Harry's Blog

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.

All year round, RELAX Riesling is the number one selling imported Riesling in Canada from the shores of the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean and every jurisdiction in between. It hails from the steep-sloped vineyards of Germany, the world’s hot bed and birth place of high quality Riesling. The fruit driven bouquet and intense flavours of apples and peaches and a hint of citrus are balanced by a pleasant crispness that will leave your mouth watering. The alcohol is a moderate 9.5 % alc./vol. Whether in your home, on the deck, in a campground, or at the cottage, it’s the perfect summer sipper. Get comfortable, swirl RELAX Riesling in your glass, savour the aroma, sip, repeat. Since we tend to enjoy lighter foods in the warmer months, what to pair with RELAX Riesling? We suggest chicken, pineapple and red onion skewers. Bast with a homemade BBQ sauce made of olive oil, ketchup, soy sauce, ginger and brown sugar. 

RELAX Riesling 750 ml  LCBO #621888, $14.15. With the launching of beer and wine sales in convenience stores in Ontario, we are pleased to announce that RELAX Riesling is now available in Circle K convenience stores and gas stations.   

CUNE winery is one of Spain’s most distinguished wineries based in the epicenter of premium red wine production, Rioja. But Spaniards drink plenty of white wine, and export it too. Rias Baixas, pronounced “REE-AHSS-BYE-SHAHSS,” part of the state of Galicia, is the cool, damp, green corner of northwest Spain. The landscape is exceptional along the Atlantic coastline marked with irregular shallow fjords called rias. A densely planted patchwork of vineyards highlights vines trained on shoulder height pergolas. They assist in ventilating the grapes, especially in summer when sea mists invade the vineyards. The dominant grape variety planted here is the Albariño. Thick skinned, it can best resist the threat of mildew, an issue in this humid climate. Vinified only in stainless steel to preserve freshness with its typical classic, snappy style, it’s bright, green-straw in colour. Lemon, tropical fruit, and white pepper notes finish with a refreshing acidity. Alcohol is a moderate12.5% by volume. Enjoy solo, or pair with seafood or light rice dishes. Luis Gutierrez, robertparker.com, gave the wine 91+ points.        

2024 La Val Albariño DO Rias Baixas LCBO #47861, $23.95