by Zoltan Szabo

Look for the wines in selected LCBO Vintages stores on Saturday, November 27. Click on the inventory numbers to check which stores will carry these selections.

2007 Cava Brut Reserva, Langa Hermanos Reyes de Aragon, Calatayud, Spain Nov. 27 Vintages # 0194803 $13.95
Light straw. Tropical, floral and mineral aromas. It has a great complexity, fresh and with a long, persistent, lime – almond finish. A stunning Cava. Stops traffic with its price.

2008 Vermentino di Sardegna ‘Albithia’, Feudi della Medusa, Sardinia, Italy Vintages Nov. 27 # 0199224 $17.95

Light golden, bright. Peach, pear, seaweed and smoke. Medium to full bodied with a wonderful density and flavour intensity, great freshness and a long, complex, wax – smoke – mineral finish. I could not believe when learned that there’s no oak here. A must – try white for sure. Great with succulent pork chops with caramelized shallot – pear and garlic – herb mash potato.

2007 Old Vines Carignan, Domaine La Bouscade, Midi, France Nov. 27 Vintages # 0078758 $16.95

Deep ruby – blood – like in colour. Savoury blueberries, pepper spice and sweet oak toast. Full bodied with an extraordinary texture, integrated tannins and a super – long finish. Lot of satisfaction in this wine. A terrific value. Enjoy with a holiday beef or lamb roast au jus.

JUST RELEASED: Cattail Creek ‘Collaboration’ series 2009 vintage Rieslings, Fume Blanc, Wild Ferment Gewurztraminer and White Blend. These are the top tear, small batch wines of this winery. Four different clone Rieslings, ‘Clone 21’, ‘Clone 21 Old Vines’, ‘Clone 239’ and ‘Clone 49’ from different vineyard lots from across the Four Mile Creek sub – appellation of the Niagara Peninsula. The 2009 ‘Clonal Blend’ Riesling is a blend of all four. What stood out for me is their mouthfil and textural aspect, favourite being the ‘Clone 49’ Riesling (Alsatian clone) with its tropical fruits, lemon drop and mineral aroma – flavor composition, mouth – salivating acidity and its long, clean and dry finish. I also much enjoyed the 2009 ‘Collaboration’ Fume Blanc and the 2009 ‘Collaboration’ White Blend, which is Sauvignon Blanc + Riesling + Gewurztraminer. Just slightly over $20 for licensees and I bet that Sommeliers could have fun by pouring the different clone Rieslings side – by – side. Seriously interesting things are happening at this winery, the ‘Collaboration’ series reds, Pinot and Merlot, and a barrel fermented Chardonnay, to be released in February of next year. Colin Ferguson is the winemaker: wwwcattailcreek.ca

LCBO GENERAL LIST DISCOVERY: 2009 White and 2007 Red by Union, a new venture of Andrew von Teichman and Allan Jackson. The majority of the grapes are sourced from across the Niagara Peninsula, some from Lake Erie North Shore. The wine is made at 20 Bees winery. The white is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Chardonnay, when as the red is Pinot, Cabernets, Merlot and Gamay. Winemaker is Jackson himself. These are light, bright and fresh, honestly made, clean wines, highly food – versatile for $13.95. Worth to try them, and keepin’ your eyes on this project: www.vonterra.com.

Read more of sommelier Zoltan Szabo at zoltanszabo.org and follow him at twitter.com/zoltanszabo.