Page 70 - ESCARPMENT MAGAZINE | Winter 2013

Comfort is the name of the game at this time of year,
so easy drinking wines that pair perfectly with the foods
that warm us are where I tend to look. Let’s begin with
lighter reds then move to the fuller bodied selections.
Pinot Noir- is typically a lighter-medium bodied, fruit-
forward red wine. Following are some of my absolute
fave’s.
Willamette Valley - who does Pinot better than Oregon?
There are other places of course, which I will also men-
tion but Oregon in my mind can put their signature on a
gorgeous Pinot.
Adelsheim Pinot Noir (Willamette) - not readily available
but if you can find it is an absolute treat. Amity Vineyards
Pinot Noir (LCBO-$23.95) this is a real beaut because it is a
mid-bodied Pinot— fuller than a Burgundian Pinot—where the
fruit is lovely and rich with a light and refreshing texture.
After that…I would say my new favourite that one of my
regular customers introduced me to, would be Thomas George Pinot Noir. LCBOVintages - $44.95
Worth every penny! Absolute deliciousness. Not kidding!! By now you may know I am a huge Cal-
ifornia fan. This rich medium to full-bodied Pinot comes from the Russian River Valley and is hands
down, one of the best Pinots I have ever tasted. Rich and dark with wonderful notes of cherry and
strawberry and earthy elements of mushroom and vanilla on the finish.
Zinfandel wine is happiest when paired with anything from the meat aisle, from barbeque pork
ribs, leg of lamb or a big, hearty meal of fresh Venison. LCBO has many generally from Napa, I
grab mine from the Paso Robles area. Paso Creek Zinfandel is about $17.95 in Vintages. Other top
sellers in the LCBO: Rutherford Ranch Zinfandel, offers rich aromas of huckleberry compote, black
cherry, medium-full body and a creamy vanilla, peppercorn - a full-throttled, flavourful Zin. Clos du
Val Zinfandel Napa - $23.95
Syrah - My preference is Syrah over Shiraz. Not that I don’t mind a big, jammy glass of Shiraz
from Barossa, but after a glass or so the jammy texture wears on me. No offense. Syrah is much
more ethereal—with beautiful, dark fruit tannins and a black pepper finish. Gorgeous.
Syrah wines can display a myriad of dark-fruit flavours and can be quite floral at the start, developing
more peppery and herbaceous notes as it ages. Which is exactly why I love a Syrah. The fruit in
these wines tend towards rich, dark flavours of blackcurrant and licorice. Come On!!! Some of the
top Syrahs in the LCBO come from Chile, (Limari Valley) and Mendoza (Argentina) does
a bang up job as well. All running around 19.95 +/-
We can’t forget though where this lovely grape originated. France (Northern
Rhone to be exact) Cote Rotie can make claim to this grape and I would comment
that when the grape is blended with Mouvedre and Grenache you have something
quite perfect. This blend in particular should ring a bell when one thinks of
Chateauneuf du Pape. |E|
escarpment
EPICURE WINE TASTING WITH JENNIFER VIPOND
70 Escarpment Magazine Winter 2013
You can chat in person with Jennifer at her restaurant, Bruce Wine Bar in Thornbury