Hello to all my wine friends,
Looking at this New Release (NR), the two main focus of this NR are "Pinot Noir's Sense of Place" and German Riesling. When the warmer summer months approach, the choice of lighter wines with lower alcohol and light tannins are often a better and more enjoyable alternative. Which means that Pinot Noir would be a fine choice, but unfortunately most of the Pinot Noir's offered in this NR are uninspiring. As for the German Rieslings, if you are a fan, you will be very happy with the selection offered (more on that later). As for the rest of this NR, there is a very strong selection of both white and red French wines and a decent Italian reds on offer.
Now my favourite question; If I were allowed to buy only one wine from this NR, Which one would that be? Dr. Herman Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese 2005 from Mosel (324285) at $21.95. Why? Are you kidding me, a mature German Riesling for $21.95. A definite most for fans of German Riesling. Now apart from the wines featured in the following two highlighted segments, here are a few wines I would like to bring to your attention;
Starting with white wines;
· For fans of Chardonnay's, here are three of them to consider from three different countries and price points; Emiliana Novas Limited Selection Chardonnay 2011 from Chile (004515) at $17.95, Saint-Clair Pioneer Block 10 Chardonnay 2010 from New Zealand (317651) at $25.95 and Saintsbury Chardonnay 2010 from California (359281) at $29.95.
· Here is a well priced Sauvignon Blanc from la Loire Valley; Domaine Lecomte Quincy 2011 from France (172528) at $18.95.
Now for the red wines;
· My only recommended Pinot Noir from this NR featured; Domaine Chofflet-Valdenaire Givry 2009 from France (330183) at $26.95.
· For fans of traditional, good value, slightly rustic style of Chianti Classico; Lornano Chianti Classico 2009 from Italy (211599) at $16.95.
· If you have never tasted John Glaetzer Margarete's Shiraz before, this is definitely an interesting and rich style of Shiraz; John's Blend No. 14 Margarete's Shiraz 2008 from Australia (927657) at $39.95. Now let's get started;
Glorious German Riesling; If you have been following my blog for a while now, you would most likely know that German Riesling are by far my favourite white wine. Which is why I am so excited to attend next week in Toronto, "The Wines of Germany" event on Tuesday May 28. People who live in Toronto are very fortunate, they are so many wine events organized in this city, which never make their way to Ottawa. I don't usually travel to Toronto just for a wine event, but these are wines of Germany after all and I felt that I still have a great deal to learn about German wines. Including the opportunity of tasting Silvaner and Pinot Noir. Now, here are three of those German Riesling which I would like to feature;
· Studert-Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett 2011 from Mosel (160853) at $19.95 - sweetness level - medium, beautiful off-dry Riesling perfect for patio sipping with alcohol coming in at a low of 8%.
· Vollenweider Wolfer Riesling 2011 from Germany (324335) at $19.95 - sweetness level - dry, a light and crisp food friendly Riesling with alcohol coming in at 12.5%.
· Dr. Herman Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese 2005 from Mosel (324285) at $21.95 - sweetness level - medium sweet, I love Dr. Herman's wines, an awesome value for such a mature Riesling Auslese, alcohol coming in at 8%. Best paired with spicy Thai or Indian food.
My picks for...; I thought that I might give you my picks by these predominant grapes or blend or region;
· My French wine pick; Domaine des Aubuisières Cuvée de Silex Vouvray 2011 from France (057042) at $17.95 - Made with 100% Chenin Blanc with fermentation and maturation in thermo-regulated vats and alcohol comes in at 13.5%. Food suggestion; aperitif, chicken, pork, sushi, seafood and goat cheese.
· My French red pick; Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 (719120) at $38.95 - This wine is a blend of 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 3% Mourvèdre with Cinsault and other varieties 2%, maturation taking place in 60% in large oak barrels and 40% in old casks for 12 months, alcohol comes in at 14%, subjective pairing leg of lamb.
· My Malbec pick; Terrazas De Los Andes Reserva Malbec 2010 from Argentina (029280) at $17.95 - This is also my best value of this NR, always delicious from one vintage to the next. This wine is made with 100% hand harvested Malbec, with aging in a combination of French and American oak for 12 months and alcohol coming in at 14%.
· My Zinfandel pick; Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel 2010 from California (942599) at $19.95 - I could have also called this my BBQ pick. This wine is made with mostly Zinfandel, at 77% with the remaining 23% Petit Syrah with alcohol coming in at 14.5%. It would be fantastic paired with grilled steak hamburgers or stew.
My top three wines from this release;
1- Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 from France (719120) at $38.95
2- John's Blend No. 14 Margarete's Shiraz 2008 from Australia (927657) at $39.95
3- Antolini Ca' Coato Amaronne Della Valpolicella Classico 2008 from Italy (320614) at $49.95
My top three wines for value;
1- Terrazas De Los Andes Reserva Malbec 2010 from Argentina (029280) at $17.95
2- Lornano Chianti Classico 2009 from Italy (211599) at $16.95
3- Domaine des Aubuisières Cuvée de Silex Vouvray 2011 from France (057042) at $17.95
My wine picks from this New Release for your consideration;
Red Wines;
1- Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel 2010 from California (942599) at $19.95
2- Terrazas De Los Andes Reserva Malbec 2010 from Argentina (029280) at $17.95
3- Evans & Tate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Australia (327411) at $18.95
4- John's Blend No. 14 Margarete's Shiraz 2008 from Australia (927657) at $39.95
5- Yering Station Village Shiraz/Viognier 2010 from Australia (311431) at $21.95
6- Domaine Chofflet-Valdenaire Givry 2009 from France (330183) at $26.95
7- Château Lyonnat 2006 from France (243774) at $19.95
8- Château Rozier 2010 from France (024539) at $28.95
9- Bastide Miraflors Vieilles Vignes Syrah/Grenache 2011 from France (320499) at $18.95
10-Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 from France (719120) at $38.95
11-La Gravillas Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2010 from France (264648) at $14.95
12-Lornano Chianti Classico 2009 from Italy (211599) at $16.95
13-Poggio Verrano Chance 2005 from Italy (239707) at $34.95
14-Antolini Ca' Coato Amaronne Della Valpolicella Classico 2008 from Italy (320614) at $49.95
15-Tedeschi Capitel San Rocco Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore 2011 from Italy (719294) at $18.95
White Wines;
1- Vollenweider Wolfer Riesling 2011 from Germany (324335) at $19.95
2- Studert-Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett 2011 from Germany (160853) at $19.95
3- Dr. Herman Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese 2005 from Germany (324285) at $21.95
4- Saintsbury Chardonnay 2010 from California (359281) at $29.95
5- Emiliana Novas Limited Selection Chardonnay 2011 from Chile (004515) at $17.95
6- Saint-Clair Pioneer Block 10 Chardonnay 2010 from New Zealand (317651) at $25.95
7- Domaines Schlumberger Les Princes Abbés Pinot Gris 2010 from France (021253) at $19.95
8- Domaine des Aubuisières Cuvée de Silex Vouvray 2011 from France (057042) at $17.95
9- Domaine Lecomte Quincy 2011 from France (172528) at $18.95
That is all for me and my team. We will be back for the next New Release of June 8, 2013 where the featured segments are "Argentina: Land of Plenty" and Fine Gifts for Father's Day" A superb value Côte du Rhône 2010 which I have tasted this year at the Vancouver Wine Show is being released in Ontario in this June 8 release.
Cheers
Paul YWG
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