Michael Vaughan's Weekly National Post Feature

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www.winefind.ca
(CLICK ON THE NAME - All listings are automatically linked to the LCBO database)
If there is a product that interests you, just click on the name below and you will instantaneously connected with the LCBO database. The product will appear in blue and all you have to do is click on the name again and then the next screen will provide details along with the store search. Just click on store search. The number of bottles in each store is updated nightly. Call the store first to see if stock still remains (each store phone number is listed).

With Easter just a week away, I always buy at least one Spring-pick-me-up white from Germany. There is something about the honeyed, floral flavours that simply hits the spot. From today’s Vintages release of 96 items, that best buy white would have to be Balbach 2003 Riesling Kabinett Nierstein Pettenthal (499822) at $14.95. The three-word descriptor would be: zesty, honeyed, melons. Light straw in colour and very slightly sweet, this lively Rheinhessen Riesling is perfect for that Easter brunch, especially as it has 9.5% alcohol.

While excellent 2003s are being scooped up by fans, don’t forget that some great 2002s are still available. Just released is the surprisingly well-structured Studert-Prüm 2002 Riesling Kabinett Wehlener Sonnenuhr (970129) at $19.95. It has a sweet, hazelnut and lemon meringue nose with fairly sweet, bright, ripe lemon-lime flavours. Despite the low alcohol (8%), the wines from this classic Mittel Mosel vineyard will age for a surprisingly long time due to high acidity and some sweetness. It is amazing to think that twelve Prüm generations have been growing Riesling here since 1581.

While hard-to-pronounce German wine names intimidate some buyers, the plethora of tiny vineyards, classified styles and numerous regions doesn’t make it easy for neophytes. While one can always reach for the Mitchell Beazley classic The Wines of Germany by Stephen Brook, there is nothing like a first-hand exploration of the wines themselves. The next best thing to actually going to Germany is to attend the annual German Wine & Fashion Show (Tuesday, March 22nd) where over 125 wines, including some newly released German reds, will be tasted at Roy Thompson Hall from 6:30 pm for $45. For info call 905-815-1581.

Those wanting to ham it up at Easter, should look for reds with some fruitiness or perhaps a spicy white. A good example of the latter would be a new Italian entry from the Alto Adige St. Michael-Eppan 2003 Gewürztraminer (746446) at $23.95. The honeyed, stylish, spicy lychee, melon-lemon aromas carry over perfectly on the palate.

My top two Vintages red buys will likely be a trifle too flavourful for most Easter noshing. From Italy’s Tuscany region, you can’t beat the absolutely delicious Poliziano 2000 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (988055) at $28.95. This slightly ambering purple red coloured elixir has a wonderful, gently cedary, smoky, lime purée nose. It is intense and woodsy on the palate with lingering, juicy, ripe black cherry flavours. May I suggest that you schedule this one for after the holidays, as it would be divine with a tender, slow roasted rabbit?

For rib roast fans, classic Bordeaux always seems to work. My release pick comes from the Medoc region is the earthy Château La Cardonne 2000 (980417) at $28.95. This blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc has a cedary, stewed lime and baked plum nose. It is solid, very dry, medium-full bodied and extracty with earthy cassis and black cherry flavours.

Looking for something that’s inexpensive with wide appeal and versatility? From South Africa’s Western Cape, there is still plenty of the Rhone-inspired 2003 Goats Do Roam (718940) at $11.95 on the Vintages shelves. Deep intense purple in colour, the nose shows good complexity with spicy, gently smoky, strawberry-plum fruit followed up by lingering, juicy, strawberry-cherry flavours.

For sparkling wine fans, Graham Beck Brut (593483) at $17.95 (also in half bottles at $9.95) should hit the spot. This blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay has dry, gently honeyed, apricot, ripe lemon, red apple flavours with a hint of spicy, smoke. You can taste it and many others next Wednesday evening at the South Africa Wine Tasting at St Lawrence Hall. Tickets are $35 - call 416-698-8112.

Finally for dessert, don’t miss decadently sweet Carlo Pellegrino 2002 Moscato Passito di Pantelleria (585703) $18.95 for 500 mL. With 15% alcohol, it has a honeyed, orange marmalade nose and rich, sweet, honeyed, tangerine marmalade flavours. Made from a Muscat grape called Zibibbo, it is grown on the small, volcanic island of Pantelleria south of Sicily.

2001-2002-2003-2004-2005 Tasting Note Database
Our tasting note database from December 31, 2000 to January 2005, covers every Vintages release product for the past 48 months. There are more than 8,000 notes in the database data. Just enter the name of the product, supplier name or CSPC number. Or you can search by type of wine, country of origin, even wine agent! Nothing could be easier. Also you can get information on the agent by clicking on the agent’s name, as well as current LCBO store inventory by clicking on "Check LCBO Availability", which will automatically tell you the number of bottles at LCBO as of last night.

To use our winefind.ca Tasting Notes Database: click here

** For All Visitors **
Vintages April 2005 Release
To see the complete list of upcoming 186 products click here (sorted by date of release). It includes the number of cases, which wines were presented by the LCBO, our agent ID for every product,
as well as, the 15 “In Store Discoveries” for April.
You can also see it sorted by agent click here

Copyright Food & Beverage Testing Institute of Canada 2005
Prior written permission is required for any form of reproduction
(electronic or other wise) and or quotation.
Contact Michael Vaughan at
mbv@total.net