June 25th Vintages Release

June 25^th, 2011 Vintages release.

From the desk of Allan Martineau, Sommelier

ottawasommelier@gmail.com

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.