6 WINES TO ENJOY IN LATE SEPTEMBER
It’s that time of year when things are a-changing! I don’t know about you but I can definitely feel the chill in the air, even on warm days.
Early Fall is always special. People are trying to hang on to those last feelings of summer but starting to prepare for colder days ahead and everyone seems to want to squeeze in those last few outdoor dinners, backyard parties and fireside nights under the stars. With all of the celebrating that’s going on, one definitely needs to have wine to match, I say!
It’s with this in mind that I’ve picked out some wines below that I think will make the perfect companions for your late September celebrations! Happy reading and drinking, Friends!
NOTE - If you’re located in Ontario and shopping at the LCBO, I’ve provided links to help you out below. Just remember that product availability will vary from location to location, and not all products last very long. Click the links below to check availability at your preferred store, or online.
All images of wine bottles below are taken from the LCBO website.
6 WINES THAT ARE PERFECT FOR LATE SEPTEMBER SIPPING!
Ruinart Brut Rose Champagne $130.95 Product #662536
This is hands-down one of my favourite non-vintage Champagnes.. It is gentle, sophisticated, fruit forward and pink too! I mean, who (man or woman) doesn’t like a pink Champagne? There’s just something a little extra special about it, don’t you think?
Ruinart is an exceptional Champagne house in my view, one of the OGs in fact. While this Champagne is definitely expensive, it is well worth every dollar. If you’re celebrating something special, I promise you, you don’t want to miss this one!
Dry and elegant, this Champagne will pair beautifully with smoked lox on crostini, goat’s cheese, toasted nuts, or the finest sashimi platter you can find!
96 points - decanter.com
Apaltagua Costero Extra Brut Sparkling $17.95 Product #18559
Have you ever enjoyed a sparkling wine from Chile before? How about one that has Sauvignon Blanc in the mix?
Trust me when I say that this extra brut sparkling wine, which is made from a blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and comes from an area that is a mere stone’s throw away from the Pacific Ocean, is special in our parts! It’s also made in the traditional method (i.e. the same way that Champagne is made) and is at such an affordable price point. If that weren’t enough, this sleek label is pretty easy on the eye too!
Pair this sparkling wine with oysters or sushi. Enjoy!
90 points - Wine & Spirits
2019 Cave Springs Chardonnay Musque $17.95 Product #246579
If you’re like me, you think it is important to support local winemakers. And if you’re in Ontario, Cave Springs is a producer that you simply must add to your list of quality winemaking that you support!
Known for a commitment to consistently high quality and innovation, Cave Springs is a big name in the Ontario wine scene, with a long line up of wines and an excellent winery for all to enjoy.
I really like this particular new release from Cave Springs for its aromatic properties. Made Chardonnay Musque and vinified in stainless steel, this dry and bright wine will pair beautifully with salads, roast chicken and more herbaceous Asian dishes such as Thai basil chicken or Vietnamese spring spring rolls.
2017 Penner-Ash Pinot Noir $59.95 Product #11259
In my view, Pinot Noir from Oregon is really exciting. With its cool climate and small, generally family run/owned wineries, Pinot Noir from this region can often be world class.
This particular example is from the Jackson Family suite of wines and things, which, as many will know, is a huge name. For me, this means that as a consumer you can be assured of a certain degree of quality and commitment to doing things well.
This wine will be light-bodied and fruity, but balanced by a very present earthy quality. Alongside its lighter tannins, these qualities will make this wine a great pairing for duck breast, salmon steak that has been cooked on a BBQ and even roasted root vegetables.
90 points - robertparker.com
2020 Ferzo Abruzzo Pecorino Superiore $18.95 Product #573683
I remember first discovering Pecorino (wine) a few years ago at a tasting event and absolutely, totally falling head over heels in love. It’s a feeling you can’t forget if you’re a wine lover i.e. that moment when you know you’ve found a really special new wine.
Pecorino is a light and aromatic grape that is cultivated in central Italy. It is a delicate wine by many accounts, but in the right hands, it can be ethereal.
I love this producer, and love their Pecorino even more. I always have a few bottles on hand and never hesitate to share it with my loved ones, especially on a sunny and warm(ish) day.
Buy this wine and enjoy it immediately. It will pair really nicely with poached white fish with garlic and fresh herbs, or not surprisingly, a platter of figs, nuts and pecorino cheese! :)
2015 Salcheto Riserva Vino Nobile di Montepulciano $39.95 Product #574244
When it comes to wines from Tuscany - which, let’s face it, are pretty much world renowned - I feel that Vino Nobile is a real unsung hero. These are beautiful wines made mostly from Sangiovese and some can be just as powerful as their famous cousins, Brunello and Chianti.
Yet, they don’t get the same credit.
Sounds like a good opportunity for the savvy wine consumer, wouldn’t you say? :)
Expect this wine to be elegant, structured, fruity-spicy and herbaceous. If you choose to enjoy it now (it can also be aged for 3-5 years), decant it for an hour and then pair it with a beef and sweet potato curry, black bean burgers or tortellini in a meat sauce, and watch it sing!
93 points - Wine Enthusiast
And there you have it - my top picks for these last days of warmth in late September.
Wishing you good health and treasured memories…..Cheers!
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WINE TASTING NOTE: 2019 Lungarotti Rubesco Rosso di Torgiano