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| | | 2009 Anakena, Viognier ‘Single Vineyard’, Rapel Valley, Chile | | |
 It’s the last official week of the summer vacation and all we can think about is the next time we will be basking in the summer sun. Thank god for the Southern Hemisphere and our upcoming wine tours to South America! In anticipation, we thought it only appropriate to crack something from Chile. A long time favorite at house wine, Anakena makes extremely elegant and refreshing wines and their Viognier is a stand out. With lush aromas and flavors of peach and apricot, it is a fitting salute to summer. Vibrant notes of ginger and orange peel add intrigue and make it the perfect partner for seafood dishes with an Asian twist.
$15.96 (SKU: #329755) Available at BC Liquor Stores | | |
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| |  2009 Finca Los Primos, Syrah, San Rafael, Argentina
You’ve fallen in love with Argentina’s Malbecs, now it is time to flirt with her Syrahs. The Finca los Primos was a stand out for value during our trip to Argentina last fall and we were thrilled when it finally hit the shelves in BC. A friendly, crowd pleasing wine with black cherry, blackberry and a touch of spice. The freshness of fruit that makes it very chuggable and the price is even easier to swallow. Make it the ‘house wine’ at your next backyard barbeque bash. Ole Argentina!
$10.99 (SKU: #749051) Available at BC Liquor Stores
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| |  2009 Telmo Rodriguez ‘Basa’, Rueda DO, Spain
Besides drinking plenty of water to hydrate, we’ve been religious about having a tasty glass of wine by 5 o’clock. To beat the heat, this vibrant white from España is just thing. Refreshing flavours of lemon, gooseberry and hint of laurel will revitalize you in no time. Serve as an aperitif with canapés or tapas when you’re entertaining. Also a great match with salads of all kinds. Speaking of 5 o’clock, don’t miss our seminar ‘It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere’ at Cornucopia in November. We'll share many more great suggestions for the cocktail hour.
$18.99 (SKU: #586016) Available at BC Liquor Stores | | |
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| |  2009 Dominique Piron, Beaujolais Rosé, France
Being optimistic, we put our faith fully in the weather man. If he is accurate, the sun will be shining soon and a bottle of thirst quenching rosé will be calling us. Besides crafting bright light reds from the Gamay grape, the Beaujolais region also boasts delicious rosé. Made from 100% Gamay, Piron has mouth watering pink grapefruit and cranberry notes. The ideal wine to fortify you between shots at your pétanque tournament. French music is preferable for the maximum enjoyment.
*$19.00. Available at private wine stores including Dundarave and Kitsilano Wine Cellar | | |
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| |  2006 Badia a Coltibuono, Organic Chianti Classico DOCG, Italy
With all of the money we`ve saved shopping at the summer sales, we can justify splashing out on a bottle of wine, right? We`ve also been careful to choose only organic produce at the farmer`s market so our wine should be just as healthy. Really, any excuse to crack this elegant Chianti will do; like simply wanting to revel in its aromas and flavours of red cherry, violets and truffles. The best reason though is to wash down a bistecca fiorentina: grilled steak on a bed of arugula with shaved parmesan and a healthy drizzle of olive oil. The ultimate Italian summer meal and way less expensive than a trip to Tuscany.
$29.99 (SKU: #104075) Available at BC Liquor Stores | | |
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| |  Bodegas Olivares, Rosé, Jumilla DO
We are still toasting Spain’s spectacular fireworks performance last Saturday night. Or is this just a flimsy excuse to keep guzzling the Olivares rosé? A fantastic new find from Spain’s sizzling south, this juicy yet dry rosé is summertime in a glass. Explosive red berries with a hint of pink grapefruit zest will keep you cool on the patio or poolside. Bold enough to drink with grilled chicken or pork but friendly (and tempting) enough to enjoy on its own. Definitely heaven.
$13.99 (SKU: #803841) Available at BC Liquor Stores
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| |  2008 Domaine du Clos du Bourg, Chenin Blanc Demi-Sec, Touraine AOC
Our top priority during the summer is keeping our fridge well-stocked with good value whites. By 5pm, it’s aperitif time and we need something thirst quenching, affordable and within our reach. With its bright acidity and explosive flavours of lime and lemon, Clos du Bourg sure fits the bill. The hint of sweetness will help stimulate your appetite and provide an ideal partner for all sorts of salads and local seafood. A toast to summer!
$14.99 (SKU: #126508) Available at BC Liquor Stores | | |
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| |  2005 Truchard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carneros, California
The slightly cooler weather and strong winds have inspire us to reach for a big red while our steaks are grilling on the BBQ. It’s hard to find a really good Cab from California at a decent price so we were pleased to find Truchard’s. Full bodied with classic cassis and chocolate notes and high tannins. Bright raspberry flavours give the wine some lift; a tribute to Carneros' cooler climate. It is guaranteed to warm you up on breezy summer nights.
$27.99 (SKU: #749952) Available at BC Liquor Stores | | |
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| |  2009 La Vieille Ferme, Rosé, Côtes du Ventoux, France
The weather man has promised a warm and sunny week and we’re fully prepared to make the most of it with a delicious bottle of rosé. Invite your neighbours over and serve La Vieille Ferme as an aperitif. Its bright and refreshing dry flavours of orange peel and pink grapefruit will energize you. And, should you friends decide to stay for an impromptu dinner, this pretty pink works like charm with fish and salad of all kinds. Sunshine; we’re happy to finally see you!
$12.99 (SKU: #559393) Available at BC Liquor Stores
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| |  2008 Boutari, Santorini, Greece
Sunday’s Greek festival inspired us to grill calamari, prepare a Greek salad and revisit the wines of Greece. The characterful indigenous white grape Assyrtiko from Santorini worked like a charm with our feast. Delicate yet zippy flavours of pine nuts, orange blossom and honey will cheer you up while you’re waiting for the sunshine to show up again. Also a great aperitif and camping companion if you are planning to go away for the long weekend. Cheers!
$19.99 (SKU: #270017) Available at BC Liquor Stores | | |
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 Because sometimes you feel like splurging... And when you do, the wine better deliver for the money. A unanimous favourite at our ‘Cellaring on a Budget’ tasting, the Gros Noré hails from the tiny appellation of Bandol in the south of France. ‘Wild child’ grape Mourvèdre dominates the blend giving a robust and complex red. Gamey with black licorice, wild cherry, subtle spice notes and a firm tannic grip. Definitely age-worthy but hard to resist right now with some grilled game meat. Bison burger anyone?
$39.99 (SKU: #390427) Available at BC Liquor Stores | | |
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 If the erratic weather has you confused about what season it is, the Crios Torrontes will set you straight. Beautiful floral aromas and flavours smack of springtime. It simply bursts with vibrant lime zest, orange blossom and a dollop of peach. An equally intense Thai fish curry seasoned with plenty of fresh herbs and spices is an inspired pairing. Just one of our ‘under $20 recommendations’ that will appear in this weekend’s Vancouver Sun. Make sure you pick up a copy for the full list.
$17.99 (SKU #769125) Available at BC Liquor Stores | | |
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| |  2007 Concha y Toro, Marques de Casa Concha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile
The BBQ season may have already officially started but the cool weather calls for a full-bodied red to warm you up. Looking for a Cabernet Sauvignon that over delivers? Chile is always a good place to go. The long time favourite Marques de Casa Concha comforts with appealing lush and intense cassis and vanilla flavours. We recommend buying a few bottles. This way you can put a couple aside to age and drink the spare one with your grilled red meat.
$19.99 (SKU: #337238) Available at BC Liquor Stores | | |
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| |  2008 Schloss Reinhartshausen, Riesling Dry, Rheingau, Germany
Our ongoing crusade is dispelling the myth that all Riesling is sweet. There is nothing wrong with a bit of sugar but we understand that some people prefer their wines dry. With intense notes of green apple, lime, wet stone and its steely backbone, Schloss Reinhartshausen is just the Riesling to convince you. Try with our current food obsession: fresh local spot prawns seasoned with garlic, hot chilli and a generous squeeze of lemon.
$19.99 (SKU: #219147) Available at BC Liquor Stores | | |
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| |  2007 Quinta do Espírito Santo, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Some of the best discoveries happen off the beaten track. Portugal impresses with unique and characterful well-priced wines. From the little-known region of Estremadura, the Espírito Santo is a fine example and a delicious blend of two indigenous grape varieties: Castelão and Tinta Roriz (aka Tempranillo in Spain). Rich and full-bodied with aromas and flavours of dried fruit, chocolate and coffee, it will enhance the festivities of the upcoming long weekend especially if BBQ ribs are on the menu.
$21.*Available at private wine stores such as Kitsilano Wine Cellars. Price may vary. | | |
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 Mother’s Day was the ideal opportunity to raise a glass of something pink and bubbly but why not toast the matriarch of your family year round? At a very affordable price, the Segura Viudas’ Rosé Cava makes this financially possible as well as extremely tempting. Packed with fresh red berry flavours, it is a harbinger of the juicy spring/summer fruit to come. It is also just one of the fantastic sparkling wines that will featured at our fundraiser for Théâtre la Seizième.
$15.99 (SKU# 5835) Available at BC Liquor Stores | | |
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| |  2008 Gabbiano, Chianti DOCG, Italy
This week we toast the upcoming regional exploration of the wines of Italy at 39th and Cambie with a glass of Chianti. Bright cherry and red plum flavours dazzle your palate and bring you right back to the rolling Tuscan hills. Beware, Gabbiano’s refreshing acidity and pleasant bitterness make you hungry so make sure you have food nearby. A great match with tomato based pasta or birds of all kind. Viva Italia!
$14.99 (SKU# 25155) Available at BC Liquor Stores | | |
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| |  2007 Wynns, Shiraz, Coonawarra, Australia
The rainy weather and a glass of a full bodied Shiraz is the perfect combination to help us wind down after the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival. Made in the cooler wine region of Coonawarra, the Wynns has intense blackcurrant and pepper flavours which is balanced by firm tannins and refreshing acidity. Buy a bottle to drink now and a few more to put away. Enjoy!
$21.99 (SKU# 433060) Available at BC Liquor Stores | | |
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| |  2009 Mud House, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
What great memories this wine brings back. A fantastic discovery during our trip to New Zealand last fall, Mud House is a good example of how New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc has evolved. They’re no longer just about cat’s pee on a gooseberry bush. Here you find a more restrained version with depth and great minerality. The perfect wine to gear you up for the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival which starts today. We can’t wait to share the tales of our trip at our ‘Get the Dirt’ and ‘Tiki Tour’ seminars.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
$19.96 (SKU# 459636) Available at BC Liquor Stores | | |
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| |  Familia Schroeder, ‘Deseado’ sparkling, Patagonia, Argentina
Maybe it’s all the sabering we’ve been doing lately but we sure feel in the mood to celebrate. With the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival around the corner and Argentina being one of the theme countries, Schroeder’s sparkling wine from far-flung Patagonia is just what the doctor ordered. Made from Argentinean white varietal Torrontés, this quaffable sparkler is pleasantly sweet and frothy with vibrant orange blossom and white flower flavours. It’s Argentina’s answer to Moscato d’Asti. Remember, any moment is appropriate to open a bottle of bubbly.
$23.79 (SKU# 526517) Now SOLD OUT at BC Liquor Stores | | |
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| |  2007 Domaine Gobelsburg, Grüner-Veltliner, Austria
If you have yet to meet Grüner-Veltliner allow us to introduce you. Austria’s flagship grape is gaining presence on Liquor Store shelves and it’s time to take notice. An assertive medium-bodied white with peppery aromas, green herbs and a citrusy spine, Gobelsburg’s Grüner is the ideal partner for a springtime meal of fresh halibut with ginger and cilantro. Don’t let the Germanic sounding name trick you into thinking that it is sweet; this wine is bone dry.
$19.99 (SKU# 134783) Available at BC Liquor Stores | | |
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| |  2007 Château Saint Martin de la Garrigue,
Bronzinelle, Coteaux du Languedoc AOC, France
They say March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, which has us thinking about juicy little chops or a succulent roasted leg. It is a happy coincidence that Easter is just around the corner. Wine pairing options abound but the Bronzinelle tempts our weakness for Syrah. Rounded out with a touch of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan this hearty southern French red offers up meaty aromas with crushed lavender, dried herbs and dark black fruit on the palate. Santé!
$20.99 (SKU# 194654) Available at BC Liquor Stores | | |
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| |  Château Saint Cosme, ‘’Little James’’ Basket Press, Vin de Table, France
We welcome the spring with a fresh zippy white made by one of our favourite French producers. Pushing the envelope, Louis Barruol crafts a non-vintage wine blending Viognier (60%) and Sauvignon Blanc (40%) from the South of France. What a match! Viognier brings depth and exotic flavours and Sauvignon Blanc gives vibrant lime notes. The perfect aperitif to sip on before dinner or enjoy with your favourite springtime salad.
$23-$25. Price may vary. *Available at Kitsilano Wine Cellars and Everything Wine | | |
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| |  2006 Taurino, Salice Salentino Riserva DOC, Italy
If the unsettled weather has you diving under the covers, why not escape to Italy’s sunny south? Teeming with affordable full-bodied reds, the region of Apulia forms the heel of Italy’s boot and its name translates as ‘lack of rain’. Ah, if only... We have a particular weakness for Taurino’s Salice Salentino, a sub-region featuring the indigenous Negroamaro grape. Bold flavours of iron, red licorice, spiced plums and figs will instantly lift your spirits. Keep dinner simple but rib-sticking and meaty.
$19.99 (SKU# 253575) Available at BC Liquor Stores | | |
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| |  2009 Spier, Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosh, South Africa
Chenin Blanc, the most common white grape found in South Africa, is known for crafting wine with a steely backbone and bracing acidity. Spier adds intrigue with its exotic flavours of honey, pear and guava and a seductive voluptuousness. This friendly Chenin is delicious on its own after a long day at work or with plump local scallops. What better than a refreshing white wine to welcome the cherry blossoms in full bloom?
$13.95 (SKU# 659037) Available at BC Liquor Stores | | |
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| |  2006 Falesco 'Pesano' Merlot, IGT Umbria, Italy
Once upon time Merlot was the darling grape; now wine drinkers have decided it is not longer cool. But what if you are craving a little Merlot lovin’? There is absolutely no shame in succumbing to her soft, smooth curves. We fully admit to being entranced by this Italian rendition. With complex aromas of plum, cherry tomatoes and savoury herbs as well as generous fruit and a great structure on the palate, all the Falesco Merlot needs is a bowl of spaghetti Bolognese. Comfort heaven!
$25.99 (SKU# 494351) Available at BC Liquor Stores | | |
| If you are looking for an older review, please contact us directly at info@housewine.ca | | |
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