2013 The Empress Chardonnay – LCBO 346791 – $12.75 – This is sunshine in a bottle. Even though this wine only has 9 g/l sugar (this is very dry) you will share that this is off dry. Fruit flavours are bright and intense with Apple, Peach and Lemon. The finish on this wine is bright and crisp but with just enough of a lingering finish that it’s great to enjoy on its own. Pair this with roast or fried chicken, creamy pasta, and fish dishes. Unoaked Chardonnay has a tendency to be a great match to just about anything you can pair with it.
2012 The Magician Shiraz Pinot Noir – http://www.reifwinery.com/ – $29.95 – My first dilemma with this wine was figuring out which glass to put it in… I know this is a very wine snobby problem… but it does make a difference. Pinot Noir goes in a burgundy glass, but Shiraz goes into a red wine glass. I decided to put this into a burgundy glass and I was rewarded with the best parts of the sums of this wine. This is made in an appassimento style. Some of the grapes have been dried which helps focus and concentrate the fruit flavours. There is a balance between sour cherry from the Pinot and peppery notes from the Shiraz. The finish is long and juicy. This will make a great match to pork or beef ribs slathered in bbq sauce. Dangerously smooth from the get go but pick up a couple bottles as it will age 5-10 years from the exceptional 2012 vintage.
