Bring Your Own Wine - BYOW Ontario

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CATENA
MALBEC 2009

≡ Made in Mendonza, Argentina by Bodegas Esmeralda
≡ 750 ml bottle
≡ 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
≡ LCBO Product# 478727 - Vintages

≡ Price: $ 19.95

The Region: Argentina is the world’s fifth largest producer of wine and its first vines arrived with the Europeans in the 16th Century. Mendoza is the nucleus of the country’s wine industry. The vineyards are in the eastern foothills of the Andes, and are some of the highest in the world. Although there are other notable wine-producing areas, Mendoza is by far the largest, the most famous and the one with longest history. About 1500 wineries surround Mendoza City and their origins go back to 1561 when the Spaniards founded the city.

The Producer: For more than four generations, the Catena family has grown vines in Mendoza. Laura Catena is the great-granddaughter of Nicola Catena who started the winery. Catena Malbec is sourced from the family’s high-altitude vineyards in Maipu, Lujan de Cuyo, Tupungato and San Carlos. From the marriage of these historic parcels emerge the grapes for a wine of a unique character that has natural balance, concentration and a distinct varietal identity.

The Wine: If you love Malbec, you’ll surely love this one. It is a Malbec blend with dense black-fruit aromatics and a smooth, lengthy finish that has become the trademark characteristic of the Catena family’s wine. Catena Malbec is spicy and savory, with hints of wood, the result of 14 months in French and American barriques. It has excellent concentration, balance and freshness with a burst of fruit on its long finish. Bring this great wine to your favorite BYOW restaurant and enjoy it with friends. You won’t regret. Cheers!

Serving Suggestion: Definitely a red meat wine that is adaptable enough to pair well with most meat dishes. Try it with your next BBQ. This Catena Malbec is big and bold enough to stand up beside meat brushed with heavily spiced sauces.

LOUIS BERNARD
GIGONDAS 2008

≡ Made in Rhône, France by Louis Bernard
≡ 750 ml bottle
≡ 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
≡ LCBO Product# 222596 - Vintages

≡ Price: $ 19.95

The Region: Louis Bernard Gigondas is produced exclusively in the commune of Gigondas, a French wine appelation region - Appellation Gigondas Contrôlée (AGC) - established in 1971. Located in the southern Rhône wine region of France, Gigondas is a solely red wine region with very small production of rosé wines. Gigondas, as with the rest of Southern Rhône, has a Mediterranean climate that gives Grenache grapes a taste similar to fort ified wine’s strength and alcohol. Being a less known wine to it’s more famous neighbour, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas are moderately priced wines that can also yield beautiful results.

The Producer: Since 1976, Louis Bernard has united winemakers of the Rhône Valley in a common project: to devote the best of their wine and savoir-faire to producing great wines. With production throughout the Cote du Rhône region, Louis Bernard remains dedicated to showcasing the unique characteristics of each terroir while producing exquisite, world-class wines.

The Wine: Normally Gigondas wines are a little too jammy, too crispy. Not this one. Louis Bernard did a great job with this 2008. The grapes, a blend of Grenache and Syrah, were picked at their optimal ripeness, giving this wine it’s impressive structure and well balanced acidity. A mid-ruby colour and not so full bodied wine, Louis Bernard Gigondas 2008 shows great balanced tannins that lingers to a long juicy finish. Certainly a great alternative to it’s more expensive, more famous neighbour, Chateauneuf-du-Pape. You can cellar it for a couple of years or, simply, bring it to your favorite BYOW restaurant and enjoy it with friends. Cheers!

Serving Suggestion: Pairs beautifully with game meats and BBQ (grilled) ribs and lamb shanks.

ULISSE UNICO
PECORINO TERRE DI CHIETI 2010

≡ Made in Abruzzo, Italy, by Tenuta Ulisse
≡ 750 ml bottle
≡ 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
≡ LCBO: Product#249128 (Vintages)
≡ For more information about this wine, please contact us.

≡ Price: $17.95

The Region: Pecorino grapes have been grown in the central regions of Italy, especially Marche and Abruzzo for centuries. Marche is not as well known as Abruzzo but it produces thirteen wines with the D.O.C. (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) designation. Abruzzo is more renowned for its red wines. Montepulciano is its best-known grape. The region is directly east of Rome and mountainous; the Apennines cover more than 60% and most of its vineyards are on hillsides. This terroir is bathed by the warm sun and washed by a constant breeze from the Adriatic Sea.

The Grape: Pecorino is a white grape that is coming back into its own. At one time the grape was thought to be extinct. A few vines were discovered growing wild in a narrow canyon in Marche. They were identified as Pecorino and the grape is now a signature grape of central Italy, including the Terre di Chieti district of Abruzzo. The origin of the name may be that the grape was once a favorite snack of the sheep on their way to lower pastures in the fall. “Pecora” means sheep. The name may also have come from the fact that the grape clusters resemble sheep’s heads. Some think the Pecorino is the source of all white Pinot varieties but that has not been established.

The Wine: This wine bottle does not have a natural cork closer or a plastic one... nor does it have a screw cap. Its stopper is clear glass, with an unusual and elegant appearance that works well when wines do not require a long aging in bottle. Harvesting by hand, and using small (ten kilogram) containers, allows an easier and more exacting sorting of Pecorino grapes in the field and again at the winery, so only the perfect grapes are processed. The grapes are cooled with dry ice in the field and, at the winery, liquid nitrogen cools them again to 5 degrees Centigrade. The cell structure is then broken and juice is extracted. The result is a refreshing and vibrant wine. Pecorino wine has intense, intriguing fruity aromas. On the palate it is full of elegant, delicate flavors giving it a long crisp finish with moderate acidity.

Serving Suggestion: Here’s a wine that pairs very well with most fish and shellfish dishes. And, not surprisingly, it is a great match for Pecorino cheese.

LA VITE LUCENTE
2009

≡ Made in Tuscany, Italy, by Luce Della Vite
≡ 750 ml bottle
≡ 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
≡ LCBO #747030 (Vintages)
≡ For more information about this wine, please contact us.

≡ Price: $39.95

The Winery: Luce Della Vite estate is perched high in the Montalcino wine-growing region, south and west of the mediaeval town that gives the area its name. The highest elevations (420 meters) are well drained, mostly sandstone and limestone, ideal for Sangiovese grapes. Lower down, the clay soils are perfect for Merlot. And the sandy soils, elsewhere on the estate, provide an ideal medium for Cabernet Sauvignon. The southern exposure of the vineyards make the most of the long, sun-drenched summers of this area, allowing a slow, complete ripening of the fruit. The cool, airy nights help preserve the grapes’ aromatic complexities. And the resulting wines have impressive concentration, and power.

The Label: The sun, with its corona of twelve flaming rays represents the Divine Light, a light for mankind. This is an iconic symbol of central Italy, carved into the keystone of arches, wrought into iron gates, or pressed into ceramic tiles and on the high altar of the Santo Spirito church in Florence.

The Wine: Lucente is an innovative blend of Sangiovese and Merlot grapes for the most part, with some Cabernet Sauvignon... unique in a region known for Brunello di Montalcino, which is Sangiovese alone. Lucente matures for 12 months in oak barrels. The deep ruby-purple colour speaks to the concentration of extract. This is a very elegant, seamless wine, medium-bodied with flavours of ripe berries with a tannic lift on the finish. Drinking well now, it will also hold for a few years to come. That is if you can wait! Bring it to a BYOW restaurant and enjoy it with your favorite red meat dish.

Serving Suggestion: Lucente is elegant and versatile... a perfect companion to most red meat dishes, especially rare-to medium-grilled. It also pairs well with medium aged cheeses.

G MARQUIS SILVER LINE
PINOT NOIR 2010

≡ Made in Ontario, by Magnotta Winery
≡ 750 ml bottle
≡ 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
≡ LCBO: Product#258673 (Vintages)
≡ For more information about this wine, please contact us.

≡ Price: $19.95

The Winery: Magnotta Winery Corporation. Gabe and Rossana Mangotta established the company in 1990 with the ambition to produce wine, beer and distilled products. Unfortunately their vision was sidetracked when the LCBO announced that they did not have room on their shelves. Magnotta established their own stores and started selling directly while continuing to pursue shelf space at the LCBO. Years later, Magnotta Winery and the LCBO reached a mediated agreement and today, the LCBO offers some Magnotta wines, which are also available at Magnotta’s own stores throughout the Greater Toronto Area, Southwestern Ontario and the Niagara Peninsula. Magnotta today is the third largest winery in Ontario and the only company of its kind in Ontario licensed to produce and sell wine, beer and distilled products.

The Grape: Pinot Noir is associated with wines from the Burgundy region of France, particularly the Côte-d’Or. The grape may be one of the most demanding to grow but results are often well worth the effort. As a result, Pinot Noir is one of the most popular grapes in the world. It is also one of the oldest varieties and requires optimum growing conditions in good terroir with consistent warm days and cool evenings. The result is a typically medium to full-bodied, fruit forward wine of soft velvety texture and delicate elegance. Unlike many dark red wines, Pinot Noir does not last a long time in the bottle. It tends to reach its peak within five to eight years.

The Wine: G. Marquis Silver Line is Magnotta’s top roster of wines; a collection of 100% hand-harvested and barrel aged VQA vintages from selected Magnotta vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula. G. Marquis Silver Line Pinot Noir shows a medium to deep ruby color with fruity berry flavours and notes of smoke and licorice. It’s a velvety, smooth, well-structured and well-balanced wine, easy to drink and to pair with food.

Serving Suggestion:Pinot Noir is undoubtedly one of the world’s most versatile wines with food. It pairs well with poultry, beef, fish, ham, lamb and pork... and further demonstrates its flexibility with creamy sauces, spicy seasonings and a variety of cheeses.

TENUTA UNICO
MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2009

≡ Made in Abruzzo, Italy, by Tenuta Ulisse
≡ 750 ml bottle
≡ 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
≡ LCBO: Product#2490941 (Vintages)
≡ For more information about this wine, please contact us.

≡ Price: $17.95

The Region: Abruzzo is one region of Italy closely associated with wine and Montepulciano is arguably its best-known grape. The region was designated Denominazione Di Origine Controllata (DOC) more than 40 years ago. Abruzzo is directly east of Rome and mountainous; the Apennines cover more than 60% and most of its vineyards are on hillsides. This terroir is bathed by the warm sun and washed by a constant breeze from the Adriatic Sea. In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo became one of the most widely exported DOC wines in Italy.

The Grape: Montepulciano is a red wine grape that grows in many parts of southern Italy. It needs a long season because it tends to ripen late and is one of Italy’s best-known varieties. Grown in Abruzzo (Montepulciano d’Abruzzo) the grape produces a typically fruity, dry wine with the same name. It offers soft tannins and is often marketed without ageing. When it is aged at the winery for more than two years, the wine may be labeled "Riserva" and sold at a premium price. This wine should not be confused with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano from Tuscany, which is mostly Sangiovese grapes and is named for the village not the grape.

The Wine: Tenuta Ulisse Unico Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2009 has been awarded 2 points out of the maximum 3 (2 glasses out of 3) by the 2011 edition of the wine guide "Gambero Rosso", one of the most prestigious and respected wine magazines in Europe. The wine shows a ruby red color with reflections of violet. The aroma is persistently fruity with mainly berry notes, especially blackberries. On the mouth it is full and round with a good medium-full body. The finish is long and pleasant with sweet velvety tannins.

Serving Suggestion:Tenuta Ulisse Unico Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2009 pairs quite well with most meat dishes, particularly game, braised or roasted. It also pairs well with hard cheeses. If your BYOW Christmas dinner includes a meat dish, this is the wine to bring.

TENUTA DELL’ORNELLAIA
LE VOLTE 2009

≡ Made in Tuscany, Italy, by Tenuta Dell’Ornellaia
≡ 750 ml bottle
≡ 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
≡ LCBO: Product#964221 (Vintages)
≡ For more information about this wine, please CONTACT US.

≡ Price: $ 29.95

The Region: Tuscany... perhaps the best-known part of Italy. Culture, art and architecture, breathtaking scenery and warm people, extraordinary food and, of course, wine. Hot and sunny Tuscan weather is made manifest in some impressive wines year after year and 2009 is one year that stands out. Perfect September weather with abundant sunlight and very little rain provided a steady ripening of the grapes... and resulted in wines particularly concentrated, opulent, complex, tasteful and aromatic.

The Wine: Le Volte... from the Tenuta Dell’ Ornellaia estate on the Tuscan coast Maremma in the Bogheri area. Marquese Lodovico Antinori founded the estate in 1981, and its vintners make the most of the wonderful Tuscan grapes. Le Volte 2009 is a good example of their craft.
A blend of Italy’s own Sangiovese grapes (30%), the well structured Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) and the soft, velvety Merlot (50%), Le Volte is a rich, bright, fruity wine that delivers perfect balance, freshness and a long and lively finish. At $29.95, Le Volte may not be for every day drinking (at least not for me) but it will make the most of a special occasion. A perfect wine to take to your BYOW Christmas dinner.

Serving Suggestion: Le Volte is extremely easy to drink and very food friendly. I goes particularly well with Italian meals that include a rich tomato sauce such as pasta with pomodoro sauce, spaghetti and meatballs, or an authentic brick oven pizza.

HENRY OF PELHAM
BACO NOIR 2009

≡ Made in the Niagara Peninsula, Canada, by Henry Of Pelham Family Estate Winery
≡ 750 ml bottle
≡ 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
≡ LCBO: Product#270926
≡ For more information about this wine, please CONTACT US.

≡ Price: $ 13.95

The Grape: Baco Noir is a hybrid grape variety made from the the famous Cognac grape Folle Blanche and the native American Vitis Riperia. A hearty and vigorous grape, Baco Noir grows well in the cold temperatures of North America where it is planted extensively in the cooler winegrowing regions, particularly around the Great Lakes. In Canada, Baco Noir is a commonly produced wine in many wine regions but it is far more commonly grown in Ontario than in British Columbia. Wines made from Baco Noir are known to be rustic, wild and are well known for their heavy pigment that makes your teeth staining a little longer than other red varietals.

The Wine: Produced by one of Ontario’s most consistent producers of exceptional VQA wines, Henry of Pelham Baco Noir VQA is definitely among the best-for-your-buck Baco Noirs I’ve tasted. With its deep purple color, this wine is spicy, intense, rustic and woodsy and a pleasure on the palate, especially if aired properly in a large bowl glass or with a Vinturi wine aerator as I did. Well balanced with soft tannins, this Henry of Pelham Baco Noir is ready to be enjoyed but can also be aged for a couple more years.

Serving Suggestion: Pairs well with grilled steak, game dishes, hearty burgers and spicy dishes. Also goes well with hard cheeses.

STEVEN & CHRIS TREND
Merlot/Cabernet

≡ Made in the Niagara Peninsula, Canada, by Reif Estate Winery
≡ 750 ml bottle
≡ 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
≡ LCBO: Product#197921
≡ For more information about this wine, please contact us.

≡ Price: $ 14.95

Main Grapes:
Cabernet Sauvignon: The most planted red varietal grape in the world. It basically grows everywhere. A descendent of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon has come a long way from its role as a blending varietal in the wines of Bordeaux, France. The grape started making inroads as a single varietal in the late 1800’s. Today Cabernet Sauvignon is a true champion in the wine making industry with its own definitive characteristics.

Merlot: Like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot is one of the primary grapes used in wines from Bordeaux, France. A very popular grape, Merlot is present in most wines produced around the world. Actually, Merlot is now believed to be the third most grown variety. Merlot-based wines normally present a medium body, soft tannins and low acidity. Since Merlot has an earlier ripening than most grapes, it has become a popular grape for blending with the sterner, later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Wine: TREND reflects a new trend in the wine industry: celebrities and wannabe celebrities are increasingly becoming involved in the wine industry. Some for the love of wine, others just to be part of this new trend. Reif Estate Winery and Toronto designers and television hosts Steven Sabados and Chris Hyndman have combined efforts – Reif's wine making expertise and Steve and Chris entertaining /design status – to produce TREND, a quality VQA wine at an affordable price. TREND is a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and a small percentage (5%) of Cabernet Franc. The result is a medium bodied wine with aromas of red berries and spices. On the palate, TREND is well balanced, rich and velvety, with soft tannins and a savoury tone up to the finish.

Serving Suggestion: Pairs well with all meat sauce pasta dishes. Also goes well with soft cheeses.

VIÑA COBOS FELINO
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008

≡ Made in Mendoza, Argentina, by Viña Cobos S.A.
≡ 750 ml bottle
≡ 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
≡ LCBO: Product#132365 (Vintages)
≡ For more information about this wine, please contact us.

≡ Price: $ 19.95

The Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted red varietal in th e world. It basically grows everywhere. A descendent of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon has come a long way from its role as a blending varietal in the wines of Bordeaux, France. The grape started making inroads as a single varietal in the late 1800’s. Today Cabernet Sauvignon is a true champion in the wine making industry with its own definitive characteristics: green pepper-like aromas and black currant flavors among them. It is perhaps most prized for its ability to convey terroir, vintage and winemaking. Today Argentina’s Cabernet Sauvignon wines are among the best in the world. This Viña Cobos Felino is a good example of that.

The Producer: This wine is produced by the legendary American winemaker Paul Hobbs, one of California’s Napa and Sonoma Valleys most famous winemakers. Paul Hobbs visited Argentina in 1989 and immediately became interested in the terroir and in the vibrant Argentinian culture. In 1997 Paul Hobbs met two winemakers from Argentina, Andrea and Luis, and a partnership was born. Together they created Viña Cobos. Since then, Paul, Andrea and Luis have been producing superb wines, including this Viña Cobos Felino Cabernet Sauvignon, undoubtedly one of the best wines coming from Argentina these days.

The Region: Mendoza is the most important wine region in Argentina, producing around 70% of the country’s wine. The region helped put Argentina on the map as one of the great wine making countries in the world. Considerable foreign investments have been made in new vineyards and winemaking technology in the past several years. Recent plantings of more premium varieties of grapes also contributed to make the wines from Argentina much more competitive internationally. Among many Bordeaux varietals grown in Argentina today, Cabernet Sauvignon is only second to Malbec which still reigns supreme and is now considered Argentina's national grape. Only four countries in the world produce more wine than Argentina.

The Wine: Viña Cobos Felino Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 is the inspired work of winemaker Paul Hobbs and his Argentinian partners Andrea and Luis. A blend of 92% of Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, it shows a dense purple-black colour with a bouquet of lavender, vanilla oak and crushed blackcurrants. It is full-bodied, bold and complex, offering sweet fruit flavours overlaid by dark chocolate notes. Soft ripe tannins provide a good balance with a lengthy finish. Viña Cobos Felino Cabernet Sauvignon will certainly improve if cellared for a year or two, but it’s ready to be enjoyed, so why wait? Cheers!

Serving Suggestion: This wine pairs quite well with most beef dishes. It also goes nicely with aged cheeses.

BODEGAS MARTINEZ CORTA
- CEPAS ANTIGUAS

≡ Made in Rioja, Spain, by Bodegas and Viñedos Martinez-Corta
≡ 750 ml bottle
≡ 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
≡ Consignment Wine
≡ For purchase info., please click here

≡ Price: $ 15.95

The Grape: The name Tempranillo comes from the word “temprano”, meaning “early” in Spanish. This grape ripens sooner than other varietals in Spain. Trempanillo is one of Spain’s indigenous noble grapes. It also grows in Portugal: in the Douro Valley where it is called Tinta Roriz and further south in Alentejo where it is called Aragonêz. Argentina also has many vineyards of Tempranillo grapes. In Portugal the grape is one of five traditionally blended in Port wine, and either on its own or in blends for several dry red wines. Argentine vintners also produce dry red wines with the Tempranillo grape alone or in blends.

The Producer: Bodegas and Viñedos Martinez-Corta wineries have been the pride of the Martinez-Corta family for four generations. They are located in the Rioja region of Spain. In 2006, the family completed its new, state-of-the-art gravity-flow winery. It produces fully extracted fruit driven wines. Cepas Antiguas combines the new winery design and the vintner’s long years of experience.

The Wine: Cepas Antiguas, which means Old Vines, is entirely Tempranillo grapes, imparting a dark ruby-red colour. On the nose, it offers strong aromas of fruit and spices that jump out of your glass as soon as you pour. It is very easy on the palate with tastes of ripe fruit. It has great balance and a long finish. Cepas Antiguas can be enjoyed now or cellared for a few more years. It is an exceptional wine for the price, ideal to bring to your favorite BYOW restaurant. Cheers!

Serving Suggestion: This wine pairs well with most beef dishes, spareribs, grilled lamb, mild sausages or serano and iberico ham.

Consignment Wines: Consignment Wines are not on LCBO shelves because they are usually imported in small quantities. However, they are available in Ontario. Import agents sell them directly to restaurants for the most part, and to the public who know about them. This is an excellent way to expand your experience and knowledge of wines. To discover how you can sip on some exclusive treasures, please contact BYOW.

How to purchase it: For information on how to purchase this wine please contact BYOW.

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