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Rick's
Picks - June 2009
by Rick
VanSickle
Summertime
and the livin' is easy. Those lazy,
hazy days spent outdoors on the
deck call for some extra attention
to the wine supply.
Deck
wines are a special breed. We need
lots of it in case friends pop by
unexpectedly, so a good cache of
ready-to-drink, inexpensive vino
is necessary at all times. And we
don't want anything too fancy. Just
crowd pleasing wines with lots of
fruity flavours that taste good
with or without food.
With
all that in mind, here are five
whites and five reds sure to please
the most discerning deck sitters
out there. And they won't break
the bank either.
The
whites:
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Obikwa
Sauvignon Blanc 2008
($9 LCBO)
A
perfect little wine from South
Africa for the deck with fresh,
crisp lime-citrus notes followed
by tropical fruits. An all-day
sipper for under $10.
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Deinhard
Green Label Riesling
($10 LCBO)
No
deck is complete without some
riesling chilling in the cooler.
This bargain wine from Germany
has it all — intense
green apple and citrus in
a completely dry style. German
rieslings tend to be lower
in alcohol, as well.pic
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Oyster
Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2008
($19 Vintages)
OK,
a tad pricey for an every
day white, but this is one
fine deck sipper (save for
your best friends). Assertive
lime, kiwi and herbaceous
notes on the nose. It's focused
on the palate with vivid citrus-lime
and tropical fruits. A beauty.
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Louis
Latour d'Ardeche Chardonnay
2006
($12 LCBO)
Louis
Latour is one of the most
famous value producers from
France and this baby chard
shows a lot of wine for the
price. A floral nose with
pear and spice notes. A well-crafted
wine at this price with creamy,
apple-pear and vanilla notes.
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Cono
Sur Merlot Rose 2008
($10 LCBO)
Not
really white, not really red,
but a few bottles of rose
are perfect for the summer
heat. Cono Sur is a great
Chilean supplier of good value
wines with consistent quality.
Nice red berry aromas with
an appealing savoury note.
The red berries carry to the
palate in a crisp, bright
and cheery style.
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The
reds:
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Cave
Spring Gamay 2007
($13 LCBO)
Let's
start with a great little
Niagara red. Cherry and bramble
fruit on the nose with earth
and spice notes. The aromas
are echoed on the palate of
this easy drinking, fruit-forward
red. Can serve this slightly
chilled.
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El
Burro Kickass Shiraz
($13 LCBO)
This
is the epitome of deck wine.
Jammy raspberry-blueberry
aromas with a nice mocha kick.
Myriad wild fruit flavours
on the palate highlighted
by dark fruits, some mint
and spice notes. Great party
wine. Super buy.
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Yalumba
Y Series Shiraz
Viognier 2007
($16 LCBO)
Blueberry,
wild berry, pepper, herbs
all play a part on the exciting
nose of this Aussie red. The
fruits are pronounced on the
palate in a ripe style that's
bolstered by savoury-spicy
notes.
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Creekside
Shiraz 2007
($16 LCBO)
Sensibly
packaged in a screwcap, this
is a wonderful Niagara shiraz
with spicy, smoky bramble
fruit on the nose. On the
palate it's loaded with wild
berries, cherry, plum, roasted
coffee bean, mocha and and
savoury spices. A real treat
at a great price.
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Louis
Latour Pinot Noir 2007
($18 LCBO)
Sweet
raspberry aromas to go with
touches of cinnamon and cloves.
It all follows to the palate.
Just a nice, flavourful and
light-weight pinot that's
silky smooth going down the
hatch.
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If
you have any questions, email me at: rickwine@hotmail.com
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