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WORKING THE HARVEST IN
ITALY
Read Debbie's article
about her experience working at a winery in Tuscany
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So many wines, so little time!
When
it comes to buying a bottle of wine, people tend to be creatures of habit.
It is too easy to select a wine label or grape variety that one knows and
has enjoyed. With wine stores
full of rows upon rows of wines waiting to be enjoyed, why not be
adventurous and discover some hidden gems?
To minimize the risk of
purchasing an unknown wine, here are some suggested ‘Hidden Gems’ to
try:
White
Wines
Viognier
(pronounced Vee-on-NYAY)
This white wine grape grown in the northern Rhone region of France, was
once considered “rare” as the French would keep this wine for
themselves. But the secret is out about this delicious wine and Australia,
Spain, Italy, South Africa, California and Canada are growing this grape
variety and creating outstanding dry medium bodied wines. Australia is
also blending Viognier with Shiraz to give the red wine more intense
aromas and a touch of sweetness.
What to expect of this white wine? Light gold in colour, this
medium bodied wine has intense aromas of floral, peach, pear and mango
that continue into the taste with a light acidity that makes this wine
refreshing and notably different. Perfect to enjoy on its own, or with roasted pork, chicken,
ham, and shellfish.
Suggested Viogniers to
try:
- Domaine
des Aspes, France, LCBO Vintages $15
- Graham
Beck Viognier, South Africa, LCBO Vintages $18
- Renwood
Select Series Viognier, California, LCBO Vintages $20
Albariño
(pronounced al-bah-REE-nyoh)
Until I attended a wine industry conference last summer, I knew nothing of
this rare white grape variety grown in the Galicia region of southern
Spain. Since my introduction to this hidden gem, I have noticed more wines
of this grape variety on the store shelves…and good thing as the wines
are refreshing!
What to expect of this white wine? Albariño grapes are
considered high premium quality grapes. They are thick skinned, so only a small amount of juice is
extracted creating an intensely flavoured, medium to full bodied white
wine. The colour ranges from pale yellow to golden, rich with complex
aromas of peach, pear and apricots with a zing of citrus.
Suggested Albariños to
try:
- Adegas
d’Al Tamira Seleccion Albariño, Spain, LCBO Vintages $18
- Laxas
Albariño, Spain, LCBO Vintages $20
Red
Wines
Aglianico (pronounced ah-LYAH-nee-koh)
This grape red variety is primarily grown in the Campania and Basilicata
regions of southern Italy. The
grapes are grown to be blended, however, recently more single varietal
wines (winespeak: wines made with one grape variety) of Aglianico are
making their way to the store shelves.
Aglicanico wine is intended to be aged as it starts out with
concentrated aromas and flavours with light acidity and tannins. Over
time, this wine evolves into a nicely balanced wine with earthy and chocolate
flavours.
When to enjoy with this red wine?
With younger Aglianicos, pasta with meat sauce complements the
acidity in the tomatoes as well the wine. As the wine ages, serve with
heartier dishes of stuffed beef tenderloin, veal marsala, lamb chops and
grilled mushrooms.
An Aglianico that is
currently available at the LCBO:
- Tenuta
del Portale Aglianico del Vulture, Italy, LCBO Vintages $17
…be
on the look out for more!
Carmenère
(pronounced car-men-EHR)
Truly
a hidden gem….Until recently, Chilean winemakers thought this grape was
Merlot. After clinical
testing it was found to be slightly different from Merlot and determined
that it was a long lost grape variety originally from Bordeaux that was
phased out and never replanted in France. When the immigrants left France
to settle in South America, they took rootstock (thinking it was Merlot)
with them and planted the vines in their new ‘home’.
Today, Carmenère grapes are only grown
in Chile and the Chileans are proud of showcasing this grape as Chile’s
signature wine.
What
to expect from this red wine? Typically
medium bodied, the wine
has a deep red colour with
intense aromas
and flavours of spice, smoke and plum. A great wine to sip on its
own, or with lamb,
spareribs, BBQed beef or vegetables.
The
Chileans don’t often export
Carmenère wine
as they like to keep it for themselves, so be on the look out!
Some currently available at the LCBO:
- Casillero
del Diablo Carmenère – LCBO $13
- Errazuriz
Estate Carmenère – LCBO $14
- Concha
Y Toro Terrunyo Carmenère – LCBO
Vintages $30
There are many more
hidden gem wines waiting to be sampled.
Wine and food events
are great ways to sample a variety of wines…and find some of your own
Hidden Gems. These Ottawa
events sell out quickly. Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance.
- California
Wine Fair -
Friday April 13th
7:30-9:30pm at the Westin Hotel.
- Hidden
Gems wine tasting hosted by The Savvy Grapes - Thursday April 19th
7pm at Nicholas Hoare Bookstore.
- LCBO
Vintages Taste Our Latest: Premium Taste and Buy Event - Monday
April 30th 6:30-9:00pm at the Chateau Laurier.
1-800-266-4764
Be adventuresome and
you may be pleasantly surprised with your new discoveries.
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