Paul Picks from the LCBO New Release of July 23, 2011 - Solid Italian Feature and Cool Climate Chardonnay

Hello to all my wine friends,
Usually in January, February and the summer months, the LCBO New Release (NR) selections are not as robust as the remaining big buy months. This NR surprises and offers some interesting, off the beaten path choices with some good and great values wines.

The NR guide is a good read and well put together, filled with useful information, pairing possibilities and good value wines from each feature sections. Features include; Amazing Grapes – Italian and Cool Climate Chardonnays . I am also adding my own feature, a top three under $20.00 BBQ reds, so let’s get started.

Solid Italian Feature:This section in the LCBO NR catalogue features 12 of the more then 200 grape varieties that Italians harvest. Before I get started, in general, Italian wines are better paired with food, they are made to be enjoyed this way. Italians love a little vino with their food, who can blame them? There is a solid selection of both red and white wines to considered here. Looking at the white wines, starting with the more familiar grape, from the northeast region of the country, Pinot Grigio; two solid choices here Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio 2010 (954024) at $17.95 and Marco Felluga Mongris Pinot Grigio 2009 (230623) at $22.95. Next grape, from the southern Italy is Greco Di Tufo, a wine to match with white fish and white meat on the BBQ, from a very good producer in Campania, Terredora Loggia Della Serra Greco Di Tufo (983197) at $17.95. Now looking at the red wines, starting from the northwest region of Italy in Piedmont is Nebbiolo the grape which makes Barbaresco and Barolo and a very good value example of this is Franco Molino Barolo 2006 (212464) at $29.95. Next is the most know and planted grape in Italy, Sangiovese. This grape is grown all over Italy, but more well known in Tuscany and is the grape of the Chianti region. Look for La Castellina Chianti Classico 2007 (223313) at $18.95, Brunello di Montalcino region, look for Il Marroneto Brunello Di Montalcino 2005 (190108) at $46.95 and Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano region and I suggest; Rocca Delle Macie Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2006 (232488) at $24.95.

Cool Climate Chardonnay: The Chardonnay grape is the most popular white grape and is grown throughout the wine world because of its early ripening nature. I generally prefer Chardonnay from cooler growing region of the world, like Ontario, cooler regions of California, Chablis, Tasmania, South Africa, Fruili region of Italy to name a few. The reason, a fresher wine with a more natural acidity. Here is a selection of five Chardonnays from cooler regions starting with; Ontario Coyote’s Run Black Paw Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 (049775) at $21.95, from South Africa Ataraxia Chardonnay 2009 (232967) at $23.95, from Tasmania in Australia Josef Chromy Chardonnay 2009 (162982) at $29.95, from Burgundy in France Jean Féry & Fils Les Nosroyes Puligny-Montrachet 2008 (243568) at $52.95 and from Friuli in Italy Jermann Chardonnay 2009 (241992) at $29.95.
For people who like to enjoy a solid California Cabernet Sauvignon, here is a re-release from last December 11, 2010 from Mount Eden Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Santa Cruz Mountains, California (031831) at $49.95, 3 dollars less than in last Decembers release.

My top three wines of this release:

1-Mount Eden Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 from California (031831) at $49.95

2-Jean Féry & Fils Les Nosroyes Puligny-Montrachet 2008 from France (243568) at $52.95

3-Il Marroneto Brunello Di Montalcino 2005 from Italy (190108) at $46.95

My top three wines for value:

1-Terredora Loggia Della Serra Greco Di Tufo from Italy (983197) at $17.95

2-Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio 2010 from Italy (954024) at $17.95

3-Tabali Reserva Especial Syrah 2008 from Chile (213538) at $19.95

My top three BBQ reds under $20.00:

1-Wakefield Shiraz 2009 from Australia (943787) at $17.95

2-Tabali Reserva Especial Syrah 2008 from Chile (213538) at $19.95

3-La Castellina Chianti Classico 2007 from Italy (223313) at $18.95

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

Red Wines:

1-Franco Molino Barolo 2006 from Italy (212464) at $29.95

2- Il Marroneto Brunello Di Montalcino 2005 from Italy (190108) at $46.95

3-Cantina Tollo Aldiano Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Riserva from Italy (057706) at $16.95

4-NK’MIP Qwam Qwmt Syrah 2007, from BC, Canada (230094) at $31.95

5-Balnaves Shiraz 2008 from Australia (045237) at $34.95

6-Stella Bella Shiraz 2008 from Australia (048553) at $24.95

7- Wakefield Shiraz 2009 from Australia (943787) at $17.95

8-Delas Frères Les Reinages Gigondas 2007 from France (222604) at $29.95

9-Domaine de la Presidente Nonciature Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007 from France (237339) at $44.95

White Wines:

1-Terredora Loggia Della Serra Greco Di Tufo from Italy (983197) at $17.95

2-Coyote’s Run Black Paw Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 from Ontario, Canada (049775) at $21.95

3-Jean Féry & Fils Les Nosroyes Puligny-Montrachet 2008 from France (243568) at $52.95

4-Sattlerhof Sterische Klassik Morillon 2009 from Austria (241992) at $22.95 – Chardonnay

5-Jermann Chardonnay 2009 from Italy (241992) at $29.95

My team and I will back back for the NR of August 20, 2011, I am leaving for a little trip to Europe (NJoy some wine) next week. I will do my best to post some reviews on this blog throughout my journey.

Cheers

Paul YWG