Necessities for Every Wine Fridge

This is by no means an exhaustive list.  Just some of the basics:

Sparkling:

You always need a Champagne in the fridge!

RC Lemaire Champagne (France)-.  100% Pinot Meunier.  Four generations of production by the Lemaire family have perfected the process for creating this almost organic Champagne.   This award winning Champagne has a subtle fruity taste with hints of yeasty bread that can be enjoyed before a meal.  It exhibits aromas of yellow apple and fresh fruity citrus, and tastes of red berries, minerals, and golden apples. 

An everyday sparkling wine

Val D’Oca Treviso Prosecco Brut D.O.C. (Italy) 100% Glera.  A refined sparkling wine with a light straw-like colour, an elegant floral bouquet, and harmonious dry flavour.   The finish is so clean and refreshing that it will leave your palate invigorated.  The perfect choice for any occasion.

A slightly sweet lightly sparkling wine

Carlin de Paolo Moscato d’Asti DOCG (Piemonte, Italy) 100% Moscato.   Intensely cool fragrance, with notes of orange blossom, sage, and a touch of honey.  True to its famous style, this wine is sweet, well balanced, and lively!  Perfect for dessert, but in reality, any time of day will do!  (alc. 5.5%) 

White:

Fruity, easy drinking summer y white

Clearly Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (La Mancha, Spain).  Sunshine in a bottle!  This is the ultimate summer wine.   With flavors of passion fruit, citrus, and hints of grapefruit, this refreshing Spanish white is ideal with picnics, fresh salads, lemony fish, and creamy cheeses.

Dry, more complex, dinner white

Chateau Dubois Challon 2011 (AOC Bordeaux, France) 50% Sauvignon Blanc 45% Semillon 5% Muscadelle.  From the famed Bordeaux winemaker Pascal Delbeck, this blend displays aromatic complexity and exudes white fruits, flowers, and jasmine.  In the mouth its fat and round followed by a powerful fleshy finish.   This wine was designed to compliment fish, shellfish, white meats, and light summer salads. 

Something from Australia

Curious 2010 (Australia) 80% Chardonnay 20% Sauvignon Blanc.  A fresh, fruit driven wine displaying aromas of citrus and tropical fruits and some herbaceous notes. Typical Chardonnay flavours of melon and fig combine with the grassy and grapefruit flavours from the Sauvignon Blanc. The wine is crisp and refreshing, with a long clean finish.

Red:

Something for Tuesday

Antale Toscana 2009  (Tuscany, Italy) Wine with an intense ruby red colour, with the aromatic complexity of ripe red fruit.  The mid-palate conveys light notes of sweet spices and aromatic herbs.  A truly Tuscan experience” It is made from the finest grapes of Sangiovese, Cabernet, and Merlot.  Idea with pastas, grilled meats, roasts, game.

Something for Saturday night

Barolo Verga 2008 (Piemonte, Italy).  This king of Italian wines is just that, king!  On the nose there are aromas of candied cassis, blackberry, with hints of tar and rose petal.  Typical to a Barolo, this wine packs a tannic and acid punch which indicates it’s suitability for aging.  Enjoy the red cherry, dried cranberry, and earthy flavours with heavy meats, rich risottos, tomato sauce based dishes, and stews. 

Something for when your hippy/vegan friends come over

Clearly Organic Barrica 2007 (La Mancha, Spain) 50% Cabernet Sauvignon 50% Syrah.  Its spicy woody aromas give way to flavours of plum, black currant, and dark chocolate.  The structure and tannins are enough to stand up to roast meats, sharp cheddar, squid with ink, and pepper steak.  

Something from Bordeaux

Chateau Boutisse 2005 Saint Emilion Grand Cru (Bordeaux, France) 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. The south-east facing slopes allow for optimal and homogenous exposure to the sun.  Handpicked berries are sorted with extreme care, fermented in small vats for precise extraction followed by 12-15 months in French oak.   This premium wine is characterized by its deep garnet colour, with aromas of ripe red fruit, soft spices, roasted coffee, and hints of caramel and cloves.  The palate shows full body with fine yet firm tannins, explosive black cherry fruit, all encased in the subtle vanillin flavours of new oak.  It’s an excellent wine for cellaring.  Serve at room temperature with lamb, roasts, game, or strong cheeses such as Camembert. 

Something from Australia

Curious (Australia) Shiraz.  Deep purple in colour, with an intense aroma of dark fruits and spice, the 2010 Curious Shiraz expresses true varietal character. With subtly integrated American Oak balanced with ripe plums and blackberries, this wine has excellent structure and length. Secondary aromas of chocolate and spice add intrigue and complexity to the wine with soft tannins creating a supple and smooth wine with impressive length.

Something for pizza/pasta night

Chianti Classico Riserva (Piedmont, Italy) 100% Sangiovese.  Wine of immediate charm obtained from the best section of the estate’s grapes!   Aromas of ripe wild berries, jam, and spices, with pepper notes.  Medium to full bodied with a velvety structure, this wine is rich in noble tannins.   The long and persistent finish is a prelude to good aging potential.  Pairing suggestions include: chicken or beef creamy sauce, French onion soup, baked ham, or soft Italian cheeses. 

Something for if your boss pops in

Martyn Cendoya Reserva 2007  (Rioja, Spain)  80% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano, 5% Mazuela.  Robert Parker 91 Points Gold Medal Concours de Bruxelles and Decanter.  Aged in oak for 14 months, this Reserva grade wine has a silky texture with notes of licorice, cherry and dark berry flavors.  It offers a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2022.

OR

Echos Lynch-Bages 2008 - AOC Pauillac (France), the little brother of the 5th Cru Classe Chateau Lynch Bages.  Aromas of red berries get involved in elegant woody, perfectly integrated notes. A beautiful structure heightened by mature tannins, with the asserted character. The Cabernet, in echo, possesses a texture and a structure close to those of its older brother, the classified wine. An echo everything in power which is not less soft and elegant there. 

Happy Stocking!