If you’re heading out to do some wine shopping, you might find these 3 quick tips helpful to spot the wines that taste twice as expensive as they cost: 1. Look for wines from warm regions, like Argentina and Chile. Often the cost of production is cheaper because winemakers aren’t battling disease, rot and weather as much as cool climate producers do. Therefore, there’s less crop loss and lower costs for production. 2. Seek labels that have illegible gothic script and impossibly long names that are difficult to pronounce in the liquor store (or anywhere else). Few people can read […]
Wine Picks
If You Have Champagne Tastes but a Boones Farm Budget? – Get Rich Slowly
More than one million wineries currently operate worldwide. Each produces at least three different wines, and plenty of them stomp out 20 or more. That’s a lot of potential hangovers. But if you sip responsibly you can enjoy the taste, the history, and the geography of the grape without any concurrent headaches. And if you have champagne tastes but a Boones Farm budget? Buy the fruit of the vine online. A discount comes in handy at this time of year, given the expenses associated with the holidays. In the next couple of weeks you might be: •Having people over for […]
Seasonal Cellar Wines – Best Picks from LCBO Vintages Release November 26
Yes, it’s this time of year in which all the good AND expensive stuff is offered at the LCBO – very seasonal. Here are a few exceptionally good “investments” to the cellar (in a decline price order) : 2009 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape – $89.95 If Chateauneuf-du-Pape had a similar classification as Bordeaux, no doubt that Beaucastel would be rewarded as “first growth”. However (and this is the good part), for this quality in Bordeaux, you would have paid 10-12 times more. Beaucastel has been consistently top quality wine with a “GPCi worthy” qualification. You can cellar these wines for 20-30 […]
Closson Chase Chardonnay, Trapiche Malbec, Mitola Cabernet among the best wines in the Vintages Release November 12
This week’s wine reviews and value picks cover all price points, styles and regions: I’ve recommended a total of 86 wines. You can add my Top Wine Picks to your custom shopping list by clicking on the little shopping cart icon. Natalie [table id=21 /] You get all of my wine tasting notes and scores when you subscribe to my wine reviews for $2.10 a month, the cost of less than two litres of gas in return for memorable wine paired meals.
Cellars Wines from France, Spain, Italy and Argentina from the November 12 Vintages Release
TRAPICHE FAUSTO ORELLANA DE ESCOBAR SINGLE VINEYARD MALBEC 2007 – $39.95 On the edge of being GPCi worthy (a bit too expensive for the years it can be cellared). Trapiche is an outstanding and a consistent producer. Their single vineyard is especially good. If you want to treat yourself and see the difference between a $15 and a $40 Malbec, this is a good opportunity. You don’t need to be an expert to taste the difference. D’ARENBERG THE DEAD ARM SHIRAZ 2007 – $54.95 I really like D’Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz, but the reviews were not as […]
Zesty Rieslings, Big Red Wines (Malbec, Syrah) and Silky Pinot Noir Among Best Wines in the Vintages Release October 29
This week’s wine reviews and value picks cover all price points, styles and regions: I’ve recommended a total of 46 wines. You can add my Top Wine Picks to your custom shopping list by clicking on the little shopping cart icon. Here’s to the haunting memories these wines will bring you on October 31! Natalie [table id=20 /] You get all of my wine tasting notes and scores when you subscribe to my wine reviews for $2.10 a month, the cost of a couple of apples a month in return for memorable wine paired meals.
Terrific Cellar Wines from Spain, Italy and France in the LCBO Vintages Release October 29
Spain – 2009 Bodegas J.C. Conde el Arte de Vivir – $15.95 I had this wine last year (it cost $2 less last Oct). A good wine, still a good price. Look for a modern style Spanish wine. Black fruit flavors. Juicy. Excellent for BBQ. Try one, see if you like the style, and if so, stock ’em up for day to day. Spain – 2001 Rioja Bordón ‘Gran Reserva‘ – $23.95 Don’t even think twice here. 2001 was a great vintage in Rioja. Gran Reserva is an indication for the quality (as well as the aging process). 10 years […]
Spectacular Red Wines from Tuscany and Piedmont plus Premium wines from Argentina lead the Vintages Release October 15
The highlights of the October 15 Vintages Release of wines include some specactular red wines from Tuscany and Piedmont as well as premium red and white wines from Argentina. You can get all 62 of the best wines and bargain wines that I’ve recommended that include a wide range of prices, styles and regions by subscribing to my wine reviews. You can also add my Top Wine Picks to your custom shopping list by clicking on the little shopping cart icon. The weather may be getting cooler, but you can warm up and stock up with these terrific wines. Natalie [table […]
Terrific Thanksgiving wines: Niagara Riesling, Australia Chardonnay, Argentina Malbec in the Vintages Release October 1
You can browse all 60 of the best wines and bargain wines that I’ve selected for October 1 that include most price points, styles and regions. There are plenty of picks here for Thanksgiving wines, including some terrific pinot noir and riesling wines from several regions. You can also add my Top Wine Picks to your custom shopping list by clicking on the little shopping cart icon. Get ready for the festive season ahead of us! Natalie [table id=2 /] You get all of my wine tasting notes and scores when you subscribe to my wine reviews for $2.10 a […]
Cellar Wine Treasures from Rioja, Rhone Valley, MacLaren Vale, Bordeaux and Barossa Valley
By Gaby Israel 2005 Baron de Ley Reserva – $19.95 I had this wine from its 1998 vintage. Never failed. Very consistent. Typical Rioja Reserva. From the successful 2005 vintage expect one of the best $20 you’ll spend this release. Goes very well with lamb. 2008 D’arenberg Grenache The Custodian, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia – $19.95 Yet another consistent producer, this time from Australia. I find D’Arenberg “The Custodian” always rewarding. It’s the kind of wine that you take a big sip, sit back, relax and feel at home. This wine is the “2005 Baron de Ley Reserva” competition […]
