You know you have a great bottle of wine when you look forward to drinking it again… Name: CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino Vintage: 2009 Producer: Tenuta CastelGiocondo, Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi Region/Country: Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Sangiovese Consumed: October 1st 2016 at home Recommended By: LCBO vintages Cost: $50 Bottle Presentation: Classic and distinctive. We … Read more
Young, full-bodied, and Intense… Name: Supreno Vintage: 2013 Producer: Alma – Santa Maria della Versa Region/Country: Puglia, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Sangiovese, Merlot Consumed: Firegrill Restaurant, Montreal Recommended By: An amiable waitress at the Firegrill Restaurant Cost: $59.00 Bottle Presentation: Modern, bordering on dramatic (somehow reminiscent of Dracula), would definitely stand out on the shelf Appearance: … Read more
A light, dry rosé with plenty of floral notes… Name: L’Opaline Vintage: 2015 Producer: Pure Provence SARL Region/Country: Provence, France Grape Varietal(s): Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault Consumed: At Le Riverain Restaurant, Fairmont Le Château Montebello Recommended By: The waitress at Le Riverain. Cost: $12.50 per glass. Bottle Presentation: Simple, yet modern and stylish. Appearance: Pale salmon. … Read more
Able to pair with multiple foods… Name: Château du Port Vintage: 2009 Producer: Domaine Pelvillain Frères Region/Country: Cahors, France Grape Varietal(s): Malbec 90%, Merlot 10% Consumed: At Aux Chantignolles Restaurant, Fairmont Le Château Montebello Recommended By: Marie-France, the Maître D. Cost: N/A Bottle Presentation: Classic, conservative – unlikely to catch your eye on the shelf … Read more
Paired surprisingly well with a summer BBQ… Name: Vérité Grande Cuvée Vintage: 2014 Producer: Laurent Miquel Region/Country: Pays d’Oc, France Grape Varietal(s): Viognier Consumed: at home Recommended By: SAQ selection Cost: $24.15 (SAQ) Bottle Presentation: Textured, simple and elegant label, although the top and bottom pieces are at stylistic odds, which detracts from the overall … Read more
A rosé of spectacular value… Name: Bicicleta Vintage: 2015 Producer: Vina Cono Sur Region/Country: Chile Grape Varietal(s): Pinot Noir Consumed: At home Recommended By: Chosen from the Selection at the SAQ Cost: $11.50 (SAQ) $11.10 (LCBO) Bottle Presentation: Unique, antique/retro look from the early 1900’s. Love the bike theme. Appearance: Strawberry red. Nose: Strawberries, raspberries, … Read more
A pleasant rosé, and a great value… Name: Buti Nages Vintage: 2015 Producer: Michel Gassier Region/Country: Costières de Nîmes, Vallée du Rhône, France Grape Varietal(s): Grenache and Syrah Consumed: At home Recommended By: Chosen from the Selection at the SAQ Cost: $15.95 (SAQ) Bottle Presentation: Girly/feminine, simple. Appearance: Light salmon. Nose: Peaches and strawberries, with … Read more
Pleasantly surprised by this lighter Italian red… Name: Matto Barolo Vintage: 2011 Producer: Matto Wines Region/Country: Piedmont, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Nebbiolo Consumed: At Vittoria Trattoria Restaurant Recommended By: Chosen from the wine list Cost: $75 Bottle Presentation: Modern and distinct. Part of the label reminded us of an inkblot. Appearance: Light garnet, which is surprising … Read more
Bring on the pizza and pasta… Name: Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore Vintage: 2014 Producer: Folonari Region/Country: Veneto, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara Consumed: Le Vieux Four Manago, Saint-Sauveur Recommended By: Restaurant server Cost: $38 at the restaurant (apparently $19.95 at SAQ) Bottle Presentation: Classic, rich look Appearance: Medium-dark ruby Nose: Sour cherries, leather, … Read more
You would not go wrong making this blend your house white… Name: 2014 Twisted Vintage: 2014 Producer: Flat Rock Cellars Region/Country: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Chardonnay Consumed: At home on a gorgeous summer’s evening Recommended By: LCBO rack Cost: $16.95 Bottle Presentation: Distinctive, clean, modern, and, to some degree, artistic … Read more