WYKwinos Report No. 16

Date/Time: 27th May 2011, 7 p.m. (roughly 3 hours)

Place: 黃金閣鮑翅海鮮酒家, Golden Court Abalone Restaurant

1st Bottle Cave De Hoen
Varietal: Pinot Gris Winery/Producer: Cave De Hoen
Type: White Year: 2009
Cost: $16.95 Region: Alsace, France
Food to pair: 蒜茸蒸有殼生蠔 LCBO #: 196790
Remarks: Invigorating aromas of honeycomb, mineral, melon and exotic spices on the nose. Well structured, off-dry, round and medium bodied with a pretty fruit core made all the more intriguing by its mushroom and spice accents. Medium-long finish. Enjoy with grilled prawns and a gently spicy sauce. (VINTAGES panel, March 2011)
2nd Bottle Domaine des Ballandors Quincy
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc Winery/Producer: Chantal Wilk et Jean Tatin
Type: White Year: 2008
Cost: $18.95 Region: Loire, France
Food to pair: 珊瑚百花蝦球 LCBO #: 172528
Remarks: Lightly grassy, with flavours of creamed corn, the wine was mineral and faintly but pleasantly vegetal. Fresh as a mountain stream, it had a wonderfully full and marrowy sur lie texture.
3rd Bottle Caliterra Tributo
Varietal: Carmenère Winery/Producer: Caliterra
Type: Red Year: 2009
Cost: $14.95 Region: Colchagua Valley, Chile
Food to pair: 碧綠沙爹雙脆 LCBO #: 56630
Remarks: Caliterra was established in 1996 as a partnership between the Robert Mondavi family and Viña Errázuriz. Viña Erráruriz acquired the Mondavi share in 2004. The name Caliterra is a combination of the words calidad (quality) and tierra (land). This is a deliciously lush wine with layers of sweet dark fruit, nice structure and a seam of acidity keeping everything in balance.
4th Bottle Etna Rosso
Varietal: Nerello Mascalese-Nerello Cappuccio blend Winery/Producer: Firriato
Type: Red Year: 2008
Cost: $16.95 Region: Sicily, Italy
Food to pair: 蔥油淋脆皮雞 LCBO #: 219592
Remarks: The 2008 Etna Rosso is a wonderful introduction to the wines of the Etna. This Nerello Mascalese-Nerello Cappuccio blend reveals gorgeous, translucent red fruit, flowers and spices in a soft, approachable style that is irresistible. Sweet notes of mint and flowers linger on the elegant finish. The Etna Rosso compares quite favourably with a top-notch villages-level Burgundy – at a fraction of the price. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2014.
5th Bottle Navarro Correas Alegoria Gran Reserva
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Winery/Producer: Juan Marco
Type: Red Year: 2007
Cost: $19.95 Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Food to pair: 黑椒鹿柳球 LCBO #: 154583
Remarks: Argentina has more to offer wine lovers than its benchmark Malbec wines. Case in point, Navarro Correas’ winemaker Juan Marco crafts premium-quality wines from Cabernet. With its concentrated, almost tangy blackberry, plum, smoke and vanilla oak flavours, this is a solid wine to enjoy with grilled liver and onions, mushroom risotto or gourmet sausages.

Pairing Dishes

蒜茸蒸有殼生蠔 珊瑚百花蝦球 碧綠沙爹雙脆
蔥油淋脆皮雞 花彫蒜茸芥蘭 黑椒鹿柳球

Click here to see the complete menu.

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