Many thanks to Louis Titley for his invaluable help. Please visit him at www.winecellarsolutions.ca
Thursday, 30 June 2011
My cellar 2011
Many thanks to Louis Titley for his invaluable help. Please visit him at www.winecellarsolutions.ca
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
A perfect pairing
Although some wine and food pairings are well known and indeed classics, they continue to warrant mentioning.
Monday evening found us at a wonderful steakhouse in Gatineau (Sterling). A restaurant renown for both their steak/sea food as well as for their wine cellars.
When in Rome do as the romans do, so we of course ordered steak. We chose a classic pairing from Bordeaux, 2005 Chateau du Tretre. Although fantastic along with our steak, much to my surprise this 2005 was silky smooth and drinkable all on its own, with a beautiful nose, dense, cherry fruit accompanied by sweet oak. The aromas replayed on the palate with just perfect tannins. This particular wine not available at either LCBO or SAQ but only through restaurants. The bottom line is the 2005 Bordeaux in general continue to prove their amazing quality, enjoy !
Allan
Monday evening found us at a wonderful steakhouse in Gatineau (Sterling). A restaurant renown for both their steak/sea food as well as for their wine cellars.
When in Rome do as the romans do, so we of course ordered steak. We chose a classic pairing from Bordeaux, 2005 Chateau du Tretre. Although fantastic along with our steak, much to my surprise this 2005 was silky smooth and drinkable all on its own, with a beautiful nose, dense, cherry fruit accompanied by sweet oak. The aromas replayed on the palate with just perfect tannins. This particular wine not available at either LCBO or SAQ but only through restaurants. The bottom line is the 2005 Bordeaux in general continue to prove their amazing quality, enjoy !
Allan
Thursday, 23 June 2011
June 25th Vintages Release
June 25th, 2011 Vintages release.
From the desk of Allan Martineau, Sommelier
This week’s release features a long list of good and VERY affordable wines both red and white… since there were so many in our price point I have include more than the traditional 4 reds 3 white and a special wine
REDS
CHÂTEAU BERTINERIE CRU RÉSERVE 2006 #244640 $17.95
From the right bank of Bordeaux (home of the Merlot grape) this red is a deep, rich wine, shows a lovely aroma of dark fruit and herbs with a little spice. This is a firm wine that shows good richness and balance,
The well integrated tannins and ripe acidity coupled with a dry finish and a slightly peppery note makes an ideal wine to pair with BBQ’d meats of all kinds. The tannins will demand medium rare to rare however. Good balance and super value
ZUCCARDI Q TEMPRANILLO 2008 #973503 $19.95
This award-winning Tempranillo will fill your noses and senses with aromas of sweet incense, spices and black fruits. Not as earthy as the Tempranillos of Spain this rich wine will pair oh so well with roast leg of lamb or suckling pig.
PICCINI SELEZIONE ORO CHIANTI RISERVA 2006 #212498 $15.95
This wine was awarded a Silver Medal at the 2009 International Wine & Spirit Competition. 2006 was a spectacular year for wine in the Tuscany area of Italy and at this price this wine should be bought by the case. It will evaporate from the shelves. With typical aromas of cherry, dried herbs and spice this Chianti (made from the sangiovese grape) is well balanced and structured. Also typically Tuscan this wine is very food-friendly and versatile, this will work wonderfully with a wide variety of barbecued meats, or pastas featuring spiced sausage (but not too spicy).
This will be MY personal pizza wine for this summer.
PERRIN LES CORNUDS VINSOBRES 2009 AC, Rhône, France #241604 $15.00
Another wonderful BBQ wine. This wine made up of Grenache and Syrah is not your typical blend of this area of France. The grapes of this wine grow in a cooler climate at elevation gives this wine its unique character. Intense aromas: blackberries, flowers and stone. Impressive, deep and rich, this wine would be fabulous any night with rare steaks, or will mature gracefully for up to 10 years
WHITES
FAMILIA ZUCCARDI ORGANICA TORRONTÉS 2010 #232694 $13.95
Torrontes is the white grape of Argentina, Delicious wine with aromas of table grape, orange blossom, rosewater and lychee. Described as tasting quite simply like a white grape without the sugar.Sip it outdoors on a hot sunny day by the pool but keep it cooled in an ice bucket. You and your friends will love this white with traditional Spanish empanadas or pre-dinner enjoyment
PEDRO ESCUDERO FUENTE ELVIRA VERDEJO 2009 #218313 $13.95
Simply delicious and as refreshing, no-oak white wines go. There’s telltale grapefruit and stony aromas and an easygoing palate with hints of grapefruit, passion fruit and tangerine. Still, it’s not overly citric (for those who aren’t the big fans of NZ Sauvignon blanc like me) ; an excellent Verdejo with a little extra in terms of refinement. The finish on the palate is spicy with slight mineral flavors. This would be superb with raw shellfish.
FLAT ROCK CELLARS RIESLING 2010 #043281 $16.95
I don’t often include Niagara wines in my list but everyone deserves a chance, right? In fact the Niagara Rieslings rival many of its old world cousins. This single vineyard Riesling always seems to deliver the goods year-in and year-out. Currently this vintage shows lots of lemon and mineral on both the mouth and nose, acidity it high, but that is typical for the year, and the finish is pleasantly minerally and stony. Enjoy it tonight with seafood tempura, planked salmon, or summer salads with fresh fruit.
Something special to try…..
ST. STEPHAN’S CROWN 3 PUTTONYOS TOKAJI ASZÚ 2005: #682815 500 mL $19.95
This sweet wine from Hungarian of Tokaji (pronounced toe-ki) is a favorite of mine. The term puttonyos indicates the sweetness of the wine ranging from 3 to 6 with the six being rather expensive. Traditionally the number relates to the numbers hods (large 25 kg buckets) of sweet noble rotted grapes added to the wine. The more hods added the sweeter the finished product. With aromas of candied fruit, dried apple, pear and honey. Demonstrating superb replays on the palate, and tremendous balance with a racy acidity and a tangy finish. This sweet wine is best enjoyed with mature cheeses (blue) or as an after-dinner sipper with dark chocolate.
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Follow up review and pairing
In the May 28th release, i recommended a HEIMBERGER LES ORIGINES VIEILLES VIGNES GEWURZTRAMINER 2009. I hope you bought it and or tried it.
We opened a bottle this evening and paired it with medium spiced BBQ'd italian sausages. The result was wonderful.The freshness of the gewurtz coupled with its sweetness cooled the spicy to perfection. We served the sausages with a red and yellow tomato salad as well as baby red potatoes in a dijon vinaigrette.
We opened a bottle this evening and paired it with medium spiced BBQ'd italian sausages. The result was wonderful.The freshness of the gewurtz coupled with its sweetness cooled the spicy to perfection. We served the sausages with a red and yellow tomato salad as well as baby red potatoes in a dijon vinaigrette.
Friday, 10 June 2011
My passion for Wine
Having graduated from the Sommelier certification program at Algonquin College in 2010 I find myself wanting to share my passion for the nectar of Bacchus with anyone who is willing to listen. There is little difference with any passion, whether it be motorcycles or knitting. What is important is that you indeed have a passion and that you pursue it and you endeavour to share your passion with others.
To this end I have created this blog.....
The title of my Blog was taken from a book I read some time back. To paraphrase, a special glass of wine should take you back to a certain place and moment in time. To a special event perhaps. In my case each time I smell or taste a gewurztraminer (that's a grape) I am immediately taken back in time and place to a small restaurant in Alsace on a hot sunny day..... I wish you all wonderful Liquid Memories
What you can expect?
At a minimum I will post my review of a "Vintages" bi-weekly (every two weeks right?) release of new wines. The wines I select, typically three reds and three whites (<$20) will be complete with a description of what you might expect to smell and taste and more importantly my humble suggestion for a wine and food pairing.
I make an effort to find grapes which you may not be familiar with (ex Furmint... look it up)
Do I taste each and every wine listed? Not always. What I do is a lot of reading and research
What I expect from you?
Your feedback. If you tried a wine and liked it tell me why, if you didn't like a wine i suggested tell me why not. Unfortunately I am not at all like WalMart and as such I will not offer a 100% refund for purchases made. Sorry !! As they say "You pays your money and you takes your chances"
If you tried a wine with a particular food and loved it ... tell me and we can share it with the world !!!
Allan Martineau
Sommelier
To this end I have created this blog.....
The title of my Blog was taken from a book I read some time back. To paraphrase, a special glass of wine should take you back to a certain place and moment in time. To a special event perhaps. In my case each time I smell or taste a gewurztraminer (that's a grape) I am immediately taken back in time and place to a small restaurant in Alsace on a hot sunny day..... I wish you all wonderful Liquid Memories
What you can expect?
At a minimum I will post my review of a "Vintages" bi-weekly (every two weeks right?) release of new wines. The wines I select, typically three reds and three whites (<$20) will be complete with a description of what you might expect to smell and taste and more importantly my humble suggestion for a wine and food pairing.
I make an effort to find grapes which you may not be familiar with (ex Furmint... look it up)
Do I taste each and every wine listed? Not always. What I do is a lot of reading and research
What I expect from you?
Your feedback. If you tried a wine and liked it tell me why, if you didn't like a wine i suggested tell me why not. Unfortunately I am not at all like WalMart and as such I will not offer a 100% refund for purchases made. Sorry !! As they say "You pays your money and you takes your chances"
If you tried a wine with a particular food and loved it ... tell me and we can share it with the world !!!
Allan Martineau
Sommelier
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