Tony Aspler, the Wine Guy

Clos Malverne Le Café Pinotage 2015
Pinotage, South Africa’s signature grape, is a crossing of Burgundy’s Pinot Noir and the Rhône’s Cinsault, first produced in 1925 and originally called Hermitage. An interesting example of the wine made from this grape is Clos Malverne Le Café Pinotage 2015 from the Stellenbosch region. Dense ruby in colour, it has a cedary, smoky-tarry nose; it’s medium-bodied, dry, with chocolate, coffee-bean and plum flavours carried on fresh acidity. It costs $16.95 at Vintages outlets. That’s Clos Malverne Le Café Pinotage 2015 from South Africa. For Post City Magazines, I’m Tony Aspler, 680 NEWS. ($16.95, Vintages #666776)

Flat Rock Riesling 2016
There’s an ongoing debate among fans of Ontario wines as to whether Riesling or Chardonnay is this region’s strongest suit. To mix metaphors, I have no horse in that race – I like them both… for different Rieslings, if you’ll pardon the pun. Today’s recommendation is a Riesling from Flat Rock Cellars, vintage 2016. Bright, pale straw in colour, it shows a lightly floral nose of apple and honey with that characteristic note of petrol. Light to medium-bodied, it’s off-dry with a delightful honeyed grapefruit flavour. It costs $17.95 a bottle at Vintages outlets and works well as a pre-dinner wine or with pork dishes. That’s Flat Rock Cellars Riesling 2016 from Ontario. For Post City Magazines, I’m Tony Aspler, 680 NEWS. ($17.95, Vintages #43281)