Summer Recap (or Recork)
Another school year is upon us and that means the return of the law school’s own wine club, In Vino Veritas. Whether you are looking for something to share with friends, or for an evening escape, we have you covered!
Back in June, In Vino Veritas went to a tasting in Queen West, where we discovered the often neglected país grape. It makes for a refreshing, easy drinking table red. So for this issue, we decided to share with you our favourite summer finds.
Danica
Chip off the Old Block Chenin Blanc 2016
Available in BC
This summer, I took a trip to the Okanagan Valley to explore all of the great wines that BC has to offer. While I enjoy Ontario wines, the BC wines blew me away. My favourite (and the one I kept coming back to) was Road 13’s Chip off the Old Block Chenin Blanc 2016. It is a very clean and crisp white with a pleasant mix of papaya, apple, and kiwi notes and balanced minerality. It is the perfect summer patio sipping wine. It also transitions well from happy hour to dinner, as it paired really well with fish. I stocked up on bottles and you can bet I even ordered more when I got home! Unfortunately (but unsurprisingly) I haven’t been able to find any Road 13 wines here in Toronto.
Terres de Saint Louis Rosé 2018
$13.20 at the LCBO
Luckily, I did stumble upon something in Toronto for the rest of my patio wine needs. Terres De Saint Louis Rosé 2018 is a fine offering from Provence. I actually picked up this wine because of the beautiful pale pink colour, but it ended up being delicious as well! This is an extra dry rosé with strawberry and cherry flavours and citrus notes—another crisp, clean wine to quench your thirst on a hot day. The price point isn’t bad either at $13.20 per bottle. If there are any warm days left in September (or if you’re just craving a glass of rosé), I’d definitely recommend picking up a bottle.
Tom
Susana Balbo Signature White Blend 2017
$20.95 at the LCBO
In last September’s issue, I declared that my favourite find was Susana Balbo’s Signature Rosé. This summer, Susana did it again! I tried a number of their whites, but the Signature White Blend 2017 stole my heart. This blend of Semillon, Torrontés, and Sauvignon Blanc hails from Mendoza, Argentina. It opens to an unusual aroma of fresh cat pee—you read that right. But, it then reveals a delicious, almost sickly-sweet scent, containing peaches, grapefruit, and passion fruit. The main flavours were lychee and white peach. It also had a nice, subtle tartness on the finish. It would go great with spicy, Singapore-style noodle dishes.
Corte Medicea Aristeo 2015
$25.95 at the LCBO
This summer, I ate a lot of pungent and savory Italian dishes. So, I acquainted myself with a number of Tuscan reds. Corte Medicea Aristeo 2015 was my favourite. It is a phenomenal, raspberry-coloured blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. It has quite a heady bouquet. Expect red fruit, especially cherry, as well as dark chocolate and cured meats. But the full-bodied flavour is where this wine really stands out. KA-POW! It is an explosion of red fruit, blackberries, and blueberries. Bright and bold acidity tingles against the fine tannins that also give this wine a waxy tartness, like crushed blackberry seeds. A very long smooth finish follows.
Kimia
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio 2018 from Italy
$19.95 at the LCBO
At the very top of my summer favourites list, this Pinot Grigio is balanced and intensely flavourful. From Valdadige, Italy, the wine is unique for its fermentation method, which includes fermenting the grapes off the skins. It is pale lemon in colour with delightful aromas of peach and cherry blossoms. On the palate, it is pleasantly dry and multi-layered, with notes of golden pear, apricot, peach, and a hint of lemon. It pairs well with grilled chicken and salmon, as well as with a variety of gourmet salads.
Beringer Founders’ Estate Pinot Grigio 2017 from California
$16.95 at the LCBO
Almost clear in colour, this California Pinot Grigio was another summer favourite. Be careful with this wine because it is extremely light and drinkable—you may find yourselves going through several bottles in a short time! It is highly acidic with nose of lemon and green apple. On the palate, it is crisp and clean, with hints of melon and pineapple. It pairs well with all the classic summer foods and snacks, such as salads, cold pastas/noodles, fruits, and seafood.
