Of course everything is relative. For some people a bottle of wine that costs $ 200.00 means little strain on the wallet, yet for others such a wine would be prohibitive. It all depends on the wealth and its size.
Economies everywhere depend much on consumer confidence. If individuals are convinced about the future of their jobs, they will spend confidently, while scaling back significantly if they fear of their livelihood.
You can always substitute croissants with rye bread, and super-refined wines for lesser wines.
The $ 50.00 wine is now the new $ 30.00. Make no mistake though there are still people who want to enjoy wines that are $ 50.00 or more and up to $ 200.00 pending on the occasion.
In the last few months, sales of expensive wines have suffered, and auction prices of world-famous brands have declined.
Wineries catering to mid-markets have cranked up their promotional activities in an attempt to capture market share.
March and April portfolio-tasting months. Many wine agents in Toronto started to offer opportunities to the trade and their best private customers to sample their wines.
Also, export oriented wineries everywhere send their managers to important markets around this time of the year to conduct tastings.
In the last two weeks, I have tasted hundreds of wines form many countries, and those are listed below appealed to my palate:
(Note: I like wines that are fruity, deeply flavoured, typical of the region, or display characteristics of the variety on the label, balanced and which represent value).

White wines:

Pinot Grigio, 2007, Lungarotti, Umbria, Italy
Brilliant gold in colour, fragrant, medium-bodied, dry and balanced.
19018 $ 13.95

Friulano, 2007, Schiopetto, Friuli, Italy
Focused, purity of fruit, refined with good acidity and finish.
89/100 $ 26.00
Contact www.lesommelier.com (Bernard)

Gruner Veltliner Smaragd Urgestein Terassen, 2007, F X Pichler, Wachau, Austria
An excellent wine exuding aromas of mangoes, pineapple, and apricots. In the mouth, complex flavours with good acidity and balance. Lingering finish.

109199 $ 45.00 vintagesshoponline.com

Semillon, 2002, Loan, Barossa Valley, Australia
Barossa Valley is better known for shiraz, but this semillon has extraordinary characteristics of pure fruit, interesting mouth feel, deep flavour and long finish.
108092 $ 22.95
vintagesshoponline.com

Pinorama, 2001, Nittnaus, Burgenland, Austria
Vinted from chardonnay and pinot blanc this wine was fermented in French oak barrels. The refinement of this wine cannot be put in words. You must taste it to appreciate and evaluate it. The depth of flavour is hard to match. It has a very long lingering finish
375 ml $ 55.00 107029
vintagesshoponline.com

NOTE: vintagesonline.com is a new L C B O service. You select the wines online order and pay. The LCBO will deliver to any of the 604 stores it operates in the province.

Malvasia Fina, 2007, Quinta Da Maias, Dao, Portugal
Malvasia is usually employed for sweet wines. This wine is dry, smells of Muscat, has a golden colour with an excellent texture and flavour.
Approximately $ 33.00
RKW Imports

Encruzado, 2007, Quinta dos Rogues, Dao, Portugal
A typical Portuguese white grape well crafted and brimming with ripe fruit aromas and a good acid backbone. An excellent wine to go with food.
Approximately $ 33.00
RKW Imports

Chardonnay, 2007, Artesa, Napa Valley, California
Granny Smith apples, honeydew melons, and pineapple aromas waft out fot ehg alss. Although high in alcohol, the wine is very well balanced and powerful.
91/100
Consignment wine $ 29.45 Contact Jason at info@woodmanwinesandspirits.com

RED WINES

Pinot Noir, 2006, Artesa, Carneros, California
Beautiful and typical pinot noir rusty red, brilliant colour. Aromas of strawberry, and stone fruits dominate. Intense and concentrated flavours evolve in the mouth. An excellent wine to sip, or enjoy with planked salmon, rack of lamb or veal stew.
Consignment wines contact Jason at Woodman Wines.

La Vendimia, 2006, Palacios Remondo, Rioja, Spain
Composed of equal proportions of garnacha and tempranillo, this medium-bodied red from Rioja stands out with its fruit and balance. Try with medium-rare homemade hamburger, meat sauced pasta, or quality pizzas.
Vintages March 28 release $ 15.95

Senorio P. Pecino, 2000, Rioja, Spain
A Rioja of exceptional flavour, depth, fruit and length. Mouth-watering and with a long finish.

Consignment $ 24.90 It will also be released as Vintages wine at the end of March.

Pinot Noir, 2004, Nevis Bluff, Otago, New Zealand
Otago on the south island has become a famous pinot noir producer. This pinot noir smells of strawberries, has a fine mouth-watering acidity and finishes with a beautiful impact.
Vintagesshoponline.com $ 35.00 96370

Robesco, 2005, Lungarotti, Umbria, Italy
Well-structured, medium-bodied, fragrant and balanced. Excellent with BBQ meat, pasta with meat sauce, beef stews.
41947 $ 13.95

Giubilante, 2005, Lungarotti, Umbria, Italy
Deep ruby in colour, black cherry aromas, elegant and refined, with a persistent finish
$ 24.95
Contact Diamond Wines

Fortified Wine

Bual 15 year old, Henriques e Henriques, Madeira, Portugal
Superb, brilliant brownish colour, fresh raisin aromas, sweet but balanced with a long, persistent, and satisfying aftertaste.
Contact Miguel Jardim. (See sidebar)

M. Jardim Telephone 519 846 8999 fax 519 846 2645 miguel.jardim@sympatico.ca

Le Sommelier www.lesommelier.com

Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits office@diamondwines.com

RKW Wine Imports Telephone 905 569 6225 Fax 905 569 6225
www.rkwwineimprots.com winery@idirect.com Ted warren

Guest Writer – Hrayr Berberoglu E-mail or interested in his books?.

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Tags: Consumer, Frugal, Wine

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