Friday 16 June 2017

#TGIF

Hey Wine Lovers

Thank Goodness It's Friday. So it's the weekend, the weather is nice and its time to relax and have some fun. Maybe you are heading to a friends place for a BBQ, hitting up the beach or if you are lucky enough you know someone who owns a boat or a cottage you can snag a visit too. Grab a bottle of Ontario wine and head out into the wild!


If you are having a BBQ this weekend with homeade burgers why not try a bottle of Flatrock Pinot Noir from Ontario for $18.95. Think raspberry, beetroot, smoked meat and spice to pair well with a delicious thick burger. Want something with a little more "Pow", try North 43 Merlot for only $14.95.  Think blueberry, plum, herbs, spices and vanilla to give it that little heavier kick than a lighter cooler climate Pinot Noir.



Ok so maybe your budget is a little more Saturday night "extravaganza" and you are having some AAA Canadian steaks. If you have some nice big steaks why not treat them with respect and use just a little salt n pepper done medium rare paired with a bottle of "Stratus red" 2012 at $44.20. Expensive you bet, but think black currents, blackberries, plums, cassis, cloves, cinnamon with a finish that will have you drooling. "It may be Saturday but I'm not a baystreet banker!" Ok try Viewpoint Cabernet/Merlot from Lake Erie North Shore at $24.95. Think ripe and rich red fruit and a nice finish perfect with a heavier meatier steak. Still like to keep it under $20...I hear you, Toronto is hella expensive. Try Featherstone Cabernet Franc at $19.95. Think smokey grilled red pepper, raspberry, cherry and spice with a long finish to help you savour your steak.


I'm a veggie, where's my love? Don't worry you vegan organic hipster, there is a wine for every occasion!  Doing a vegetable medley on the BBQ think Whites and Roses. If you are doing more of a white vegetable (asparagus, broccoli) think "Unoaked Chardonnay" or Sauvignon Blanc. If you are doing more of a red pepper, tomato type heavier vegetable medley think some Rose either sparkling or non sparkling. I love the ever sparkling "Lola" from Peele Island at only $14.95 it's a steal and could stand up to the darker heavier vegetable medley. If you want a meaty rose for your vegetables try "The Foreign Affair Amarose" 2016 at $18.95. This appassimento method (pick the grapes, let them dry and shrink a little to concentrate the juice inside the grapes) rose delivers rich red fruit and a strong finish.



What about chicken on the BBQ? Honestly, it depends on the sauce/spice but a nice Cave Spring Chardonnay at $15.95 can't steer you too wrong. Heck, try any Ontario chardonnay that has been Oaked to provide that fuller body character and buttery texture you would want for a chicken dish. If you aren't sure if the wine has been oaked or not, ask a friendly LCBO staff member.

Stop reading, go shopping and sip what our delicious province has to offer. I know what i'll be doing this weekend at my friends cottage!

Happy Sipping,

Ryan Sullivan


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