The Good Juice We’ve put together a more eccentric selection of wines for the Good Juice this week. The wines may not roll off the tongue but they offer up a taste of the wine world’s immense diversity and should urge you to try something new for the summer months. Velonosi Villa Angela Pecorino 2008 Marche An indigenous Italian white grape, Pecorino is becoming increasingly responsible for some of Italy’s more profound whites. The grape was virtually extinct for many years but is enjoying a renaissance in Italy among the artisanal wineries. The wine has also caught the attention of the world’s wine critics. Here’s what Robert Parker had to say about the wine: “This is a sleek, racy version of this indigenous white. Pretty layers of white peaches, flowers, and minerals are intricately woven with notable class and elegance. This appealing generous wine is best enjoyed in its youth, and is a beautiful effort from Velonosi.” 88 points $17.95 Bernard Sparr signing bottles Pierre Sparr Charisma Pinot Gris 2007 Alsace If you’re looking for a white wine that will pair up with any style of cuisine you can throw at it look no further. This Pinot Gris, from one of the top producers in Alsace, offers up distinctive flavours of peach, quince, smoke and roasted nuts. The wine proved to be a winner at a recent multi-course Thai dinner with Bernard Sparr and the Toronto wine press. Tony Aspler wrote this about the wine, “Minerally, peach pit nose with citrus notes, medium bodied, dry pear flavours, fresh and well made.” 3 1/2 stars $21.95 Coriole Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2008 Mclaren Vale In 1977, Coriole selected Chenin Blanc to plant after being very impressed by just two wines made by the Hardy Wine Company. It has a fresh and delicate style, yet is full flavoured and has a remarkable ability to age in bottle for over 20 years. The wine goes particularly well with a wide range of Asian cuisines, goat cheese or platters of seafood. It shows green apple, passionfruit and lemon blossom aromas. The wine also benefits from a little time in a decanter. $17.95 Benoit Marguet with Raymond, a vine grafter Chateau Marguet NV blanc de noirs Champagne Marguet is one of our favourite “Grower Champagnes”. Grower refers to the fact that the winery is a very small, hands on operation, producing tiny amounts of top quality bubbly. Marguet also stays away from the hype that most Champagne houses surround themselves with; you won’t find this in a rap video! The blend here is 75% pinot noir and 25% pinot meunier. The champagne features a sweet fruit core of apple and pear, with a hint of lemony tartness rounding out the finish. The red wine content in the wine gives it deeper flavours and length than most other blends. 90 points Natalie Mclean. $49.95 The cellars of Bodegas Lan Bodegas Lan Rioja Reserve 2004 Bodegas Lan has its feet in two camps, producing wines that range from the traditional woody velvety textured reds that people associate with good Rioja to massive dense wines that would knock the socks of many California Cabernets. The Rioja Reserve we find sits on the more traditional side offering lush smooth-as-velvet textures and ripe black fruit flavours. Bodegas Lan is one of the most consistent producers in Spain. Here’s the Wine Spectator review: “A silky texture carries expressive flavours of black plum, violet, licorice and smoke in this focused balanced red. Has good intensity yet remains vibrant and accessible. 90 points Smart Buy $25.95 Martin Ray “Tri-County” Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 A three County blend from California that shows off great complexity and the masterful blending skills of the Martin Ray winery. Grapes from Stags Leap, Diamond Mountain, Atlas Peak, Alexander Valley, Sonoma and Mendocino each offer up their own terroir to produce the quintessential Californian Cab. The most recent review from winecurrent.com has this to say: “Cassis aromas intermingle with tobacco, smoke, cedar and dark chocolate to form the full aromatic profile of this well made cabernet. In the mouth, it’s velvety smooth with ripe resolving tannin that coats the palate. Full bodied and ready to drink, but will easily last another four years.” 4 stars winecurrent.com $32.95 When you have a moment please check out our website at www.profilewinegroup.com How to order Phone: 416-598-0033 extension 233 to speak directly with Ruben Elmer, or you can E-mail him at relmer@profilewinegroup.com All orders are COD. Payment can be made by Visa, MasterCard, AMEX or cheque. Your credit card will not be charged until the product is shipped. Minimum Orders: There is a one case minimum order (12 bottles unless otherwise noted). Delivery to a single destination within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is free of charge. Delivery outside of the GTA can be arranged. You must be 19 years of age or older to place or receive a wine order.