Still enjoying the red wines of winter but looking for a transitional tipple for spring? Consider this Loire Cabernet Franc. With soft light black fruit flavors, a refreshing underlying bitter, mineral tone and gentle tannins, this is a delicate red to ease you into those long days of summer. Enjoy it a little cooler than your normal red wine, perhaps along with some herbal dishes such as fish stew with anise, or ratatouille. $18 at LCBO.
Steely, minerally aromas of chalk, lemon, lime, and fresh apple yield to a delicate palate of light and juicy fruit with a fine backbone of chalky acidity. This wine shows particularly intense fruitiness – very good concentration of flavours here along with the acidity suggest this can be enjoyed a couple more years from now. Dangerously chuggable at a low 8.5% a.b.v. – $20 at LCBO Vintages.
Okay, fine – I’ve pretty much given a tasting note here of what to expect in just about every quality Mosel Riesling. What I think this really means, though, is that this winegrowing region is so consistent for good quality wines – pick just about any reputable producer and you won’t be misled or disappointed.
Just keep in mind the keywords below to guide you from label to label – this list describes German (and Austrian) wines from typically driest and lightest in body to typically sweetest and fullest in body. Then sip away and enjoy all that cool climate Riesling has to offer!
Sweetness Keywords
- Kabinett
- Spatlese
- Auslese
- Beerenauslese
- Eiswein
- Trockenbeerenauslese
Dry and crisp, this is a light-bodied wine best suited for summertime patio quaffing or guzzling with girlfriends over a plate of crudités, at-home manicures and a Sex and the City DVD marathon.
Not too much aroma to speak of here, other than a vaguely green floral note, sort of like elderflower; the palate is likewise mild – tonic water comes to mind.
Decent balance, freshness and overall drinkability prevent me from disliking this wine, however I would have preferred there to be a touch more intensity/concentration and varietal character for a Vintages listing at $15.