Michael Pinkus Wine Review - Newsletter #212

Newsletter #212 - Who's Not Loving You

05 Sep 2013

Details: Category: Newsletter Archives

OntarioWineReview Newsletter 212

September 2013

OntarioWineReview: Who's Not Loving You
Grape Guy’s Picks of the Bunch: What's With All the Chardonnay
Bi-Weekly OWR Updates: Wine Videos, Blog Additions and more
Wine Event Spotlight: Movies, Music and Garlic

To download and print a PDF copy of this newsletter click here

OntarioWineReview: Who's Not Loving You

The LCBO must think we’re all stupid … that or they are run by a bunch of nincompoops – or maybe it’s a combination of both. On September 12, 2013 the Ontario wineries are finally going to see the fruits of their labours sold in special, larger and more prominent sections in some LCBO locations. Now if you were running the LCBO (more apropos to say: if you ran the circus), but if you ran the LCBO and you had some extra money kicking around and deemed it time to (finally) help Ontario wineries, show pride in the wines this province makes, and get the word out that Ontario is making world class wines, where would you put those new locations?

I asked my wife, an American, who can’t seem to grasp the concept of the LCBO, that very same question: “if you were opening up new sections within existing LCBO stores to promote Ontario wines where would you put them?” Her answer was immediately, “Toronto, it’s a no-brainer,” she said, “why where are they putting them?”

London, Ottawa, Kingston and Kitchener also all come to mind as potential locations for these new “boutiques” before the three locations the LCBO has chosen: Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and, you guessed it, Windsor; if they added Belleville to the mix they’d really hit the quad-fecta – but I shouldn’t give them any ideas – who knows, maybe that’s already in the works.

Why these locations matter is because they are smack dab in the heart of wine county; where wine already exists. There the locals have access to drive to their favourite wineries to buy their wine. As we all should know by now the LCBO can’t have you shopping at the competition, can they? Not when their unwritten mandate is to rule the province with an iron fist where booze is concerned … big sister Wynne doesn’t want to take her eye off the bottle, not for a second. Why you might ask would the LCBO put their stores in these locations? Thing about it this way: when Wal-Mart comes to town where do they park their stores? Right next to the Canadian Tires and the Zellers locations (or as close as possible anyway) – they want to take on the competition directly. The LCBO is placing these new expanded Ontario sections in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Windsor – I trust you see the similarity

There will be those who say the LCBO is working in our best interest, keeping booze out of the hands of minors, keeping our prices “low” enough that we don’t have rampant alcoholism yet can still afford the occasional bottle. The LCBO knows what they’re doing, they’ve been at it for over 80 years.. Are you kidding me? The LCBO views everything and anyone selling alcohol that is not them, be it winery, agent or club, as competition and something they must control … and it is that attitude that has gotten them into a bit (read: a lot) of hot water of late.

Back in March of this year the Privacy Commissioner ordered the LCBO to stop taking records of individual wine club members, didn’t ask them, they were ordered to stop. And the LCBO said, “we’ll take it under advisement”, before they flat out said, “No you can’t tell us what to do, we’re the LCBO, we’re above the law” (I am paraphrasing of course). Now, please note that nobody in the history of the Ontario Privacy Commissioner’s existence has ever defied the ruling of the OPC, nobody – and especially not a government body (which the LCBO is). Not only that, but they turned around and are now wasted millions of your tax dollars to take the issue to court to fight for their right to spy on you, keep records of your purchases and hold on to their power.

In doing this the LCBO has put their very existence into the hands of the courts – because now the issue is no longer whether records can be kept it’s about the very constitutionality of the LCBO based on Section 121 of the Canadian Constitution: “All articles of Growth, Produce or Manufacture of any one of the Provinces shall, from and after the Union, be admitted free into each of the other Provinces.” You have to admit the court-route is very Canadian. In America they’d rise up with shotguns and semi-automatics and demand their rights – in Canada we take you to court, create a Royal Commission, in other words, we peacefully find a way.

Make no mistake, the LCBO’s opening of their new larger displays of Ontario wine are a smoke screen: making the people of Ontario believe they’re helping Ontario wineries (by doing it in the wineries own backyard?) … they’re making it look like they have your back so when it comes to the court case you’ll have theirs – because the court of public opinion can be a powerful one, and as one lawyer confided in me, “the mood of the people weighs heavily on the courts mind.” Meaning, if we all want more privatization the court will take that under advisement; or at least consider it more strongly.

Don’t fall for this ruse. Don’t feel sorry. And don’t think the LCBO has the back of the industry. Consider the following before you tell me the LCBO is all for Ontario:
1) The LCBO seems to actually be thumbing their nose at Ontario, if you read between the lines. The upcoming Vintages release on September 14, 2013 is their annual Ontario release, and they have called it “Shine On” (in bog yellow letters on the cover) – which is precisely what the LCBO is doing to the Ontario wine industry; ‘shining them on’. According to The Online Slang Dictionary, the definition of the term ‘Shine On’ is “to tell someone a tall tale. To lie. To purposely deceive someone.” Seems very appropriate.
2) Take a look at the new program to promote Ontario wines in the LCBO,. It used to be called the Craft Wines Program (CWP), now it is called “Limited Availability Wines”, or LAW, that’s right, the LCBO is finally laying down the LAW as to how they are going to sell Ontario wines. Accidental acronym or is this done on purpose, you decide.

The LCBO is looking to hold power for another 80+ years and they aren’t even masking their intentions anymore, this time I think they’ve gone too far – and you should too. It’s time to curb the power of the LCBO and change the way booze is sold in Ontario.

Grape Guy’s Picks of the Bunch: What's With All the Chardonnay

Closson Chase 2010 Chardonnay, Iconoclast - $69.95 (W)
www.clossonchase.com

Here’s a balls-to-the-wall Chardonnay that’s made on the rarest occasions – when everything seems to come out “just right” in a vintage … this wine is just super-hedonistic with a buttery, floral nose that leads to delicious apple, bosc pear and peaches in ‘light’ syrup aromas … the palate is super smooth with an almost sexy quality (if that descriptor can be attributed to a wine) creamy vanilla graces the tongue along with apple sauce and some peach / pear puree. Big and deliciously mouthfilling. Price: $69.95 – Rating: **** ½

Jackson-Triggs 2011 Fume Blanc, Delaine - $22.95 (W)
www.jacksontriggswinery.com

Donald and Elaine Triggs are long gone (to B.C. I believe) but their legacy lives on in Ontario in the fabulous vineyard they left in the hands of their former winery. This is the Fume Blanc (made with grapes from that vineyard) in other words a Sauvignon Blanc with heft – the nose has vanilla and slightly buttery notes on the nose, from the barrel and lees ageing, but it still manages to keep the freshness and acidity the grape is known for; all with a beauty of a long finish. Price: $22.95 – Rating: ****

Jackson-Triggs 2012 Gewurztraminer, Grand Reserve - $19.95 (W)
www.jacksontriggswinery.com

This is a wine for those of you who like and even for those who don’t like G-wines … it seems to satisfy both camps. Nose is fairly typically ‘G’ with lovely floral, rose petal and orange zest. On the palate the rose petal shows up along with spiced-orange and a hint of sweetness on the finish. It’s pretty, spicy and quite tasty … the way Gewurztraminer should be. Price: $19.95 – Rating: ****+

Southbrook 2011 Chardonnay – Whimsy! “Sirugue” – $34.95 (W)
www.southbrook.com

Another beauty of a Chardonnay from Southbrook – there’s no wonder why owner Bill Redelmeier is so hopped up on this grape. “Sirugue” refers to the barrel this wine rested in after pressing but before bottling. Nice oak integration making the wine smooth and creamy on the palate with plenty in the way of buttery aspects. On the nose it’s pretty with floral, apple and peach along with vanilla and caramel notes backing it all up on the finish. Price: $34.75 – Rating: ****+

Stanners 2010 Chardonnay - $25.00 (W)
www.stannersvineyard.com

While I wait patiently for the next version of Stanners’ delicious Pinot Gris I’ll have to mollify myself with something else white … and this Chardonnay should do the trick nicely. Made from fruit brought in from Niagara this wine is a 2/3 – 1/3 mix of oak to stainless steel, and the oak part is half new and half second use barrels, thus keeping the freshness in this wine; oak becomes a seasoning and not the main show, and that’s just fine by me. Spiced-pear, apple-cinnamon cobbler, and a fresh finish are all attributes of this mid-weight, clean-finishing wine. Price: $25.00 – Rating: ****+

Availability legend: W (Winery) – L (LCBO/Vintages) – OL (On-Line).

Bi-Weekly OWR Updates: Wine Videos, Blog Additions and more

The Weekly Wine Videos
Just as the name suggest … every week I'll introduce you to another fabulous Ontario wine that you've just gotta try – Check out the YouTube Channel Now

Video #23 – Malivoire 2012 Gamay - Alive
Video #24 – 13th Street 2011 Gamay Noir – Sandstone Reserve
Video #25 – Chateau des Charmes 2010 Gamay Noir 'Droit'
Video #26 – Cattail Creek 2011 Gamay Noir, Estate Series
Video #27 – Malivoire 2011 Courtney Gamay
Video #28 – EastDell 2012 Gamay Noir
Video #29 – The Old Third 2011 Cabernet Franc
Video #30 – Hinterbrook 2010 Cabernet Franc Reserve

Ottawa Life – International Wine Selection(s) of the Week:
Check out the Ottawa Life Blog – Thirst Impressions for my weekly selections
This week's posts:
Three Essentials
Four Must Musts this Labour Day Holiday Weekend

NEW – Quench By Tidings … #Wine Wednesday (see them all here)
What Summer Means to Me
Ontario's Award Winning Whites

On the Road with the Grape Guy
(Trips, tours and tastings – join me as I review the highs, and sometimes, the lows)
A Pictorial Look at Sip and Savour Ontario
Gambero Rosso, Tre Bicchieri tasting
Riesling and Co World Tour 2013

Lost and Found (blog):
(Wines that got "lost" in my cellar - some are Treasures others Trash … Find out what happened)
Nothing New This Week

Taste it Again Grape Guy (blog)
Find out what has happened to some of my favourites over the years
Tawse 2007 Sketches of Niagara Riesling
Lailey 2007 Niagara Peninsula Riesling
Cornerstone Estate 2006 Riesling Reserve
Muscedere Vineyards 2005 Canadian Oaked Chardonnay

What I’m Drinking Tonight (blog)
When it’s not an Ontario wine, here’s what I’m pulling out of the cellar
New Posts Added

Vintages Release (blog)
August 31, 2013 – Vintages Release Report
In-Store Discoveries – August 31, 2013
Vintages Shop On-Line – August 22, 2013

Advertising

Movie under the stars ... Dinner and a Movie ... it's your choice

Adsvertising

Wine Event Spotlight: Movies, Music and Garlic

Trius Presents: Movie Night (various dates in September) … We invite you to Niagara-on-the-Lake's first ever movie night in the vineyard! Make it an ultimate night out with dinner and a movie at Trius Winery Restaurant! Every Thursday in September. Movies include: Ocean’s Eleven, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Skyfall and Sideways. ticket includes movie admission and seat, one glass of wine, a souvenir glass and one bag of popcorn. For information checkout Movie Only … Dinner and Movie

At Closson Chase – September 14, 2013 … Shakura S'Aida (2013 Juno Awards Nominee for "Best Blues Album") at Red White and Blues in the County - a weekend celebration of innovative local wine, food and music. Tickets $20 advance, $25 at door. Show at 2:00 – details here.

At Rosehall Run – September 14, 2013 … Born Ruffians at Red White and Blue in the County – a weekend celebration of innovative local wine, food and music. Tickets $39, show at 7:00pm. Details here

At Diamond – Sept. 21, 2013 … Everyone loves music and wine – they go together like a horse and carriage, so check out this music festival being put on by Diamond Estates.

In Toronto – September 22, 2013 … 3rd Annual Toronto Garlic Festival at Evergreen Brick Works (550 Bayview Ave. ,in the Don Valley)- Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM - Admission $5. Free for children 12 years and under. Express entry for holders of tickets bought online in advance.

OntarioWineReview’s bi-weekly newsletter is devoted to the love, enjoyment and promotion of the wines of Ontario and the wineries that make them.

What can the Grape Guy do for you … Michael Pinkus (Grape Guy) provides a variety of wine related services that you might be interested in taking advantage of: he gives lectures, leads seminars, conducts tastings, sets up tours; consults, selects and judges. He also gives interviews, broadcasts, podcasts and writes. Contact the Grape Guy if you require any of these services or have any questions.

Psst, Pass It On … keep the good wine flowing. Forward this newsletter to your mom in Milton, your son in Smith Falls, or any other family member or loved one that you know needs good wine advice.

Socially Speaking …
Follow Michael Pinkus, the Grape Guy’s (almost) daily Tweets at http://twitter.com/TheGrapeGuy .
You can become a friend on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/mepinkus .
Those who are “Linked In” can find Michael at http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/michael-pinkus/14/704/4b8 .

To contact us with feedback, article ideas, comments, concerns or questions – email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. We look forward to hearing from you!