Highlights from our November tasting
On November 2, In Vino Veritas (IVV) hosted a tasting prior to the Call to the Bar. The event, titled “My Cousin Vino” after the Joe Pesci film, was designed to bring together students in a relaxed and informal setting where they could explore and compare a wide range of wines. In the hours leading up to the event, I admit I was slightly nervous that we would end up with ten bottles of Bodacious Red. But the evening was a tremendous success. Over thirty people attended, each with a bottle of wine (none of which were Bodacious!), contributing to a warm and vibrant atmosphere. Jason Lamb (2L), our unofficial sommelier for the evening, had plenty to talk about as he led the attendees through each bottle. Ultimately, there were so many interesting wines that we decided to review some of them for this month’s issue of Ultra Vires, and to pair them with the drunk food we were craving that night.
Danica
One of my favourite wines of the evening was one of the first ones that I tried, the LAN Gran Reserva 2010 ($34.95 at the LCBO). I love spicy Spanish reds, and this was definitely one of the best riojas I’ve had. The LAN Gran Reserva is very dry with medium body, and packed full of dark red berry flavours. Given the quality of this wine (and the price tag), I’d recommend drinking it at the start of the night, before you’re too many glasses deep to appreciate the flavours. Pair it with a nice charcuterie board.
As the night wore on and our taste buds dulled, many wine enthusiasts turned to the Naked Grape Blue “wine.” I don’t believe that LCBO even stocks this bottle. If you are curious, you’ll have to head to your closest Wine Rack and hand them $10.45. I’ll admit that this is a pretty tasty drink, and it was a hit at the event. However, if you pick up a glass of this expecting it to taste like wine, you’re in for a shock. It’s very sweet, with strong tropical and citrus notes. If “blue” had a taste, this wine would be it. I’d recommend this bottle for making cocktails, rather than sipping on its own. Because of its sweetness, it balances out nicely with your favourite salty drunk snack. I enjoyed it alongside a bowl of popcorn.
Tom
Back in January, I reviewed a fiano that I really loved. So when I spotted Donnachiara Montefalcione Fiano di Avellino 2015 at the LCBO, I had to give it a try. Fiano is a classical, white grape varietal that has been grown since Roman times around Campagna, and especially in Avellino, whence this bottle comes. Donnachiara means “clear lady,” and this wine is as light and refreshing as any I have had. It opens with faint notes of floral, meadow honey on the nose. The mouthfeel is smooth, and although there is a little citrus, it is not particularly acidic. There are also flavours of watery, white peach, Asian pear, and a refreshing minerality. At $18.95, it is a remarkably good value. Pair it with pad thai.
Other than the blue “wine” that Danica reviewed, Montes Alpha Carménère 2014 was the strangest wine I tasted at the event. But, unlike the blue wine, it was actually good. Carménère is a grape in the Cabernet family, but I would never have guessed. Its bouquet struck me with potent aromas of jalapeño pepper and smoke. Then, as I took a sip, I found myself enveloped in bell peppers — the sign of an early harvest — dark fruits, and savoury spices. The finish was long and savoury, as well. This is only a medium-bodied wine with medium acidity. So it could stand up to a mild grilled cheese sandwich, but it is really calling for roasted peppers or chili. $19.95 at the LCBO. Shout out to Alina Yu for the introduction!
Jason
Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 is a knock-‘em-down, drag-‘em-out pronouncement of big, bold, flavourful cab sauv, and is becoming my favourite wine. I have made a point of returning to this wine year after year, usually splitting the bottle with a friend to surmount the hefty price tag of $64.95 at the LCBO. Mas La Plana is harvested from a single vineyard in Penedès, Spain, a region not known for cabernet sauvignon. Nevertheless, it has cemented itself as Miguel Torres’s tour de force.
At our tasting, Mas La Plana towered above everything else we sampled, with the kind of flavour experience that weakens your knees or impels you to recline back in your chair. It is the definition of full-bodied; it will effortlessly carry you away to the sundrenched Mediterranean. And it will keep you there, with a smooth, and seemingly everlasting finish.
No, this wine is not for your typical night out. Yes, it is expensive (and the price is going up!). However, Mas La Plana goes toe to toe with the huge Napa Valley cabs that start at twice the price. Once you taste it, you won’t want to drink anything else. So, I recommend that you head down to your nearest late-night bistro, order steak frites or a portobello mushroom burger to go, open a bottle, and step into a whole other world of flavour.
Amy
Inniskillin’s Late Autumn Riesling is one of my go-to whites at the LCBO and Wine Rack. Many of you will recognize the sleek Inniskillin label, but this wine is something special. It is a versatile wine to have on hand for a night of casual drinking or a celebratory occasion. It is both sophisticated and accessible, offering an enjoyable sensory experience that is well worth the modest $13.95 price tag.
On the nose, the wine has an aroma of crisp apples and light floral with a hint of rubber in the mix. The Riesling’s full-bodied apricot and honey taste packs a punch that is eventually offset by the balanced acidity and lingering finish. If you are feeling adventurous (or just hungry) after a night out, try this wine with some McDonald’s chicken nuggets for a sublime pairing. The sweetness works well for those late nights when you inevitably forget to ask for extra honey mustard.
Kimia
I particularly enjoyed Cune Crianza 2014. This Spanish red opens to oaky notes on the nose. But that gives way to a fruity, medium body. Plums, dark berries and black pepper are all noticeable on the palate, as well as a small hint of milk or cream. It has a lower acidity and tannins but it is still very well-balanced. Despite having a very low sugar content (2 g/L), this wine also has a certain sweetness. The only downside is the short finish, but for $16.95 at LCBO, it is a tasty and worthwhile Crianza. It would be great with a late-night hotdog. Until the Naked Grape Blue arrived, Vincente Faria Animus Tinto Douro 2016 was the talk of the evening. No one could believe that wine with this much character only cost $11.95 at the LCBO! This Portuguese red is amazing for its price. It has all the great things that the Cune Crianza has, plus much more. One sip reveals rich flavours of vanilla, sweet berries, and light spices. On the palate, it is smooth, warm, and rich, with a very long finish. It was a little bit sweeter that I would have liked. But otherwise, it is a delicious and beautiful wine.