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Michael Vaughan
Friday, June 6, 2008

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(May 2008 issue of City Bites)

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June 6, 2008 - Recommended Sparklers
A great sparkler doesn’t have to set you back $40. Try Graham Beck 2005 Brut Rosé Méthode Cap Classique (V4085) at $21.95 from South Africa’s Western Cape is a **/**+ winner. This blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay has a very light pink colour and a spicy, bright, ripe, plummy, red cherry nose. It’s dry and very well balanced with medium bodied, gently juicy, subtle, ripe plum and cherry flavours with a rounded, lingering finish. Very easy to drink - perfect for discerning dads.

Closer to home there is the reliable Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Brut at $29.95 (V616441). It is very dry, bright and nicely balanced with zesty, ripe lemon-melon flavours and good effervescence. I rate it **+/***.

Also worth considering is the well-made Chateau des Charmes Méthode Traditionelle Brut (207944) at $22.95. Released earlier this year in Vintages, it is still available in some 50 stores. Rated **/**+, this blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay has a very light straw colour and an attractive, gently honeyed, slightly spicy, ripe lemon-apricot nose. Well balanced, medium bodied, nicely structured and dry with slightly honeyed, ripe apricot-citrus flavours and a harmonious, effervescent finish.

Finally, a terrific *** value still at the LCBO is Peller Estates Ice Cuvée (V53199), which was released in Vintages as a special Christmas item. Due to existing LCBO policies that refuse to allocate space to items that deserve to remain on the shelves, this excellent product has been reduced in price from the regular $30.15 to only $19.95. I should point out that it still remains available at the winery at the full retail price. Only the few remaining bottles at LCBO stores are actually on sale. This delicious méthode classique sparkler has a small dosage of icewine. This effervescent, very gently sweet, ripe melon flavours make it a perfect aperitif and delightful as a hot afternoon sipper. It was one of only three wines to wine award in three major Canadian wine judgings in 2007. Move quickly, only 41 stores have two or more bottles remaining.

Something Sweet for Dad?

The large format (1140 ml) of the after-dinner sipper Luxardo Sambuca dei Cesari (510008) currently has a $2 LTO dropping the price to $24.55. This clear coloured elixir is sweet, viscous and loaded with black licorice flavours. It has 38% alcohol so a little goes a long way. It's guaranteed to make your breath kissing sweet. The 750 ml size (40196 - $18.95) has 5 bonus AirMiles reward until June 22nd.

This Sunday, June 8th is the Chateau des Charmes' Niagara Farm to Table Experience. The Bosc family invites you to come and celebrate Niagara’s bounty, produced locally and brought directly from the farm to your table by chefs of the Niagara Farm to Table movement. Featuring Chef Stephen Treadwell, held at Chateau des Charmes winery, starting at 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Tickets are $50 per person. Contact Michèle Bosc at 905-262-4219 ext. 26 or click here for more information.

Also on this Sunday, June 8th, Second Harvest will present the Toronto Taste, which will feature 50 of the top chefs in Toronto showcasing their culinary creations in tandem with wine, beer and spirits. Tickets are $225 per person, all proceed will go to support Second Harvest. Call 416-408-2594 for information and reservations or visit www.torontotaste.ca
Note that all ticket orders will be available for pick up at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre on June 8th at 6:00p.m.