The holidays are long gone but the credit card bills are just rolling in, which means expensive wine is likely not very high on your priority list. Our wine columnist, Tony Aspler, selects five post-holiday wines that won’t have you breaking the bank at the LCBO.
J. P. Chenet Premier de Cuvée Merlot Cabernet 2008
Pays d’Oc, France, $11.95
I’m a little suspicious of a brand that claims it’s “the world’s best-selling French wine,” but this red blend may very well live up to its billing. It’s an easy-drinking wine that doesn’t have a lot of complexity, but you get real concentration of blackcurrant and blueberry flavours with a spicy cinnamon note and a soft mouth feel. Food match: meat loaf, shepherd’s pie.
Casal Thaulero Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Abruzzo, Italy, $7.45
Frankly I don’t know how they can do it for the price. Ruby coloured with a flinty, cherry nose; medium-bodied with spicy cherry and redcurrant flavours. Easy drinking with supple tannins. A versatile food wine. Food match: spaghetti with meat sauce, pasta or pizza.
Alvear’s Amontillado
Spain, $10.95
Made from Pedro Ximenez grapes in the Montilla Morilles region that neighbours the sherry region of Jerez. Deep amber colour with high toned, nutty, raisiny nose of baked apple and dried apricot with a note of dried flowers; off-dry and mouth-filling with great length. Terrific value. (Top Toronto chefs use it in cooking.) Food match: soups, cashews.
Flat Roof Manor Merlot 2009
South Africa, $10.95
This is a really tasty drop of wine. The colour is deep ruby; the nose has that distinctive South African smoky-tarry note above the blackberry fruit. It’s full on the palate with sweet blackcurrant and blueberry flavours, and its acidity gives the wine a decent length. Food match: stew, smoked turkey.
Cono Sur Viognier 2009
Chile, $9.95
This is, to my mind, the best value white under $10 at the LCBO. Pale gold in colour, it has a characteristic bouquet of peach and orange blossom; medium-bodied and dry on the palate, it has an exotic flavour of tropical fruits with lively acidity to give it length. Food match: pork dishes, chicken in cream sauce.
