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Andes Mountains bordering Argentina’s Mendoza Valley
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he array of new and interesting wines appearing on the LCBO shelves, or through the consignment purchase program with individual agents, may leave you somewhat challenged. Different grapes and blends are constantly surfacing, but unfamiliarity may leave you falling back on your well-known standbys. Making new discoveries can be rewarding for you and your guests. Chile’s largest winery, Concha Y Toro, offers an exciting inaugural sparkling non-vintage Concha Y Toro Brut Reserva, Casillero del Diablo, made from Chardonnay grapes. This first ever bubbly from the new and emerging Limari Valley in the north, is pale lemon in colour, with delicate citrus scents and a slightly sweet component, reminiscent of honeysuckle, combined with ripe pears that carry through on the palate. Try it with seafood canapés of minced crab on toast points, matane shrimp tossed in a tomato and sweet pepper mayonnaise served on cucumber rounds, and halved mini red potatoes, stuffed with cilantro-flavoured minced clams. Argentina’s Pascual Toso Bodegas Y Vinedos, established in 1890, is one of the country’s oldest wineries. Located at the prestigous `Las Barrancas’ estate, in the Maipu District of Mendoza Valley, which is considered one of the premium sites in the country, Toso offers two wines on General List that deliver value, quality and flavour to satisfy any budget. Of equal importance is the fact that world-renowned Paul Hobbs, known for his stellar wines in California’s Sonoma region, joined Toso for the production of the 2001 harvest. Toso Sauvignon Blanc 2007 displays a light lemon colour, with delicate scents of herbs, grass and citrus notes. It makes a perfect accompaniment to a seafood salad of scallop ceviche, little neck clams and grilled baby octopus, served on a bed of lemon buttered fettucini, topped with freshly chopped dill. Toso Malbec 2007, also bottled on the estate, is deep purple with forward aromas of blackberries, licorice, plums and vanilla, with an enticing smoky component. These carry through onto the palate, and are enhanced by a firm tannic grip, with coffee and hints of bacon on the lingering finish. It is a lovely candidate for a platter of grilled beef, spicy pork ribs, and Portobello mushroom caps topped with a garlic and parsley butter sauce. Keep an eye out for other wines from this company, including their Merlot and Syrah. Handley Cellars’ Pinot Gris 2007 from California’s Anderson Valley, at 14.1% alcohol, is an expressive wine, brimming with varietal character. It displays a medium lemon colour, with a forward bouquet of melon, peach, and pineapple, underpinned by a floral note, reminiscent of orange blossoms. Sixty percent was aged in French oak. Its fine seam of acidity balances the hint of residual sugar on the finish. This makes an ideal partner to grilled pickerel, grouper steaks or turkey breasts, served on a bed of wilted spinach, topped with roasted pine nuts and a dash of oregano. Mission Hill Chardonnay Reserve 2006 VQA, from BC’s Okanagan Valley, is another fine example of the delightful wines coming from this awardwinning, state-of-the-art winery owned by the visionary owner, Anthony von Mandl. Crafted by the highly skilled winemaker John Simes, whose roots lie in New Zealand, this Chardonnay underwent partial barrel fermentation and was aged in a combination of American and French oak. It has a deep lemon colour, with a bouquet of ripe pears, green apples, buttered popcorn and toasty oak, touched with some vanilla bean in the creamy finish derived from both wood aging and stirring on the lees. It is a winner with roast pheasant, topped with fresh rosemary, served with garlic mashed rutabaga and wilted rapini.
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Harvest time in Mendoza
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`Conundrum’ 2007 from California is an intriguing off-dry blend of Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay and Muscat Canelli, each of which offers a signature note to the final taste. Expect to find a medley of ripe peaches, pears, apricots, Muscat grapes, apple blossoms, grass and melons in the nose and taste. Crisp upfront, its acidity mellows on the palate, with a soft, gentle taste and hints of sweetness in the rich lingering finish. Notes of Jasmine tea and ginger add to the tasting pleasure. Pair it with Asian-inspired dishes, such as grilled tiger shrimp in a coconut curry sauce served on a bed of Basmati rice or a stirfried dish of clams, calamari and scallops, with julienned peppers and button mushrooms in a lemon coriander wine broth, topped with freshly grated ginger. Tamar Ridge Pinot Noir 2006 comes from the Tamar region, located at the northern tip of Tasmania, Australia’s southern island. Light ruby red in colour, with aromas of ripe plums, dark berries and vanilla from oak maturation, it has soft tannins and a streak of earth that leaves a delightful taste on the finish. Its delicate character marries beautifully with medallions of veal topped with fresh rosemary. Accompany this with puréed parsnips and grilled Portobello mushrooms, with a splash of truffle oil that will enhance the layers of complexity in the wine. From one of Portugal’s most widely known producers comes the delicious, well-priced Alianca Vista TR 2005 from the Beiras region. This is a blend of two indigenous varietals, 90% Tinta Roriz (a.k.a. Tempranillo in neighbouring Spain) and 10% Touriga Nacional (aged in French oak). This is an example of the new heights that Alianca has reached with the input of Bordeaux’s famous wine consultant, Michel Rolland and Pascal Chatonnet. Displaying a cherry red colour, it offers a mature bouquet of ripe Damson plums, cherries, blackberries and hints of sweet vanilla and cedar. A dash of raspberry and leather linger in the finish. It is enjoyable with broiled quail, barbecued lamb burgers and chorizo sausages, complemented by a platter of grilled radicchio, sautéed parsnips and pearl onions, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and flavoured with garlic and oregano. Paul Dolan has carved a worldwide reputation as a pioneer of biodynamic wine production in California. Dolan Deep Red 2005, from the northern Mendocino County, is named after the deep red, iron rich and volcanic soils of their Dark Horse vineyard. These components translate into powerful wines. This example is an intriguing blend of 44% Petite Sirah, 24% Zinfandel, 16% Syrah and 16% Grenache. Inky red, with a garnet tinge on the rim of the glass, it is brimming with ripe cherries, dark plums, strawberry preserves, black pepper and vanilla bean, with leather and cedar notes in the lingering finish. It is a candidate for game dishes such as bison steaks, medallions of venison and savoury rabbit stew. Serve it with brown rice, flavoured with truffle oil and wild mushrooms, and roasted red peppers. Finca Lugilde Goulart Malbec Reserva 2006 is made from 91-year-old vines grown on their estate in Argentina’s famous Mendoza Valley. Ruby red in colour, it offers strawberry jam, Bing cherry and plum flavours, touched with nuances of bramble, cedar and a streak of leather on the finish. Its upfront juicy character, with moderate tannins, suggests it would pair beautifully with a mixed grill of pork chops, baby back ribs and lamb sausages, served with assorted roasted root vegetables. Taylor Fladgate 10-year –Old Tawny Port creates a signature style of port that is reliably consistent in its quality and taste. Medium-bodied, it offers a heady bouquet of butterscotch, vanilla and raisins, intermingled with dried apricots that envelop the palate. Its fine seam of acidity supports the intrinsic sweetness perfectly, making it an ideal partner to crème caramel or a platter of dried fruits and semi-soft cheeses at the end of a meal. And it is always a good finish to any meal to choose an Icewine from Canada’s Niagara region. They come in many styles and grape types, making them versatile with assorted cheeses, rich desserts and chocolates to round out a perfect get-together.
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