Friday 22 July 2011

iYellow and Argentinian wines yesterday!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150239633553568&set=a.424492598567.197363.507468567&type=1&theater

That was a blast! Started as a wine tasting and continued to be the best party! The BBQ was out of this world!
There were many wines, and 22 companies presenting Argentinian wines.
Of course Malbec was a king! So many of them were very diverse.
Not native in Argentina, but shows one the grape is one of the best from the Argentinian soil.
It is soft, with round tannins, nice finish and deep flavors.
Also I discovered great Argentinian white-Torrontes!
So aromatic and flavorful!
My favorites were Bodega Catena Zapata, Familia Zuccardi- Fuzion, Finca Flinchman, Valle de la Puerta.
Another discovery was Masi!I've been known Masi as Italian wine.But I have news!Apparently not all Masi are Italian. Some of them are blend of Italian and Argentinian grapes.  Like this one
  http://www.masi.it/agricola/PASSODOBLE_PAGE.pag


And of course there was a tango! Beautiful!






 So iYellow! Thank you very much for the great event! Looking forward to another tastings!
And thank you Angela!

My summer wines

It is July in Toronto. It's very hot, sticky with heat waves. We're hiding from the scorching heat during the day, but when comes evening we want to enjoy summer on the patios, or backyards with friends.
We love to eat. But what to drink, when it's so hot outside?
First of all my wine should be low in alcohol. So that would be white wines.
Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer,  Riesling, to name a few. Something refreshing and crisp.
 My favorite is Rose. But not rose from California. I love it too, but it's almost too sweet for this weather.
 My preference is Rose from France. We have in LCBO couple of my favorits are http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=12641  and

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=739474

They are crisp,flavorful, have nice body. You can pair it with almost anything.
But if one loves red? Or having meat asking for read? I can suggest Beaujolais. Dry, light and fruity with soft tannins is perfect for meat. And this red served chilled, what can be better?
If you love Italian food as mush as I do, nothing is better than Italian wine with it. But again, considering the weather  something light. For example Sangiovese or Valpolicella. They are well bodied, balanced and fruty.
 They also can be chilled and enjoyed with pasta or pizza.
 And last but not least my latest discovery- Torrontes! Argentinian white. Off dry, aromatic, refreshing, crisp, all you  need for the nice hot summer day. I would pair it with something light like sushi, Thai food, seafood. Or you can try it with some smoked meat.
http://www.torrontes.com/

Cheers!

Wednesday 20 July 2011

Buying wine at the restaurant

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20110719/LIFESTYLE/110719460

Choosing wine

There was a time, when I knew nothing about wine.I new there were red and white!Reds are tannic and good with BBQ, whites are usually dry. Going to LCBO was not fun.My husband was choosing wine by the brand name, or just french from chateau.That's how much we new.I was looking for something sweet like Irish Cream or some martinis.
Now,I have more knowledge and I learn something new every day .Today I love coming into the wine store and look for something new, not necessary expensive.
And I see people coming in, like i did some time ago, just grabbing some wine.They don't want to show that they have no idea!They don't want to ask.
And I want to help!I want to say-please ask!
I want people go and explore wine world after my tastings.
Explore and enjoy!
Cheers!;)

Sunday 17 July 2011

Pinotage Fairview

Wine from South Africa.
Lovely,soft,good balance in tannins and acidity.

Notes from LCBO

FAIRVIEW PINOTAGE 2009
VINTAGES 205203 | 750 mL bottle

Price: $ 14.95
Wine, Red Wine
14.0% Alcohol/Vol.


Made in: South Africa
By: Fairview Trust

Release Date: Feb 5, 2011

Description
A cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault, Pinotage was created in the Welgevallen Experimental farm in Stellenbosch in 1925. This Fairview offering has rich notes of chocolate, blackberries and licorice on the nose. Dry with a beautifully balanced and complex palate featuring deliciously ripe fruit, this wine offers great versatility. Try with pan-fried fresh fish, or with grilled pork.