Harry's Blog

Munich Oktoberfest, the original, and largest in the world, takes place this year from September 21 to October 4. First held in 1810, it celebrated the marriage between Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. Six million visitors from around the world will gather to celebrate in downtown Munich on the Theresienwiese (Therese’s meadow), named in honour of the bride. It covers 34.5 ha and is accessible by its own subway station.  At 12 noon sharp on the first day of Oktoberfest, the Lord Mayor of Munich will tap the first keg of beer with as few strokes as possible. The record for the least number is held by His Worship, Christian Ude, at two strokes in 2005. In 1951, Lord Mayor Thomas Wimmer required 19 attempts. "Ozapft is!” is declared (it’s tapped). Only then are the tents, some holding upwards of 10,000 revelers, allowed to start serving beer and food.

We don’t have to go to Munich to enjoy the very same beer that’s served there. The iconic Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier is now available for a limited time at your local LCBO retail store. On your way home, also stop by your local supermarket and pick up your favourite sausages, Bavarian mustard, sauerkraut and buns and you will be able to celebrate your own Oktoberfest. Prosit (cheers)! Oh, and don’t forget to download Bavarian Oktoberfest music to round out the experience.

Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier 500 mL LCBO # 84889, $3.95.

Stella is the Latin word for star. It also shows up occasionally as a woman’s given name. Do we know any Stella’s. How about Stella McCartney, daughter to Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, and 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, sexy femininity plus a whiff of romance thrown in.

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 on 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 Chevre. Go to you local cheese shop and have them recommend a quality soft goat cheese. Top it with a fig spread. Sip and savour.

New Zealand journalist Sam Kim gave a score of 95 points.

2023 SOHO Stella Sauvignon Blanc LCBO # 554311, $20.95

France’s longest river, the Loire, meanders slowly for almost one thousand kilometers from its source in the Massif Central to its estuary on the Atlantic coast near the city of Nantes. Over 80,000 hectares of vines, primarily white, grow along the last stretch of 350 kilometers. This is the land of immense woods, countless orchards, fertile fields, and a diverse variety of vineyards. It has been said that the Loire is a queen loved by kings. In fact, the French monarchs, all keen hunters, were attracted to the extensive forests along the Loire. It is here where the great châteaux of France can be found—Chambord with its 440 rooms and Chenonceau built right over the Cher River tributary, as well as Angers, Chaumont, and Amboise, where, coincidently, Leonardo da Vinci’s remains are buried. All architectural masterpieces.

Vast acreages, toward the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, of the Melon de Bourgogne grape are used to produce the ever-popular, seafood accompanying Muscadet-de-Sèvre-et-Maine. Muscadet specialist, Chéreau-Carré, is one of the largest vineyard owners with 324 acres which incudes their flagship property, Château de Chasseloir. While Muscadets are traditionally drunk young and fresh, a premium bottling with extended bottle age on spent yeasts, called “sur lie,” results in a creamier texture and yeasty flavours. A favourite regional dish, called Moules Frites, is made by flash cooking mussels in a splash of Muscadet wine and tossing them with shallots and green herbs accompanied with French Fries.

Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast Magazine rated this wine with 92 points.

2020 Château de Chasseloir Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie LCBO# 35904, $21.95

Terroir refers to a special area in a wine-growing region where the elements of climate, grape variety, soil, exposure to the sun and location converge to help create wines with unique profiles of taste, bouquet and aging potential. Not to be forgotten is also the influence of the winemaker. While we usually refer to the terroir of smaller areas, when it comes to producing characterful wines in larger quantities Gérard Bertrand is a master. Concentrating on perfecting his craft along the sun-drenched Mediterranean coast of France, he has picked out vineyard sites in the Languedoc where the elements of terroir bring out the best of the Syrah and Grenache grape. Each variety is picked and fermented separately and is then blended into a 50/50 cuvée which in turn spends up to a year in French oak barriques (barrels). Consistently over delivering with great value, it’s plush and full-bodied with classical notes of dark fruit, spices, cocoa and a hint of smoke. It glides along the palate to a dry, rich finish. A perfect summer barbeque wine for the Labour Day weekend. At LCBO retail outlets there’s currently $2 off the per bottle price.      

Gérard Bertrand Syrah-Grenache Languedoc LCBO # 413237, $15.95 (till Sept.15) Regular price is $17.95.

Following several successful seasonal LCBO Vintages releases, Harry’s back again, but only for a short time! Looking for a name for their dry rosé, New Zealand’s SOHO winery chose Harry. According to the back label, the inspiration was “people with purpose and charm.” Rhyming off the names of a few well-known Harrys, this description could fit, one way or another: singer Harry Styles; Harry Potter; crooner Harry Connick; Harry Belafonte, Prince Harry; our resident blogger Harry Drung; Harry Pickering, founder of the world-famous Harry’s Bar in Venice.

With patio and outdoor season well underway, and back-to school on the horizon, take a break and enjoy this dry Pinot Noir based rosé. Hailing from their own vineyards in Marlborough, its refreshing appeal is irresistible. Gentle notes of watermelon and raspberry sorbet fill the bouquet. A refreshing acidity and crisp mouthfeel carry through to a lingering finish. Sam Kim, highly respected Kiwi journalist, scored it with 95 points. Vegan friendly too. Versatile with your choice of a multitude of lighter summer dishes, reflect on one of the Harrys listed here.    

SOHO 2023 White Collection HARRY Rosé LCBO #19545, $21.95.

After this small ditty, let’s talk more about Syrah. It’s a very important red grape variety grown in the Rhône region of France as well as along the Mediterranean coast. It’s well-known by the term Shiraz where it has been exported in gargantuan quantities from Australia. It has adapted itself extremely well in Chile where it goes by the original French term Syrah. Matetic winery has concentrated its plantings in the cool coastal region of San Antonio. All the vineyards are certified organic and bio-dynamic.  

With a deep, lively purple color, the aromas are intense and varietal with notes of red fruit, violets, and pepper balanced by elements of chocolate and spice imparted by oak aging. The palate has a great body and intensity demonstrating balance and complexity, long tannins, and a long, very juicy finish. Decanting the wine and serving slightly chilled is recommended. Pair with all kinds of red meats, sweet and sour dishes, and aged or smoked cheeses. James Suckling scored this wine with 93 points.

2021 Matetic Corralillo Syrah LCBO #146407, $29.95

I personally lean towards wines with a crisp acidity as they complement and don’t overpower food. While many people tend to associate red wines with Spain, which I do love, I have taken a real liking to Spanish whites from the Rueda region along the Duero River. The local grapes, especially Palomino, used to be made into heavy, sherry-style wines. But an emphasis on alternative grapes and new winemaking techniques and styles of wines have been pushed to the forefront through the pioneering efforts of certain progressive local producers such as Felix Lorenzo Cachazo. Due to the dedication and efforts of the folks at the Cachazo winery, there is a real awakening in Rueda of the potential for the Verdejo grape. They own prime vineyards planted mainly on sandy soils throughout Rueda, including some vines that are over 140 years old. With its similar style to Sauvignon Blanc, fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel and lees aging, we have a modern, food friendly wine. The end product ticks off the boxes today’s wine drinkers are looking for. Light yellow in the glass, this wine offers generous tropical fruit aromas. The mouth feel is gorgeous with textures of stone fruits and wet stone flavours lingering on the palate. The Wine Enthusiast issue of Nov. 1, 2023 gave it 93 points with an additional “Best Buy” accolade.

During the current spell of hot, sultry summer weather, enjoy a cool crisp glass on its own. But for the ultimate food match, get yourself a recipe on the internet for a Spanish-style seafood paella. Verdejo pairs magically with the assemblage of different textures and flavours of the key ingredients of rice, mussels, prawns, calamari and spices. And don’t dare leave out the saffron!   

2022 Carrasvinas Rueda Verdejo LCBO # 82073, $18.95

In the wine world, consumers will encounter different terms used in various languages to describe the grey pinot grape—Pinot Gris, in French or English; Grauburgunder in German; Pinot Grigio in Italian; Szürkebarát (grey monk) in Hungarian. The terminology harkens back to the Cistercian monks from Burgundy who wore greyish habits. As they fanned out across Europe to spread Christianity in the 11^th century, the monks took their grapes and viticultural practices with them. As well, they passed on these practices to the local populations, who embraced them wholeheartedly. The grapes provided nutrition, but more importantly, the raw material for making wine, be it used as a table beverage or for sacramental purposes. The picture of the monks labouring in the vineyards in their greyish smocks left a lasting impression in the minds and on the palates of wine drinkers all over the world, whatever they may call the grape.

As the white partner to Oregon’s extremely popular red Pinot grape, Pinot Noir, Wine by Joe is also a benchmark producer of Pinot Gris. Fermented only in stainless steel, this guarantees freshness and pure essence of fruit. It’s crisp, lively and aromatic with notes of tropical fruit, white peach and hints of pear. Dry and medium bodied. A beautiful balanced sipper enjoyed solo, pair with pesto-tossed cold pasta salad. Since the State of Oregon has an extensive Pacific coastline, why not up the ante by throwing in some locally sourced grilled scallops for an even tastier wine and food pairing.       

2022 Wine by Joe Oregon Pinot Gris LCBO# 58651, $19.95

Actually, not just in summer, but all year round, RELAX Riesling is the number one selling imported Riesling in Canada from the shores of the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean and every jurisdiction in between.

Hailing from the steep-sloped vineyards located along Germany’s serpentine Mosel River valley, this is the world’s hotbed 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 leaving your mouth watering. The alcohol is a moderate 9% alc./vol.

Whether in your home, on the deck, in a campground, 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? Keep it simple. We suggest chicken, pineapple and red onion skewers. Baste with a homemade barbeque sauce of olive oil, ketchup, soy sauce, ginger and brown sugar.  

RELAX Riesling 750 mL, available for purchase online at the LCBO. #621888, $14.50. 

Summer is synonymous with rosé wines. Informal outdoor dining coupled with warm temperatures conjure up images of a casual Mediterranean lifestyle. While vineyards abound along the southern French coast, vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula are a source of tantalizing rosés as well. Henry of Pelham is one of Ontario’s original craft wineries that’s become an authority in producing award-winning, high-quality wines, including rosés. Swirling and shimmering, pale copper hues dance in the glass. Seductive cherry and red berry aromas gently waft over the rim, while a dry, medium body with rose petal notes elegantly envelopes the palate. Delicious on its own, we would pair Henry of Pelham VQA Rosé with oven-roasted chicken breasts rubbed in a herb mixture of garlic, thyme, basil and oregano. Simple, delicious and savoury.

Until July 31, save $2 on a limited time reduction per bottle from the regular retail price of $14.95 to $12.95. Purchase on site at the Henry of Pelham Family Estate in St. Catharines, ON, or through their website: Henry Of Pelham Wine Store – Henry of Pelham.   

Henry of Pelham 2023 Rose VQA LCBO #613471, $12.95 (Until July 21)

The fever has broken out with no real antidote available. It seems to rear its ugly head with regularity and coincides with major soccer matches. The Global Center for Disease Control, responsible for scientific research into this affliction, notes that large urban centers with major team franchises are particularly hard hit, with thousands of cases reported. With its twenty-four-hour flu-like symptoms, researchers have scoured stadiums for clues to the cause. Symptoms include uncontrollable loud yelling and stamping of feet, light-headedness, and euphoria. Symptoms seem to subside once the match is over. As the best antidote, medical professionals recommend deep breathing exercises, interspersed with drinking a cool, lager-style beer, in moderate amounts. The afflicted person should avoid any media contact for forty-eight hours and get plenty of rest. (LOL)

For the UEFA Euro Cup 2024, Germany is the host country with matches being played across 10 cities and venues. It all started June 14 and ends in the Berlin Olympic Stadium on July 14. This huge kick-fest had an initial line up of 24 teams. As of today, only 8 are left going into the quarter finals. May the best team!

No matter what your favourite European country allegiance, as a toast with a Prosit to host country Germany, drop by your local LCBO and pick up a quality German import beer to enjoy while watching your next match. A top-quality German lager beer is Hofbräu Original. Originating from the iconic Hofbräuhaus in Munich, this golden yellow brew has fine hoppy aromas and is full-bodied with a slightly malty, nicely balanced, lingering taste. Perfect with all kinds of pub-style fare; yelling and screaming mandatory!

Hofbräu Original 500 mL LCBO #319202, $3.95    

Red and white are the prominent colours of our national Maple Leaf flag. It’s the long weekend, so most of us will be taking time to celebrate our nation’s 157^th birthday on July 1. Whether on the patio, deck, poolside, at the cottage, or at a campsite, our celebrations will include food and beverages with family and friends, including red and white wines.

Niagara Peninsula’s Speck Brothers, Paul, Matt and Daniel, created a line of easy-going, excellent value wines meant to be enjoyed on their own or paired with a wide range of foods. Tongue in cheek, the brand name they chose, Sibling Rivalry, hearkens back to their days growing up and the antics that siblings go through as they journey through life together. As teenagers, their father had them camp out on his newly acquired farm in Pelham outside of St. Catharines and put them to work shovel-planting vines during their summer holidays. Since then, they have progressed from humble beginnings to be a benchmark Canadian wine producer, Henry of Pelham Family Estate.

A Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Gamay blend, it’s deep red, delicious, dry and full of berry flavours. Sibling Rivalry Red is nicely balanced, uncomplicated with mild tannins - a perfect match for juicy burgers straight off the barbeque. Sibling Rivalry Red LCBO # 126151, $13.95.

The white partner for this holiday weekend is harmonious and aromatic with tropical fruit notes. This characterful white is a blend of Riesling, Chardonnay with a dash of Gewürztraminer adding exotic flavourful nuances. Up to July 20, consumers will receive an added incentive of 50 Aeroplan Bonus Points for every bottle purchased. Sibling Rivalry White LCBO #126144, $13.95.   

Happy Canada Day!