Champagne Tassin $49.95
A Champagne lover’s Champagne, and I absolutely love it! Loads of heady bubbles and an extremely long lasting effervescence. To taste, we have golden apple, cream, and toasted almonds, with just a hint of lemon zest and a faint salinity. You can’t go wrong pairing it with oysters, but I loved it with risotto, or anything with parmesan.
Montgermont Cremant de Borgougne, Blanc de Noirs $22.95
It’s not often I wish I could grab a winemaker and hug them, but this cremant made me want to do just that. This wine is stunning! Think raspberry, black currant and toast, with just a little violet from the Gamay make for a bubbly with loads of complexity. Fine bubbles and a very good structure all come together to make this a must have wine for the summer!
Illahe P. Gris $22.95
One of my favourite Oregon winemakers, Illahe has lived up to their reputation for producing extremely lively wines. On the nose, I got vanilla, chamomile and weirdly, caramel, with just a hint of zest underneath to prepare you for what comes next. To taste, lime zest, green apple, shell, and just a little cantaloupe. That push and pull is what I really love about this wine, and having it with some excellent chicken piccata didn’t hurt either.
Aresca Barolo Costoreca $29.95
Summertime means grilling beef for me, and grilling beef means Barolo. Stellar and at a very good price, this one does not disappoint. On the nose we have tart cherry, licorice, and a little rose. To taste, Pomegranate comes to the fore, with cherry, leather and a hint of earthenware. Very well balanced, with a bright, acidic front and a long, silky tannin finish. I had it with chili lime flank steak, but Tagliata is always a winner as well.
Schiavenza Barbera d’Alba $22.95
A delightfully tasty wine from one of my favourite regions. Think ripe blackberries, black cherry, and pomegranate, with tomato leaf showing off the varietal’s herbier side. Well balanced, beautiful colour and a lovely mouthfeel overall. For pairing, think pizza night, burgers, or pasta, this one is the friend of the quick dinner!