May 2009
by Rick VanSickle

There aren't a lot of bargains coming out France these days but one Burgundian house that delivers both chardonnay and pinot noir consistently at great prices is Bouchard Pere & Fils. Here are some (affordable) stars from the 2007 vintage that are widely available.

Bouchard Pere & Fils Macon Lugny St. Pierre ($15)

Lovely aromas of pear and soft citrus in a fresh and crisp chardonnay style. Pure juicy fruit.

Bouchard Pere & Fils Petit Chablis ($20)

Nice green apple notes with subtle vanilla, toast and minerality on the nose. The mouth is gorgeous with citrus-apple and lightly spiced vanilla. Great value.

Bouchard Pere & Fils Pouilly-Fuisse ($28)

A rich, ripe, honey and apple nose. The palate reveals creamy peach flavours with a touch of spice. A wine built for pasta in cream sauce.

Bouchard Pere & Fils La Vignee Pinot Noir ($18)

Fresh raspberry and strawberry notes with light spice on the nose. It's silky smooth and fruit-packed on the palate. A delightful wine at this price.

 

A rose that delivers flavour and goes beyond organic:

Southbrook Cabernet Rose 2008 ($19 from the winery and available in at least 24 restaurants in Ontario)

Made entirely from biodynamic grapes grown at the Southbrook winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the first winery in Canada to make a 100% biodynamic wine. It's a blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon and 45% cabernet franc. It is a delicious rose, loaded with fresh cherry and strawberry flavours in a zesty, refreshingly dry style. The finish is clean and crisp, a perfect summer sipper, made in the style of the great roses from Provence in France.

And a couple of rums that I've enjoyed recently (the perfect answer on a hot, sunny summer day):

El Dorado Premium White Rum
($30)

This is a gorgeous white rum from Guyana that's aged for three years and about as smooth as you can make rum. It shows soft vanilla aromas on the nose with a subtle spice. Not over-powering at all in the mouth but smooth with a clean finish. Mix with a tropical fruit juice or pure mango juice. It's a perfect summer cocktail when poured over crushed ice.

El Dorado Special Reserve 15 Year Old Rum ($60)

Try this straight up or on the rocks with no mix. It's wonderfully spicy and nutty on a perfectly smooth frame. Some notes of toffee and earth on the palate. A nice finish to a warm summer evening.

If you have any questions, email me at: rickwine@hotmail.com

 

 

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