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January 28, 2012 • 6:48 am 0

Margaret Swaine’s Wine Picks: Easy to drink bottles

These easy-to-drink wines are ultra friendly and affordable.  Find them via WineAlign.com/MargaretsPicks.

Grooner Grüner Veltliner 2009
LCBO No. 168625; $13.35 (87 Points)
Despite its kitschy label, what’s in the bottle is pleasing, cheerful and easy to enjoy. From the Lower Austria wine region (Niederösterreich), this white is fresh, fruity and medium-light bodied with crisp apple and hints of white peppercorn typical of the varietal. It’s versatile: have as an aperitif, with salads, vegetarian dishes, light meats or fish.

Fairview Goats do Roam Red 2011
LCBO No. 718940; $12.95 (87 Points)
Winery owner Charles Back claims the Goats do Roam blend (syrah, cinsault, mourvèdre, carignan and grenache) represents their goats’ favourite vineyard picks when his son let them out one day. It’s a smooth, slightly spiced Rhone-style red with a medium body, berry fruit and some oak notes (gained from inner staves). Value priced with spot-on commercial appeal.

Apothic Red 2009
LCBO No. 234369; $15.95 (86 Points)
Apothic Red, which launched nationally across Canada in 2011, has reinvigorated the California “red blend” category. A bold blend of syrah, zinfandel and merlot, it fills the mouth with tastes of sweet raisiny fruits, dark chocolate, brown sugar and mocha. Rich, plush and off-dry with soft tannins, it can accompany hearty braised dishes, Asian spiced meats or even chocolate desserts.

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January 6, 2012 • 11:07 am 0

Margaret Swaine’s Wine Picks: Italian reds

In this Saturday’s Vintages release, the “smart buys” collection has three Italian reds that are well priced for their pedigree.

La Pieve Barolo 2007
$28.95 (90 Points)
Italy’s wonderful Barolo wines often come with a high price tag and austere manner in need of cellaring. Not so for this beauty from a vintage known for producing svelte Barolos with sweet, alluring tannins that mix approachability with ageability. It has a firm elegance but drinks nicely now with savoury leather notes and lovely fruit and spice elements.

Fattoi Brunello di Montalcino 2006
$34.95 (92 Points)
Tuscany’s Brunello wines are majestic expressions of the sangiovese grape and rarely are available at such a good price. This has a wow bouquet — forward, earthy and intense with notes of spices, florals and fruit. Complex on the palate, it has integrated oak and earthy forest floor flavours combined with sweet spiced fruit. Structured and multi-layered, match it with meat accompanied with mushrooms.

Vicchiomaggio Ripa Delle Mandorle 2009
 $15 (89 Points)
I am particularly pleased about the release of this bargain-priced super Tuscan from winemaker John Mata’s estate. A blend of 75% sangiovese with cabernet sauvignon, it has balance and poise while delivering ripe, rich red berry flavours, subtle oak with hints of cocoa and silky tannins.

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November 26, 2011 • 6:28 am 0

Margaret Swaine’s Wine Picks: Celebratory bottles

Today marks my 200th wine column for the Post and the launch of “our finest” in Vintages today. Find these celebratory wines for gifting or getting via WineAlign.com/MargaretsPicks.

Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
$119.95
This expresses California ripeness with verve. Aging well, it drinks beautifully now but still has plenty of life for further cellaring. Full of character and flavour, it has a lovely cassis bouquet and layers of spiced berry elegance with good concentration and acidity. Among the best Beringer has produced, it has power and balance.

Henschke Mount Edelstone Vineyard Shiraz 2005
$99.95
Henschke makes iconic Australian reds and Mount Edelstone is their ultimate expression of superb shiraz. Concentrated yet not overpowering, lots of ripe berry and dried fruit are in the terrifically complex bouquet and taste. Elegant and layered, it’s intense with formidable length. Best to sip slowly and savour every drop.

Quintarelli Rosso Ca’ del Merlot 2002
$84.95
Giuseppe Quintarelli makes some of my very favourite reds of Italy. His wines are hand-crafted with extreme skill and dedication. This single-vineyard merlot is full bodied and supple with a lovely savoury, cedary, ripe berry nose that carries through on the palate with additional notes of cocoa, dried fig and hints of underbrush. Yummy, concentrated and layered.

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October 21, 2011 • 2:55 pm 0

Margaret Swaine’s Wine Picks: Classic vintages

The new vintages of these long-standing favourites in the LCBO are more appealing than ever. Find these classics to stock up on via winealign.com/margaretspicks.

Oyster Bay Chardonnay 2010
LCBO No. 326728; $18.95
This expressive white from New Zealand has an attractive toasty oak bouquet from seasoned French barriques. On the palate, the oak is balanced nicely with tangy fruit and just the right amount of acidity. Medium bodied and fruit forward with a creamy texture, it’s distinctive and elegant — good with poultry, cheesy pastas, black cod.

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2011
LCBO No. 304469; $29.95
This iconic sauvignon blanc was sourced from four sub-regions of the Wairau Valley in New Zealand. Medium-full bodied, it’s a connoisseur’s style of white with layers, complexity and subtleties. There’s a refreshing acidity, lots of ripe peach and other stone fruit character. Lush, succulent but not over the top, it intrigues to the last drop.

Negrar Amarone della Valpollicella Classico 2007
LCBO No. 44784; $29.95
This Italian red from Veneto suffered a setback when some crook sold poor knock-offs of the previous vintage. You can buy the authentic, always delicious version at a $5 reduction until Nov. 5. Robust, velvety, quite full bodied, it’s a solid, well made, hearty and satisfying wine. Perfect for meats, braised dishes and strong cheeses.

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