Canada, Encore!

Canada, Encore!

With Canada Day fast upon us, it would be wrong of me not to point out a number of good Canadian options in our stores for this weekend.

So I will.

That said, with good weather likely for the next week and more, and for the potential of lots of time spent grilling,

I am also drawn to ponder some of the wines that go well with barbeque, and others that just speak plainly of summer.

But first, some patriotic choices.

From Pelee Island, there’s the Vinedressers Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, $19.95.

2010 gave us some big red wines, especially from the Lake Erie North Shore. Coming from a stellar vintage, this wine will show amazing fruit in a style that may be more akin to California than France.

Ripe dark fruit with a great berry nose, this wine will shine with grilled meat dishes.

Good stuff for July 1.

G. Marquis is Magnotta’s premium label, and the Silver Line Pinot Noir 2011, $17.95 currently represents a $2 saving as a limited time offer.

It is obviously going to be lighter in body as a Pinot Noir, but it has some earthiness and smokiness that I could see marrying well with cedar-planked salmon.

I am a fan of the Baco Noir hybrid, a red wine that can be ripe and juicy, and still have a pleasing leather note to it.

No one does it better than Henry of Pelham, which offers both the regular list version at $14.95 and the Reserve at $24.95.

You rarely see a hybrid grape – one that crosses noble vinifera grapes from Europe with native North American strains – priced at $25, but this is big and balanced and can even age – but treat yourself to this and a T-bone on Monday.

In whites, I would recommend, again, Henry of Pelham’s Family Tree White 2010, $17.95. if you’re grilling Halibut or even herbed chicken, this is a good choice – just off –dry, it is flavourful and enjoyable.

You can’t ask for more, though it isn’t scheduled for release until the following weekend.

From the regular list, Angels Gate Pinot Gris, $14.95, captures the style we associate with Alsace – expect some ginger and richness, and enjoy it as a sipper or with stir-fry.

In last week’s column, I referred to a number of wines from the wineries represented at Saultlicious. Just check back for a reminder.

Just after Canada Day we have July 4, so it’s a good time to try Revolution Red, $10.95.

This is made to order for those who like a tinge of sweetness to their red wine – think Cupcake, Dreaming Tree,

Bodacious, etc. It has 15 grams of sugar per litre; however, this American blend of Syrah, Grenache and Barbera is all rich red berry and smooth texture. Quaff and enjoy.

If the weather’s good, you might want to break out the Barefoot bubbly, be it the aromatic Moscato, $13.25 or the drier Pinot Grigio, $12.95.

The former is like an Asti Spumante, with significant sweetness, while the latter is drier and has some crispness.

Try the Moscato with dessert, the PG with appetizers.

If we discard patriotism and concentrate on flavour and value, turn to Cathedral Cellar in Vintages for its 2009 Shiraz, $15.95.

This cries out for steak or ribs, with spicy dark fruit and a hint of chocolate – from one of the most reliable producers in South Africa.

For a slightly unusual blend from Australia of all places, De Bortoli Bella Riva combines Sangiovese and Merlot.

At $16, it is currently $3 off its regular price.

Generous and rustic, it would play well with something slathered with sauce, happily.

On the July 6 release there are a number of attractive options.

Though I don’t usually focus on wines in the $30 range, there are two exceptional California reds.

Seghesio Sonoma County Zinfandel, $29.95 has terrific reviews, and is marketed from the winery itself at $24.

It will be better in a couple of years, or you could decant now and let it breathe.

It will offer great dark berry flavours, and some herb and spice in a balanced and impressive fashion.

I have often read about Cameron Hughes and its small lot wines, but have never encountered one before. Lot 285 Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, $30.95 is pricey. It would probably be about $10 less in the States –if you could find it.

It is from Rutherford in the heart of the Napa Valley. It is a “negociant” approach, sourcing wine from various areas, with very positive results.

This one is described as “dry, complex and delicious” by the Wine Enthusiast and was given a “91” rating.

From Spain, there’s the Pinyolet Garnacha 2011, $17.95 with a stellar review from Robert Parker Jr. Aged in stainless steel,

it will emphasize berry fruit, but reveal ”notes of licorice, crushed rock and earth.. in a medium to full-bodied, heady style” according to Parker.

Ontario’s Tawse Sketches of Niagara Riesling 2012, $17.95 is said to be in the Mosel style, so off-dry but with decent minerality. Tawse was Winery of the Year three years running at the Canadian Wine Awards.

If you like to try rarer examples, then look to Domaine Jean-Charles Girard-Madoux Chignin 2011, $14.95 from Savoie in the sub-alpine Jura region of France .

The grape is Jaquère, and the Winespectator writes of crunchy apple, chalk, smoke and spice. It suggests the wine would hold its own through to 2017.

The release has many more enticing offerings, so we can launch our summer in style.

Saultlicious

Last column, with respect to Saultlicious, I praised the baby but neglected the mother.

The evening, I think, was a terrific success, with a stellar effort expended by everyone involved; however, none of it would have happened if it weren’t for Mary Ledlow.

Saultlicious was her brainchild, and she was the principal coordinator of the evening.

Mary, whose company, Vinaissance, represents a number of Ontario wineries here in our city, marshalled the event, getting the winemakers and owners to participate in person, and basically making sure all the pieces fit together.

From what I could see, the celebration was seamless, thanks to terrific planning and great dedication on the part of all the partners.

It is a great concept resulting in a great party, ultimately to the benefit of the Art Gallery of Algoma and the Algoma Conservatory of Music.

Congratulations to Mary and to all who worked together.

You pulled off something special.