HOME GROWN

Hi all,

Just got back from a great trip to the vineyards in our own background in Niagara - with some of my students.  Below, a few stars that shone brightly on my travels over the weekend:

1.  Rosewood Estates Natalie's Sussreserve Riesling 2008 - $18

This one was a Gold Medal winner at the Niagara Wine Festival.  Sussreserve is a German method of adding sweetness back into the wine.  This is balanced with lovely acidity, and is a natural to go with Thai food.  Available at the winery in Beamsville.

2.  Malivoire Lady Bug Rose VQA 2009 - $15.95
One of my favourite Ontario pinks!  Dry and full of juicy fruit flavours, serve it chilled with tapas - hummus,  olives, grilled shrimp, etc.  You can order it on-line at www.malivoire.com.


3.  Flat Rock Sparkling Reserve 2006 - $35.20

Oh my, but is Ontario making amazing bubbles!  Flat Rock has just launched this latest wine - their pride & joy - well worth waiting for.  Festive & fine, weddings, birthdays & anniversaries are just waiting for this beauty from our own backyard.  Order it from the winery at www.flatrockcellars.com.

4.  Creekside Shiraz Broken Press Shiraz 2007 - $39.95

From the 2007 vintage which was warm enough to ripen Shiraz in Niagara (not always the case in cool, wet summers!) this serious Shiraz is made by an Aussie winemaker - although I would call it more French (Northern Rhone) in style.  Bring on the braised beef stew! Or sock it away in your cellar, this one will last for a bit.  Available from the winery at www.creeksidewine.com. 

Generally speaking, keep an eye out for the 2010's coming out of Niagara a while down the road.  Given the warm summer we are having and if the weather holds through the Fall with warm & dry conditions, 2010 will be a great vintage!

Later,

Mo 

RED, WHITE & GREEN WINES

Everything 'green' being all the rage, I am often asked which organic wines are good to buy.  You'll be happy to hear there are a growing number of environmentally conscious wine producers around the world - some wines are produced organically and some are even 'fair trade' (like the coffee).  Generally, the quality of these wines has improved overall and here are a few that have hit my LCBO shopping cart recently:

BONTERRA CHARDONNAY - CALIFORNIA
VINTAGES Essentials 342436 | Price: $ 18.95 

Made from organically grown grapes - a dry (& not too oaky) vibrant Chardy to have with your favourite chicken or cream-sauce pasta.  A Vintages Essentials selection, should be always available.

VINECOL TORRONTÉS 2009 - ARGENTINA
VINTAGES 32748 | Price: $ 13.95

Argentina has the perfect climate (hot & dry) to farm organically.  Try this little-known white grape: delicious, floral and a great match to Thai food, serve it nice & chilled and enjoy discovering a new wine style.


TRIVENTO FAIR TRADE MALBEC - ARGENTINA
LCBO 160994 | Price: $ 9.95

Trivento returns part of the proceeds of the sale of this wine to the communities in Argentina where the grapes are grown, to help finance social and educational programs.  Wine with a social conscience - so drink up it's for a good cause.    

Do your part, help save the planet by buying green wines more often.

Later,

Mo