Ruby Watchco will be the name of Lynns new restaurant at 730 Queen St. E. Toronto. Sommelier Zoltan Szabo is wine consultant. I can report here about 3 fabulous wines that will be on the list. Each is mentioned elsewhere in this blog, with notes: Viewpointe Auxerrois (Lake Erie), Andert Josef Gewürztraminer (Austria), Valdivieso Syrah Single Vineyard (Chile).
Check back here for my coverage of the opening, end of March 2010. Prepare for a culinary experience!
The wines of Valdivieso never cease to amaze me. They’re always stunning.
4 of these wines are now in stock: Malbec Single Vineyard, Syrah Single Vineyard, both in the low $20’s, and Cabernet Sauvignon at unbelievable price of $12.95, & their world-famous Blanc de Blanc Champenoise. Available for our Ontario restaurant clients and the public who have a palate for exclusive wines not in LCBO.
Bored with icewine? Me too. I recommend Sauternes and Austrian sweet wines from Neusiedlersee region. Complex, interesting, aristocratic.
Chateau la Tour Blanche is a great Sauternes to try. Historic, aristocratic: http://www.tour-blanche.com/uk/
Andert Josef of Austria is my pick for the best Neusiedlersee sweet wines. He produces Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese. Carriage Trade agency carries both… http://www.carriagetradewines.com/
WB
A dark and expressive wine with distinct aromas and flavours of dark chocolate, caramel macchiato, black tea and espresso. Very extracted. Tons of tannins. A beautiful example of a Spanish barrel-aged Tinto Fino (same as Tempranillo).
Now IN.
Valdivieso Syrah Reserve.
Wine Spectator: 92 pts. Deep garnet, big red fruit flavours. Berries, spices. Dark, elegant, complex. A very big wine. CDN $ 20.60.
More (and to order): http://www.wineandleisure.com/order.html
Zoltan, you are Number One. Grand Award is yours! An amazing accomplishment. Enjoy, Brother. http://www.winetastingchallenge.com
One of the world’s great wines. Recently tasted this one with a couple of the gals in my life. A dark and significant wine with notes of oregano, green tea, green bell pepper and vanilla. Ongoing layers reveal baking spices, cinnamon, brioche-like flavours of custardy bread, and dark bitter chocolate. A very big wine, stunningly integrated and complex with good acidity. A long, seamless and balanced finish. Masculine nose, feminine finish. Overall, the gals felt that this was “Clark Gable in a glass.” Not in Ontario. We enjoyed it in New York.
A sibling of chardonnay, this white wine offers very interesting alternatives in flavour. Medium gold with a spicy, grapefruit nose with a hint of creaminess. Flavours of grapefruit rind, honeycombe and a whisper of vanilla. Very easy to enjoy. Balanced. Reminds me a bit of a well-crafted Grüner Veltliner. Long finish. This is a COOL wine and highly suitable for sharing with your Valentine. Wine Baron.
The most fun Ive ever had in a white wine. What makes it so special? It bursts with fruity liveliness! Aromas of pear and tangerine lead to flavours of green apple, pear and grapefruit rind. Its a dry wine, with hints of minerality and a round mouthfeel. It is delicate, complex and balanced, with a charming and lingering finish. Will arrive in Ontario mid April 2010. Expected to be $15.95.
Warmin me knickers and every other frozen part o me body at Allens in Toronto. The Superb Galway Chowder and VQA Pinot Grigio are doing the trick. Now Im staring down a 21 year old Balvenie the other side of the bar. Hmmmmm….
In the meantime, bartender Glenn is looking after me like royalty.