Welcoming Fall

William

Thursday, September 1, 2011
posted by: William

With fall arriving from all sides; the weather turning, school about to start, the colour of leaves about to change, I generally find myself also changing my wine habits.

We are all creatures of climate. It is amazing how the weather influences our buying and drinking patterns.  Those dear rosés that I truly enjoyed during those warm to hot summer days feel somewhat light compared to some of the wines that  I now go searching for.

What I crave nowadays are wines that offer body, weight and texture, yet with lots of elegance and suave. I tend to select wines that will marry well with my richer foods that sustain me during these seemingly longer days with less and less sunlight.

If this is what I yearn for now, what will winter bring, I wonder?

So check out my following “3 Best Buys”!

2008 Klinker Brick Old Vine Zinfandel – Lodi – California $31.99

Having very recently discovered this winery in Phoenix, Arizona, I was thrilled to see it finally appear here in Edmonton. While there are multitudes of zinfandels out there, buying good zinfandels can be something of a minefield. Here we have a winery that creates zinfandels in its purest form.  Klinker Brick’s “Old Vine” Zin comes from vines that average 85 years of age grown near the Mokelumne River in Lodi. This is a sweet, jammy wine reminiscent of blackberry pie, black pepper and cigar box on the nose and palate. A concentrated vintage that’s juicy and sweet, this calls for a grass-fed burger with onion and tomato confit and tangy blue cheese.

2008 Emiliana Chardonnay/Marsanne/Viognier- Casablanca – Chile $24.99

Too many people still think that single varietal make better wines than blends. Well, to all of you, who still believe this, try this outstanding blend. Made from the most important organic producer of Chile if not in South America, this wine will certainly excite your palate with tropical and floral flavours, rich textures and vibrant acidity. I have successfully paired this with chicken in a sundried tomato mustard cream sauce or white fish with butter sage cream sauce.

2008 Finca Villacreces Pruno – Ribera del Duero – Spain $28.99

When this wine first arrived at Vines, I was elated how quickly it brought out a smile to my tastebuds.  Too many people still think about Spanish wines in the most traditional terms: woody, earthy, lacking in freshness and fruit. Well, this wine will change how you feel about the modern Spain.  This is going to make you want to get your “beber y comer” on in a big way! Open your first delicious bottle of this delicious Spanish red blend and dig into some chicken empanadas with chorizo, raisins and olives.

Even the great wine writer Robert Parker gives high praise to this wine. “A glass-coating opaque purple color, it offers up a sexy bouquet of Asian spices, incense, cedar, mineral, and assorted black fruits. Super-rich, bordering on opulent, it has layers of succulent, spicy fruit, enough structure to support 2-3 years of cellaring, and exceptional length. This sensational value over-delivers in a very big way.”

Then you will want to come back and buy yourself a case!

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