Our wine today, comes from Argentina and is a white wine of the Torrontés variety; Crios Torrontés 2012.

The Torrontés grape comes with an interesting and mysterious history. Some claim and disclaim that the white Torrontés grape found in Argentina is the same as that found in Spain, and to further cause confusion, there is a red wine grape also called Torrontés!

On colour, the Crios Torrontés holds a fine wheat hue.  On the nose, scents of green apple, pear, grapefruit, and light minerality are present.  On the palate, you’ll pick up hints of that nosed minerality and pear, along with lime and a more than balanced acidity that produces a sense of smokiness at the back of the tongue.

This is a refreshing white wine that can capture attention in the obvious patio season, but can also hold its own all year round.

This wine retails at the LCBO for $13.95

We gave this wine a 3.75 out of 5

Some thought we spoke in jest when we said we were going to ensure we made the trek to Beamsville to get our hands on a bottle of Lock Stock and Barrel Meritage, and we made good on our word and did just that.  (This wine is not yet available in our local liquor store).

The Lock Stock & Barrel Meritage is a wondrous creation from Rosewood Estate Winery and is a lovely blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This blend is a representation of Rosewoods fusion of old and new wine making techniques.

This Lock Stock & Barrel wine holds a crimson red hue. On the nose, scents of plum, black currant and spice are noted.  On the palate, tastes of chocolate, vanilla, cherry and  light oak, outfitted with a long lustrous finish.

This was truly a fantastic wine experience and even given its fullness, drinks well on its own.

This wine is not yet available at the LCBO but can be ordered directly from the winery at a cost of $34.20 per bottle.

We gave this wine a score of 5 out of 5.

With the weather getting warmer and the patio ‘liming’ increasing, so too does our exploration of white wines.  In fact, today’s wine, Toasted Head Chardonnay, was opened on a particularly warm day, where the office air cooling systems were down.

Toasted Head Wines was named after the practice of toasting barrel heads to help produce that toasted flavour in barrel aged wines. Today, their winery boasts of a Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, a red and white blend and of course our Chardonnay, as a part of their Californian repertoire.

Chilled specifically to 10 degrees Celsius, our lightly blended chardonnay  (96% Chardonnay/ 4% Viognier) produced a refreshingly wonderful experience.

On colour, this wine holds a golden wheat hue.  On the nose, Toasted Head Chardonnay produces scents of peach, oak, musk and what reminded us of whipped butter. On the palate, tastes of melon, green apple, oak combined with a touch of citrus produces an immediately complex mouth feel that makes you stand up and take notice as it is finished off with a well tempered acidity note.

This wine retails at the LCBO for  $17.95

We gave this wine a 4.5 out of 5

Wine seven of our Spring Whites theme comes to us from Italy and is called, San Vincenzo, from Anselmi Wines, and it originates from Vineto Italy.  Once learning of Roberto Anselmi’s (wine maker) history, the energy and care that is present in the feel of this wine comes to life, and although we’re covering it as a part of our Spring Whites theme, it is felt that it’s strength makes it an annual treat.

On colour, the Anselmi San Vincenzo 2012 holds a golden hue.  On the nose, scents of  green apple, honeydew melon and light minerality are present while, on the palate, tastes of pineapple, lemon, grapefruit and melon are found, with a well balance acidity structure.

This is a well rounded white wine blend (Garganega and Chardonnay) that pairs well with white fish, soft cheeses and can stand well on its own. If you are looking to gift a fantastic and moderately priced white  wine, all year through, this is a competent option.

This wine retails for $16.95.

We gave this wine a score of 4.25 out of 5

Despite the warmer weather we’ve been having, there just comes the time where a bursting red wine is a necessity, especially when paired with a grilled steak.

Our grilled steak pairing wine was a Tuscan red by the Familia Zingarelli called, Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico 2010, a complex, but yet simple Chianti, and a Sangiovese/Merlot blend.

On colour, this Chianti holds a ruby red hue. On the nose, scents of cherry, anise and oak are present .  On the palate,  you note this wines complexity as it transforms with every sip.  Your palate will express tastes of red berries, spice and light minerality.

This wine retails at the LCBO for $37.99

We gave this wine a score of 3 out of 5