Sept 3rd vintage release

In honor of Italy’s 150^th anniversary of the unification of the Italian peninsula giving way to the Italy we all know today, I thought it fitting to choose 3 italian reds. Enjoy your long weeke


Reds:

Tocchi Sagrantino Di Montefalco 2004                                                                                                               $19.95

Bright, ripe red cherry fruit, with a pleasant tartness and firm acidity that I love so much in so many Italian reds. This Sagrantino Di Montefalco is a winner and at a fair price to boot. Drinking now, but no rush, this can hold for a few more years. Try it with any tomato based italian meal.

Lornano ‘Le Bandite’ Chianti Classico Riserva 2007                                                                             #230672  $19.95

A big warm Italian at 14.5% alcohol level. Dry and medium bodied, and lively on the palate. A Chianti Classico with aromas  and tastes of berry fruit and slight notes of spice  and leather adding complexity. A dry long-lasting finish. Try it with veal or eggplant parmigiana

Gricos Aglianico del Vulture 2008                                                                                          #233833  $14.95

Italy’s ‘noble’ varietal of the south offers a dry, medium-bodied red loaded with floral aromas and flavours of red cherry/berry fruit, plum, spice and vanilla. Refreshing acidity and a long dry finish that offers persistent flavours of tangy red fruit along with an appealing trace of bittersweet chocolate. A good match for lamb or even Osso Bocco

Whites:

Schloss Schönborn ’Kabinett’ Riesling 2009                                                                                            #70946 $19.95

Honeyed ripe fruit and spice notes from this off-dry Riesling will fill your nose. While sweet, ripe tropical fruit flavours will tickle your tongue. The nicely balanced aftertaste layers on ripe, juicy peach and nectarine mingling with moderating citrus acidity. Perfectly for spicy Asian cuisine like pad Thai or butter chicken.

Delta Sauvignon Blanc 2010                                                                                                                    #236125  $16.95

Here’s a typical New Zealand Sauvignon blanc with style and verve at a great price. There’s pungency on the nose with aromas of gooseberry, citrus and a hint of  pear. Dry and light-medium bodied, racy acidity couples well with the bright fruit and grass-like notes. Try this with scallops in a lemon-cream sauce or sautéed shrimps. (have you tried M&M garlic/herb shrimp?)

Wine by Joe Pinot Gris 2009 Oregon                                                                                                     #58651  $18.95

Oregon has developed a deserved reputation for creating flavourful, well-made Pinot Gris, and this one from Wine By Joe is a case in point. Delicate floral aromas, pear, apple and a hint of citrus. Dry, light-medium bodied, this is a clean refreshing wine with consistent flavours of orchard fruit and a splash of lime. Enjoy it with grilled fish and asparagus.