Monday, December 31, 2012

JUSTIN'S WINE PICKS JANUARY 1, 2013
Wines available to purchase on January 5, 2013 in Ontario.

The LCBO is busy restocking shelves and counting all the money that they made in the Holiday season. The emphasis on this release is affordable wines that really do offer excellent value for your money!
So if you haven't already worn the strip off of your credit card dive in and shop till you drop.

Wine Snobdom 101: “While your neighbour may go out and buy the same colour Mercedes as the one that's sitting in your driveway, can he claim to have tasted the silken treasure of Clos de Loch Glenmorangie, one of Scotland's most magnificent green wines, aged in a sheep's stomach still within the sheep, and then burned to a crisp over a peat fire.” from Good Gothe by Jurgen Gothe.

Best White Wine: Werner Anselmann Edesheimer Rosengarten Siegerrebe Spatlese 2011 Pfalz $14.95. Seldom seen grape with tremendous fruit that goes perfectly with highly spiced foods.

Very Good Whites.
Hermanos De Domingo Molina Torrontes 2011 Argentina $14.95. Lively, floral.
Dr. Hermann Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese 2007 Mosel $16.95. Luscious!!
Roger & Didier Raimbault Sancerre 2011 Loire $22.95. Tingly fruit palate.
Fratelli Ponte Moscato D'Asti 2011 Piedmont $14.95. Sweet, with a mild bubble. Tastes tremendous with fruit desserts.
Miguel Torres Santa Digna Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Chile $13.95. Fresh, citrus zip!
Leth Klassik Gruner Veltliner 2011 $14.95. “Vibrant, fresh lemon, lime, apricot, mineral.”
Pierre Sparr Reserve Pinot Gris 2011 Alsace $14.95. BEST BUY!!!

Best Red Wine: El Molet Tinto 2009 Spain $14.95. #33 in Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Best Buys of 2012.

Great Reds.

Arnaldo Caprai Rosso Montefalco Umbria 2009 $19.95. For my money one of the top wineries in the World! 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino and 15% Merlot. This one is a wow. Drink 2013-2016.
Quinta Do Coa Vinho Tinto 2008 Portugal $17.95. Rich and well-stuctured.
Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Napa $19.95. Superb with beef!
Tscharke Barossa Gold Marananga Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Australia $15.95. “A thunderous wine at a terrific price.”
Finca Villacreces Pruno 2010 Spain $19.95. Big, full-bodied, a steal at this price!
Macmurray Ranch Pinot Noir 2009 California $21.95. Yes it's Fred's Winery and one of my favourite vinos!
Ravenswood Vintners Blend Petite Syrah 2009 California $18.95. “silky, fruity, yet dry.”
Vignamaggio Terre Di Prenzano Chianti Classico 2009 $17.95. “Plum & Blackberry.”
Bozeto De Exopto Garnacha/Tempranillo/Graciano. Outstanding Value!
Great Reads:
Mission To Paris by Alan Furst. Superb Pre WW2 Spy Stuff in Paris. Beyond The Blue Horizon by Brian Fagen. Ancient History of sailing. Any sailor in your crowd will love this

Thanks and a happy New Year to one and all,
Justin