LE SAVOIR-BOIRE is delighted to introduce Astronaut Wines to the Ontario market…
Aníbal Coutinho, founder and owner, is an internationally recognized Portuguese oenologist and wine critic and now virtual winemaker, collaborating with top wineries around the world to produce his own line of wines: Astronaut Wines. He also organizes highly respected wine competitions in Portugal. Already widely available in Quebec, we are now fortunate to have a fine selection of his wines at the LCBO at the Portugal Destination Store. Shares Aníbal:
“This project is conceivable in the twenty-first century, transportation and communication facilities enable us to be in different places in a short period of time. The voyage is the motto and the wine the reason, whence the appellation Astronaut.”
The design of each wine label reflects the concept of Astronaut: beautiful, colourful 5-pointed stars for celestial wines that transport to pleasurable states.
Without further ado, here are the inaugural 3 wines, in Ontario for very first time, available at the Portugal Destination Store at Stockyards (Keele & St. Clair)
Astronaut Baga Bruto DOC Bairrada 2016 (LCBO# 134097 | $21.30)
This fun sparkling is technically a Blanc de Noir as Baga is a red grape native to the Bairrada and Dão regions in central Portugal. The wine is bottle fermented and aged 36 months in the same bottle before disgorgement and release. A very affordable and elegant sparkling with a very snazzy and colourful label, sure to impress.
Tasting Note: White peach colour. Fine fizzy mousse. On the palate: light red fruit, lemon, brioche flavours. Long, fresh, salivating. Creamy. All-purpose festive sparkling. Ideal pairing from starters to dessert. Serve at 6-8ºC. 12% alc./vol.
CLICK HERE TO FIND THIS WINE AT THE LCBO.
Astronaut Touriga Nacional IG Lisboa 2017 (LCBO# 134105 | $21.30)
The finest, classic Portuguese red grape, hailing from the Dão region, producing full-bodied yet elegant wines. This award-winning wine (Gold – Sélections Mondiales des Vins 2017) was fermented in stainless steel tanks with delicate exposure to American oak prior to bottling.
Tasting Note: Dark purple, intense red berries, chocolate and spice on the nose. Varietal characters of bergamot and violet. Juicy, fleshy mouthfeel with a long-lasting, lively and medium tannic finish. Pairs superbly with feijoada, tripe, red meats, roast goat and lamb, cheeses. Very good company for steaks with flavourful, spiced sauces. Serve at 18 ºC. 13.5% alc./vol.
CLICK HERE TO FIND THIS WINE AT THE LCBO.
Astronaut Moscatel do Douro DOC Douro (LCBO# 134113 | $
Who doesn’t love a fine Portuguese Moscatel? A widely appreciated fortified wine enjoyed both as a refreshing apéritif or as a fine dessert wine. This is a Moscatel Galego Branco (aka Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains), mostly found in the Douro, and recognized worldwide as the most elegantly scented in the family of Moscatels. The whole bunch grapes were subjected to treading in a traditional ‘lagar’, blended with previous vintages and aged in wooden vats to result in this delicious, easy sipping fortified wine.
Tasting Note: Orange marmalade, lychees, passion fruit, rose, dry hay. Caramelized and spicy. Exuberant. Dense and creamy, sweetness in agreement with the final freshness. Match with pastéis de nata, butter tarts made with maple syrup, festive desserts. Also flattering with an ice cube and lemon zest. Serve at 11ºC. 17% alc./vol.
CLICK HERE TO FIND THIS WINE AT THE LCBO.
AND BONUS: COMING TO VINTAGES THIS SUMMER!
Astronaut Vinho de Talha Tinto DOC Alentejo 2016: 95 – Robert Parker Wine Advocate (Mark Squires)
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