weekend wine buy: mezzomondo merlot rosato

After sparkling wine, rosé seems to me the most festive thing you can put in your glass, well wine-based anyway. I know there is a plethora of fancy cocktails that would qualify, but who has the time when there's so much wine to get through? Chilled and pretty in a glass, I love rosé. It's also a very food friendly wine, bridging the gap between red and white. This too, makes it a great wine for the holidays: serve it as an aperitif with nibblies, or alongside your holiday meal. I like it all by itself.

This bottle of rosato, as they call it in Italy, is from the Veneto region which is the area surrounding Venice at the north of the Adriatic. The climate is fairly cool which allows the grapes to retain a nice, crisp acidity. This is the home of Amarone, but some great white wines come from this region including Prosecco and another of my favourites, Soave - made from the Garganega grape.

In the glass: with aromas of strawberry, cranberry, an added touch of honey, and some floral notes, it actually reminded me of a light, strawberry iced tea. It's simple with a crisp, juicy finish ($8.95).

I have a bottle chilling in the fridge. Aside from being a great party wine, it's the perfect thing to enjoy while my feet are up and I'm ignoring the housework.

the list of hangover cures

Party. This is the season. I usually go to a party with the best intentions of practicing moderation, but after that first glass of wine well, it's inevitable, I will most likely have my glass filled a few times more than is necessary. I've given up thinking that one day I'll learn. So, I leave you with this last list of the month.

Happy holidays and here's to drinking, but not driving.

1. Carbon. I have a friend, Pam, who insists that burnt toast and thusly carbon is a hangover cure, if you can stomach it.
2. Vitamin C and B Complex. Alcohol is responsible for diminishing both.
3. A Hair of the Dog. I have never been able to bring myself to do this, but according to Barbara Holland, author of The Joy of Drinking, this is the only proven cure for a hangover; it's a tried and true, tested over the years cure. Maybe that's why mimosas and bloody ceasars were invented.
4. A spoon full of sugar. All forms of alcohol are very high in sugar, so the day after an over-indulgence the body is going through withdrawal and sugar is a big part of that.
5. Rehydrate. Of course water is the most sensible solution, but if you're game you could wash down that piece of burnt toast with a sugary cocktail and have hit three of these curatives in one swallow.
6. Don't feel bad. If you're like me, you'll be feeling a little sorry with yourself for having absolutely no will power. It's normal, alcohol is a depressant. I usually wash all my floors; it masks the bad feelings in a penance-doing kind of way (what can I say, I'm part German). Then I watch a Thin Man movie because Myrna Loy and William Powell drink more, in the middle of the day, than I do in a week.

Finally, when in doubt, read some Kingsley Amis.

"The human race has not devised any way of dissolving barriers, getting to know the other chap fast, breaking the ice, that is one-tenth as handy and efficient as letting you and the other chap, or chaps, cease to be totally sober at about the same rate in agreeable surroundings."

weekend wine buy: georges duboeuf beaujolais

In these days of hurriedness I am feeling the need for something good, true and reliable; an old stand-by. Georges Duboeuf's Beaujolais is just such a fellow (yes, even still, despite a little controversy a few years ago). It is not too demanding, easy to get along with, and will leave you feeling a little happier for having made its acquaintance.

This is the season of overindulgence, and food, food, food, so if you have a crowd, and a table laden with food, a bottle of Beaujolais can be your best friend. It is light, fruity, low on tannin, high on acid and pairs with most everything. When I was at school, learning, we had an exercise in paring wines with our final meal, and a bottle of this was a match for pretty much everything on what was a very diverse menu.

In the glass: a red liquorice, light cherry, sweet violets kind of wine with all of the above-mentioned attributes and a medium-bodied texture. It's deeper looking than it tastes and has a tart, cherry finish ($12.25).

Word: don't confuse this wine with Beaujolias Nouveau, which Duboeuf makes as well. The Nouveau version is made in a very specific way - grapes are not crushed but rather left to ferment intercellularly -  that results in a somewhat different wine. Beaujolais is actually the southern most growing area in the region of Burgundy and there are plenty of wines made there with the predominant grape, Gamay.

the list for the frugal wine-o

If you are lucky you have lists of parties to attend and friends to visit over the holidays. Conversely you may feel lucky if the only list you are working on is how many books you will be reading while lounging on the couch. I'm working on a list of where to eat and drink while we are in New York, but not before I stock up on some affordable quaffing wine that I'll need for the days I'm spending at home whether that be on the sofa with a bottle all to myself, or sharing with others.

The Whites:
Argento Pinot Grigio, Argentina ($9.95)
Casal Thaulero Pinot Grigio, Italy ($7.95)
Sundance Riesling, Niagara ($8.95)
J. Bouchon Sauvignon Blanc, Chile ($8.60)
Montecillo Rioja Viura, Spain ($9.95)
Moselland Riesling, Germany ($9.95)
Cono Sur Viognie, Chile ($9.95)

The Reds:
Casal Thaulero Sangiovese, Italy ($7.45)
Ogio Primitivo, Italy ($8.85)
Finca Flichman Misterio Malbec, Argentina ($8.20)
Mateus Signature, Portugal ($8.95)
Cusumano Nero d'Avola ($10.00)
Castillo de Monseran Garnacha, Spain ($8.95)
Mezzomondo Negroamaro, Italy ($7.95)
Rafale Merlot, France ($8.20)

Check out Jodie's tips for frugal entertaining at her blog: Simply Fresh, and you'll be all set for the holidays. As you can see, I stole her idea for a frugal list because it is such a good one.

weekend wine buy: mirassou pinot noir

I haven't posted many wines made from Pinot Noir. They tend to be out of my price range. That's because it's a difficult grape to grow: it is thin skinned (so no swearing in the vineyard); it grows in very tight clusters (hence susceptibility to rot and mildew); it's fickle (it's supposed to be a cool climate grape, but it needs a certain amount of heat to ripen properly); it is prone to clone (just part of it's fickle personality which can mean that what you started out with isn't what you ended up with - don't we all know what that looks like), and how it gets treated in the winery can make all the difference. They say the winemakers who are attracted to Pinot Noir are a bit of a wild bunch.

This bottle doesn't have an appellation attached to its label and its not very expensive, so don't expect silky finesse, and if you are one of those people who knows what you like in a Pinot Noir (people get all crazy when it comes to this grape), then maybe you should just move along right now because aside from a little earthiness, this isn't so typical of the variety. However, if you are one of those people who likes to be open-minded about your Pinot Noir, then you might like this. I did, but I'm an incredibly well-rounded person.

In the glass: deep berry fruit and some dark cherry made a little complex by earth, spice, and violets. It's a little soft on the palate with barely perceptible tannins and acid, but is pleasant in its round fruitiness. It was very good with manchego cheese ($12.95).

Word: Pinot Noir is one of the oldest cultivated vines; it's history dates back some 2000 years.

the sparkling wine list

Tis the season! Nita and I have been hard at work sampling sparkling wines for the holidays. Oh, the toil of it all. But seriously, it's not the holidays without a little sparkle and fizz. We've uploaded our second podcast, so if you are curious as to how the bubbly gets made, or why it's not all called Champagne, give us a listen if you have the time - I know, who has the time, but you can listen and wrap presents at the same time.

Here's a list of our favourites, reasonably priced, and in no particular order:

Seaview Brut Methode Champenoise, Australia ($13.94)
Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava, Spain ($14.55)
Jacob's Creek Chardonnay/Pinot Noir Sparkling Wine, Australia ($14.05)
Villa Sandi Prosecco, Italy ($14.05)
Hungaria Grand Cuvee Brut, Hungary ($12.00)

And if you want a bit of a treat:

Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut Sparkling Wine, California ($23.95) - Vintages
13th Street Premier Cuvée Brut Sparkling Wine, 2006 Niagara ($24.95) - Vintages
Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Brut Rosé, Niagara ($29.95)

And that's about as expensive as it gets in my house. If I can't afford three or four bottles, well, it's just not as much fun!

weekend wine buy: villa borghetti rosso veneto

Change. This past week in Ottawa, the weather has turned. We have gone from a state of static grey sky and a perpetual chill to snowy, cold winter. There is something relieving about this. Finally, we can pull out our puffy coats and bulky footwear. Each morning when I get up – in the dark – I look out our front foyer window to see what has happened overnight while I’ve slept. It’s always a surprise. Nothing may have changed; the street may lay quietly much as it did when I went to bed, or it may be lightly snowing visible only under the streetlight. Some mornings I may have to go out in the midst of a snow squall and shovel away the new layer that has accumulated. At this point in the season it is too soon to be dreaming about warmer, spring temperatures, and everyone settles in for the next few months, resigned. There is a sense of calm in this giving over to mother nature; it somehow shapes our sense of being.

Winter months are conducive to sipping wine (especially since night comes that much sooner). This bottle of red was made appassimento style, which means a portion of the grapes were dried before they were vinified to add a dimension of flavour. This is how Amarone and Ripasso wines are made in the Veneto region of Italy. In this case the Veronese grapes Corvina and Croatina were used.

In the glass: plummy with juicy, dark cherry and spice, mellow tannins, a flash of acid and a mocha finish. Even though there are dried grapes in there, it's more medium-bodied, than full and would pair well with spicy sausage, or some tomatoes mingled with meat ($13.00).

This weekend I am going to fill a HUGE glass with this red wine and then sit in front of the vacant hole in my living room wall where the yet-to-be-installed gas fireplace is to go, and alternately practice happily resigning myself over to braised meats, baked breads and socializing indoors in the warm glow of my home.

december is for lists

With the holiday season coming, I find myself thinking about lists. Lists help me organize my thoughts, even if I don't accomplish everything they set out for me, they somehow help to calm my mind.

Lists are a very personal thing. Dave keeps his on an iPod that he checks regularly, one of my co-workers keeps hers in a program on her computer so she has bells and whistles to remind her when to get things done. I like to leave post-it notes everywhere: stuck to the book I'm reading at the time; in my wallet; on my office desk; on my laptop. In our house we keep a running tally of everything from groceries to missed calls on a large blackboard in our kitchen.

One of my favourite lists is part of a poem by William Carlos Williams:

2 partridges
2 Mallard ducks
a Dungeness crab
24 hours out
of the Pacific
and 2 live-frozen
trout
from Denmark.

I'll be working on a few compilations this month like some inexpensive wines to get you through it all, and Nita and I have been hard at work drinking some sparkling wine.

The following is a list that Natalie MacLean recently shared with me. If you don't know Natalie, then you should. She's an award-winning wine writer who lives, and drinks, in Ottawa. She publishes a free newsletter, and has a website full of information for the curious wino including wine and food pairing tips (always helpful at this time of year).

Natalie’s Top Ten Gift Wines for Your ...

1. Hairdresser: For the person who combines humour and optimism every time she styles your mop. Go for a light, gulpable wine like a dry rosé. It’s versatile and fuss-free—a great quaff for your coif.

2. Psychiatrist: Of course, he’ll analyze whatever you give him so choose a wine that’s all about balance. Easy-drinking pinot noir is medium-bodied yet packed with flavour. Surprise him with a large-format bottle, like a magnum. Big thinking means big progress for you. This wine also works for psychologists, marriage counsellors and bartenders.

3. The Boss: Pick too pricey a wine and your boss will think your last raise was too much; go cheap, and she’ll think you lack judgement. Focus on a label with a lot of white space since that makes the bottle look more expensive. A castle in the distance also works, but avoid fluffy animals.

4. Personal Trainer: Think a muscular, robust red would work? Hold that position. Instead, try riesling: this light white wine pairs well with a health-nut diet of salad and seafood, plus it’s low in alcohol. You can also give it to Pilates instructors, yoga masters and Tai Chi coaches.

5. Financial Planner: You and he both know it’s going to take decades before your portfolio recovers after the crash of 2008. With that long-term view, vintage port makes the perfect gift. This fortified wine from northern Portugal, with its long aging potential, will be around for both of you into your retirements.

6. Travel Agent: She’s been everywhere and seen everything, so go local with your choice of wine. Even better, if you live close to the winery, get the bottle signed by the winemaker.

7. Teacher: If you can’t find a suitably obscure wine with a Latin name, there’s always cream sherry. It’s the tipple of Oxford dons, not to mention the centerpiece of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic short story The Case of the Amontillado.

8. Mail Deliverer: Go for a winery that’s consistent year after year in producing a wine that can be enjoyed in snow, rain, sleet or hail. Try an Australian shiraz or Argentine malbec.

9. Mechanic: Yes, there’s a wine called Red Truck, but try to be more imaginative. Why not give a wine made by Mario Andretti in California or Ferrari in Italy?

10. Online Date: So you’re on your second or third rendezvous with the person you met on eHarmony or Dating.com. If you’re not sure yet whether marriage is a possibility, try something middle-of-the-road, like merlot. Yes, it’s the soft jazz of wine, but until you know, play it safe.
 
Now do something nice for yourself and download Natalie's free iPhone App:
http://www.nataliemaclean.com/mobileapp/

If you like, check out Rachelle's blog for a review of the App.

weekend wine buy: mike weir cabernet merlot

This is another of those bottles with an athlete's name on it, but don't let that stop you. I first tried it a few years ago in a wine tasting class and quite liked it, so I thought I'd try it again.

2007 was a stellar vintage for Niagara. It was dry and warm. This means more sunlight on the grapes, resulting in more sugar in the grapes, which translates into fuller-bodied wines for you and me, and the lack of much precipitation means more concentrated flavours. Given that, this still doesn't drink like a big, fat Australian red, so don't be disappointed when you take a sip and find a little acidity happening in your mouth. Personally, I like it because I like that little bit of acid and tannin, and I'm partial to the earthy profile without the big oaky overtones. Well actually, there's not much I really don't like, so there, you've been warned.

In the glass: earthy but not without a little dark cherry and something minty to perk it up; some mild tannins and acidity means this medium-bodied wine pairs well with food. We had it with our vegetarian meal a few weeks ago and it was just right, in fact, this bottle is probably best with some food ($18.95). It's a tad more expensive than the usual Weekend Wine Buys, but it's local, and for me that counts for something. I'm going to try it with some pasta Bolognese tonight.