Steve's Wine Pick of the Month
Steve is often asked for his recommendation on a wine that exceeds expectations. The wine pick of the month suggests a red wine and a white wine which you can confidently buy at your local wine store, perfect for yourself or as a gift.
You can look up any wines at www.vintages.com which will tell you the stores at which they are available.
We'd love to hear what you think about our wine picks of the month.
Email Steven@stevencohenins.ca or phone Steve at 416-259-1166
July 2010
Red Wine
Quail's Gate Merlot 2006, Okanagan Valley, B.C.The nose on this wine is a combination of spice and cherries. Its flavours carry through with cherries and plums on the palate and a spice box finish. It is well structured and highly recommended as an excellent sample of what is available from B.C. at most Canadian wine outlets. Great value at $24.95
Heartland Shiraz 2007, Langhorne Creek, Limestone Coast, South AustraliaThis wine comes from Ben Glaetzer who is one the best Australian wine makers. This is an entry level wine in his range, and it has a spicy, smokey cherry nose and plum and cherry flavours on the palate. It is full bodied as many Shiraz's are but it does have very good structure for such a big wine. $19.95
White Wine
Tawse Sketches of Niagara Riesling 2009, Niagara, Ontario
The wine is a great example of Niagara Riesling with a pale yellow colour and flavours of apple and lemon. It has a small amount of residual sugar on the finish which is balanced by nice acidity in the wine. I think it is excellent both as an aperitif and will complement highly flavoured fish dishes as well. $17.95
Bodegas Agnusdei Terra Firma Albarino 2008, Rias Baixas, SpainThe grape in this wine is 100% Albarino. It has a combination of melon and citrus flavour and has an excellent long finish. It is both a good sipping wine and will work well with fish and red meat. I think it's a real bargain at $13.95.
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June 2010
Red Wine
Luigi Bosca Malbec Reserva 2007, Mendoza ArgentinaThis is the best pick of the June wines. It is a deep purple wine with a core of plums, cherries and a chocolaty finish. The wine is full flavoured and is great to drink on its own and also works well with any kind of red meat including B-B-Q. Great value at $17.95
Marchesi De Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni 2007, Toscana, Italy
This intensely dark full flavoured wine has tastes of plums and cedar with a spicy finish. Although it comes from Tuscany it is made from grapes found in French Bordeaux. Sangiovese, the quintessential Tuscan grape, is a minor player in the blend. It is a good example of the IGT classification which was created in 1992 to distinguish between Italian table wine and others of superior quality not using conventional Italian grape varieties. I'd highly recommend this wine and encourage you to try other IGT wines. $21.95
White Wine
Vinecol Torrontes 2009, Mendoza, Argentina
An excellent choice as a summer wine aperitif or with spicy food, this organic wine has notes of peach, melon and grapefruit and a crisp finish. Good value at $13.95
Catena Chardonnay 2008, Mendoza, ArgentinaThis is a well rounded Chardonnay with flavours of tropical fruit and good acidity. It was aged in oak but is not overpowered by vanilla. I'd recommend it as both a good sipping wine and with food. I think it's a great value at $19.95.
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May 2010
This month we're adding Pink Wine (Rose) to the list for summer drinking.
Red Wine
Salomon Groovey Gruner Veltliner 2009, Krems, AustriaGruner Veltliner is Austria's signature grape. This wine is a good introduction to a medium bodied apple and citrus flavoured dry white wine with lots of depth. It's great as an aperitif and complements light fish and seafood. Try it as an alternative to Pinot Grigio. $12.95
Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2007, Rodney Strong, Sonoma, California
This is a wine to pair with white meats. It has typical Chardonnay flavours with lemons and peaches, a backbone of vanilla and a lovely finish. I think it's a great value at $19.95.
White Wine
Primitivo di Manduria 2007, Giordano, Puglia, ItalyPrimitivo is the Italian Zinfandel and is said to be the equivalent of the same grape in California. The wine is superb having flavours of plums, black cherries and a slight bell pepper taste at the end. It is well rounded and I recommend you try it. Then compare it with the Zinfandel below. $17.95
Zinfandel 2008, Seghesio, Sonoma, California
This is quintessential Zinfandel. It has round fruit flavours with cedar and bell pepper and vanilla in the background. Seghesio is among the best producers of Zinfandel in Sonoma and I think you'll find this is an excellent comparison to the Giordano above. It costs a little more but is well worth the price for its complexity and structure. $29.95
Pink Wine
The most important note about Rose wines is to serve them well chilled!
Roses can range from off-dry to dry. The two that I recommend are on the drier side and are great both for sipping and with food.Ladybug Rose 2009, Malivoire, Niagara, Canada
This wine is made entirely of red grapes where the juice is quickly removed from the skins after crushing. It has flavours of spice, plums, and strawberries with a crisp finish. Serve well chilled on a hot summer day. $15.95
Rose 2009, Rioja, Bodegas Muga, Spain
Made from Tempranillo and Grenache red grapes together with the white Viura grape, it's a lovely pink colour with similar tastes of plums and strawberries on a fine finish. It's a great value at $12.95 and should also be served well chilled.
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April 2010
This month features Spanish wines. We've included one white and red along with two other favourites.
Red Wine
Latria 2006, Malondro Montsant, Spain
The wine is a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Carignan. On opening, it is forward with flavours of plums, cherries and spice. Its finish shows the tannins. We let it breathe for nearly an hour. The tannins smoothed out and created a well built wine with a long finish. $18.95
Pillar Box Reserve Shiraz 2007, Henry's Drive, Padthaway, South Australia
This is the next release of a Shiraz that sells out very quickly. It is typical of Australian Shiraz in that it has that full black cherry flavour with spices, pepper and a vanilla finish. It is one of my favourite Shiraz as not only has it got great fruit but it has great structure as well. $21.95
White Wine
Leira Albarino 2008, Rias Baixas, SpainThis is a refreshing dry white from the Albarino grape and has the structure to be either an aperitif wine or a wine to be served with fish. It is bright and fresh with flavours of lemon, pear and apple and a long crisp finish. $16.95
Momo Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Seresin Estate, Marlborough, New Zealand
This is another crisp sauvignon blanc with grass, grapefruit and lemon flavours and with excellent acidity. Seresin is one of the best vintners in Marlborough and you can tell the quality with this lovely wine. $18.95
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March 2010
Red Wine
Thorn-Clarke Terra Barossa Shiraz 2008, Barossa, Australia
The wine has a deep purple red colour with a nose of plums and spice. Plum flavours carry through on the taste with full round mouth feel. Buy as much of this as you can. It's great for sipping and will do well with red meats. $15.95
Montes Alpha, Alpha Carmenere 2007, Colchagua Valley, ChileThis is a great rendition of Chile's signature grape Carmenere. The wine is deep purple with a spicy dark fruit nose and black cherry flavours. It is full bodied and has a finish of cedar. The wine can be drunk now or cellared for a few years as it will certainly evolve to a more complex state. $19.95.
White Wine
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Riesling 2008, Coonawarra, Australia
The wine is a great example of dry Riesling with good acidity, length and lemon flavours. It has a slight petrol taste which is indicative of the Riesling grape and has a long finish. $16.95
Casa Lapostolle Chardonnay 2008, Casablanca, ChileAn excellent medium-bodied Chardonnay from Chile, it has pear and lemon flavours and finishes with toast. Lapostolle is a quality producer in Chile and this is a great buy at $14.95
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January/February 2010
Red Wine
Trivento Syrah/Malbec Reserve 2008, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe wine is spicy with dark fruit flavours. It comes from Concha y Toro's Argentina property and is well worth drinking. A bargain at $12.95
Mitolo, Jester, Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, McLaren Vale, Australia
Dark purple in colour with black fruit flavours predominantly cherry and a plum background. Combined with a very long finish, it's another example of quality wine from Mitolo. $19.95
White Wine
D'Arenberg, The Stump Jump 2008, Chardonnay, South AustraliaSpicy chardonnay flavours with a background of mild vanilla taste, the quality beats the price at $14.95
Rapaura Springs, Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand
Good value for the money, this is a typical grassy, grapefruit and lemon flavoured Sauvignon Blanc. Great for fans of the New Zealand style of Sauvignon Blanc $14.95
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2009 Monthly Wine Picks
Check Vintages.com for availabilityRed Wine
Domaine Grand Veneur Les Champauvins Cote du Rhone Village 2007, France $19.95
Herencia Remondo La Montesa 2006, Rioja Palacios/Remondo $19.95
Chakana Reserve Malbec 2008, Mendoza, Argentina $16.95
Shotfire Quartage 2007, Thorn-Clarke, Barossa, Australia $23.95
Grant Burge Miamba Shiraz 2007, Barossa Valley, Australia $19.95
Napa Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Napa Valley, California USA $21.95
Etim Selecccion, Falset-Marca 2006, Monsant Priorat, Spain $15.00
Pasion 4 Merlot, R.J. Videos/Joffre Hijas 2007, Mendoza, Argentina $11.95
Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2008, Boekenhoutskloof Coastal Region, South Africa $15.00
Kaiken Ultra Malbec 2006, Mendoza, Argentina $19.95
Katnook Founders Block Shiraz 2005, Coonawara, Australia $17.95
Errazuriz Cabernet Sauvignon Max Reserva, Chile $17.85
Oyster Bay Pinot Noir 2007, Marlborough, New Zealand $19.95
Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz 2006, Australia $19.90
La Vendimia 2007, Rioja, Spain Bodegas Palacios Remondo $15.95
Elderton Friends Series, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 and Shiraz 2006 $18.95
Clos de los Siete 2007, Mendoza, Argentina $23.95
Albada, Garnacha (Grenache) Old Vines 2005, Calatayud, Spain $15.95
Chateau Pesquie, Terrasses 2006, Cotes de Ventoux, Rhone, France $15.95
Zolo Reserve Malbec 2005, Mendoza Argentina $16.95
Torbreck, Woodcutters Shiraz 2006, Barossa Valley, Australia $26.95
Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz 2005 Australia $19.90
White Wine
Astrolabe, Sauvignon Blanc 2008, New Zealand $19.95
Le Clos Jordanne, Village Reserve Chardonnay 2007, Niagara $25.00
Le Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Chardonnay 2006, Niagara $30.00
Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2007, New Zealand $37.95
Cathedral Cellar, Chardonnay 2007, South Africa $13.95
Flat Rock Cellars Chardonnay 2007, 20 Mile Bench, Ontario $16.95
Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand $19.95
Wayne Gretzky Estate Series No.99, Chardonnay 2007, Niagara$16.95
Coopers Creek Chardonnay/Viognier 2007, Gisbourne, New Zealand $16.95
Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay Russian River Ranches, California $24.95
Cave Springs Beamsville Bench Estate Riesling 2007, Ontario $17.95
Catamario Collezione Privata Pinot Grigio 2007, Friuli, Italy $14.95
Santa Carolina Chardonnay Reserve, Chile $11.85
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand $19.95
Insolia, Cusumano 2007, Sicily $14.95
Hess Chardonnay 2006, Monterey, California $19.95
J & F Lurton Reserve Chardonnay 2008, Mendoza, Argentina $14.95
Villa Tonino, Inzolia 2007, Sicily $13.95Sparkling Wines
Roederer Estate Brut, Mendocino, California. $28.95
Piper Heidsieck Champagne Brut $49.95
Lanson Champagne, Champagne, France $56.95
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