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From organic meat, fresh fruits and vegetables from surrounding local farms, Executive Chef Trista Sheen constructs a menu rooted in the French style but highlighted with continental flair. Sommelier Tiffany Jamieson-Horne is on hand to guide guests through the extensive wine collection to enhance the flavours of Chef Sheens’ simple yet stunning dishes.

Popular with foodies of all ages, CRUSH Wine Bar is committed to providing a first-rate enjoyable experience, guests drop in for a quick drink, lunch, or stay for the evening. Whether you choose to dine inside the restaurant or outside on the fabulous patio during the warmer months, CRUSH Wine Bar is sure to exceed expectations.

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Opened in 1996 by Manny Botelho, Carlos Encarnação and Albino Silva, Adega offers some of the best seafood in Toronto prepared by Chef Javier Donan.

Diners can choose from our extensive Portuguese wine list, daily fresh fish and desserts.

Located on the historic Elm Street in the heart of downtown Toronto, Adega can accommodate private functions from 10 to 90 in its private dining rooms.

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RECIPE:

• 4 large ripe tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• fine sea salt to taste
• freshly ground black pepper to taste

On a large platter, alternate and overlap the tomato slices, mozzarella cheese slices, and basil leaves. Drizzle with olive oil. Season with sea salt and pepper.

You can always switch it up and use goat cheese instead of mozzarella!

We are SO excited to be able to introduce Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir next month!  Family roots run deep when it comes to Allan Scott wine.  This family knows wine and nobody has more experience growing grapes in Marlborough than Allan Scott himself.

For $15.95, this wine will knock your socks off.

TASTING NOTES:

The aromatics in this 2011 Sauvignon are distinctly tropical. Indulging the nose the initial sweet passion fruit then gives way to hints of lime, classic gooseberry, and dried herbs. But it is the palate where this wine embodies all that is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The entry onto the palate is smooth and fruit driven, which accelerates through to a midpalate burst of energy from the firm lively acidity with a lingering mouth-watering finish, leaving the discerned wine drinker simply gagging for more.

As always, the Austrian Consulate’s spot on organization facilitated a flawless show.

At our table, people clamoured to taste Rudi Rabl’s new vintages of Grüner Veltliner, Riesling  and a show hit, the 2009 St. Laurent.

The 2011 Grüner Spiegel, currently available in Consignment showed delicate grassy pepper spice with mineral undertones, beautiful fruit and lemon balm.  It’s medium + bodied with a persistent finish of exotic citrus tones.  $16.95 per bottle.

The 2009 St. Laurent had only 15% matured in new wood, leaving just a tinge of integrated vanilla.  This elegant wine sang with raspberries, dark cherries alongside peppery notes.  Very well balanced with soft tannins and a medium to long finish.  Many people described it as gamay-like but with more body and a more complex flavour profile.  St. Laurent is a descendant of Pinot Noir but is very unique to Austria.  Available in late August, approx. $18.95

The 2007 Riesling TBA(Trockenbeerenauslese) was very well received.  Aromas of orange zest, apricots, raisins, honeydew melons, compelling viscous caramel sweetness completely in balance with piquant, integrated acidity with a 30 second finish but at the same time, cleansing the palate.  TBA is the sweetest wine in Austria made from botrytized grapes.  Available through private order only in cases of 6 375 ml bottles at $42.95 per bottle.  Please contact us at info@vintagetrade.com or call us Toll Free at 1 866 390-8745

 Thank you to winecurrent.com!  They recently reviewed one of our present lists at Vintages!  You don’t want to miss this one!

Baronia del Montsant Englora 2005
DO Montsant $16.95 (266908) 13.5% alcohol
This blend, aged a scant four months in oak, features expressive and compelling aromas of black and blue berries, cedar, spiced vanilla and smoke. Dry, mid-weight, the intense sweet fruit is underpinned with ripe tannin and fresh acidity, the spiced vanilla lingering through the satisfying, flavourful, fruity finish. Good value for a mature wine and a match for paella. (Susan Desjardins)

Through his many travels around the globe Ernie has been exposed to and appreciated some of the world’s greatest wines and in 1999 decided to pursue his developed passion for fine wine with the creation of Ernie Els Wines. Ernie befittingly chose Stellenbosch, the noble heart of South African wine to base his operation. You MUST try Ernie Els Wines!

For under $16, The 2011 Big Easy White, a 100% Chenin Blanc is the perfect patio wine!  Fresh tropical palate, lively, juicey and would pair beautifully with fresh seafood salads, chicken with cream sauce or even sushi!

Spain has more land under vine than any other country in the world and you will see they will continue to amp up production as we move forward in 2012.    Crisp dry whites from the coast are popping up and chewy inland reds continue to land on restaurant lists and on store shelves.

Spain is well-positioned to take the ebb and flow of global wine trends in stride. Classic bodegas continue to offer their traditional, Old World terroir-driven character, while newer wineries please those looking for a cleaner, fruit-driven New World style.

It is encouraging to see both ends of the Spanish spectrum make healthy strides toward organic, and even biodynamic farming and winemaking methods, as the sustainability of everything from healthily-farmed land to environmentally friendly bottles assure continued progress, growth and further increases in quality and reputation. It’s nice to see this old dog learn new tricks.