Oscar Libations

Michael Vaughan
Friday, February 22, 2008

Welcome to Friday First, here’s an update for libations to accompany Sunday’s Oscars. I had planned to post some of my winners from the upcoming Cuvée 2008 event taking place next weekend but simply ran out of time. Two days in the LCBO tasting room (Tuesday and today – Friday) assessing over 220 wines simply did me in. My Cuvée notes/commentary will be up and running by next Tuesday, February 26.

If you feel really like celebrating, there’s nothing like Champagne.  My best buy is still Lanson 1997 Gold Label Vintage Brut Champagne (Vintages #722520), a steal at the discounted $52.40 price. It has lovely, gently toasty, ripe lemon-lime flavours with a long finish. The only problem is that there’s nary a bottle in Toronto. You will have to hit one of the few store still carrying it – perhaps in Maple (905) 832-1367, Bramalea (905) 793-8027 or Brampton.

Although not vintage-dated, another reliable choice would be Taittinger Champagne Brut Reserve at $59.45 (Vintages #814723). It is very dry, nicely structured and gently toasty with ripe lemon flavours and a lovely, lingering finish and excellent effervescence.

I like hot Thai dishes, and nothing hits the spot like a spicy. Check out Angels Gate 2006 VQA Gewurztraminer (58594) at $1595. It is honeyed and quite well structured with ripe lychee-melon flavours and a lingering finish.

A more subdued choice from the general list is the tasty, easy-going, crowd-pleasing white Terrazze della Luna 2006 Trentino Pinot Grigio (65417) at $15.70. Look for very pleasant, honeyed, bright ripe lemon-melon flavours.

Another winner from Italy, this time a red, is the newly released 2006 edition of Marchesi de Frescobaldi Castiglioni Chianti (545319) at $14.85. It’s dry, well balanced and fairly juicy with plummy, dried ripe red cherries and sandalwood notes on the lingering finish.