Name:
Location: Whitby, Ontario, Canada

Born in Malta but in Canada since age 5. Has written three books and presently does several columns about wine and food for various magazines.

Saturday, July 24, 2021

These Wines Certainly Merited a Second Tasting!

Last week I had the pleasure of re-tasting several wines that I had tasted two years ago. The recent blends are a "new and Improved" version of the same. More often than not, second tastings can sometimes disappoint. This was not to be this case. The wines tasted in 2019 proved to be excellent but the second time was even better. Based on a Price per Quality ratio, these wines were excellent in value and could definitely challenge wines that were two to three times the price. To boot, these wines are all on the LCBO'S General Listing.

OGGI Organic Pinot Grigio 2020     LCBO #19853  $13.95    Veneto, Italy  94 Points (2019, 90)  

Colour: Pale Yellow, Clear

Nose:    Floral, apple, banana, citrus, forest perfume.

Palate: Medium to light body, fresh, zesty, clean, crisp finish

Food Matches:  Mussels, oysters, prosciutto, antipasti, salad (using wine as dressing)!

Angove Organic Chardonnay 2020   LCBO #553859   $14.70  Australia  94 Points (2019, 90)

Colour: Pale yellow-green, clear 

Nose: Peach, melon, granny-smith apple, herbal spice, vanilla oak, citrus

Palate: Medium body, fresh acidity, lemon citrus finish

Food Matches: Antipasti, salmon/trout, roast pork, grilled vegetables.

Comments: New Green Cap Closure signifies that this wine is vegan friendly. One can notice a bit more oak in the wine which adds to the flavour but does not take away any elegance. Value for money! 

Caparzo Toscana Sangiovese 2019  LCBO #361022 $13.95  Tuscany. 95 points (2019, 92)

 Colour: Intense Ruby Red, Clear

Nose: Ripe red and black cherries, hints of strawberries, blackberries, chocolate, cedar 

Palate: Medium to full bodied, smooth tannin, well balance and integrated, long, smooth finish.

Food Matches: Pasta, grilled meat, Italian sausage (hot or mild) and burgers

Comments: This wine is worth at least twice the price if not more. Excellent on its own yet superb with food. Value such as this is not easily found. This wine reminds me of a good Brunello. While the price did influence my score, this wine is great at any price. Buy now while you have a chance to get it.