Wines
go on sale in Ontario on Saturday, February 15.
The
swashbuckling spy James Bond often enjoyed his favourite meal;
Champagne, steak and a tomato salad, and on two occasions he washed
down the steak with Chateau Cantemerle 1955 and Chateau Lynch-Bages
1953. I wonder if M checked his expense accounts?
All
of you good little spies out there will want to spend your
greenbacks, rubles and loonies on some seriously fine wine this time
around. I will highlight the best of a VERY DELECTABLE lot!
By
the way James was certainly right about the Lynch-Bages. One of my
fondest tasting memories is a gathering of friends where we had the
opportunity to taste the 89 and 90 side by side. A WOW moment!
There
is one iconic wine that brings back memories of my first taste of
Chassagne-Montachet, arguably the King of Chardonnay. It was a
revelation for me!
If
you have a very special event planned buy Vincent Girardin Vieilles
Vignes Chassagne-Montrachet 2011 $55.95. “ Buttery aromas of
apple butter, hazelnut and butterscotch.”
There
is also a delectable Port at a bargain-basement price. Agri-Roncao DR
Late Bottled Vintage Port 2000 will go in my cellar until next
Christmas Eve.
Top
White Values:
Domaine
D'Orfeuilles Les Coudraies Vouvray 2012 Loire $20.95. Drink with
pulled pork.
Serge
Dagueneau & Filles Pouilly-Fume 2012 Loire $26.95. Sip on a
summer eve!
Domaine
Gautheron Chablis 2012 Burgundy $24.95. This needs a lobster.
Lawson's
Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2012 $17.95 N.Z. These New Zealand
Sauvignon Blancs are a vegetarians dream. Try with a Waldorf salad.
Kilikanoon
Killerman's Run Riesling 2012 Clare Valley $17.95. “ Light and
tangy.”
Colome
Torrontes 2012 Argentina $13.95. Floral nose, great balance!
Pillitteri
Protagonist 2012 Niagara $15.95. Blend of Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc
and Gewurztraminer.
Southbrook
Vineyards Triomphe Chardonnay 2012 $22.95. Always OUTSTANDING!!!
Tawse
Sketches of Niagara Riesling 2012 $17.95. I admire this winery!
Louis
Bouillot Perle D'Aurore Brut Rose Cremant De Bourgogne $19.95. A
lovely rose bubbly that would enhance poached salmon.
James
Bond's Favourite Salad Dressing:
Mix 5
parts of red-wine vinegar with one part extra-virgin olive oil. The
vinegar overload is essential. Add a halved clove of garlic, half a
teaspoon of Dijon mustard, a good grind of black pepper and a
teaspoon of granulated sugar. Mix well, remove garlic and dress
salad.
Best
Red Wine: La Ferme Du Mont Vendange Chateauneuf-Du-Pape 2011 $46.95.
Drink now to 2021.
Superb
Red: Castorani Amorino Montepulciano D'Abruzzo 2007 $27.95. Drink
with steak.
Very
Good Reds.
Fleur
De California Pinot Noir 2011 $19.95. Earthy, lively, spicy-cherry.
Columbia
Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 $17.95. Rich, big Cab!
Zuccardi
Q Malbec 2011 Argentina. “Deep, dark and alluring.”
Concha
Y Toro Winemaker's Lot 148 Carmenere 2011 Chile $18.95. “ Dense,
Chunky and Serious.”
Alkoomi
Black Label Shiraz/Viognier Australia 2010 $21.95. Old style/big
wine!!
Thorne-Clarke
William Randell Shiraz 2010 Australia $43.95. “An Exceptional
Shiraz!!”
Domaine
Gerard Charvet La Reserve D'Amelie Moulin-A-Vent 2012 $20.90. These
Cru Beaujolais are really remarkable wines. The prices are low
because of the generally low reputation of Beaujolais. These are the
cream at the top!
Domaine
Lambrusques Esprit Sauvage 2011 Midi $17.95. Gold Medal Winner!
Torre
Saracena Riserva salice Salentino 2009 $16.95. “Blue &
Blackberry, spice & chocolate.”
Lar
De Paula Crianza 2008 Rioja $16.95 Luscious wine, drink by 2017.”
Otazu
Premium Cuvee 2007 Navarra. “ Mineral aroma, powerful, with
character.”
James
Bond's African Martini:
Glass
of ice filled to brim. A few liberal slugs of gin. Juice of half
a lime.
Great
Reads. Solo by William Boyd. The newest Bond Thriller ( Bond notes
above taken from it.) William Boyd is an exceptional author and this
effort is quite intelligent, considering the genre.
Black
Skies by Arnaldur Indridason. Excellent Police Detective procedural
set in Iceland.
Jeeves
and The Wedding Bells. An homage to P. G. Wodehouse written by the
acclaimed author Sebastian Faulks. This is amazing. It's like
Wodehouse was reincarnated!
Thanks,
Justin
