Paul Picks from the LCBO New Release of June 25, 2011 - Aromatics and Refreshing Whites and Zuccardi Q Tempranillo

Hello to all my wine friends,

Looking at this New Release (NR), there is a good selection of red wine around $20.00 for summer entertaining. My top red pick for both quality and value is Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2008 at $19.95, it is definitely worth buying a few. Also, there are numerous aromatics and refreshing whites, most under $20.00 and three reds worth considering for your cellar.

Aromatics and Refreshing Whites: With summer now officially here, this is when people rediscover how refreshing and enjoyable white wines can be. The white wines I prefer during summer months, are thirst quenchers that are lower alcohol, good acidity, aromatic and with minimum use of oak. In this release there are three of these refreshing whites Albarino, Grüner Veltliner and Torrontés) which are unusual grape varieties, not often seen in our LCBO stores and can be a great way to excite your taste buds and expand your wine knowledge. Albarino is the most distinctive white grape in Spain, and is often match with tapas and fish. Good quality Albarino wines are intensely aromatic with peaches, apricots and almonds on the palate. An Albarino to consider in this NR is Salterio Albarino 2010 from Spain (002774) at $17.95. Grüner Veltliner is Austria’s most famous grape variety usually pale green in colour and display fruit notes of grapefruits, limes, pears and white pepper with strong acidity. This grape is better suited at the dinner table and one Grüner Veltliner to consider is Salomon-Undhof Wieden & Berg Grüner Veltliner 2009 from Austria (670513) at $19.95.Torrentés is the most distinctive white grape in Argentina, another very fresh and aromatic grape with aromas of citrus, peach, spices, straw and floral. A Torrentés to consider is Familia Zuccardi Organica Torrontés 2010 from Argentina (232694) at $13.95. Finally for my last two feature whites, the usual suspects are Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, here are my recommendation; Dr. H. Thanish Riesling Kabinett 2008 from Germany (214635) at $18.95 and Sileni Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from New Zealand (662882) at $15.95, which I think is the best buy of this NR.

Zuccardi Q Tempranillo: The Tempranillo grape is grown all over Spain and is specially know as the main grape in the making of Rioja wines. Tempranillo based wines tend to produce complex and rich wines which have herbal, spicy, leather and tobacco like characteristics with fruit flavours of dark cherries, plums and wild strawberries. A few other countries are experimenting with this grape and a good fit seems to be Argentina. If you want to try a Tempranillo outside of Spain, I have a recommendation for you; Zuccardi Q Tempranillo 2008 from Argentina (973503) at $19.95. I am enjoying this wine as I write this email and you can find my review here on my blog.

If you want to try another quality Tempranillo at the same price and from its home base of Spain, from a very good producer is Baron De Ley Reserva 2005 (958868) at $19.95.

My top three wines of this release: All Cellar Candidate

1-Grgich Hills Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from California (071407) at $69.95

2-Château La Croix St. Georges 2007 from France (098681) at $77.00

3-Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione 2007 from Italy (719872) at $58.95

My top three wines for value:

1-Sileni Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from New Zealand (662882) at $15.95

2-Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2008 from Australia (433060) at $19.95

3-Terrazas De Los Andes Reserva Malbec 2008 from Argentina (029280) at $17.95

These wines did not make my shopping list but are worth considering;

Red Wines:

1-BenMarco Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from Argentina (232637) at $16.95

2-Zuccardi Q Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from Argentina (140855) at $19.95

3-Terrazas De Los Andes Reserva Malbec 2008 from Argentina (029280) at $17.95

4-Sebastiani Zinfandel 2008 from California (672667) at $17.95

5-Grgich Hills Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from California (071407) at $69.95

6-Rupert & Rothschild Classique 2008 from South Africa (717991) at $19.95

7-Château La Croix St. Georges 2007 from France (098681) at $77.00

8-Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione 2007 from Italy (719872) at $58.95

9-Santa Margherita Chianti Classico 2007 from Italy (091694) at $19.95

White Wines:

1-Familia Zuccardi Organica Torrontés 2010 from Argentina (232694) at $13.95

2-Salterio Albarino 2010 from Spain (002774) at $17.95

3-Salomon-Undhof Wieden & Berg Grüner Veltliner 2009 from Austria (670513) at $19.95

4-Sterling Vineyards Chardonnay 2007 from California (330233) at $21.95

My team and I will be back for the next New Release of July 9, 2011.
Cheers
Paul YWG