Introducing Discovery Wine Packs a fun selection of six different wine styles.
We are thrilled to introduce you to our new Discovery Wine Packs. Each month you will find a different selection of six wines carefully selected for you to try and enjoy. The wines will be ready and packaged together for you at the store making it easy for you to just run in and pick up our monthly selection for yourself or even as a great gift idea.
Each month you will also find a list of the wines included in the monthly pack along with food pairing ideas for each wine in the collection.
Also make sure that you are signed up for our Monthly Wines & Spirits Newsletter to make sure you are getting all of our most current information on products and events.
Martini Rossi, Asti Spumante, Italy
This wine is made from handpicked moscato grapes from Northern Italy and is a wine that is perfect for any occasion. This wine is fresh and light with delightful lively bubbles. This wine is off dry and filled with the aromas and flavours of fresh peaches, apricots, mandarin oranges and warm lemons. It is wonderful when served on its own or when used as a base for sparkling wine cocktails. Serve this wine with fresh fruit salads, chocolate desserts, proscuitto and melon, and any celebration with good friends.
Try this fun cocktail with this wine as a base that is sure to be a hit at your next party and this delicious recipe for peach crepes which would be a wonderful pairing as well.
Fetzer Gewurztraminer, California
A wine that is delicious anytime of the year, this is a classic example of how wonderful this grape variety can be. The nose and palate are filled with the flavours of apricots, peaches, yellow apples, roses, honey and lychees. This wine can be enjoyed on its own but truly shines when paired with spicy dishes or strongly flavoured cheeses, such as Munster. Enjoy this wine chilled and be sure to take in all of its wonderful aromatics. It is important to share that the Fetzer winery has been a leader in sustainable and earth-friendly wine making practices since 1984.
Try this tasty grilled cheese sandwich for an easy lunch or dinner>
Or this Coconut Curry Recipe
Dona Paula Malbec, Mendoza Argentina
Are you a red wine fan? Then you are going to love this wine as soon as you pour it into the glass. This wine is a deep, dark plum colour that delivers a full-bodied red filled with the flavours of dark berries, herbs, coffee, chocolate, vanilla bean and lightly toasted oak. This wine is perfect for sipping while entertaining in the backyard at a BBQ, as the weather gets warmer. Enjoy this wine with hard cheeses, such as cheddar or Parmesan, grilled red meats, dark chocolate desserts and traditional Argentinean Asado (BBQ).
Try this traditional Chimichurri Sauce with your next grilled steak
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Cabernet/Shiraz, Australia
From one of Australia’s most iconic wineries this wine delivers everything; it is a terrific wine that is sure to become a favourite of red wine enthusiasts. This wines shows in a glass as a deep indigo colour that is almost black and will fill your palate with the flavours of ripe blueberries, black currants, plums, spice, cocoa powder and vanilla. Enjoy this wine with grilled red meats, hard cheeses, dark chocolate desserts, rack of lamb, and great company.
Enjoy this wine with this easy grilled rack of lamb recipe.
Co-op Private Reserve Chianti 2010
Co-op has literally gone the extra mile for you to source Chianti for our members.
This wine is made and bottled for Co-op in the Chianti region of Tuscany, Italy.
The wine is produced by MGM Mondo Del Vino at the Priocca winery. The company was founded in 1991 by oenologists and wine experts and today they produce over 25 million bottles of wine per year and distribute to over 40 countries.
They have vineyards all over Italy and also produce custom wines for people, such as Co-op.
This Chianti is a light ruby in color with pretty aromas of cherry, raspberry and strawberry along with notes of cinnamon and cloves.
The palate is soft and smooth with flavors of red berry fruits and a touch of leather.
This easy-going red is perfect for everyday consumption, when you don’t want to think too much about what you’re drinking and you just want to enjoy a glass of wine.
Pair this with pasta, roasted chicken and medium aged cheeses. Try this simple recipe for roasted chicken
Co-op Private Reserve Pinot Grigio 2010
Another great addition to the Co-op private line of wines.
This wine is made and bottled for Co-op in the Venezie region of Italy by MGM Mondo Del Vino. The company was founded in 1991 and has vineyards across Italy. They produce over 25 million bottles of wine per year and distribute to over 40 countries.
They also produce custom wines for people, such as Co-op, and we have recently added this wine to our line of private labels.
This Pinot Grigio is typical in its style; fresh and easy-going.
This wine is pale straw in color with aromas of tropical fruits, such as pineapple and mango. The palate is light and crisp with a juicy acidity that makes this a perfect wine for a hot day and a light meal.
Pair this with light appetizers, seafood and mild cheeses.
Cono Sur Gewürztraminer, Bio – Bio, Chile
The bicycle label wines by Cono Sur are designed to be young, friendly, expressive and a consistent marker of quality. This Gewürztraminer was produced from vines in the cool climate of Bio Bio. With its oceanic influences brought by the Humboldt Current of the Pacific Ocean, the region has steadily become a prominent white wine producing region of Chile.
This Gewurztraminer is intensely aromatic offering vibrant scents of fresh roses and violets, lychee fruit, and exotic spices. The scents of the wine follow through to the palate with fresh pineapple and stone fruit flavors appearing. The palate is sumptuously soft with a fresh, mouthwatering acidity. It is light on its feet with loads of sweet fruit and just the right touch of sweetness.
This would pair so nicely with a Hawaiian Pizza or try this Chicken Satay recipe.
http://thaifood.about.com/od/thairecipes/r/thaichickensate.htm
Yalumba Viognier, Eden Valley, Australia
The Yalumba winery and the Smith family are considered one of the “first families” of Australian wine making. Yalumba was founded and its first vines planted in 1849! 5 generations deep and 160 years of winemaking experience.
Yalumba is indeed also largely responsible for the current success that Viognier is having throughout southern Australian wine growing regions. Yalumba was the first winery to bring cuttings of Rhone Valley Viognier back to the Valley and focus on its production.
Viognier is always ripe and tropical in its aromatics and Yalumba Eden Valley is true to its form. A quick sniff of your glass will reveal its luscious perfume of apricot nectar, honeysuckle notes, quince, poached pear, white peaches, mango and orange oil perfume. It is exotic and seductive.
The mouth feel is rich, ripe and round. This is a full bodied white wine with grapefruit and stone fruits dominating the creamy texture of the wine. Quite easy to sip and cocktail but will also be a fantastic companion to appropriate foods. Great with Moroccan food, spiced duck and anything lamb.
Try with this mango chicken recipe.
Adobe Rose, Emiliana Chile
Adobe is produced by frontrunners of the organic and biodynamic winemaking trend, Emiliana. Adobe is an ode to the clay and earth huts named Adobe. It is a nod to those that live on and from the land; A tip of the hat to a respect for nature and all her presence. The wines of Emiliana and including the Adobe wines are organically farmed. The goal of the wine is to allow the place of origin to shine through the wine all the while staying true to a fresh, fruit forward drinking style.
The Adobe Rose is fermented and aged 0 in stainless steel tanks, meaning no oak treatment. It is %85 Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. It is a nice pink salmon hue in the glass and very aromatic. Red fruits such as raspberry, strawberry and red cherries are most noticeable. A slight hint of pepper is also evident. The palate is crisp, clean and edgy with more dark fruit noticeable such as currant, black berries and dark cherries. This is a slightly off dry style rose.
Summer will be here soon and what a great patio sipper! Easily paired with accompaniments of all styles!
Try making this dressing and add to your favorite salad while you sip this rose!
Vina Chela Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
Everyone is on the Malbec train, and for very good reason. The past decade has seen an incredible focus on quality winemaking from the Mendoza region. The grape of choice of course is Malbec. Malbec seems perfectly matched for the regions long, dry and warm growing season, producing wines of incredible depth of color and ripe fruit.
The Vina Chela Malbec offers hints of coffee, orange peel, black cherry jam and a smoky peppery note. The palate has soft and gentle edges. Medium bodied and providing fresh blackberry, dark cherry, pepper and a slight smokiness on the finish.
Easy to sip any night of the week!
Pair with “the best homemade burger” recipe!
Georges Duboeuf Brouilly, Beaujolais, France
Georges Duboeuf have been negogiants (merchants) in the southern Burgundy region of Beaujolais for generations. The Beaujolais region is broken down into 10 cru’s or sub regions known for the best vineyard sites producing quality wines from the Gamay grape. Brouilly is one of those ten Cru’s. It must be produced with 0 Gamay.
This Brouilly shows a ruby or cherry red colour in the glass. By appearance it may seem reminiscent of Pinot Noir. However this wine will not have the same sour cherry notes and acidity of Pinot Noir. Instead expect a fruit forward wine offering red and dark Cherry notes in a fresh style. The mouth feel will be medium bodied though light on its feet with a slight mouth drying tannin.
A great sipper to accompany pasta, lighter stews and ragus, pork tenderloin or just a platter of cheeses and meat.
Try with this herb crusted pork tenderloin recipe
Korbel Brut, California Champagne, USA
Korbel has an incredibly long history in California dating back to early 1800’s. The family began producing wines in late 1882. Korbel since then has focused on producing California Champagne. At the turn of the 20th century Korbel was known for producing these styles of wines that would stand up next to the finest Champagnes.
Today Korbel still produces its sparkling wines in the “traditional or Methode Champenoise”. This means the wines undergo a second fermentation process in the bottle that you are holding in your hand. This secondary process is what gives the wine its rich and flavorful profile. You should find the bubbles a small to medium size and consistent in your glass. The bubbles should dance and lilt in your mouth and offer a scrubby cleansing of your palate along with crispy and refreshing acidity. Most highlighted is the crisp green apple notes and slight toasty flavors.
Really do you need to pair this with something ☺ ?
Try these Hors D’oeuvres at your next get together!
Trove Riesling/Gewurztraminer, Canada
Riesling is a noble grape that produces some of the world's finest, most long-lived whites. The Riesling grape creates a vibrant white wine that often has citrus, floral and mineral notes. It's mostly associated with Germany, but other well-known regions making it include Alsace, Washington, Niagara, Finger Lakes, Okanagan and Australia’s Clare Valley and Eden Valley. Styles range from bone dry to intensely sweet. Aromas and flavors include apricot, peach, wet slate, minerals, flowers and petrol (when it's aged). The Gewurztraminer Grape is delicious, fruity and with strong aromas, a very perfumed and flowery bouquet. Gewurztraminer is sweeter than a Riesling grape. When combining the two, it creates a refreshing balance of acidity and sweetness.
This wine will be perfect with any spicy food!
Batasiolo Dolcetto D Alba, 2009, Italy
The Dolcetto is a native grape used in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. This grape can be found in other areas around the world but here is where it is truly at home. Batasiolo Dolcetto is made from the grapes of the same name, Dolcetto. It is cultivated throughout the Langhe hills around Alba, in the province of Cuneo. This grape makes soft, pleasantly fruity wines that are for early consumption. In the glass the wine shows a ruby red core to a violet edge. On the nose it has ripe red fruit. On the palate it is dry, rich and full. The flavors are elegant and have nice acidity that is perfect for food.
This wine is versatile and can be served with many traditional Italian dishes. Try is with Tajarin, a traditional pasta from the Piedmont area.
Babich Sauvignon Blanc 2010, New Zealand
Babich Winery, which lies in the rolling country at Henderson in West Auckland, is one of New Zealand's largest family-owned wine companies with a long history of winemaking dating back to 1916. Still family owned with Peter and Joe Babich at the helm, Babich has been transformed from a small, predominantly fortified wine producer, into a modern winery renown for producing world-class wines.
One of the most distinctive grapes, Sauvignon Blanc is a highly aromatic variety that does well in both the old and new world. From the Loire Valley of France to Marlborough in New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc has found many regions that bring out its unique and delicious flavors.
Musk melon, lime and an intriguing minerality dominate the nose. The entry is all upfront fruit salad, with extra lashings of pear and some kiwifruit. Fresh and juicy fruit, with nettle and herbal notes take the mid palate to the finish to join agreeably with guava and lime. This is a very well balanced wine with a lovely medium weight.
Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with white meats, from fish and shellfish to chicken and pork. The wine's typically crisp acidic edge and moderately medium weight does not lend itself to anything beyond that (it does not "cross over" into red meats).
Try this wine with baked scallops.
Sledgehammer Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
If you like a big rich Cabernet with deep red color and a rich, full bodied structure, well this is the wine for you!
This wine was sourced from select vineyards throughout California’s North Coast. Most of the grapes in this Cabernet Sauvignon come from vineyards in Alexander Valley, in Northern Sonoma County, where early evening breezes cool the valley’s warm afternoons. The moderated warm climate and volcanic and alluvial soils allow Cabernet grapes to ripen to full flavor development while maintaining balanced acidity. After being picked at full maturity, the fruit was fermented for 10 to 14 days for complete extraction of dark color and rich flavors. The wine was then racked and aged for approximately two years in French and Hungarian oak barrels for added complexity.
This wine is big and bold, great for sipping on its own or will pair well with a juicy steak.
Bodegas Piqueras Terra Grande Reserva, Almansa, 2003 Spain
This Spanish wine comes from a region called Almansa. On the front of the bottle is a picture of the Castillo de Almansa, a gothic Castle that was built in the 14th century.
This wine is a blend of Monastrell, Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes which are the most common varieties planted in this region. It is a Reserva, which means something special to the winemaking practices in accordance to Spanish wine making laws. Reserva red wines are aged for at least 3 years with at least 1 year in oak.
With a blend of Tempranillo, Monastrell and Garnacha and being aged 12 months in oak barrels this wine gives rich aromas of black plums, berries, smoke and a touch of pepper. It is full-bodied and smooth.
This wine pairs well with beef, lamb and pork, baked pasta, and grilled vegetables.
Seaview Brut, Australia
Seaview is part of the Lindeman’s family and has been making sparkling wine since 1951. The grapes are a blend from areas around Southern Australia. The Blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay make this white sparkling wine a perfect choice for any occasion. This bright, crisp economically priced sparkling wine has fine bubbles and toasty, spicy, dried pear flavors.
Here are some pairing ideas for this wine.
BANROCK STATION, SPARKLING, PINOT NOIR CHARDONNAY, Australia
(this wine may have been included in your Discovery Bag, in replacement for the Seaview Brut)
Banrock Station has been making wine since 1995 and since then has been using proceeds of the sales to help conservation programs around the world.
At the moment they have 95 projects in 13 different countries ranging from climate change research to saving salmon in Canada.
This philosophy is maintained in the vineyard, where they use as much sustainable viticulture and winemaking as possible. There packaging strives to be environmentally friendly as well.
This sparkling wine is pale straw with a youthful greenish hue. The aromas range from fresh strawberries to pungent citrus fruit.
The palate has pronounced berry fruits with a soft creaminess. There is also a lively effervescence that keeps your mouth wanting more.
This sparkler will go great with seafood as well as on its own.
Try this simple noodle recipe
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/crunchy-crab-salad/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=crab&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page
Fresita Sparkling Wine, Patagonia, Chile
Fresita is Spanish for Strawberry. This style of wine has been made in Chile for generations. Hand picked Patagonian strawberries are infused into this crisp and refreshing sparkling wine creating a delicious aperitif or desert style wine. The base wine is created with chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, which combined make up a rich sparkling wine with a firm cleansing acidity. There is no sugar added only ripe sweet strawberries that lend a perfect touch of sweetness. Fresita can be enjoyed on its own as a great sipper or aperitif. But, pairs perfectly with chocolate desserts. Fresita can also be used in a plethora of cocktail recipes.
Make these brownies and sip Fresita for a divine experience!
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/best-brownies/
Trivento Torrontes, Mendoza , Argentina
Torrontes is a grape that is grown almost exclusively in Argentina. This Trivento offering is composed with 0 Torrontes grapes. It is a pale yellow hue in the glass. The nose is aromatic in its offering of ripe tropical fruit such as mandarin, poached pear, pineapple, mango and hints of violets. Typically Torrontes shows these notes and presents itself on a soft round palate with a touch of sweet. This wine shows true to the classic characteristics of the grape variety. A sip will reveal a nice round viscous mouthfeel with notes of citrus fruit, white peaches and grassy tang reminiscent of sauvignon blanc. It finishes with a crisp and clean edge. A fantastic pairing with seafood, shellfish, poultry or pork dishes. Try this with your favourite white fish and a mango salsa!
http://www.grouprecipes.com/26722/halibut-with-mango-salsa.html
Foster Pink Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
If you are like most of us these days and cannot get enough Malbec, you need to try this unique offering from the winemakers at Enrique Foster. It is a Rose or blush wine made entirely from Malbec grapes! To sum it up in a few words… it is a red wine that drinks like a white wine! In your glass it presents itself in a wonderful deep pink colour. However, do not be fooled by its appearance. It is a bone dry rose which becomes obvious at the first scent of red cherries, raspberries and a hint of oak spice. There is a touch of warmth that presents itself. On the palate it in nicely layered with fresh red cherries, sour cherries, light wood notes and a touch of pepper. It is soft and smooth with a dry and clean finish. Great with poultry, pizza, pasta and rich seafood. But would really shine with smoked salmon!
http://www.dairygoodness.ca/recipes/smoked-salmon-mousse-canapes
Casillero Del Diablo Pinot Noir, Casablanca, Chile
Concha Y Toro is one of the largest and longest standing wine producers in Chile. Many years ago to prevent theft from workers, a story was created by the wineries proprietor that the devil himself lived in the depths of the wineries cellar. The legend stuck and theft was never an issue. Casillero del Diablo translates to “Cellar of the Devil”. This Pinot Noir is a fantastic modern style. It is a light ruby colour and clearly a light – medium bodied wine by its appearance. The scents that rise from the glass are red fruits such as raspberry, strawberry and a touch of mocha. It is elegant in its medium body with raspberry and cherry notes lilting along in hand with a black tea note. It is nice and juicy with mouthwatering acidity. Fantastic with risotto, vegetarian dishes and poultry.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/mushroom-risotto-recipe/index.html
Finca el Origen Malbec Reserva, Mendoza, Argentina
Malbec…the emblematic wine of Argentina. Finca el Origen represents the value that is ARgentinian wine. Great quality wines produced from specific sites in a modern drinking style at reasonable prices. You cant beat that! This Malbec is a deep velvet purple in the glass. It is enticing if you catch a waft of the aroma’s that lift from the wine. Blueberry, plum, chocolate and vanilla bean rise up. This malbec is rich in its concentration with ripe and round tannins that are balanced by deep fruit flavours of plum, dark cherry blueberry pie and mocha. Perfect with red meats, stews and braises or sip and chat with friends and family!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-burrell/braised-short-ribs-recipe/index.html
Louis Bernard Cotes du Rhone Villages, Rhone Valley, France
Perhaps the most “serious” of all the wines in this months discovery bag it is however, very approachable. This wine has been hand crafted in the heart of the Rhone Valley true to its heritage. Always created as a blend of the Holy Trinity, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. In the glass it presents itself a friendly medium dark cherry coulour. The nose offers a mixed bag of red and black cherries, black berries, white pepper and clove. The palate is noticeably dry on first attack with firm tannins which are washed away easily with a juicy red cherry note and hints of strawberry and dusty oak. It has a lingering finish. This is a dinner wine. Enjoyed best with Alberta beef, firm cheese or an oven roast of lamb.
http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Grilled-Alberta-Beef-Tenderloin-And-Vegetable-Salad-Recipezaar
Rigamarole Rose
This wonderful wine is a blend of Pinot Noir, Gamay, Merlot and Shiraz-an odd mix for sure but a pleasant one indeed. This wine is produced by the Artisan Wine Co. in B.C., which is essentially a holding company which has several wine brands, all made at Mission Hill. Their wines are fresh and fun, much like the labels. This rose has pretty strawberry and watermelon colors. The nose is full of red berries and ripe plums that make this very inviting. In the mouth, expect juicy strawberry, cherry and red currant flavors along with notes of citrus peel. The acidity is mouthwatering, leaving your mouth fresh and wanting more.
You can pair this rose with a dried cranberry salad, chicken salad or a light pasta dish.
http://www.cookingnook.com/angel-hair-pasta-recipes.html
