VALUE:

La Posta ‘07 Cocina Blend - Mendoza, Argentina
(60 % Malbec, 20% Bonarda, 20% Syrah the “kitchen sink blend”)
A nicely intense, lush and soft blend from Argentina. Dominated by pure dark berry fruit - blackberry and blueberry, hints of a brambly greenness (tomato vine) and dark chocolate. Well made and complex enough to make it great value at $17.99. I found it at the Thurlow & Alberni LDB. Not widely distributed, but check availability at your local store.
Food: This wine immediately makes me think of lamb as an accompaniment - chops, or better yet… homemade and BBQd lamb burger patties with onion, garlic and cilantro.

LOCAL:

Thornhaven Estates ‘08 Gewürztraminer - Okanagan Valley, BC
If you read my Gewürztraminer post, you probably could have predicted this one. Rich, viscous, off-dry, characters of spiced poached pears and butterscotch with an undertone of perfumed lychee, continuing on in a lovely lengthily finish. Delicious…and for 17.90 from the winery - it’s also great value. I paid around $21 from Firefly, but check your local private shop or VQA store.
Food: A vegetarian yellow curry with some decent spice or a glazed baked ham would both be fabulous.

STAND OUT:

Faiveley ‘07 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru - Burgundy, France
I realize that this wine isn’t a reality to most people in the world, but I wanted to share the wine which I will most likely credit with the one that finally made me get white Burgundy. This wine has gigantic intensity - more than I’ve ever experienced in a white wine before. Big acidity with a milky richness and characters of sour green apple, lemon juice, and a chalky minerality all seasoned with a coconut oakiness. Unbelievably long finish. Domaine Faiveley made 3761 bottles of this wine in 2007, 3 of which were opened at the Altovin tasting I attended. I think tonight I’ll dream about taking a bottle home and building a dinner around it, although I’m not sure what would stand up to the intensity of the wine. Cost is around $270 in our market and it’s currently unavailable.

For some Chardonnay a little more affordable, or 1/10th the price, try the high altitude, cool climate Eden Valley Chardonnay from Heggies. Burgundian in style with well integrated oak, sharp acidity, citrus and green apple characters and generally not something you would expect from Australia. Available at the BCLDB for $27.99.
Food: For the Heggies, I’d love to try baked white fish with a sprinkle of salt, olive oil and a squeeze of lemon.