Moscato d’Asti DOCG is made from the Moscato Bianco grape and is produced in Asti, which is located in the Northwestern region of Italy known as Piedmont.  So here is a handle for you… the DOCG means “Denominazione di origine controllata e garantita”.  Try and say that quickly, or even slowly for that matter.   Right off the bat we want to let you know that this is not Asti Spumante.  Moscato d’ Asti has the tiniest little bubble (technically speaking it has about 1.7 atmospheres of pressure compared to that of Asti which would be 3.5 - 4 atmospheres of pressure.)  It is not full blown sparkling.  It is known as a Frizzante.  It can be described as very fragrant.  It is quite pleasing, actually.

A Frizzante does not need a big sparkling wine cork with the cage on it, because it doesn’t have that much pressure built up in the bottle.  Just enough to feel a tingle in your mouth and that is it.  A reular cork will do.  Moscato d’Asti is the grander big brother to Asti Spumante.  Now the way we are writing that it sounds kind of snobbish, but it isn’t meant that way at all.  It is just a fact that it is regarded with a little more prestige.  Moscato D’Asti, however, is the one with the lovely Frizzante.  We can’t wait for you to try this wine.

Ricossa Moscato D’Asti

Location: Asti, Piedmont, Italy
Blend: 100% Moscato Bianco
Tasting: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

“The story of “Ricossa Antica casa” is a story of loyalty to territory and tradition, a blend of resourcefulness, professionalism and ingenuity which transformed a small provincial distillery into a large international company.”[1]

The history of Italian wine goes back centuries.  Each region has wonderful wines to go with the local fare.  Some say that there are no wines in the world like Italian wines.  They are pretty special, for sure.  The fun thing about wine is the constant discovery.  Now you know why Richard and I love this industry so much.

The buzz over the past year or so is that Moscato (a.k.a. Mucsat) has become the new hot white grape variety.  We are seeing more and more of it in our marketplace all the time and in various price ranges.  It has a very distinctive fragrant aroma that is very pleasing to the senses.

This Ricossa Moscato D’Asti is described this way:  “Bursting with floral and citrus aromas, this semi-sweet wine, slightly sparkling, expresses flavors of peach and honey on the palate with a healthy dose of crisp acidity to balance the sweetness

Food Pairing:

Peaches Baked with Amaretti; Candied Fruit Biscotti

CSPC:                   743347
Winesday Price:

$15.29 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$16.99

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Rigal - The Original Malbec

Location: Cahors, France
Blend: 100% Malbec
Tasting: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Malbec… from France, not Argentina.   ”So many local names for the same grape… Auxerrois in Quercy and Cahors where it originates, but also Pressac, Noir de Pressac or Gros Noir, Cot in the Loire Valley and Malbec in Bordeaux.  Malbec has been grown in France for over 800 years.”[2]

We have had the pleasure of sampling French Malbec on Winesday previously.  However, this Rigal was a new find for us this fall.   It was featured at ‘French Fling’ in October of this year.  (If you like French wines, or want to discover French wines, mark it on your calendar for next fall.  The date will be announced in the spring.)

“RIGAL is located in the Lot valley in the heart of South West France, and its roots have been in the town of Cahors since 1755.

For more than 250 years, this historical company has developed its expertise, assuring tradition, authenticity and quality for a range of wines from Cahors and the South West.”

What does Rigal have to say about the wine?  “Flavours of red fruit and spices plus a full body.  It is well-balanced and smooth with just a touch of vanilla.”

CSPC:                   284026
Winesday Price:

$11.93 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$13.25

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

St. Rémy à la Crème

Location: France
Type: Cream Liqueur - Brandy Based
Tasting: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

This product comes with a warning… once you try it you will be hooked!!  That is a summary of what people have been saying over the past couple of months.  The first ingredient is cream.  Remember, at this time of year there are no calories.  Here our thinking on that matter.  Take the bottle and turn it upside down.  The shape looks like an ‘O’ or ‘zero’.  So if you have a fraction of zero, we figure it is minus calories.  We am going to go with that logic.  Who is with us?

So here we have a brandy-based liqueur.  We can’t remember the last time one was even available in Alberta.  The cream category has a great deal of representation, especially in the Irish Whiskey based section, but none with brandy.  Not here in Alberta, in any case.   The St. Rémy à la Crème is a brand new product from St. Rémy.  They could have released it anywhere in the world, but they chose Canada.

“St-Rémy is the world’s N°1 French Brandy made from prestigious French vineyards.  St-Rémy à la Crème is made from the subtle association of sweet cream elegantly combined  with the unique taste of St-Rémy French Brandy.  An original blend producing notes of rich caramel, creamy chocolate and exquisite nuts.  A unique design highlighting a cow in the flourishing grasslands.  Fresh and smooth, St-Rémy à la Crème is subtle and delectable”[3] This past weekend, one lady said that ‘the cow on the label looks very happy.  I bet she was sampling some of this liqueur.’

What is surprising about the reaction to this liqueur is the number of people who have commented that they weren’t big on brandy, but they really enjoy the liqueur’s unique flavour.

The most common question is:  “How do you drink this?”  It is great on ice.  Mix it up with some Cointreau (about 1 part Cointreau to 3 parts St. Rémy à la Crème.)  Coffee and Hot Chocolate work great as well.  Log on to the Facebook page for some great recipes.

CSPC:                   745709
Winesday Price:

$28.79 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$31.99

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Next week we are celebrating New Year’s Eve a little early. Come join us! We are staying in France for next week to enjoy some wine and liqueur.

[2] www.cahorsmalbec.com

[3] St. Remy

The Zuccardi family moved to the Mendoza region some years prior to 1950.  In 1963 Alberto Zuccardi planted his first vineyard in Maipú to show other regional farmers how the irrigation system he designed worked and how it would benefit the agricultural industry.  Little did he know what he would be starting!

In 1976 Alberto’s son, José Alberto, joined the family business.  Not too many years later the brand ‘Santa Julia‘ was born.  The brand was named after José’s only daughter, Julia.  Sebastián, José’s oldest son, and Miguel, his youngest son became involved in the Zuccardi family business in the past decade.  Each is responsible for different parts of the company.  Sebastián is in charge of the estates in the Uco Valley, which produces some of Zuccardi’s top wines.  Miguel has the responsibility of taking care of the Zuccardi family interest in high quality olive oil production.  (all pictured above right)

A visitor’s centre and restaurant was opened in 2001 with daughter Julia (pictured left) taking the reigns.

“From the very beginning, we focused on the achievement of four goals:  Producing the highest quality wines; keeping a constant innovation capacity; working in full harmony with the environment; and being useful to the community we live in”[1]

The Santa Julia vineyards produce Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay along with Viognier, Pinot Grigio and Tempranillo.  The man behind turning these grapes into vino is winemaker Rodolfo Montenegro.  2011 marks Rodolfo’s 30^th anniversary with the winery.  For 15 years he also taught at the Don Bosco Faculty of Enology.

Santa Julia Viognier

For some, the big oaky Chardonnays of old were losing their shine and those people were looking for something with more body but they wanted to nix the 2×4.  Others who enjoyed the lovely Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc were looking for a wine that was a little more substantial but not Chardonnay (poor ol’ Chardonnay).    In came Viognier.  A number of years ago we heard many times that, in Australia, Viognier was going to be the big white like Shiraz was the big red.  It never really happened in Australia.  Viognier, however, can be found all around the world.  When talking about Viognier most think of the Rhône.  In particular, Condrieu.  However, Viognier may be found from the Cape in South Africa to Australia, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Chile, Argentina, U.S.A, Bulgaria, New Zealand, Japan and Canada.  The grape works well blending with other varieties and is quite capable of standing on its own. [2] Today the soil where our grapes have grown is in Argentina.

Winery: Familia Zuccardi / Santa Julia Winery
Location: Santa Rosa Vineyards, Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: 100% Viognier
Tasting: Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

The grapes for this wine are from the Santa Rosa Vineyard in Mendoza.  The grapes were all hand-picked during the last two weeks of March 2010.

“Santa Julia is one of the most dynamic trademarks which best interpret the new trends in consumer′s preferences.  As a winemaker, I was able to begin this transformation having the support of this Winery′s strategic pillars: innovation and a constant search for product excellence”, says Rodolfo.[3]

Notes from the winemaker:

Colour: A greenish yellow of medium intensity with silver gleams.

Aroma: Very varietal character, fine, intense and complex. Notes of tropical fruits combined with flowers and ripe fruits: roses, peaches, green apples, pears and bananas.

Flavour:Rounded, balanced, fresh and wide in the mid palate. Touches of citrus - orange peel. A long and complete finish.

Food Pairing:

Thai Green Curry with Seafood ; Quick Roast Chicken and Root Vegetables

CSPC:     612317
Price:

$12.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Winery: Familia Zuccardi / Santa Julia Winery
Vintage: 2009
Location: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Malbec 10% Syrah
Tasting: Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

“Familia Zuccardi really is all about family, first and foremost. It is not unusual to find a second or even a third generation member of the same family working at the Zuccardi estate. Many investments have been made to ensure that the people who live and work on our estate get the very best care, education and remuneration for their dedication.”[4]

The family states emphatically their commitment to organic production in their vineyards.  Just over 35% of their vineyards have been certified organic.  They believe in energy conservation.  Solar power is gradually rolling out throughout the entire operation.  When they do need to fertilize, they only use “green fertilizers”.  They make their own organic compost consisting of grape skins and pips (seeds) plus goat manure.  They plant vetch and barley to help bring nitrogen back into the soil.  The boxes used to ship their wine are made from recycled material.  The Zuccardi family is also involved with protecting “native birds and wildlife” to “maintain a balance with nature.”[5]

The grapes for this wine were sourced from three vineyards.  The Cabernet Sauvignon was grown in the La Consulta Vineyards.  The Malbec came from the Agrelo Vineyards.  The Syrah grapes were cultivated in the Santa Rosa Vineyards.  Each vineyard’s grapes bring unique qualities to the Santa Julia Magna Corte.

In the winemaker’s words:

Colour: Deep red violet with blue hues.

Aroma: Black and red fruits (moor, cherry and plum) mixed with aromas due to age in barrels such as vanilla, tobacco and chocolate.

Flavour: Silky entry with soft and balanced tannins well mixed with black fruit flavours.  Well balanced, great and long finish.

Food Pairing:

Roast Leg of Lamb with Red Wine Jus;  Braised Beef and Mushrooms

CSPC:     743212
Price:

$19.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Our next country has been on our list to visit for quite a while.  The wines of South Africa will be discovered on November 16^th.  Come join us.

[2] Grapes & Wines by Oz Clarke and  Margaret Rand

[3] www.familiazuccardi.com.ar

[4] www.santajulia.com.ar

[5] www.santajulia.com.ar

Richard wasn’t with me when I tried the Botalcura Syrah Malbec for the first time.  I was in Calgary volunteering at a dog show and there was a dinner on the Saturday night where the Botalcura was served.   The people at our table thoroughly enjoyed it, so I thought it would be a great wine to try on a Winesday.

The birth of the winery began with a Chilean businessman (Juan Fernando Waidele) who loved wine and a French winemaker (Philippe Debrus).  When the two men met in 2000, Botalcura Winery soon followed.  The town of Botalcura is located about 3 hours south of Santiago.  The town is set amongst the rolling hills of the Coastal Range in what is known as the Maule Valley.

“The word Botalcura means “large stone” in Mapundungun, the language of Chile’s native Mapuche people. Something hard and solid as rock speaks of the power of the gods and of what’s enduring.”

“Along with the constant search of excellence in our wines, Botalcura Winery has always been committed to our surroundings.  We focus in 3 essential issues: community, economy and environment. By taking care of these 3 items, we want to contribute and achieve sustainable development, and obtain improvements in our people’s quality of life, in our town and on our planet.”[1]

Botalcura El Delino Reserve Syrah/Malbec

Winery: Botalcura
Location: Central Valley, Chile
Blend: 58% Syrah, 42% Malbec
Tasting: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

When I had a wee sip of this for the first time, I knew right away why people were oohing and ahhing at that dinner.  This is a nice easy drinking wine with lots of fruit up front and a touch of spice.  It would go great with our Alberta beef.  When I arrived home from Calgary I picked up a bottle and opened it up for Richard and I to try together.  Richard said the same thing.  ‘I can see why the people at the show really enjoyed it.  It is easy drinking.’  This little wine has garnered the attention of a few others, as well.  Take a look.

• Stephen Tanzer - International Wine Cellar *87 Points
• Decanter World Wine Awards *Commended
• International Wine Challenge *Bronze Medal

The folks at Botalcura say this:

“Aromas:  Complex and alluring, with ripe blackberry, black cherry, violets, black pepper and nutmeg. Flinty, with rich, toasted oak and vanilla.”

“Palate:  Broad entry leading to a round, mouth-filling middle, with full but soft tannins. Very elegant, with approachable balance, fine acidity, and fullness from the alcohol/glycerol elements. This wine showcases the synergy between these two great varieties. The Syrah lends grip and structure, while the Malbec provides color, aromatic complexity, and voluptuous body. The result is a remarkably intense, fruity, and voluminous wine. It has been barrel aged to complement the luscious grape flavors.”

Food Pairing:

Herb-Rubbed Top Sirloin Steak with Peperonata; Salt-and-Pepper Rib Eye; Spiced Lamb Chops

CSPC:     728051

Botalcura Chardonnay Viognier

Winery: Botalcura
Vintage: 2010
Location: Central Valley, Chile
Blend: 62% Chardonnay, 38% Viognier
Tasting: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Chardonnay (see left) and Viognier (below right)… neat combination.  The hot days and cooler evenings of the Central Valley are like heaven to these grapes.  The acidity, the flavours and everything is made all the better when you have those wide swings in temperature.  Look at it this way… when we have a hot day, there is nothing quite as wonderful as the cooler temperatures of the evening.  Our bodies get a chance to cool down and get ready for the next day.  Grapes are no different.  They like the break too.

When they hand-pick these grapes they are able to pick the best grapes for the wine.  Although there are upsides to machine harvesting, nothing replaces looking at the grapes and picking only the ones that are ready.

Winery Notes:

“Aromas:  The attractive nose recalls white tree fruits such as apricot, peach, and pear, joined by notes of grapefruit and tangerine, delicately balanced with toast and vanilla.”

“Palate:  Soft and attractive, with broad balance on the mid-palate, delicate top notes, and a characteristic slight bitterness on the medium finish. This is a uncomplicated wine for everyday enjoyment.  It brings together the respective charms of Chardonnay and Viognier: the first provides voluptuousness in the mouth and the second, the intensity of flavors. The result is a captivating and original blend with solid fruit expression and a soft, but full mouthfeel.”

This wine is meant to be enjoyed at a young age.  Within two years of bottling is recommended.

Food Pairing:

Grilled Chicken Breast; Seafood Pasta with Cream Sauce

CSPC:     728050

Next week we have a “Sweet-Tea” treat for you to try.

The fifth largest wine producing country in the world is Argentina.  Of the South American wine producing countries, Chile is probably the first country that we saw on the scene in Alberta.  Argentina, over the past decade, has been coming on fast and furious.  Ten years ago, we were lucky to see a few wines from the country.  Now when you wander into your local liquor store, Argentina is very prominent.

The Spanish were responsible for bringing a large number of the vines to this part of the world.  Through the years,it has also been presumed that the Italians were responsible for bringing many Italian varieties like Sangiovese, Barbera, Nebbiolo and others.  However, these days, one cannot say Argentina without thinking Malbec (sometimes written as Malbeck).  Argentina has the largest planting of Malbec vines in the world.  And although this grape variety has taken hold in this part of the world, it too used to call Bordeaux home.  It is still planted in France, most notably in Cahors, but there are still some outcroppings in Blaye, Bourg and Entre-Deux-Mers and some other regions including South-West France.

Argentina is also known for having the largest concentration of high-altitude vineyards.  In Europe you will see the upper limit for planting vineyards to be approximately 1,600 feet.  Argentina, on the other hand, has a number of vineyards planted at 5,000 feet and one vineyard planted at 9,000 feet.  While the vast majority of vineyards are not at the nosebleed level, it is quite amazing to think of vineyards planted at that height.  While vines are grown in many regions of Argentina, the vast majority of the vineyards and wineries are located in the province of Mendoza.  This region is said to account for about two-thirds of wine production in the country.

Foreign investment and partnerships has also played a role in the wine industry over the past couple of decades.  From Chateau Lafite-Rothschild (Bordeaux), Moët, Mumm, and Piper-Heidsieck (Champagne), Martini & Rossi (Italy), Concha Y Toro and Montes (Chile), GernotLanges-Swarovski (Austria) and many more.  These people from far and wide bring not only their investment, but their expertise.[1]

Flying winemakers have also had an impact on the wine industry in Argentina, as well.  Especially insofar as the export market is concerned.  It is not prevalent, but it is evident.  A ‘flying winemaker’ is basically a winemaker/consultant who may have customers not just in his/her local market, but literally all around the world.  It is a term created by an English wine merchant, Tony Laithwaite.[2] One of the most famous flying winemakers is Michel Rolland of France.

We are just going to touch on the flying winemaker subject, because it is an article all unto itself.  Basically, the expertise of winemakers from various regions around the world is imported to assist a winery in making their particular brand of wine.  Just in the same way an expert in the oil industry or tech industry is sent halfway around the world to help their particular industry in China or Russia or wherever.  Now there is an argument whether this globalization, or as some refer to as the ‘homogenization’ of the wine industry is a good thing.  We won’t get into that right now, but let’s just say it is part of the wine world today.

As we see it, Argentina has had a big impact on wine drinkers.  Invariably when Richard and I are doing an event or tasting, 30+ percent of people will say that they drink Argentinean Malbec.  It used to be ‘Australian Shiraz’.  My how things change.  Hey, and that is a good thing.  Change is good.  Trying new wines?  How can you go wrong with that?  What a great segway into our winery this week.  Norton Winery of Argentina.  They have brought two new wines into our Alberta marketplace.  To introduce them to us, we have Norton Winery’s Eduardo Swinnen joining us for Winesday June 1.

Norton Winery got its start over 115 years ago when an English engineer, Mr. Edmund James Palmer Norton, fell in love with this region.  He imported vines from France and started the first winery south of the Mendoza River.

In 1989 an Austrian businessman, GernotLanges-Swarovski was “convinced of the high potential of Argentina as well as of its international prospects”.  He purchased the winery and since that time, Norton has received “international awards and honorable mentions in recognition of its quality”[3]

Everything about this place seems top notch.  “The concept of “precision viticulture” applied on the farm consists in using state-of-the-art technology to analyze each vineyard in detail. That is why satellite and air images are used in order to analyze the reality and potential of each area, so as to adjust work to suit its needs.”

The red grape varieties grown at Norton include:  Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Barbera, Sangiovese, Syrah and Pinot Noir.   The white varieties: Torrontés, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillón, Chenin Blanc and Riesling.

The lifespan of the vines run about 80 to 100 years of age.  The Norton vineyards have a good proportion of “aged” vines.  This enables them to make some of their high end wines.

Now here is another huge investment.  “Our winery features more than 4,000 French and American oak barrels, where the wine matures and evolves in touch with wood under the attentive eye of the enologist until reaching its optimum ripeness. One third of those barrels are replaced on a yearly basis.”  That is a ton of money in barrels.

The wine is bottled and stored underground where the temperature ranges from 10c to 15c.  The cellar currently holds 500,000 bottles, but it has a capacity of twice that amount.

There is what Bodega Norton calls a “Historical Cellar”.  This is where wines dating back to 1935 are stored.  Of course they are kept under lock and key.

The environmental aspect of the company is front and centre, as well.  “All actions adopted at Bodega Norton are in line with our philosophy whereby we recognize ourselves as part of nature and return what it gives us through its fruits, which allows us to produce higher quality wines year after year.

Our strong commitment to Environmental care translates into the actions adopted at our Winery every day.”  This includes:  use of ecological bottles, solid waste recycling, efficient use of water, carbon emission reduction, energy conservation and more.

So that gives you a bit of an idea about the company.  Let’s try these new wines.

Norton Barrel Select Sauvignon Blanc

Winery: Bodega Norton
Vintage: 2010
Location: Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting: Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

As we head into summer (yes it really is coming), here is a nice light easy sipping wine to have on your deck. Although 90% of this Sauvignon Blanc was fermented in stainless steel 10% was in French oak.  That still gives it nice refreshing notes to enjoy

Winemakers notes:  “Greenish yellow with golden hues. Aromas of green apples and tropical fruit. Complexity given by notes of vanilla, coconut, toast and a smoked touch.”

Food Pairing:

Oyster appetizers;Asparagus with Lemon and Butter; Apple and Leek Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

CSPC:     742735
Price:

$13.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Norton Barrel Select Malbec

Winery: Bodega Norton
Vintage: 2010
Location: Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: 100% Malbec
Tasting: Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

…and here is the Malbec.  As we mentioned, these Norton Barrel Select wines are the newest kids in the Norton family to come to Alberta.

The average age of the vines used for this wine is 15 to 30 years.  Only 50% of this wine was aged in first and second used French oak barrels.  So there will be lots of nice fruit in this wine.

Tasting notes from the winery:  “Deeply red with violet hues. Aromas of ripe red fruits, cassis and pepper.Sweet on the palate, friendly tannins with spicy flavours.Very good persistence.”

Food Pairing:

Lamb Burgers Topped with Mâche Salad; Grilled Steak with Fresh Corn Salad; Sausage Pizza

CSPC:     742736
Price:

$13.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Born in the USA… they were born in the USA… That is where we are heading next week.  Get your passport ready.

[2] Oxford Companion to Wine

[3] Norton website

This week we are sampling Malbec (pictured left).  Ah… I bet you were thinking that we were travelling to Argentina.  Well, as you can see by the map above, we are heading to France.  France?  Malbec?  Really?  Well, that is where Malbec hails from.  Yah, I know there is a ton of it in Argentina.  In fact, Argentina has a greater number of acres planted in Malbec than France.

We are heading to Cahors, France (The “H” and the “S” in  Cahors are silent, so it is pronounced Ka’or).  It is located about 100 kms just a little southeast of Bordeaux.  They have been making wine in this region since the middle ages even longer than in Bordeaux.  The wine must be at least 70% Malbec, which in this region is also known as Côt, Côt Noir or Auxerrois just to totally confuse us.  The other grape varieties allowed are:  Merlot (to the right), Tannat (below and to the left) and a local grape variety called Jurançon Noir (which has almost disappeared.)   Notice something?  No Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc.  Surprising?  Malbec used to be used as a blending grape in Bordeaux, but although it is still used today it is fairly rare.  The wines in this region are known as “the black wines of Cahors”.  If you look at the grape varieties that are allowed here, you can almost see how they get that name.  They have also been referred to as ‘rustic’.  There is a great deal of wine produced in Cahors.  The only region that makes more wine in the southwest part of France is Bergerac.  Oh and by the way, there are no whites made in Cahors.

This area got hit hard by deadly frosts in 1956 and almost the whole region had to replant.  As a result, the vines are no older than about 55 years.  We are going to visit Cahors again at some point, so I am sure there will be more news to tell at that time.

Domaine La Bérangeraie

Winery: Domaine La Bérangeraie
Location: Cahors, France
Blend: 100% Malbec
Tasting: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

Just 100 kms away from Bordeaux lies this slightly populated part of south west France.  Industry is rare here, so pollution is not as big a problem here as it is in other areas.  We come to this lovely land owned by the Bérangeraie family.  Here is a family dedicated to the wine industry and the earth.  Three generations working side by side at this organic vineyard.  They produce a number of wines that are an expression of the land.  Their vines are on average 30 to 50 years old.  All harvesting is done by hand and the land is farmed organically.   There is a complexity and richness to this wine for all to enjoy.  It can positively lay down for a bit, if you like, as well.

Here is the winery’s take on this Malbec:  “Pepper, truffle, violets, liquorice, cherry kirch: a Cahors to drink between 5 and 12 years. ”

Food Pairing:

Grilled Lamb Loin Chops with Shallots and Red Wine; Marinated Grilled Beef Kabobs.

CSPC:     710086
Price:

$20.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Seduction

Winery: Domaine La Bérangeraie
Location: Cahors, France
Blend: 90% Malbec, 10% Merlot
Tasting: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The label for this wine always attracts attention.  This wine is a blend of marvelous Malbec with a touch of velvety mellow Merlot.

Malbec’s origins are unfortunately being forgotton.  So many think that Malbec is from Argentina.  Of course they do make this wine in Argentina, but the wines from there and the wines from France are completely different.  If you expect one to be like the other, you will be mistaken.  In Argentina, they are allowed to use irrigation, but in Cahors they get what Mother Nature gave them and that is it.  This grape does like the heat, which is why it does well in Argentina.  You don’t get that same heat intensity in Cahors, France.  Sometimes, in fact, it can struggle to ripen in France.  But French Malbec is not to be missed.  How lucky are we to try two of them this week.  We can’t wait to hear what you think.

Food Pairing:

Sausage, Red Onion and Wild Mushroom Pizza;  Barbeque Beef Burgers

CSPC:     727288
Price:

$16.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

I know you think we have a ‘thing’ for Italy, and you could be right.  Next week we are heading back to Tuscany. Ciao!

Winery: Dominio Del Plata
Location: Lujàn de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Chardonnay
Tasting: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Winemaking has been a male dominated field since time began, so to speak.  Around the world there are many outstanding winemakers, many of whom are women.  Susana Balbo… now this is a name to remember. Since Susana received her oenology degree thirty years ago, she has made news in the wine world in Argentina.  However, she has not only made wine in Argentina, but also in the countries of Australia, U.S.A. (California in particular), Chile, France, Italy, South Africa and Spain.  This is a woman who never stops learning about her craft.

After many years of making wine for many others 1999 saw Susana starting her own winery called Dominio Del Plata.  She has a passion for wine and everything about it.  That passion leads Susana to travel for a month every year to different wine regions around the world to study what the local winemakers are doing not only in the winery itself, but also in the vineyards.  That is dedication.  That dedication is transferred to the wonderful wines this amazing winemaker gives to her customers.

Today we are sampling a Chardonnay from Susana’s Crios line of wines.  In Alberta, we also have the pleasure of enjoying her other line of wines…simply ‘Susana Balbo’ and Ben Marco.  In the Susana Balbo line of wines there is a Late Harvest Malbec that is not to be missed.

So let’s talk about Crios.  The name means “offspring”.  Susana picked this name because it indicates that although the wines get all the same attention as their big sisters, they are not quite “grown up”.  The label has three interconnected hands, which was an inspiration from a Mayan artifact, and is representative of Susana and her three children.[1] The Crios line are youthful wines and are meant to be enjoyed young.

This is how the winery describes this Chardonnay:  “Light yellow and golden shining appearance.  Its aroma reminds us of white fruits, green apple and tropical fruits.  Slight honey notes in combination with a subtle almond and vanilla appear in the mouth as a spice reflex that lasts in a long fresh mild end.  Good balance.  Enjoy it is youth!”

Food Pairing:

Crab Cakes; Chicken Tenders in Canadian Cream Cheese Sauce

CSPC:     719749
Price:

$17.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price subject to change without notice.  Price correct at time of printing.

Winery: Gouguenheim
Location: Tupungato , Mendoza , Argentina
Blend: Malbec
Tasting: Wednesday, February 16, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

We were speaking with the representative who distributes Gouguenheim wines and he was telling us that Patricio Gouguenheim’s mentor was none other than… Susana Balbo.  How ironic that we are presenting both winemakers in the same week.

Patricio Gouguenhaim has been quoted saying:  “My two daughters once told me that ‘I’m mad to start a winery!’ but I love the fact that I’m creating something that can be shared with others. I feel as though I’m spreading some sense of Argentina all around the world.”

Here is a man who used to work in the mergers and acquisitions field buying and selling companies.  He had travelled to Mendoza between 1999 and 2002 for business purposes.  In 2002 Argentina’s economy when into the tanker and Patricio saw his opportunity to get into the wine industry.  It was a time when many were getting out of the industry.  Patricio believed that Argentina’s time to shine in the wine spotlight was yet to come and he was right.

After buying an old winery he put the banking shingle away and hung up the winemaker shingle.  In just a few short years Gouguenheim Winery has gained its fans.

Andrew, the wine representative, told us that this wine is 100% Malbec and is so new to our market that there is very little information on it.  Now there is a good reason to come by and try the wine.  We are already lining up in our minds what to serve with this Malbec.

Food Pairing:

Steak with Parmesan Butter Balsamic Glaze and Arugula; Beef Tenderloin Steaks Stuffed with Morels

CSPC:     740892
Price:

$20.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price subject to change without notice.  Price correct at time of printing.

Map courtesy of www.aboutwines.com

Argentina is the fifth largest wine producing country in the world. Its domestic consumption as of 2006 was over 40 litres per capita. That is a good bit of vino! Malbec has proven to be the most successful in the export markets, but other red varieties like Bonarda, Barbera and Cabernet Sauvignon are making their mark as well. Of the white varieties, Torrontés [tore-rahn-TEZ] is the most typical coming from Argentina and if you have never tried wine made from this grape, well you should. Winesday September 8th is a good day to start.

Malbec has become the new sexy grape over the past few years and there is no wonder why. We live in the land of beef and Malbec goes great with beef. Argentina is also known for its beef, so it is a great fit for that country. (Surprisingly, it can also go with food with a bit of spice to it.) It just seems to have taken the new world by storm. Great marketing helps too. The wines from this country have not only been in the spotlight for their flavour, but also for their value. You can get a nice wine at a good price. In these economic times, that is always a plus.

Winery: Cuma (Michel Torino)
Vintage: 2009
Location: Cafayate, Salta - Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: 100% Organic Malbec
Tasting: Wednesday, September 8, 2010 - 4:00 – 7:00 p.m

A couple of months ago, we tried two wines from the Bodega El Esteco label called Michel Torino. (See July 21 blog) We talked a bit about the history of this company and some of their wine labels. They make “young and fresh wines, fruit driven”. Today we have the opportunity to try two of their organic wines: Cuma Malbec and Cuma Torrontes.

The name ‘Cuma’ means “pure and clear”. It comes from the language of a tribe (Aymara) who inhabited this region around the time of the Incas. The viticulture and winemaking practices for the Cuma wines, are very strictly controlled and the Cuma wines were certified organic in 2005.

Generally speaking, sulfur levels tend to be lower. The wines are expressive. The colour of this Malbec is deep, dark and draws you in. There is a little more intensity in the flavours of the nice red fruit. The tannins are definitely present giving it a nice structure. The aftertaste lingers with the red fruit, some spice and even a wee bit of red plum with a little note of mint.

Food Pairing:

Mexican influenced beef (a little spice is always nice); Spicy pork dishes; Grilled steak.

CSPC: 733219
Price:

$14.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing. Price subject to change without notice

Winery: Cuma (Michel Torino)
Vintage: 2009
Location: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: 100% Organic Torrontés
Tasting: Wednesday, September 8, 2010 - 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Torrontés produces some of the most distinctive white wines in Argentina, characterized by floral Muscat-like aromas and a spicy note. Recently I read this: ‘Smelling a glass of Torrontés is like smelling a wonderful bouquet of flowers.’ That really describes it perfectly.

The background of this grape variety has always been a little murky. Although the Argentineans like to think that this is their own varietal, there has been some talk to the contrary. “According to a 5/28/08 Daily Herald article by columnist Mary Ross, recent genetic testing indicates that Torrontes is a hybrid of Muscat of Alexandria and Criolla Chica.” No matter what the background is, the Argentineans love this wine. It makes up approximately 10% of the white grape varieties planted in the country, but it accounts for 20% of the sales.

This is a wine that you and I should enjoy when it is young. Please do not over chill this wine. You will lose all of the wonderful flavours and aromas and therefore miss out on what makes this grape variety so neat. With the floral and citrus (orange) scents and flavours of peaches, flowers and even some lemon, this wine will pair with some cool food.

Food Pairing:

Vegetarian empanadas; Asian influenced cuisine; guacamole.

CSPC: 733223
Price:

$14.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing. Price subject to change without notice

Look out France… Richard and I are heading your way next week.

Winery: Layer Cake
Vintage: 2008
Location: Mendoza, Argentina
Alcohol: 13.9%
Blend: 100% Malbec
Tasting: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

… and we are back in Argentina for a quick visit and then we are off to Italy.

First of all, let me ask you a quick question.  Who isn’t enticed by the name Layer Cake?  I mean that just says yummy on so many different levels.  (By the way, ‘yummy’ is one of those wine technical terms that we mentioned that we would throw around every now and then J.)  We first tried these wines at a wine tasting in February of this year.  The customers really enjoyed them and were quite taken with the fact that they had the same name, but were from different countries.

I love this quote from the Layer Cake website…

“My old grandfather told me the soils in which the vines lived were a layer cake. If properly made, the wine from these vines was like a delicious cake layered with fruit, mocha and chocolate, with hints of spice and rich, always rich. Never pass up a good Layer Cake.”

A. Orlando Tribute, Jayson Woodbridge

We have talked about the Malbec grape a few weeks ago.  This wine we are tasting this week is also from the Mendoza region in Argentina.  Mendoza, like Alberta, is known for its abundance of sunshine.  On average it has more than 300 sunny days a year.  Tourism in the region has increased dramatically, due to the interest in the wineries in the area.  Wine related tourism has become one of the largest sources of income for Mendoza.

This wine has a lot of flavour.  The winemaker’s notes say that they allowed to grapes to stay on the vine a full four to six weeks after most of the neighbouring vineyards.  They wanted to make sure that these grapes were picked at their peak so that all that extra flavour would come through in the wine that you and I enjoy.

It is amazing the flavours you get on your nose.  There is blackberry, cherry, plum with dark cocoa and even a touch of spice.  The taste is reminiscent of dark chocolate, dark cherries, jam and some spice.  This wine has so many flavours.  There is no wonder why Robert Parker rated this 2008 vintage a whopping 91 points!  Positively decant this wine and you will not be disappointed in the flavours that come out of your glass.

Food Pairing:

Grilled steak; Beef Stew; Barbequed Lamb; Sausage and mushroom pizza.

CSPC:     738090
Price:

$23.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing. Price subject to change without notice

- - - - - - -

Winery: Layer Cake
Vintage: 2007
Location: Puglia, Italy
Alcohol: 13.9%
Blend: 100% Primitivo
Tasting: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Puglia (also known as Apulia), is the famed ‘heel of the boot’ in Italy.  This region of Italy produces more wine than any other area of the country.  The place where these Primitivo grapes come from is called Manduria.  Now, like in most areas of Italy, there are regulations/laws surrounding making wine and having certain designations like “DOC” or “DOCG”.  For those of you who like cars (like me) it would be like having a Buick, Buick LS, or Buick LTD (sorry, I can’t translate into Ford and Chrysler language, as I grew up in a mostly GM family).

Manduria Denominazione di Origine Controllata, labeling requires 14% alcohol. The people at Layer Cake found that they liked this wine below 14%; therefore it falls into ‘IGT’ Puglia for area designation.  I always like to say that the ‘IGT is for the rebels… and that is a good.  Where would we be today if people always followed the rules?  No one would want to explore new avenues of anything.  As usual, I digress.

Primitivo (Pree-mih-TEE-vo).  You may think you don’t know this grape, but I bet you do.  The University of California at Davis discovered that Primitivo is not just related to the Zinfandel grape from California, but it is the same grape variety.  Until that happened, Primitivo lived basically in obscurity.  Since that time, it has enjoyed the trappings of the spotlight.  And well it should.  Like with all grape varieties, when they are grown in different parts of the world, they are going to taste a little different in each place.  They take on the characteristics of the soils in that particular area and of course the weather (rain, sunshine etc.) will play a big part in what the wine tastes like.

Enough about all that, let’s get on with the wine.  As always, get it out of the bottle and let it sit for a while.  All the nice flavours will come out.  When you pour this wine it is a rich colour of dark ruby and purple.  It has some nice zippy spice balanced with lots of black fruit.  It warms you up as it slips down your throat.

Robert Parker gave this vintage of the Layer Cake Primitivo 89 Points!

Food Pairing:

Pizza; Barbequed beef, pork or chicken; Hamburgers;  Lasagna; Duck.

CSPC:     738091
Price:

$23.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing. Price subject to change without notice

Let’s head off to Spain next week. The lady who makes this next wine is a real dynamo. Richard and I just loved her when we met her. Come by and visit Diana from 4 – 7 on May 19th.

Winery: Silvertop
Vintage: 2008
Location: Mendoza, Argentina
Alcohol: 13.5%
Blend: 100% Malbec
Tasting: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Map courtesy of mendosaholidays.com

We will be heading to Chile next week.  Our flight landed in Mendoza on the way and we noticed some vineyards nearby the airport, so we thought we would stop and take a look.

Okay… raise your hands… who hasn’t heard of Argentinean Malbec?  It certainly has come on our wine scene with great vigor over the past couple of years.  Now there are a lot of wineries from Argentina, but the vast majority of wines come from the Mendoza region.  I believe the number is about 75 - 80%, actually.

The history of the country is fascinating.  Of course its connection with Spain goes back many hundreds of years.  The Monks started developing the vineyards in Argentina back in the 1500’s.  This year, Argentina will be celebrating their 200^th Anniversary of Independence from Spain.  Now the Spanish culture still plays a large part in this country.  You will notice, for instance, that a lot of winery names being with ‘Bodegas’, which is ‘winery’ or ‘house of’.  Today some of the red wines being produced in Argentina include:  Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Syrah, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Bonarda and Sangiovese.  White wines include:  Torrontes, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon, Semillon, Riesling, Viognier and Gewürztraminer.

Let’s get on to this wine.  What the heck is Malbec anyway?  Well, the Malbec grape came from France originally, but there is not a lot left to be found in the country.  There are some areas where it can still be found.  The most notable area is located in the south west of France.  The region is called Cahors.   Recently there have been some wines from this region that have come back into the spotlight.  Why?  Well, because Malbec has been getting a lot of press from Argentina and Malbec is big in Cahors.  It follows that Cahors will be garnering a bit of the limelight, as well.  And as Martha says… that is a good thing.

Now at $10.99, you know that this is not going to be a big powerhouse Malbec, but what you will notice are the great red berry flavours, red plum, cherry and even a little bit of tobacco that you get on this wine.  In your mouth there are those red fruits like raspberry and cherry with that touch of the red plum again.  It has a nice bit of fruit, but not in a sweet way, just some nice fruit.  When I tried this wine for the first time about 1½ to 2 years ago, I was surprised that there was so much flavour for the price.  It was a nice surprise indeed.  This makes a great ‘sit back, put your feet up and relax kind of wine’.  Argentinean wines are such a good value.  They are so worth trying.

Food Pairing:

Beef… Beef… and more beef!  Did I say ‘beef’?  Barbequed lamb; pizza with chorizo sausages; chili.

CSPC:     734702
Price:

$10.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Winery: Silvertop
Vintage: 2009
Location: Mendoza, Argentina
Alcohol: 13%
Blend: 100% Torrontes
Tasting: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Torrontes grapes make the quintessential white wine from Argentina.  Although it makes up about 10% of white grapes planted in Argentina, it accounts for about 20% of the sales.  Interesting!  Now until recently, it was thought this grape variety was indigenous to Argentina, but recent DNA testing has found that, in fact, the grape has roots in the Eastern Mediterrean region.  Which, when you think about it makes sense.  Most of the grape vines in the New World regions were most likely brought over by explorers from the ‘Old World’ during their travels.  Simplistically, they wanted to bring a little bit of home with them so that they could make their own wine for celebrations and the like.

This wine has such flavourful aromas.  You get anything from orange/citrus and some flowers to peaches/peach pit.  Now although you get all these notes, the wine is dry.  It kind of fools you when you get all those wonderful aromas.  This is a wine to enjoy when it is young.

Food Pairing:

Asian food, especially Thai and Vietnamese; guacamole; Mexican food; clam chowder with a wee touch of spice.

CSPC:     734704
Price:

$11.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

I have some very exciting news for you!!!  We will be doing an ‘Earth Day’ weekend tasting this weekend.  Friday, April 23^rd from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 24^th from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.  We will be tasting Organic and Biodynamic Wines.  Come by and join us.

Next week Richard and I are going to hop on that flight and head over the Andes Mountains to Chile.  See you there!