It’s Spring! I have at least 5 tulips blooming in my front yard, the sun is out, and I’m looking to find some new and exciting white wines for the patio for me and for you. Last week was the latest Import Vintners & Spirits Association (IVSA) Trade tasting to introduce the wine & spirits trade to the new libations available in British Columbia. I did spend a significant amount of time tasting white wines, and found a few for you, but for those that like red year round, there are a few reds too that I can recommend. So let’s get to it.
My Sparkling Wine Picks
- Franciacorta Brut Rosé Ferghettina, Italy ($49.99) – starting off my picks with a Rose bubble from the Franciacorta region in Italy. Light strawberry nose. Dry, high acidity with a light body and creamy bubble. Light red strawberry flavours.
- Nicholas Maillart Platine Brut Premier Cru, France – Champagne time! Light lees and citrus aromas in the glass. Light body and light creamy bubbles in your mouth. Light citrus flavour up front followed by red apples on the mid palate. Very good quality.
- Le Mesnil Champagne Sublime Grand Cru, Blanc de Blancs, 2007, France – Another very good Champagne for you. Light toast, nuts and red apples on the nose. Light body, high acidity with small bubbles. More nuttiness, citrus and red apples on the palate.
My White Wine Picks
- Bodegas Enguera Blanc d’Enguera, 2012, Spain – A blend of Verdiso, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier. It has a sweet orangy nose. Off dry, soft and round on the palate with medium acidity. Nutmeg and orange flavours. A fun wine; maybe serve as an aperitif or with dessert.
- Matua Sauvignon Blanc, 2012, New Zealand – Quite pronounced green pea / asparagus nose. Light body, dry, but still soft in the mouth. Jalapeno and asparagus flavours on the palate. Mouth watering finish. Needs food to balance the strong aromas and flavours.
- Saxenburg Guinea Fowl Chenin Blanc / Viognier, 2011, South Africa – A hint of petrol on the nose. Medium body, soft, with lower acidity. Light citrus flavour with a hint of petrol. Long finish.
- Miopasso Fiano, 2011, Sicily, Italy ($29.99) – Fiano is an Italian grape with a long history in Italy with ancient Roman history, and possibly ancient Greece too. Nice nose with aromas of sweet citrus and mandarin oranges. Dry and soft, with a light body. Light nutmeg, citrus and minerality , which leads to some orange later on. The wine has a bit of a waxy feel coating your tongue. An interesting wine you should try with seafood this summer.
- Pedroncelli Signature Selection Chardonnay, 2012, California ($17.95 SPEC) – This wine had a light stone fruit nose, with more stone fruit following on the palate. Round on the palate with a heavier mouth feel. Sweet spices along with the stone fruit flavours, and some pepperiness on the finish. A quality wine.
- Domane Wachau,Terraces Gruner Veltliner, 2012, Austria ($17.99) – I quite enjoyed the nose on this wine with mostly honey and lesser amounts of citrus and orange. Off-dry and soft with light apples and sweet spices. A nice light wine.
- Ress Rheingau Riesling QBA, Germany ($18.99 RESTRICTED) – Light petrol aroma. Off dry with light body and medium acidity. Honey, ripe apples and petrol flavours, with peaches on the finish. A nice wine, but you must like off-dry wines.
- Quintay ‘Q’ Sauvignon Blanc, 2011, Chile ($19.99 SPEC) – If you would like a straight forward, vegetal / herbal Sauvignon Blanc, look no further. This one has lots of herbaceousness and asparagus on the nose. Dry, light body and medium acidity. More herbaceousness and asparagus. Chill and enjoy.
My Red Wine Picks
- Gabriel Meffre “St. Barthelemy” Vacqueyras, 2011, France ($24.99 SPEC) – Nice aromas of raspberries and lavender. Medium minus body, soft and dry. Medium acidity. Juicy red fruit and nutmeg on the palate.
- Gabriel Meffre “St. Theodoric” Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 2010, France ($39.99 SPEC) – Ripe cherry and strawberry aromas. Medium body, soft and silky on the palate, with the tannins showing up mid-palate. Red cherries and dark chocolate flavours for me. Very good.
- Callaway Cellar Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011, California ($14.99 SPEC) – Have you heard of the Big Bertha Club? Well it was developed by Ely Callaway Jr, and this is his winery! Juicy red fruit berry nose. Medium body, dry with juicy cherries, cassis and blueberry flavours. Soft tannins. Ends with an off-dry finish.
- Jordan Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009, California ($64.99 SPEC) – Medium ruby colour in the glass with cassis and vanilla aromas. Medium body, dry, round and soft on the palate. It has a mineral streak to it which I like. Light cherries, cassis and vanilla flavours. Soft tannins.
- Torres Coronas Tempranillo, 2011, Spain – It is actually a blend of 86% Tempranillo, and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon. Nice red cherry aromas. Nutmeg, juicy red cherries, and peppery on the palate. Light body and soft tannins. A “refreshing” red wine.
- Yalumba Old Bush Vine Grenache, 2012, Australia ($24.99) – Aromatic in the glass with ripe red fruits. Light body, dry and soft. Light intensity red fruit flavours, together with some nutmeg and a hint of butterscotch. Soft tannins and medium acidity. Enjoy!
