Recent Articles Archive of National Post Articles
|
![]() |
|
Weekly Wine & Spirits Columnist - Michael Vaughan A
Knockout cider, and some summery whites
All of these
memories came flooding back while tasting a surprisingly delicious genuine
cider being released next Saturday from Brittany’s house of Guillet Frères
called Kerisac. I gazed
cautiously at the hazy light gold coloured liquid that filled my glass.
The fresh, spicy, slightly sweet smell of fermented apples hit my
nostrils. The zesty, dry, lemon peel and effervescent applesauce flavours
caressed my palate. Yikes, this is great I thought! Fortunately,
this French cider with 6% alcohol comes
in a 750 ml bottle and costs $6.80. Now that’s at least twice as
expensive than most domestic ciders but as they say vive
la difference! It’s the real thing, with oodles of flavour (even if
it doesn’t come from Normandy the traditional home of French cider).
Nothing at the LCBO comes close to it.
Good white
Bordeaux is hard to find, especially so when its inexpensive. And so it
warms my heart to report that the LCBO has picked up 150 cases of the
attractively zesty 1998 Chateau La
Rose Du Pin a crisp, light bodied, grapefruit flavoured
Entre-Deux-Mers which goes for a modest $11.85 a bottle. Don’t miss
trying this unoaked blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Slightly tarter
and even less expensive is the 1999
‘Le Tuquet’ from the Montravel region of Southwestern France which
isn’t all that far from Bordeaux. At only $8.95, it represents great
quaffing value, especially if oysters are your prime target. The slightly
tart, unoaked, hard green pear flavours cry out for a creamy bivalve. Perhaps an even
better crustacean companion would be the somewhat more restrained
Eyrie 1998 Pinot Gris from Oregon’s Willamette Valley at $22.95.
Surprisingly deep yellow in colour, it’s gently spicy, mineral-directed,
somewhat peppery, baked lemon flavours may not excite every palate for the
money. It is, however, a fine example of what can be done with this
variety in the Pacific Northwest and would make a great companion for a
multitude of dishes from seafood to poultry.
Last but not
least is the opulent lychee flavoured Ca’
Del Solo 1998 Malvasia Blanca made by Boony Doon’s illustrious
Randall Grahm. Only 168 cases of this very flavourful, dry,
muscaty-pear-lychee-flavoured white are available.
Well structured and versatile – it will go with almost anything
from poultry to shellfish even Thai cuisine.
Coming up on Suday, June 11 is Toronto Taste 2000. This 10th annual gourmet extravaganza featuring 70 chefs, more dishes than anyone could ever possibly taste, and a wide variety of fine wines and spirits. It is dedicated to raising funds for Second Harvest and begins at 6 p.m. at the Canadian Film Centre. Tickets are $175, call (416) 408-2594 to reserve. |
|
|
Copyright Gargoyles Limited 2000 Toronto, Ontario mbv@total.net |