed asparagus, grilled veggies or fish dishes.

  

TRAPICHE RESERVE MALBEC

(LCBO # 614651, $12.95, Argentina)

Ruby red colour; fruit forward raspberry and cherry aromas with herbal notes; dry, medium bodied; ripe berry flavours with soft tannins

Serving Suggestions:  This food friendly wine would match well with grilled meats.

Beat the heat with wines for the BBQ and patio

Peninsula Ridge Inox Chardonnay VQA

(LCBO # 594200, $13.95, Niagara, Ontario)

Pale to medium yellow straw colour; delicate apple, ripe asian pear and lemon aromas and flavours with hints of butterscotch; extra-dry, with well balanced acid structure, refreshing, citrus flavours.

Serving Suggestions: Pork Chops with apple sauce, BBQ Chicken with mango salsa

 

Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon

(LCBO Vintages # 337238, $19.90, Maipo Valley, Chile)

This robust Cab exhibits cassis, blackberry, chocolate and cedar notes.

Serving Suggestions: Savour with roast leg of lamb with garlic potatoes, or a meaty lasagna.

 

Spring is here, Summer is coming, enjoy these Patio and BBQ wines!

TURKEY FLAT BUTCHERS BLOCK SHIRAZ GRENACHE MOURVÈDRE 2011

(LCBO Vintages # 90241, $19.95, South Australia, Australia)

Some of the grapes used come from some of Barossa's oldest vines, and the wine never fails to deliver layered and complex fruit aromas and flavours along with impressive structure & balance

Serving Suggestions:  This is a wine that will reward 3-5+ years in the cellar. Enjoy with grilled red meats.

 

BERINGER FOUNDERS' ESTATE PINOT GRIGIO

(LCBO # 45641, $16.95, California)

Pale lemon yellow colour with green tints; aromas of apricot, apple sauce, and citrus; dry, light-bodied and fresh, with flavours of lemon zest, pear, and a slight nuttiness on the finish.

Serving Suggestions:  Serve with scallops and pesto on linguine.

May means BBQ season starts and patios open for good times!

JACOB'S CREEK RESERVE SHIRAZ

(LCBO # 665471, $14.95, Barossa, Australia)

Opaque dark red; aromas of cedar, anice, black fruit; black fruit flavours with a toasty medium-long finish.  Great mouth-feel, rich solid structure.  Amazing value!

Serving Suggestions: BBQ meats or vegetables.

 

KIM CRAWFORD SAUVIGNON BLANC

(LCBO Vintages # 35386, $17.95, Marlborough, New Zealand)

Not to be missed! The 2006 through 2010 vintages of this wine received an average score over 90 from Wine Spectator!  Full flavored w/ Lots of gooseberry, cut grass, pea pods and passion fruit aromas & flavours.

Serving Suggestions: Everyday: grilled chicken with a side salad. Takeout: pork gyros.  Fine Dining: steamed clams or mussels with wild mushroom risotto.

Game of Thrones libations to sip with the release of the last season of the show

Game of Thrones Chardonnay (LCBO # 515676, $29.95, California)

Winter looms, but fair weather and a long summer have yielded a fine and elegant chardonnay. Aromas of tree fruit and fragrant blossom lead to a rich palate, with notes of lemon and honey and racy acidity that would complement the finest cuisine of the realm.

Serving Suggestions: Brilliant with poultry, chestnut soup or almond-crusted trout.

Mother of Dragons Beer (Game of Thrones Royal Reserve)
(LCBO # 639013, $14.00, New York)

The 3rd of a series from the Game of Thrones Collection; inspired by Daenerys. A unique blend of smoked porter and kriek beer. Deep ruby in colour. Shows aromas and flavours of dark chocolate covered cherries, smoke and roasted malt. The palate is rich with a refreshingly tart finish. 
Serving Suggestions: Try with smoked cheese or charcuterie.

You don’t have to be Irish to indulge in St. Patty’s Day libations, try these new picks

Guinness Hop House 13

(LCBO # 536227, $2.85, Ireland)

Hop House is brewed at Guinness' renowned St James's Gate Brewery in Ireland using Guinness yeast and Irish-grown barley. The lager has aromas of citrus and malt, with flavours of grapefruit, apricot, cereal and a hint of caramel. The finish is flavourful and balanced.

Serving Suggestions: Serve with medium cheeses or spicy chicken wings.

 

The Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey

(LCBO # 631887, $49.95, Ireland)

This dram pours brilliant gold out of the bottle; unassuming on the nose, with notes of toffee, melon, apricot, malty grains and spice. A sip reveals flavours of salted toffee, mixed nuts and dried apricot; the whisky is light to medium-bodied with a touch of sweetness and a warm, balanced and elegant finish.

Serving Suggestions: A splash of soda, neat, or cut it with a cube of ice.

 

Wines to Celebrate with your Valentine!

Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvée Rosé

(LCBO Vintages# 280172, $21.95, New Zealand)

Raspberry with a touch of lemon on the nose; while the palate reveals a touch of grapefruit amongst the red berries. Fresh red fruit with a citrus finish.

Serving Suggestions: Chilled with strawberries and chocolate

 

Cupcake Red Velvet

(LCBO # 260851, $13.95, California, USA)

Deep ruby colour with aromas of dark berry fruit, cassis and hints of vanilla; picks up some chocolate and spice on the palate.

Serving Suggestions: Hoisin-Glazed Steak with Sesame Vegetables, Whipped Coconut Chocolate Mousse, Blackberry Chocolate Cupcakes.

 

With the Holidays over, here are some wines that are easy on the budget (January 2019)

 

Trapiche Astica Sauvignon Semillon

(LCBO #359083, $8.45, Argentina)

Pale straw yellow colour; intense peachy/grassy, slightly tropical nose; dry on the palate, with citrusy/peach fruit flavours, herbal notes, moderate acidity and finish.

Serving Suggestions: Lemon herb baked white fish with pecan pie for dessert.

 

JJ McWilliam Shiraz Cabernet

(LCBO #16741, $10.35, Australia)

Medium ruby red colour; big nose of eucalyptus, black currant and vanilla; dry, medium to full bodied, with lots of juicy fruit flavours; spicy notes on the long finish..

Serving Suggestions:  Keep it simple and pair with Burgers with your favorite toppings.