RED WINES
Amarone: At the LCBO, you would probably pay $30 or more for a single bottle of Italian Amarone. The high price is partly explained by the winemaking method and partly by mark-ups and taxes. Amarone is made from Valpolicella grapes (specifically Corvina, Rondinella and Molinera) that are picked and then dried on wooden racks. The drying process concentrates the sugars which produces a high-alcohol (15%) and rich red wine that pairs perfectly with red meats. (P.S. The Amarone you make with me does not cost $30 a bottle!)
Barolo: Nebbiolo, the grape variety behind this famous Italian wine, grows in a tiny section of the Piedmont region, around the town of Barolo. Full-bodied and dense, this wine complements steaks and roasts, hearty pastas and fine aged cheese.
Bergamais*: Gamay, the grape in Bergamais (we cannot call it by its French name), produces a light and fruity red wine that is best served slightly chilled. Enjoy with casual foods, from burgers from the grill to pizza from the local pie place.
Bourgeron*: See Pinot Noir
Cabernet Sauvignon: The most popular red wine variety in the world, Cabernet Sauvignon is grown throughout the world's wine regions, including France's Bordeaux, Chile's Central Valley, California's Lake County (Kendall-Jackson is one of this area's producers) as well as the Russian River and Napa Valley, Texas' Central Valley, Argentina's Rio Negro, South Australia (Wolf Blass wine country), South Africa's Stellenbosch and right here in our backyard, in the Niagara region. Deep in colour, medium-to-full body, Cabernet Sauvignon needs time in the bottle to soften the tannins -- and after that may be enjoyed with red meats, BBQ chicken, or many pasta dishes.
Chianti: If you have seen the motion picture Under The Tuscan Sun, you have seen the traditional home of the Sangiovese grape and its wine, Chianti. A red wine that may be enjoyed while young, it may be enjoyed with casual meals -- lasagna, pizza or veal sandwiches.
Lemberger: A German red wine also known as Blauer Limberger or, in Austria, Blaufrankisch. Noted for its deep red colour and spicy-sweet earthy flavour, Lemberger may be enjoyed with hamburgers hot off the grill.
Merlot: Well-planted in Europe in South America and the US (California and Washington states specifically), Merlot offers a soft, fruity wine that matches well with lamb, steak and prime rib or with medium cheeses such as Cheddar. Or, enjoy Merlot on its own.
Montepulciano: A popular Italian wine that is widely grown in the Abruzzi region. A robust, flaourful dry red wine that can be enjoyed young with pasta, steak or hard cheese. This wine also ages well in the bottle.
Pinot Noir (aka Pinot Nero, Bergeron): Widely planted, the pinot noir grape is gaining an enviable reputation in Oregon, where the International Pinot Noir Convention happens each year in McMinnville. A delicate, light-to-medium body wine with fruity overtones, Pinot Noir can be enjoyed with a wide range of foods, from soft cheeses to grilled salmon.
Rioja: Spain's leading wine-producing region, located in the north-east; the river Oja runs through it while the Aberian mountains define its southern border. ("Rio" means river in Spanish.) Rioja, the wine, comes from the indiginous Tempranillo grape blended with Garnacha (and sometimes other local varieties). A rich wine with flavours of cherry, blackberry and vanilla, Rioja may be enjoyed young with spicy Thai, Indian and Mexican foods.
Rosso Grande: Corvina and Rondinella (2 of the 3 varieties in Amarone) team up in this extra full bodied red wine that is fruity (black cherry and plum) and elegant. Pair with red meat or sharp cheese.
Shiraz: Known as "Syrah" in Europe and "Shiraz" in Australia and South Africa, this robust, fruity, peppery wine is enjoying much success - so much so that a Toronto Life reader suggested, in a letter to the magazine, that the LCBO be renamed "Shiraz World" because the retail giant features so many varieties. (Shiraz is the most widely planted grape in Australia.) Pair with beef, whether BBQ'd Filet Mignon or burgers.
Valpolicella: Crafted from the same grapes as Amarone, Valpolicella is a light, fruity and refreshing red wine that complements pasta and veal dishes.
Vieux Chateau du Roi*: A blend of up to 13 different grape varieties create this classic, full-bodied red wine that is deep in colour, carrying a warn bouquet of ripe berry fruit with a touch of oak. The original comes from France's Rhone Valley where the wine might lead one to think about the Pope's summer home.
Zinfandel: Not to be confused with "White Zinfandel" (which is neither white nor usually made from the Zinfandel grape), this exotic black grape produces a soft, spicy wine of medium body and a hint of oak. Enjoy with beef, spicy foods or even a fruit and chees plate. (Among the Zinfandel wines that we offer, Old Vine Zinfandel is highly recommended.)
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