680 NEWS wine reviews, October 26–28, 2018

Posted on October 25, 2018 by

Rocca delle Macie Sasyr Sangiovese Syrah 2014
Chianti winemakers will sometimes break out of their traditional Sangiovese model and blend in an international variety like Syrah. Which is exactly what Rocca delle Macie did for their Sasyr Sangiovese Syrah 2014. Dense purple-ruby in colour, the wine offers a cedary, spicy, plum nose; it’s light to medium-bodied, dry, firmly structured with black cherry and earthy-herbal notes carried on lively acidity. It costs $15.95 at Vintages outlets. Serve it with tomato-based pasta dishes. That’s Rocca delle Macie Sasyr Sangiovese Syrah 2014 from Tuscany. For Post City Magazines, I’m Tony Aspler, 680 NEWS. ($15.95, Vintages #68510) (88.5)

Ondarre Reserva 2014
Today’s recommendation is a mature Spanish Rioja at a great price: Ondarre Reserva 2014. This blend of Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graciano is deep purple in colour with a bouquet of spicy sandalwood, plum and strawberry. It’s medium-bodied, oak-driven with a firmly structured red plum flavour. It costs $17.95 at Vintages and will match any red meat dish you care to throw at it. That’s Ondarre Reserva from Spain at Vintages outlets. For Post City Magazines, I’m Tony Aspler, 680 NEWS. ($17.95, Vintages #723452) (89)

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 709: Wines from All Over

Posted on October 19, 2018 by
A WELCOME sign with the shape of a jacket and hat made of corks and a bit of green ribbon

At the entrance to Megalomania Winery in Liagara

Wines I’ve tasted over the past week or so: Continue reading →

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680 NEWS wine reviews, October 19–21, 2018

Posted on October 18, 2018 by

Rivera Il Falcone Castel del Monte 2012
The province of Puglia, the heel and spur of the boot that is Italy, produces deep dense red wines. Currently at Vintages outlets is an excellent example: Rivera Il Falcone Castel Del Monte 2012. Made from the local Nero di Troia and Montepulciano grapes, this wine, weighing in at 13.5% alcohol, is deep purple-ruby in colour with a spicy, floral, cedary plum bouquet has oodles of black fruit flavours. The perfect wine for steak. It costs $24.95 at Vintages. That’s Rivera Il Falcone Castel del Monte 2012 from Italy. For Post City Magazines, I’m Tony Aspler, 680 NEWS. ($24.95, Vintages #177295) (89)

Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato d’Asti 2017
Another wine for the sweet-toothed brigade: Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato d’Asti 2017 from Piemonte in Italy at Vintages outlets. This half bottle has only 5% alcohol. Very pale lime in colour, it has that typical Muscat nose of honey and orange. Lightly sparkling on the tongue, it’s easy drinking with honeyed peach and orange flavours. The cost: $11.95 for a half bottle. It makes a lovely pre-dinner aperitif. That’s Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato d’Asti 2017 from Italy at Vintages. For Post City Magazines, I’m Tony Aspler, 680 NEWS. ($11.95, Vintages #650440) (89)

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 708: Bench 1775 in Naramata, BC

Posted on October 12, 2018 by
wld_181007_globe

My kind of globe!

Wines tasted this week: Continue reading →

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680 NEWS wine reviews, October 12–14, 2018

Posted on October 11, 2018 by

Château Gassier Le Pas du Moine Rosé 2017
If you search the LCBO product list you’ll find over 500 rosés. I haven’t tried them all but one of the best I’ve tasted is Château Gassier Le Pas du Moine Rosé 2017 from Provence at Vintages. At $23.95 it’s probably more than you’re prepared to pay for a pink wine but it’s absolutely delicious. Very pale pink in colour with a bluish tint, it has a lightly minerally, struck-flint nose of red currants with a floral top note; medium-bodied, and dry, it offers mouth-filling flavours of raspberry and citrus. A beautifully balanced wine that lingers on the palate. That’s Château Gassier Le Pas Du Moine Rosé 2017 from France. For Post City Magazines, I’m Tony Aspler, 680 NEWS. ($23.95, Vintages #450874) (89)

Kourtaki Muscat of Samos
If you like sweet wines, have I got a bargain for you! The Greek island of Samos produces a lusciously sweet wine from Muscat grapes. At Vintages you’ll find Kourtaki Muscat of Samos for $15.95 a bottle. Golden in colour, this dessert wine has a nose of honey and orange blossom; medium-bodied and spicy, sweet flavours of honey and orange fill the mouth. Balancing acidity stop it from cloying. Great with chocolate desserts. That’s Kourtaki Muscat of Samos from Greece. Serve it well chilled. For Post City Magazines, I’m Tony Aspler, 680 NEWS. ($15.95, Vintages #938407) (89)

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