Cusumano 2010 Syrah

A decent enough Syrah for the age and price. Quite drinkable. Decent fruit, medium body. Nice long finish.

Pairing: Pork or pasta

Recommendation: Buy

2011 Christmas Dinner Wine Suggestions

As Christmas approaches and we start to think about the menu for that fabulous turkey dinner, let us not forget a nice wine selection to enhance the feast. While the choices are mainly a matter of personal choice, there are some wines that typically pair well with turkey and the common accompaniments and side dishes.

I have chosen the following suggestions from the current offerings at the LCBO and/or wine retailers in Ontario.

1. Chardonnay - Most of your guests will prefer a white wine with their turkey. Probably your safest choice will be a dry, oaky Chardonnay. It will pair well with the bird and with the root vegetables.

White wine suggestion: Norman Hardie 2008 Country Chardonnay

2. Sauvignon Blanc - Also a good choice would be a Sauvignon Blanc. It is a little cleaner and lighter than the Chardonnay.

White wine suggestion: Colio 2009 CEV Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc

3. Reisling - A good Reisling or Gerwurztraminer would be another good choice. These are a typically a little sweeter and a little more acidic but favoured by folks who don't drink lots of wine.

White wine suggestion: Fielding 2009 Reisling

4. Pinot Noir - Some of your guests will prefer red wine and the Pinot Noir is a perfect selection. It is light enough not to overpower, yet fruity enough to enhance and not be overwhelmed.

Red wine suggestion: Quail's Gate 2008 Pinot Noir

5. Sparkling wine - A common assumption is that Sparkling wine goes with anything. This may or may not be true, but I have yet to find a food that sparkling wine doesn't agree with. Remember this is the season of celebration and nothing says celebration like a Champagne, Cava or Sparkling wine. They can be served as an aperitif, with the meal and/or with the dessert course.

Sparkling wine suggestion: Peller Ice Cuvee Rose

6. Dessert - a dessert wine is typically sweeter to enhance the sweetness of the dessert. An ice wine is an excellent choice as it can be sipped with or even poured over sweets.

Dessert wine suggestion: Inniskillin Vidal Icewine

Happy Holidays

Katnook Estates 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon

Once in a while I will open a bottle from my cellar that has reached its prime. After all wines are made to be enjoyed not collected, right? This wine you will want to decant at about the 10 year mark. Where do I start with this wonderful example of the winemakers art?

The wine was very complex on the nose as it was being decanted with a promised balance of fruit and some minerality. From the first sip, you will note the full body with excellent mouth-feel. Next fully matured black fruit extremely well balanced with hints of vanilla, allspice and/or cloves. Some wispy cedar notes follow. A delightfully long, pleasant finish.

Pairing: Prime rib, crown rib roast, rack of lamb

Recommendation: BUY

Monte Antico 2007 Toscana

A wonderful blend of Sangiovese, Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon. Full body, luscious fruits. Very well balanced. Excellent long finish.

Pairing: Pasta, roast beef, roast pork, game.

Recommendation: Buy

Kawin 2009 Reserva Privada Cabernet Sauvignon

Proof once again that "Reserve" and "Private" don't mean anything to many wineries, no matter what language. I havent had a lot of luck with full bodied red wines from Chile. Perhaps I shouldn't generalize, but Damn! Not well balanced. Over-use of sulphites. No real redeeming qualities.

Pairing: n/a

Recommendation: Pass

Ogio 2010 Primitivo

A surprisingly decent offering to a Zinfandel lover considering the price. Med/full body. Good fruit featuring red cherries with just a hint of candied cherry. Good balance. Medium long finish

Pairing: Roast beef, steaks, pork roast.

Recommendation: Buy

La Linda 2009 Syrah

I was pleasantly surprised by this Argentinian Syrah. Full body. Excellent ripe fruit. A bit on the tart side but overall well balanced. Nice long finish.

Pairing: Beef, steak, venison, lamb

Recommendation: Buy

Lamadrid 2008 Reserva Malbec

Cool modern label. Sadly the product doesn't live up to the billing. Medium body. Ho-hum fruit. Ho-hum finish.

Pairing: pork, corned beef

Recommendation: OK

Senor Real Vinas Centenarias 2007 Tempranillo

I was very disappointed by this offering from Spain. Well known for its Tempranillo, this area should have done much better. Sadly overwhelming the fruit was a distinct taste of turpentine. This was the first "dumper" I have had in a while.

Pairing: n/a

Recommendation: PASS

E. Guigal 2007 Cotes Du Rhone

I must say I was pleasantly surprised by this economically priced French wine. Full of fruit. Medium body. Excellent long finish.

Pairing: Beef

Recommendation: Buy

Trapiche 2008 Broquel Malbec

I was hoping for something a bit better but should have known by the price that there wasn't much here. Very pretty label. Medium bodied. Very acidic, but a decent finish. Might be ok if left in your cellar for a couple of years.

Pairing: Pasta, grilled meats

Recommendation: OK

Stag's Leap 2005 The Leap Cabernet Sauvignon

WOW! Every once in a while you should treat yourself to a nice wine and this was my treat. A full-bodied Cab that explodes with fruit flavour. Black cherry, blackberry, plum but extremely well balanced with notes of earthiness. A beautiful long finish with hints of vanilla.

Pairing: Share it with a friend as an aperitif

Recommendation: BUY

Dan Aykroyd 2008 Merlot

A little disappointing considering the celebrity name (I was hoping for a whole lot more.) Medium body, some earthy notes. Not bursting with fruit as i had hoped. Ok finish

Pairing: Lamb, pot roasts

Recommendation: OK

Chilensis 2009 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon

A nice inexpensive offering from Chile. Medium to full body. Some earthy and spicy notes (allspice and cloves) and ok black fruit (cassis.) Quite a long finish.

Pairing: Lamb, stews

Recommendation: Buy

Palatine Hills 2002 Meritage

A really decent wine from Niagara. Medium body with some earthiness. Hints of pepper and lots of black fruit, although leaning a little towards the acidic side. Generous finish.

Pairing: Roasts (Pork or beef)

Recommendation: Buy

Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon (non-vintage)

Another of the non-vintage catch-all wines. Medium body, no depth, poor fruit, very acidic with notes of sawdust. Bitter aftertaste which tends to tinger. Close to a "dumper"

Pairing: n/a

Recommendation: PASS

Cline 2010 Zinfandel

I was hoping for a winner and its not bad for the price point. Medium body, black fruits with just a hint of spicy and/or cedar notes and a decent finish.

Pairing: BBQ

Recommendation: Buy

Cono Sur 2010 Merlot

A new offering from Chile. Medium body, OK fruit but leaning towards the acidic and not particularly well balanced. Long finish.

Pairing: Lamb, sausage, chili

Recommendation: OK

Baron Philippe De Rothschild 2010 Merlot

A somewhat disappointing offering from a well known winery. Medium body, bright red fruits, short finish.

Pairing: Pork roast, turkey

Recommendation: OK

Masi 2008 Ripasso

A very nice full body Italian. Nicely balanced. Red berries. Nice long finish.

Pairing: Pasta, roast or grilled beef

Recommendation: Buy