Harry's Blog

125 years ago, Leoncio Arizu arrived in Argentina from Europe. Over the generations his Luigi Bosca winery has defined the art of crafting premium wines that respect their European heritage while highlighting the unique terroirs of Mendoza. The vineyards are located in the renowned regions of Lujan de Cuyo, Maipu and Uco Valley. Garnering many awards, the latest accolade is being named Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s “New World Winery of the Year.”

The star grape variety is, of course, Malbec, transplanted from France and brought to new levels of quality in the shadow of the Andes Mountains. Argentina, especially including Luigi Bosca, are undisputed international benchmarks for Malbec. Deep garnet in colour, we are met with ripe black fruits coupled with spicy, floral notes. Well-integrated tannins give us a soft, juicy mouth feel. Argentinian beef is also an international benchmark for red meats and Luigi Bosca Malbec is the perfect pairing. It’s an LCBO Vintages Essentials listing, always available year round.               

Luigi Bosca Malbec LCBO #452672, $19.95

Prohibition, at various times and in different jurisdictions in the 1920’s and 1930’s in Canada, but primarily in the United States, was a period when the legal sale of alcohol was not allowed by government decree. A common term that has its origins from this time is bootlegger. A bootlegger is a person who makes, transports, or sells illegal goods, mainly alcoholic beverages, without authorization or taxation. A great deal of smuggling of alcohol took place during prohibition between Canada and the United States, with the longest undefended border in the world, 8,891 km, separating the two nations. Under its Family Tree brand, the Speck brothers, Niagara Peninsula’s preeminent craft wine producers, use different names with historical connections to their property. The Bootlegger is used in conjunction with their signature Baco Noir. During Prohibition, airplanes would regularly visit their property to collect locally made whisky and wine made in barns on local farms. As the wine’s label states, “it’s a throw back to times gone by.” It’s a high flying wine that is ripe and juicy and embodies the spirit of that time. Dark fruit and smoke are the benchmarks of The Bootlegger Baco Noir. Serve with burgers, roasts and medium bodied cheeses. Till Nov. 7, collect 100 Aeroplan Bonus Points for every bottle purchased at your local LCBO retail outlet.           

2024 Family Tree “The Bootlegger” Baco Noir VQA, LCBO #16791, $17.95

It’s probably on the bucket list of every beer lover to visit Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, and specifically the Hofbräu tent, which holds 10,000 revellers. We are fortunate to have the same Hofbräu Oktoberfest beer that is served in Munich available for a limited time at your local LCBO outlet. Do you know that in Munich, only breweries located within the city limits are allowed to sell their seasonal beers for Oktoberfest. This is unlike breweries around the world that have hijacked the term Oktoberfest for whatever beer they wish to produce and market.

Hofbräu’s classic Märzen style brew is bright gold in colour with rich aromas of bread, medium-to-full bodied with a long citrus and dried hay finish. The alcohol clocks in at a slightly higher level of 6.3%. The independent Beverage Testing Institute gave it 93 points with an addition “Exceptional” rating. And don’t forget to pick up some sausages, buns and sauerkraut from your local grocery retailer to allow you to create your own Oktoberfest. Bring out the lederhosen, rinse out your stein and have a good time. Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit, that is, a toast to good cheer, in German.

Hobräu Oktoberfestbier 500 ml LCBO #84889, $4.50.

Everyone probably knows of sushi and when they hear this word, they think of raw fish wrapped in rice. Whereas sashimi, for those who have not come across the word before, follows the same principals of sushi but it’s raw fish without the rice. They have both become highly popular over time and now one can buy sushi and sashimi from supermarkets for lunches on the go. Of course, it always tastes better when ordered at a Japanese restaurant to eat there or to take home as a little foodie treat. Schmitt Soehne, one of Germany’s major wine exporters, is well aware of international food trends, especially the popularity of Japanese cuisine and its following outside of Japan itself. The favourite fish to use are tuna, sea bream, salmon and other local red and white fish sourced from the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean surrounding Japan.

Now, what wine to pair with these Japanese favourites? While fish is easy to pair solo with most unoaked white wines, it becomes trickier when the typical Japanese condiments of ginger and wasabi are thrown into the mix. They create heat and fire on the palate, not to mention the clearing of one’s air waves so typical of horseradish- based wasabi experience. Every diner, with practice, will arrive at one’s comfort level of spice and heat. Enter Sashimi Dreams Riesling, a specially sourced and blended Riesling by Schmitt Soehne from the Rheinhessen growing region. Pale yellow, its fruity and aromatic. With sufficient residual sweetness, it will stand up to the spices  accompanying sushi and sashimi and will also cool the palate. The stunning label was created by Australian design guru, John Jewell. His forward thinking design combines centuries of German winemaking with a fresh, contemporary Asian identity. It will stand out on the retail shelf as well as the dining experience.      

2024 Sashimi Dreams Rheinhessen Riesling LCBO #47839

Meet Ninja Kicks Pinot Noir by Schmitt Söhne – a wine that combines centuries of German winemaking tradition with a fresh, contemporary identity. The folks at Schmitt Söhne winery, one of Germany’s largest wine exporters, believe that great wine deserves great storytelling. Ninja Kicks Pinot Noir is designed to stand out on the shelf while delivering the quality and character that consumers expect from a quality German Pinot Noir.  Germany, after France and the USA, is the third largest producer of this noble iconic red variety in the world. The label, with its scattered Ninjas, food icons and Japanese characters, reflects the happy vibe of the brand name and showcases the flavours and feel of the wine.

Hailing from the rolling hills of Germany’s premium Rheinhessen growing region, the alcohol level comes in at a moderate 12% . With a seductive  bouquet of red berries and cherries, the taste is dry at 8 gm/L followed by a smooth finish. It has been crafted to be food friendly and pairs nicely with fish, red meat, game or enjoy it on its own.

2024 Ninja Kicks Pinot Noir LCBO #50718, $13.95

The producer, Finca Bacara, is located in one of southern Spain’s largest appellations, Jumilla (who-millah). Native to the Jumilla region, and known as Mourvèdre in other parts of the world, the Monastrell grape variety covers more surface area in Jumilla than any other part of the world. Monastrell is so well adapted to the region’s warm, dry conditions that most is dry farmed, without irrigation, where the average rainfall is less than 300 mm per year. Despite the hot, dry weather, the grape actually thrives when planted in Jumilla’s cool limestone soils. Monastrell develops roots that drive deep into the soil to extract all the moisture they need, even during the region’s long, baking summers. Our grapes are grown organically, also by default, since any enemies of the grape cannot survive the scorching summer temperatures or cold winters. The colour is deep garnet with a violet rim in the glass. On the nose we get ripe aromas of black fruits topped off with spicy and smoky notes. The taste is well balanced with an interplay of soft tannins and a juicy acidity. Feel free to serve with a charcuterie board stacked high with your favourite sliced meats and then piled on artisanal breads. We love to pair a stone-ground Dijon mustard to add a little zip to the lip.    

2022 Finca Bacara Monastrell Organic LCBO #50746, $16.95

Stella is the Latin word for star. It also shows up occasionally as a woman’s name. Do we know any Stella’s? How about Stella McCartney, daughter of Beatle, Sir Paul McCarney, well-known fashion designer in her own right. When we went to New Zealand a few years ago looking to line up a Kiwi winery for our portfolio, we were attracted by the unique embodiment of a passion for life, culture and entertainment and their avant-garde brand name of SOHO. Rachel Carter, winery owner, chose the name Stella for their premium Sauvignon Blanc. Her inspiration was women with classic confidence and sexy femininity. 

While SOHO is based on Waiheke Island, a forty-minute boat ride from the capital city Auckland, grapes for this wine are sourced from their own Carter Family Vineyards and other select boutique estates in South Island’s Marlborough region. Delicious zest fruit meets gorgeous minerality. There is a luscious concentration on the palate of pure stone fruits and lime. The long finish is balanced with a vibrant acidity

France’s Loire region is the ancestral homeland of Sauvignon Blanc and the classic pairing there is goat’s cheese, called Chèvre. Go to your local cheese shop and have them recommend a quality soft goat cheese. Top it with a fig spread on a fresh baguette. Sip and savour. Sam Kim of New Zealand’s Wine Orbit publication gave it 95 points.

2025 Soho Stella Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc LCBO# 554311, $21.95

The Boeckel winery in France’s’ Alsace region was founded in 1853 in the picturesque village of Mittelbergheim. In the fifth generation of family ownership, the Boeckel estate vineyards are located on limestone-clay sub-soils. Facing south and sheltered from cold northerly winds, the very dry soils store heat during the day and release it to the vines at night. Boeckel’s range of certified organic wines has been given the name Midelberg, what Mittelbergheim was called in the Middle Ages. Their Midelberg Riesling is dry and crisp with an elevated acidity, complimented by bright citrus and mineral notes. It will pair nicely with seafood or pork dishes. Our favourite is the classic Alsatian regional dish of Tarte Flambée. In the local Alsatian dialect it’s called Flammekueche. It’s a thin flatbread topped with crème fraîche, onion and bacon begging to be washed down with this characterful Riesling. Robert Parker scored the 2023 vintage 90 points.

2023 Boeckel Midelberg Riesling LCBO # 48639, $23.95

Peach season is in full force in Ontario. Whether picking up a basket from your local orchard, or from your neighborhood grocery store, this stone-based fruit knows no enemies. The  velvety texture and mouth-watering acidity reflect its seasonal freshness. Then, we have ice wine. It’s an excruciating activity to harvest and produce this unctuous dessert wine from frozen grapes. The water content is, of course, frozen, and when pressed, the ice shards are separated, leaving a highly concentrated, super sweet nectar with a peaked acidity waiting to be fermented. This rare gift of the gods results in a spine-tingling sensation of superlatives with elevated prices to match. Peach cobbler will pair beautifully with ice wine, especially Henry of Pelham Family Estate Riesling Ice Wine. The wine’s lively stone and exotic fruit flavours mirror the peach filling of the cobbler while its honey and citrus notes add complexity. The velvety texture matches the cobbler’s smooth filling and the mouth-watering acidity of the wine prevents the pairing from being too heavy. The product of harsh Canadian winters, blends perfectly with one of summer’s delightful fruits. We are blessed to have Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula literally in our backyard. As home to both vineyards and orchards, let us enjoy its provenance.             

Henry of Pelham Riesling Ice Wine 375 ml, LCBO #430561, $49 95 

Rosé wine has been a staple in French wine production for generations, with origins along the Mediterranean coast. Rosé wines have now also become a mainstream category produced in every major wine producing nation. This includes Canada’s Niagara Peninsula with Henry of Pelham winery’s VQA Rosé a leader. Vibrant pink, aromas of cherry and berry fruits segue into light notes of rose petals. Refreshingly dry, the finish is pleasant with a long, lingering finish. Serve well chilled. Pairings? Think shrimp. Rosé’s hues of pink definitely make every day life more colourful and that translates to sexy summer sipping at a location of your choice – on the patio, by the pool, by the campfire, at the cottage or on the deck. If it’s the perfect colour combination you want, enjoy it with those unthawed frozen shrimp rings most supermarkets carry. They’ve got pink tails and pinkish skins. Dip them in a little cocktail sauce, take a sip of rosé and you’ve got a marriage made in the mouth.     

Henry of Pelham Family Estate Classic Rosé VQA, LCBO #613471, $15.95.

For most people Burgundy is a deep rich, reddish-brown or purplish-red clothing material. It combines dark red with hints of purple or blue, giving it a sophisticated, warm appearance. It’s named after the famous wine from the Burgundy region of France. And Burgundy wine is made from the Pinot Noir grape that has its origins also in this region.

While Burgundy is synonymous with top drops, sometimes going for triple digit dollar retail prices, there are many affordable versions too. But never inexpensive. The Pinot Noir

grape has successfully made its way into New World wine regions such as Canada, and more specifically, British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. The region is characterised by a cool climate and glacial soils. Quail’s Gate is a world class pioneering producer of this finicky varietal referred to in the industry as the ”heart break grape.” It demands attention both in the vineyard and in the cellar. Aging in new and used French oak barrels gives us a vibrant, juicy red cherry and berry wine followed up with complex layers of coco, baking spices, earthy undertones ending with a bright refreshing acidity. Aging for another five years would allow this wine to develop even greater complexity. Food wise, I would pair it with mushroom-based dishes given the wine’s pleasant earthiness. The soft tannins provide a good counterpoint and will bring out the best in game or pork. My all-time favourite pairing is with soft French cheeses such as brie or camembert.        

2023 Quail’s Gate Okanagan Valley VQA Pinot Noir, LCBO #585760, $36.95

With the LCBO opening their distribution channel to grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations to sell beer and wine, it’s great to see Costco wholesale outlets also included.  As always, Costco’s product selection is carefully curated, year round, seasonally or as special one-time offerings. It’s such a convenience to be able to pick up wines while shopping for other SKU’S. Included are VQA wines from the Speck Brothers, Niagara’s most respected, pioneering producer of estate-bottled selections. This incudes their Henry of Pelham Family Estate line. In addition, a value priced line of varietal wines is sold under their Family Tree brand. This week, we are bringing your attention to Family Tree ‘The Goat Lady’ Chardonnay. This wine is named in honour of neighbor Marion who kept goats next to the vineyard when the Speck brothers were children. A creamy, rich Chardonnay, fermentation and aging in American oak gives us a bouquet of butter, oak and vanilla with great balance rounded out with tropical fruit notes. If there was ever a Chardonnay to substitute for California Chardonnays, no longer available in Ontario due to international trade issues, this is it.

STOP PRESS: Family Tree ‘The Goat Lady’  Chardonnay is now the NUMBER ONE VQA Chardonnay sold in Canada. So get our goat. While at Costco why not pick up their seasoned pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to pair with The Goat Lady.

The Goat Lady Chardonnay is priced at $14.99 plus taxes at Costco.

The LCBO brand #16792 retail price is $17.95 all in.