Uncork elegance
Radiant wines for Spring splendour
By Natalie MacLean
Ruinart Brut Blanc De Blancs Champagne, Champagne A.C., France. (LCBO: 62984, $159.95). From Ruinart, a toasty, elegant and fruity Blanc de Blanc bubble, smoky on the nose with ripe apple, apricot, tropical fruits, citrus zest and fine herb aromas and flavours on a lively and creamy mousse. Drink or hold. Food pairings: Quiche, grilled chicken dishes, grilled shrimp, salads, brunch dishes. Drink: 2022-2026. Alcohol: 12.50%. Sweetness: Dry. 750 mL. Score: 93/100.
Gosset Celebris Extra Brut Rosé Champagne 2008, Champagne A.C., France. (LCBO: 13824, $333.95). Gosset Celebris 2008 vintage Rosé Champagne is fragrant with wild red berry, honeyed quince, pear, baked pastry and subtle spicy flavours, dry, full-bodied with eye-winking acidity and a bone-dry finish. Good now or hold to 2035. Food pairings: Salads, hors d’oeuvres, fried chicken, oysters Rockefeller. Drink: 2023-2040. Alcohol: 12%. Sweetness: Dry. 750 mL. Score: 94/100.
Chanoine Tsarine Cuvée Orium Extra Brut Champagne, Champagne A.C., France. (LCBO: 23486, $88.95). Chanoine Tsarine Orium Champagne is a blend of the three traditional champagne grapes with 37% in reserve wine. Look for bright and zesty golden apple, red berry, citrus zest delivered on a toasty and mouth-filling mousse. Beautifully balanced and ready to drink now. Food pairings: Fish and chips, fried chicken, seafood canapes. Drink: 2022-2024. Alcohol: 12%. Sweetness: Dry. 750 mL. Score: 94/100.
Delamotte Blanc De Blancs Brut Champagne, Champagne, France. (LCBO: 3475, $95.95). Toasty and elegant. Love the sweet, savoury and brioche flavours. Persistent, mouth-filling mousse finishing with soft citrus zest. Nicely done! Food pairings: Potato chips, steamed shellfish, grilled seafood. Drink: 2023-2033. Alcohol: 13%. Sweetness: Dry. 750 mL. Score: 90/100.
Vilmart et Cie Grande Réserve 1er Cru Champagne, Champagne A.C., France. (LCBO: 12619, $82.95). Vilmart et Cie Grande Réserve Premier Cru Champagne is a rich, toasty, full-bodied bubble with a vibrant, seductive mousse of Asian pear, soft orange citrus, toasted almond, nectarine, lime zest, ginger and anise flavours with a kiss of spice on the palate. Disgorged October 2019. So easy to chill and enjoy anytime! Food pairings: Smoked fish, fried chicken, chips and dip, quiche, brunch fare, egg dishes, grilled chicken, caviar on toast. Drink: 2023-2025. 12.50%. Sweetness: Dry. 750 mL. Score: 93/100.
Laurent-Perrier Metal Jacket Petals Edition Brut Cuvée Rosé Champagne, Champagne A.C., France. (LCBO: 33965, $129.95). From Laurent-Perrier, Petals Edition non-vintage rosé Champagne is so elegant in its metal jacket of pretty rose petals and is as much a delight to look at as it is to drink. Lovely on the nose with fresh red berry, strawberry, bright raspberry with a creamy mousse and a long lemon zesty finish. Food pairings: Shrimp cocktail, veggies and dip, creamy cheeses, seacuterie. Drink: 2023-2028. Alcohol: 12%. Sweetness: Dry. 750 mL. Score: 92/100.
Quails’ Gate Estate Winery Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay 2017, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada. (LCBO: 639641, $49.00). Quails’ Gate Stewart Family 2017 Chardonnay is rich and mouth-filling with ripe golden apple, baked goods, nutty almond, lemon pudding, vanilla and smoky, toasty flavours silky smooth on the palate, finishing oh soooo long. Elegant with refreshing acidity and can handle rich seafood dishes. Food pairings: Roast chicken salad or poached salmon, grilled cheese sandwiches. Drink: 2022-2024. Alcohol: 13%. Sweetness: Extra dry. 750 mL. Score: 94/100.
Domaine Sigalas Santorini Assyrtiko 2021, Santorini P.D.O., Greece. (LCBO: 33163, $67.95). From the Santorini wine region, Domaine Sigalas 2021 Assyrtiko was barrel-fermented and aged in neutral oak barrels for several months. Bright and lively on the palate, the wine is dry, zesty, fragrant and rich with citrus zest, honeyed tropical fruits and vanilla flavours. Produced from 100% Assyrtiko from 60 year old vines. Drink or cellar to 2032. Food pairings: Bouillabaisse, grilled chicken, calamari, taramasalata and chips. Drink: 2023-2033. 14.50%. Sweetness: Extra dry. 750 mL. Score: 90/100.
Domdechant Werner Hochheimer Kirchenstück Trocken Riesling 2019, Rheingau, Erste Lage V.D.P., Germany. (LCBO: 32155, $43.95). From the Rheingau wine region, Domdechant Werner Hochheimer Kirchenstück 2019 Riesling is dry, medium-bodied and concentrated with bright green apple, white florals, citrus and grapefruit zest aromas and flavours all balanced with steely acidity. Pair with: Grilled shrimp, scallops, chicken, mild vegetable curry. Drink: 2023-2030. 13%. Sweetness: Dry. 750 mL. Score: 93/100.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Chardonnay 2020, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States. (LCBO: 32455, $44.95). This Chardonnay is produced from vines planted in the early 1970s in the Columbia Valley wine region in Washington. Rich and buttery on the nose and palate, this Chardonnay is lush and plushy with ripe apple, tropical fruit notes, toasty oak spice, vanilla, buttered toast and toffee flavours. The wine aged sur lie for more than 10 months with regular batonnage. Pair with: Grilled pork chops, lobster in butter sauce, seafood chowder, roast chicken. Drink: 2023-2026. Alcohol: 14.50%. Sweetness: Extra dry. 750 mL. Score: 91/100.
Domaine Drouhin Oregon La Maisonnette Chardonnay 2020, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States. (LCBO: 32073, $46.95). Produced by a well-known and respected Burgundian producer who brought his skill and expertise to Oregon in the late 1980s. Grapes from this vintage were sourced from vines in the volcanic and basalt soils of the winery’s Dundee Hills estate. Food pairings: Pork chops in a wild mushroom sauce, poached salmon, grilled seafood. Drink: 2023-2027. Alcohol: 13.90%. Sweetness: Extra dry. 750 mL Score: 91/100.
Natalie MacLean offers Ontario’s most popular online wine and food pairing courses, tasting classes, expert reviews and mobile apps at nataliemaclean.com.
Natalie is the author of the new, bestselling book, Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much.
