June 21st, 2009 Chuck Posted in Italy, Sangiovese | No Comments »
| Here’s a great example of a Super Tuscan done right. This IGT wine is only IGT because it bent the rules slightly but it was worth it. A very close cousin to chianti, this bottle will pair well with any Italian food or bbq’d red meat. Overall it’s nice and round, medium to full bodied with smooth tannins. |
| Blend is: 60% sangiovese, 25% merlot and 15% syrah |
| Tip: tulip glass |
| Taste |
dark cherry, chocolate, cigar box |
| Smell |
plum, cherry, warm spice |
| Food |
grilled red meat, ravioli |
| Sweetness |
dry |
| Price |
$19.80 |
| LCBO# |
27797 |
| Score |
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May 25th, 2009 Sean Posted in Special Features | 1 Comment »
I’m in sunny California this week and of course had to check out Trader Jo’s to see what the wine situation is out here. California Merlot for $1.99 – nope that isn’t a typo – one dollar and ninety-nine cents. Of course I purchased a bottle and
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May 3rd, 2009 Chuck Posted in Italy, Red Blend | No Comments »
| At first glance this bottle looks like something shampoo would come it, but once on the table with the cap off, it feels kind of futuristic. Overall this is a pretty good wine, a little bit more than the lower end reds but it’s worth the extra 3.50. Overall it’s a dry, medium bodied wine with soft acidity and ripe tannins. |
| 4-Way Blend (quatto means four in Italian): Merlot, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Cabernet. Surprisingly, the pinot really does shine through. |
| Tip: tulip glass |
| Taste |
strawberry, spice, light oak |
| Smell |
red berry, raspberry, white pepper |
| Food |
veal marsala |
| Sweetness |
dry |
| Price |
$13.95 |
| LCBO# |
78048 |
| Score |
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April 7th, 2009 Sean Posted in Events | No Comments »
I’ve just been informed that On April 11, 2009 our Ontario readers are in for a big treat. The Tangley Oaks Merlot (2005 Vintage) returns to the LCBO. You might remember the rave reviews we gave the 2003, if not click here. We haven’t tasted it (yet) but I’m being told that it’s equally as good as the last batch. However, one thing has changed. Read the rest of this entry »
April 2nd, 2009 Chuck Posted in USA, Zinfandel | No Comments »
| When I tried their 2005 Cabernet I made a mental note to remember the name Liberty School. I’m glad I did. |
| Their label sums it up nicely: “fruit-driven, soft and approachable”. The tannins are present but not overpowering which lets the drinker enjoy it on it’s own or paired with food. |
| Tip: Released on Jan 17, 2009 |
| Taste |
dark ripe berry, warm spice, vanilla |
| Smell |
dark ripe berry, warm spice, cherry |
| Food |
beef, steak, sausage |
| Sweetness |
dry |
| Price |
$17.95 |
| LCBO# |
41095 |
| Score |
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March 22nd, 2009 Chuck Posted in Canada, Red Blend | No Comments »
| After seeing this bottle time and time again in the LCBO magazine I decided to give it a taste. It’s a fairly typical blend, nothing stands out too much. You’ll find it Medium-bodied with soft, drying tannins and moderate acidity. |
| A blend of three classic grape varieties: 52% Cabernet Franc, 45% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, which undergo traditional red wine making. |
| Tip: tulip glass |
| Taste |
ripe berry, leather, spice |
| Smell |
black cherry, strawberry, vanilla |
| Food |
pasta, bbq |
| Sweetness |
dry |
| Price |
$12.95 |
| LCBO# |
56390 |
| Score |
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March 16th, 2009 Sean Posted in Australia, White Blend | No Comments »
| The thermometer broke the 0 mark this weekend, which means its time to get ready for summer by chilling some white wine. Wanting to ease in to the white wine season I picked a blend hoping for something easy going and well rounded. This wine certainly achieved this. Like it’s name, it did jump out of the glass, but in a good way. |
| Comprised of 62% Riesling, 18% Sauvignon Blanc, 8% Marsanne, 6% Viognier and 6% Chardonnay |
| Tip: Chill Well |
| Taste |
mixed citrus, lemon, light oak |
| Smell |
gooseberry, pear |
| Food |
cashews, tart fruit |
| Sweetness |
dry |
| Price |
$14.95 |
| LCBO# |
922203 |
| Score |
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March 1st, 2009 Chuck Posted in Italy, Valpolicella | 1 Comment »
| This DOC Italian ripasso was received very well by everyone at the table. The re-passing (ripasso) technique involves a second fermentaion on the leftover grape skins of Amarone giving it a deeper colour, fuller body, aroma and flavour. Also watch for hints of perrer and ginger. |
| Grapes used: Corvina 65%, Rondinella 20%, Molinara 5%, altri vitigni (others) 10% |
| Tip: Release Date - Nov 8, 2008 |
| Taste |
black cherry, anise, light oak |
| Smell |
black cherry, plum, tar |
| Food |
red meat, cheese, portobello mushrooms |
| Sweetness |
dry |
| Price |
$16.95 |
| LCBO# |
999946 |
| Score |
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February 26th, 2009 Chuck Posted in France, Red Blend | No Comments »
| Here is a nice example of an easy drinking French ‘Vin de Table’. It’s: non-vintage, very smooth, mild tannin, not complex, very drinkable and very affordable. |
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Blend consists of: Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan, Syrah
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| Tip: comes in a 1L bottle |
| Taste |
soft berry, tart raspberry, light toasted oak |
| Smell |
soft berry, strawberry |
| Food |
red meat, medium cheese |
| Sweetness |
dry |
| Price |
$9.95 |
| LCBO# |
130674 |
| Score |
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February 19th, 2009 Chuck Posted in Spain, Tempranillo | No Comments »
| This Spanish tempranillo is what I’d imagine you’d find on most people’s table in Spain, it’s good table wine and the price is just right. |
| Although the wine is not very complex, I do like the firm tannins in play. |
| Tip: tulip glass |
| Taste |
blackberry, oak, tea |
| Smell |
blackberry, vanilla, spice |
| Food |
lamb, stew, sausages |
| Sweetness |
dry |
| Price |
$8.95 |
| LCBO# |
343434 |
| Score |
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February 14th, 2009 Chuck Posted in Canada, Pinot Noir | No Comments »
| Making pinot noir is tough (it’s not called the heartbreak grape for nothing). Making a GOOD pinot noir is tougher. Making a GREAT pinot noir for under $20 is what Rosehall Run has done with their 2007 VQA vintage. |
| While drinking you’ll notice that for a medium-light red, this pinot has a long finish. Coupled with the balanced acidity it also acts as a palate cleanser making this vintage easy to drink for wine aficionados and to be aficionados alike. Enjoy this wine slightly chilled and on the first day you open it. While drinking now, the winemaker assures it will developer further over the next five years. |
| Tip: Release Date - March 1, 2009 |
| Taste |
raspberry, vanilla, mild oak |
| Smell |
raspberry, strawberry, lees |
| Food |
duck, game |
| Sweetness |
dry |
| Price |
$18.95 |
| LCBO# |
0 |
| Score |
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January 31st, 2009 Sean Posted in France, Merlot | No Comments »
| I don’t drink a lot of French wine. There I said it. I’m also willing to bet you don’t either. Probably because the France section of the liquor store is a scary place. But in my quest for great wines under $20 I came across Domaine des Aspes a few years ago. |
| This is the first red from them that I have tried (the whites are terrific). This is an easy going Merlot with lots of character, nice even black fruit. Does not need food to shine, also a crowd pleaser. I picked up a case and stashed it in my collection for everyday wine. |
| Tip: Released on Jan 10, 2009 |
| Taste |
black berry, cedar, plum |
| Smell |
dark berries, black cherry, wild raspberry |
| Food |
beef stew, grilled vegetables, light pasta |
| Sweetness |
dry |
| Price |
$14.95 |
| LCBO# |
951665 |
| Score |
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January 28th, 2009 Sean Posted in Events | 1 Comment »
nosnob.com attended the Toronto Gourmet Food and Wine Expo in November 2008. We had a great time trying new wines and talking to wine makers. This event attracts thousands of visitors over 4 days and is held in downtown Toronto. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and the drinks flow freely. The food component of the show is somewhat limited considering it’s the “Food and Wine Expo”. But who cares, if your like us you didn’t go for the food.
As usual the show was packed. Seems that any wine show in Toronto is usually overflowing with visitors…what does that say about Torontonians? (We’ll ponder that for a while and get back to you). In the mean time have a look at some pictures from the expo…do you see yourself in any of them? If you attended let us know what you thought about this event.
www.foodandwineexpo.ca
Read the rest of this entry »
