Top Picks, Vintages Release August 18th

Hey Fellow Wino's 

I've got some great picks for you coming out tomorrow, Saturday August 18th.

1. Jansz Premium Sparkling Rose, Tasmania, Australia at $27.95  

I really dislike “premium”, “reserve” or “small lot” terms used on bottles as they are normally used to deceive the consumer that the quality is higher than it actually is. In this case, however, they could have used the term “Super Duper Fancy Pants Sparkling Rose” and I wouldn’t have disagreed. Tart fresh red fruit like crunchy raspberries and strawberries with some classic brioche, toasted almonds, yogurt notes typically found in aged champagne. 

I would pair with a fabulous brunch of smoked salmon bagels and a fresh berry fruit salad. Heck, I’m DOWN to get UNDER this bottle. Pleasure in a glass! 

 2. Cave De Lugny Cremant De Bourgogne Brut, Blanc de Blanc, Burgundy, France at $21.95 

Why drink a $100 Blanc de Blanc from Champagne when you can drink one from Burgundy for only $20. I mean sure, it will be inferior, but 5 times inferior, hardly! Burgundy is just south of Champagne anyways. 

Blanc de Blanc meaning a white wine made from white grapes, this 100% Chardonnay will offer up ripe apples and grapefruit with some of that brioche, almond, yogurt notes. This may be better suited to oysters or fresh seafood. In France and Germany, it’s not uncommon to start the evening off with a glass of Sparkling wine, like we do with a cocktail in North America. Ditch the Tanqueray and toast to the beauty of life, with bubbles. 

3. 2016 Vina Cobos Felino Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina at $19.95

Will this be the best Malbec you have ever had, I think not? Would it be a Malbec I would recommend to friends and family, absolutely! Vina Cobos makes some serious wine and while this is more of their entry level stuff, it will still impress. Ripe red, black and maybe even some blue fruit, this wine should be rather elegant and satisfy those who like their reds to have a bit of weight to them. Nice prime rib on the grill, decant and serve. 

4. 2016 Closson Chase, Pinot Noir, VQA Prince Edward County at $35.95

I’ve had a really special place in my heart for Closson Chase. My first barrel sample was with Keith Tyers, the winemaker at Closson Chase. It was a special moment for which I’ll always cherish. PEC in location, Burgundian in style, this meshes the gap between local talent and old-world tradition. Decant and serve this elegant earthy Pinot Noir with perhaps a mushroom risotto or braised pork loin in a raspberry jus. Be gentle, no steak spice with this heavenly angel. 

5. 2016 Watershed Senses Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia at $26.95

This lovely Chardonnay has seen only 18.5% new oak, meaning you’ll only have a gentle elegant aroma of richer style chardonnay. Instead, the primary fruit will shine through with grapefruit, white peach and nectarines. Think of oak use like a tea bag, only use ¼ of the tea bag and you will have a very gentle tea, not a vanilla and butter bomb. I would sip this with some grilled chicken with provincial herbs with perhaps a side potato salad. 

6. 2016 Rustenberg Chardonnay, Stellenbosch, South Africa at $19.95

I love Rustenberg for all of the wine they produce. Like Vina Cobos, when I see it, I buy it! Excellent value, rich chardonnay here, perfect for rich chicken dishes and gravy. Yellow apple, lemon curd, this rich wine will surely entice. While oaked, it’s balanced, not a vanilla bomb to unload on your guests. Let’s not beat around the bush though, this is an elegantly oaked Chardonnay. 

Somm No 7. 2015 Domaine Bonnard, Sancerre Rouge, Sancerre, Loire Valley, France at $25.95

So if you’ve got a wine friend you want to impress, this one will tickle any wine nerds funny bone. Normally Sancerre in the Loire Valley produces Sauvignon Blanc, but a very small portion of it makes a Pinot Noir, and this is it. This 100% Pinot Noir from the Loire Valley will surely bring it’s tart red raspberry fruit but more importantly, it’s minerality. This is an example of what elegant Pinot Noir can taste like. Some new world Pinot Noir from warmer climates can taste like raspberry jam or nibs, with this wine you won’t have that problem. Like the Closson Chase Pinot Noir, be gentle with this one and pair it with an earthy medium dish of roast chicken or pork with grilled root vegetables. 

Ditch the “19 Crimes” or “Goats Do Roam” and try and up your wine game. I’ve done a lot of the legwork for you, now you just have to make it to the store to pick them up or have them delivered right to your door.

Live life, be adventurous, be bold and explore new wines! 

Happy Sipping,

Ryan Sullivan 

Ontario's Most Unexplored Wine Region, Lake Erie North Shore!

Hey Fellow Wino's 

It's August, the grapes are going through véraison (changing from green to red), the grass is struggling to stay alive and white wine is being grasped out of ice buckets and poured by the bottle. This was a perfect time to take a little road trip to Lake Erie North Shore with a fellow Sommelier student, and friend, Alexandra Biagini. 

Lake Erie North Shore has to be Ontario's most unexplored wine region and possibly, Canada's. Lake Erie North Shore is located, wait for it...on the North Shore of Lake Erie. #Fascinating 

So what makes this region special? 

Well since you ask, unlike PEC or Niagara, this is Canada's most southern wine growing region at N42 latitude, the same latitude as Northern California and Rome Italy. This is hardly Polar Bear territory! Lake Erie North Shore is one of three appellations located in Ontario, west of Niagara Peninsula and Prince Edward County. While smaller than Niagara but larger than P.E.C, Lake Erie North Shore is like that awkward middle child still living at home. You know there is potential, just a bit of a late bloomer evidently. 

Lake Erie North Shore benefits from the most GDD (Growing Degree Days) or Heat Units for growing grapes, in Ontario. This means the weather is warm and the summer is long, allowing winemakers to ditch to the cool climate varietals and grow some Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The increase in GDD combined with the shallower Lake Erie (which heats up fast, and stays relatively warm) helps grow those big red's. 

The soil is a combination of light-textured, well-drained sandy loam and gravel deposits punctuated by small, irregular stony ridges, which overlay shale-limestone bedrock. Further inland from the shore, the soil starts to contain more clay, much like the right bank of Bordeaux. This clay further inland is great to grow Merlot, much like the famed Pomerol region in Bordeaux. 

Fancy some Ontario Pomerol? Try a Merlot from Muscedere Vineyards! 

We left Toronto at 9am and arrived in the region around 1pm, just in time for lunch roughly 4 hours later. Our first stop was a family owned and run, Muscedere Vineyards. This 163 Acre property was purchased by the Muscedere family back in 1986. It took many family discussions, probably over many pasta and Chianti suppers because it wasn't until 2003 when the first vines were finally planted. The reason I suggested pasta and Chianti is because the family is from Italy, somewhere between Rome and Naples. I guess they found a little slice of La Dolce Vita in southwestern Ontario. 

The tasting room is located on the bottom floor of the main house and the whole family works there. Nona works the wood-fired pizza oven, the brothers stock the shelves, the daughter served us our tasting flight and I'm sure what was their niece, served us at our table. Talk about old school, big Italian family hospitality. This, right here is what instantly separated Lake Erie North Shore from Niagara or PEC. It was at that moment we knew weren't in Kansas anymore. 

Sampling a Riesling and Sauvignon blanc, ok. Moved onto the reds which the region is famed for, fabulous. We sampled their Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Meritage (Bordeaux blend) and thoroughly enjoyed them. The Merlot, a rich plush red fruit driven wine with hints of old world charm (earthy-leathery goodness) I would have guessed Pomerol. While the Meritage was not as tannic as in Bordeaux, after all this is the "New World", it really held onto that tradition of striving for that old world charm. I picked up their Syrah, Merlot and 2010 Meritage which I'll crack by fall with steak on the grill. 

We ordered a pizza, sat outside and sipped a glass of wine before we left for the next winery. 

Muscedere Vineyards

Next stop, Cooper's Hawk Vineyards just down the road about 10 minutes. Passing nothing but farmers fields full of corn and other produce, we arrived at Coopers Hawk. I felt like Julia Roberts in August: Osage County, driving down vista filled roads in sweltering heat to visit her family on the plains of the Midwest. 

Anyways, my Julia Roberts moment aside, we arrived at Coopers Hawk and jumped right into sampling. While they had a plethora of options including an Orange wine (White wine made like a red wine, with skin contact during fermentation), I was there for business and only wanted a flight of red. In I went, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon all good in their own unique way. Just like Muscedere, not Bordeaux, not Napa but also, not Niagara. This was Lake Erie North shore red's, a mixed breed between new world fruit and old world earthy charm, it was new to me, it was Lake Erie. 

Did you know they don't have to net their grapes as there are many hawks in the area to scare away all of the pesky birds that would eat their grapes? I believe they said something about a hawk flight path, regardless that's quite unique and hence the name. 

Picked up a pretty Cabernet Franc reserve which will pair nicely with some homemade burgers. The florality of violets and roses helped lift this wine out of glass and a steak I feel would weigh this little hummingbird down too much. 

Check them out Coopers Hawk

Onwards to Viewpointe Winery. It's called Viewpointe because it's a great spot with an excellent view, which in my opinion is on point. 

Tasted a 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot blend which was quite nice but what really surprised me was their Riesling. The description was a "Mosel Valley Inspired Riesling" so naturally, I assumed high acidity (super fresh and crisp), good minerality and crisp fruit like lime juice. I tasted it and honestly, I would have guessed Mosel. They must have picked the grapes quite early to preserve that high level of acidity and although this was not blue slate minerality like that of Mosel, it was quite impressive. The price, under $17....I'll take a case! 

There is no tasting fee at Viewpointe, simply a rotating monthly donation box to a local charity for you to place money in. How classy is that? Sipping wine literally was helping to transform lives, one ounce at a time. I picked up a 2010 Viewpointe Estate Winery, Cabernet Franc. Viewpointe has some stunning aged red's all at very reasonable prices and highly recommend them! Yum! 

Check out Viewpointe Winery

We finished the day with only three wineries as by now it was around 5/6pm and we wanted to grab a bite to eat as it was a long day in 30C + weather. We stayed at this fabulous little 1950's tropical/ tiki themed cottage rental right on the water, pure Mimi beach house bliss. We started with wine but in hindsight we should have had a few Mojito's on the beach, lounging, before sipping wine with dinner. This was not typical cottage country with moose and bear knick-knacks, but reminiscent a Miami beach club. Banana hammock anyone? Just kidding, I would never have punished Alexandra, or more importantly the neighbours with that sight. 


Check it out Sunrise Beach House - AirBnB  sunriseholidayhouse@gmail.com

We sipped, we dined alfresco, we listened to music and ended up asking ourselves, are we in Canada still? How does no one know about this place yet?

There are no hipsters from Montreal, Ottawa or Toronto. No 5-star hotels charging $500 a night with $20 and up cocktails. No large tour buses, no local tour guides, just charm and a laid-back vibe. In these parts, your local hotel or B&B will call Mellisa at the winery and let her know to expect a Mr. and Ms. ___ and are greeted by name upon arrival. Am I in the 50's and 60's? 

The next day we packed up, drove around Kingsville, had a nice alfresco lunch and popped into the cutest little chocolate shop, Dutch Boys. These two boys take chocolate very seriously, importing butter from Burgundy, Ginger from Fiji and Chiles from New Mexico, where one of them used to live. Don't worry, not too serious though as when we pulled up we saw one of the boys sipping a Sangiovese over lunch in the front window, this is still laid back southwestern Ontario. Check them out for the best chocolate outside of Switzerland.  

Yum! www.dutchboyschocolate.com

On the way back to Toronto we stopped by Point Pelee National Park and stared south from Canada's most southern point into the abyss, it was breathtaking. We had to take a short trolly ride from the visitor centre to the southern point and if there was ever a real Jurassic Park themed ride, this was it. So lush, so tropical, so damn humid...are you sure we are still in Canada?

Three and a half hours later we were home with our loot from the wineries in tow. 

There is something special going on in this little wine region, something special starting to take shape. The wine quality is slowly rising vintage after vintage, the tourist are slowly starting to pop in one by one and the vibe will slowly start to change. Like visiting Havana before the American chains of Pizza Hut and McDonald's show up, you have to check out Lake Erie North Shore now! Eventually, more BMW's, $20 cocktails and a swank hotel will come.  

This is not a hot spot, not a destination, not a "see and been seen" place, not yet anyway. I can assure you, it will be though. Make sure you visit Nonna at Muscedere Vineyards and let her welcome you into their family. This is like seeing Niagara in the 80's or P.E.C. in the early 2000's, raw, rare, undiscovered wine country. 

Nothing but soil, grapes and old school laid back hospitality. 

Happy Sipping, 

Ryan Sullivan 

P.S. Thanks for the great company Alexandra instagram.com/thetinysomm 
If you want to stay up to date on my wine adventures instagram.com/ryanswinepicks 

Day Trip to Niagara Peninsula, Ontario Wine Country

Hey Fellow Wino's

It's practically August which means it's time to ditch the poolside lounging in flip-flops and knock a few items off that summer bucket list, including a day trip to Niagara Peninsula for some wine tasting!

I've put together my personal, (hopefully soon to be certified Sommelier), favourite wineries to visit!

Leave Toronto with water, sunscreen, good walking shoes and morning bites with serious amounts of caffeine. Plan to be on the road by 8:30/9am which should put you at our first winery right when they open at 10am. Each winery has been planned with around a 1 hour stop to explore the grounds, taste, shop and soak up the unique vibe each winery offers. This trip will start you on the west side of wine country and have you end up all the way in Niagara on the Lake, on the far east side.

Winery 1 - Hidden Bench 10 am

Hidden Bench is an artisanal, terroir-focused winery producing excellent Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir. Utilizing Organic and Biodynamic principals they aim to produce world-class wine right in our own backyard. If you have never had what you or your friends have thought is "Good Canadian Wine" then this is it! I dare you to try and not pick up a few bottles for home!

Flights of wine start at $10 and go all the way up to $50 per person for the serious wine lover, just don't forget to spit as you have a long day ahead. If the group is more than 4, HB recommends you reserve your flight's in advance at 905.563.8700 ext. 24 or email wine@hiddenbench.com.

Winery 2- Malivoire 11:15am

Would you believe the winemaker's name at Malivoire is Shiraz? Well, it is and trust me, his talent for wine goes well beyond just his name. Malivoire makes fabulous Rose, but my personal favourite, their Gamay. The Gamay grape, often overlooked and usually underappreciated, certainly shines through here in the terroir of Niagara. Think of this as Niagara "Beaujolais", the famed region in France that specializes in Gamay.

A flight of wine is only $10 but if you purchase more than $30 of wine, the fee is waived! #Fabulous  

Lunch- Redstone Winery - Restaurant 12:30 

Redstone Winery won Winery of the Year in 2017 by the National Wine Awards of Canada, need I say more? Grab a sunny seat on the patio (I would reserve in advance) and dine on artisinal pizza, fabulous salads or richer dishes such as Cornish Hen. Be sure to try some of their excellent Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc over lunch. 

Make sure you grab a coffee before you leave, long afternoon ahead. 

Winery 3- Tawse Winery 2pm 

Tawse is an Organic and Biodynamic winery complete with a six-level, gravity-flow design, geothermal system and a wetland bio-filter...so don't pull up in a gas-guzzling hummer, ok? If you want to know what Biodynamic is, just ask them when you are there and they will be more than happy to share their passion for eco-friendly wine. 

This winery is like a little slice of Burgundy in Ontario, oh là là.  Excellent Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sparkling. Sante! 

A flight of wine of wine is only $8 but the fee is waived if you buy two or more bottles #StartTheCar 

Winery 4-  Southbrook Vineyards 3:30pm 

What can I say about Southbrook other than, like Tawse, it's Organic, Biodynamic and LEED certified. Southbrook Vineyards has a legendary winemaker, Ann Sperling, who certainly knows her stuff. Ann thinks of herself more as a winegrower than a winemaker showcasing her firm belief that good wine is made in the vineyard, not the winery. 

Their Poetica Chardonnay and Poetica Red (74% cabernet sauvignon, 23% cabernet franc and 3% Petit Verdot) are absolute musts to bring home, non-negotiable! I have a 2013 Poetica Chardonnay in Magnum format that I've been saving and will probably crack this summer. 

Winery 5- Stratus 5pm 

If there was a magazine titled "Winery Architectural Digest Canada" I assure you, Stratus would be on the front cover each month. I'm not sure what is more impressive, their state of the art modern facility, their insanely huge array of different varietals or the quality of the wine? I'm serious, I feel like I should be pulling up in a Porsche ready to taste around the globe while in an episode of some HGTV renovation show when they do the final review and the owners scream with glee. 

Fancy some Tempranillo traditionally from Spain, they make one. How about Tannat? A rarer grape grown in the southwest of France near the Spanish border, guess what, they've got that too! 

I personally think their Charles Baker Piccone Riesling, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay are certainly worth putting in the trunk for home! Truly impressive all around! 

Dinner- Backhouse, Niagara-on-the-Lake 7pm 

Executive Chef, Ryan Crawford will feed your soul with the chefs tasting menu for $99, other tasting menus are offered at $89 and $79 or simply a la carte. Focused on sourcing local ingredients, heck even Ryan was trained locally in Stratford, so it's sure to give you a slice of the Niagara life. Named in Air Canada's Enroute Magazine as a best new restaurant in 2016.

Hit the road after dinner by 9pm and be back in Toronto around 10:30pm. 

The old days of having to fly to France for good wine and food are over! Get out there and see what our local talent has to offer.  

We have outstanding wine, outstanding hospitality and outstanding cuisine right here, in Ontario. 

Happy Sipping, 

Ryan Sullivan 

Summer Sippin - Vintages Release Saturday, July 21st!

Hey Fellow Wino's

I want to thank you for checking out my blog, be it for the first time, a few times or subscriber since the beginning. Not to sound like a politician, but I write this blog for people like you. People who love wine but may know very little about wine, people who may know a decent amount and those who think they could write my blog, and probably could.

I don't dip bottom of the barrel, 19-year-old style drinking "Gato Negro" wine, I also don't recommend first growth Bordeaux, but what I do is pick and choose wine's that I would drink. Wines that offer a good product at a decent price. Heck, a wine bottle most of us could afford even if it was a tad more of a special occasion.

Why should you subscribe? Simple... #UpYourWineGame 

With that said, let's jump in because I found you some serious value in my picks today.

1. 2017 Rustenberg Sauvignon Blanc, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa at $14.95
I really love wine from South Africa, the classic bridge between the New World and Europe. When tasting Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa I find it can trick you, the fruit condition can be that of New World with its warmth and fruit forwardness, but the earth and secondary notes are certainly that of Europe. This Sauvignon blanc is planted in Stellenbosch which allows for the fresh breezes off False Bay and Table Bay to grow these grapes cool and slow. The grapes are planted at an altitude of 1,800 feet (as you know from reading my previous blogs) helps to preserve acidity (freshness and crispness) from the huge diurnal shift in temperature. Warm days, cool nights. Take it slow baby, don't rush this.

So what can we expect in the glass? Fresh gooseberry, asparagus and passion fruit. I would chill, crack on a patio and pair with summertime appies like goats cheese with a nice charcuterie plate. Maybe a nice summer salad with dill salmon....mmmm.

2. 2016 Le Fils Des Gras Mouton, Sur Lie, Muscadet, Sevre-Et-Maine, Loire Valley, France at $14.95
Ok, so the title it is long and I'll explain.

Producer: Le Fils des Gras Mouton
Sur Lie: Means the wine was aged on the dead yeasts cells from fermentation, adding an almond, brioche character to the wine, much like champagne
Muscadet: Location in the western gap of the Loire Valley, right on the cooling Atlantic Ocean
Sevre-et-Maine: Sub Appellation of the Muscadet Region, this means more site-specific which in wine usually always means better!

This wine is like a much needed fresh plunge into a pool, in a glass. I would pair Oysters and a bottle of Muscadet, match made in heaven. Fresh green apple, fresh crisp pear, saline notes (heck, right on the ocean coast) and some fresh lemon. While you can go with warm seafood like cooked mussels, fresh raw fish or seafood and Muscadet on a hot summer patio....hella yes!

For the visual learners, the yellow region below on the left is Muscadet. Look closely and you'll see exactly where Sevre et Main, it's subregion, is located within the Muscadet region.

3. 2016 Claudio Quarta Sanpaolo, Fiano, Campania, Italy at $14.95

If you really want to know that I'm going to sip this afternoon in the hot sun, this wine chilling on ice, right here! 

Vintages panel says expect yellow plum, fresh lemon and grapefruit, simply a great sipper. Don't confuse sipper with bad, this is just easy living on a dock or patio, sip the bottle and afternoon away with a smile. I'd pair this with grilled seafood such as shrimp, fish or maybe even octopus....live a little! I'll probably buy a case of this wine. This is sipping wine and food wine, perfect for both! 

4. 2015 Apaltagua Envero Gran Reserva, Carmenere, Apalta, Colchagua Valley, Chile at $18.95 

My gosh have I come to love Carmenere from Chile. This Carmenere comes from Apalta, a subregion of the eminent Colchagua Valley. Again, more site-specific in this case than general Colchagua valley and I think most somms would agree, solid location. The granite soils and hillside plantings make the vine struggle just to stay alive and when the vine struggles, it produces great grapes and in turn, great wine. 

Expect fresh blackberries, black cherry, plum, vanilla, baking spice, a fresh mint note with a solid structure (good acidity and refined smooth tannins). This is one of those wines like the Finao, I could see myself buying several bottles of for later. Really solid wine at a great price. Pair with grilled meats on the BBQ, burgers or steaks with pebre (Chilean salsa) and decant 30 minutes, serve at 17C. 

* Freezer for 15 minutes assuming the bottle is a warm 23C summer temperature, the decanter for 30 min, should be just right by the time you sip. Never Ever sip red at 23C, ever.

5. 2015 Ernie Els, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa at $24.95

Remember how I said South Africa is the perfect in-between while comparing New World and Old World wines? This is a great example of that! If you love Bordeaux but your friend loves Napa, compromise and drink this. You'll both be happy because you'll have the fruit ripeness of Napa and the classic full-bodied earthy experience of a fine Bordeaux. Now, it's not going to taste exactly like Bordeaux or Napa but think of this as a child between two powerhouses, a Bordeaux and Napa love child per se. 

Fresh blackberry, cassis, raspberry, anise, cedar and mint notes say the wine spectator. I think this would be a great wine for a nice evening between two friends, especially if you want to move beyond being just friends ;) 

Serve at 18C with a 30 minute decant or more and pair with two nice large filet mignon, topped with St. Agur blue cheese and black pepper with a side of green beans sauteed in butter. For fun, can you taste where the wine is from? It's literally the best of both Old World and New World. 

Happy Sipping,

Ryan 

Top Picks - Vintages Release July 7th

Hey Fellow Winos

I know it's hot as the devil outside and you might be thinking I'm going to recommend some ice cold Riesling or sparkling wine to help chill you off, but alas, not even close!

I've picked some serious red wine options perfect for some BBQ burgers, Grilled Ribs, Steak, and two Italian wines that you should seriously consider at excellent price points for the grape/region.

Let's jump right in shall we?

1. 2015 Baptiste & Laurent Le Meilleur des 2 Mondes, Saint-Amour, Beaujolais, Burgundy, France at $19.95
As you may know, 2015 was a warm year in most of Europe so the sugars are up, in-turn the alcohols are up and that means you get a little more "bang" for your buck when it comes to the body. Take this traditionally lightweight Gamay Noir, usually, a simple easy going light red wine you can sip slightly chilled. This, however, is not entry level Beaujolais but Cru, from Saint-Amour to be specific, one of the ten crus"s in Beaujolais. Red raspberry, black plum, anise, earthy notes, a solid wine from a solid vintage.

Serve 15C, decant 15 minutes and pair with grilled chicken, sausages or bump it up to succulent rich burgers smothered in aged gouda. This is a great red wine to ease those who usually only drink white because of it's frutier and somewhat lighter nature.

2. 2016 Serge & Bruno Sourdais Le Logis de la Bouchardiere, Chinon, Loire Valley, France at $20.95

Is this from the warmer 2015 vintage, no, would I buy this and drink with a smile, absolutely. I am fascinated with two underappreciated grapes right now, Riesling and Cabernet Franc. This 100% Cabernet Franc from Chinon should show classic red fruit such as red cherry and plum with a tinge of green note from a light sage to a heavier green pepper. Pair with homemade burgers and grilled green peppers, evening patio sipper right here! Serve 16C and decant 15-30 minutes. 

3. 2015 M XX270 Syrah, Corsica, France at $25.95

We have all had Shiraz from Australia, how about a Syrah from Corsica? What fun! Granite soils, this 100% Syrah offers "Notes of blackberries, blueberries, crushed violets, spice and hints of mint all flow to a ripe, sexy, concentrated and beautifully textured red that has plenty of sweet fruit, an energetic, vibrant texture and a great finish." says Jeb Dunnuck from Robert Parker's website. 

I would pair this bold wine with dry rub ribs on the BBQ or smoker. Alternatively, peppercorn steaks. I wonder if Napoleon drank this well when he was a child in Corsica? Serve at 18C and decant 30 minutes to 1 hour. 

4. 2013 La Pieve, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy at $36.95

If you have ever been timid with Barolo because of its high price, then this is the bottle to try! Literally the best deal in town on Barolo! I love when La Pieve Barolo hit's our shelves because it is the pretty much the most affordable Barolo you can find, and honestly, pretty darn good as well! Most Barolo's are built to age 20-40 years but because this is more of an entry-level Barolo, you can sip this the day you pick it up or age it for 5-10 if you really wanted to. 

This wine made from 100% Nebbiolo offers intense aromatics of rose petals, tar, red fruit and earth that will surely make you smile. I would pair this with perhaps gnocchi topped with shaved truffle in a red sauce or a traditional Piedmont dish, Brasato al Barolo. You could also pair with a nice charcuterie plate and firm Italian cheeses. Serve 18C and decant 30 minutes to 1 hour or beyond, just don't forget to smell the beautiful nose on this wine before sipping! Dam I love Barolo and at this price, you can afford to drink it even if it's for more of a special occasion. 

5. 2010 Antica Hirpinia Taurasi, Compania, Italy at $36.95

Barolo's come from Northern Italy, now meet the Barolo of the south, Taurasi! This wine made from 100% Aglianico is a bold red wine that should certainly impress those looking to tango! This is hardly a simple sipper, this wine means business. The LCBO vintages panel says "This one is loaded with plum, black cherry, red fruit, tobacco and oak spice with smooth, high-toned tannins. A real food wine." and I couldn't agree more. 

I would pair this with a Sunday roast, wild boar, moose steaks, or grilled rib eyes with all of the fixes. I, however, would wait for a rainy/cooler day because this wine will certainly keep you warm, stain your teeth, pack a punch, and make you fall in love with Italy...as if anyone ever fell out of love. 

Happy Sipping

Happy Grilling

Happy Summer Living

Ryan 

P.S. You may be wondering where to find truffles or wild boar...St. Lawrence Market. Alternatively, if you order in advance, a good local butcher.