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10 September 2010
Posted in
The Best You Never Had
I wasn’t sure what Bernard Stramwasser (Le Sommelier Inc. Exclusive Wine Agents) meant when he said that, especially since the wine he was recommending this treatment for was obviously not an inexpensive bottle of burger wine that one could decant artfully to fob off on the in-laws as steak-deserving (I don’t do that, no, I never do that).
Bernard’s organic Ulithorne Paternus Cabernet Shiraz 2008 from McLaren Vale is a very decent drink at $47.49. So decent, in fact, that its grapes (68% Cab, 38% Shiraz) may have been close neighbours to the bunches that went into Penfolds Grange, but that is unsubstantiated twitter. Needless to say, the wine is really good no matter where its grapes were hanging out.
This is a big, lush yet elegant treasure with some untamed tannins but no lack of acidity to turn it into a flabaster. If I was a sybaritic type with pockets as deep as my love of Aussie wine, I’d order all of the 200 - 6-packs coming in. Get yours from Le Sommelier.
And... keep it in the cellar to age gracefully or if you must, decant vigorously thus: pour one glass of wine and set it aside. Recork and shake the bottle energetically... a foam will form at the top. Don’t panic. Let the wine rest until the foam disappears, then pour the glass of wine and the bottle contents into a decanter and serve with confidence.
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30 August 2010
Posted in
The Best You Never Had
While it is unusual for me to be drinking wine at 9:00 a.m., I certainly don’t object, especially if the wines are worth it. When Bernard Stramwasser (Le Sommelier Inc. Exclusive Wine Agents) brought along some of his gems for me to taste early one morning, we sat in my garden office and talked about Austrian Wine.
His first treat, Nigl Grüner Veltliner Gartling 2009 from Kremstal is from a single vineyard. Light and crisp in style, it smells like a bowl of peaches, lychees and grapefruit (all appropriate for breakfast). A slight spritz and solid acidity make this wine refreshingly delicious for $20.95.
Next, we moved to Loimer, a certified organic and bio-dynamic winery. Their Grüner Veltliner Kamptal 2009 is a richer, denser, chewier wine with citrus and peach flavours and a spicy finish. 12.5% alcohol. $19.95.
Also from Loimer (I like their fresh and simple labels) comes their Riesling Kamptal 2008. Dry, full of apple and citrus flavours and a wonderful minerality, it has a very satisfying finish. A steal at $19.95.
While these are invigorating beverages to begin a day, they don’t match breakfast as well as juice does, so save these wines for lunch, dinner and sipping. Available directly from Bernard Stramwasser.
See the labels at MsInk.ca