NEON CACTUS WINES

Little James’ Basket Press White
60% Viognier, 40% Sauvignon Blanc, non-vintage
Green colour with a light grey shine. Lively nose of papaya, mango, grapefruit, violet and licorice. Complex and unctuous mouth lifted by a refreshing minerality and crisp intense fruit. $16.95*

Neon Cactus Wines also carries:

Little James’ Basket Press Red
100% Grenache, non-vintage
From Saint Cosme in the Rhone Valley, this red is one of those wines you will reach for again and again. Spicy, peppery and rich, with layers of kirsch, cassis and blackberry fruit and a commanding note of minerals and herbs, it screams Grenache. A medium-bodied, tasty, satisfying style, and a remarkably good price. Try it with lamb cooked on the grill and served with a side dish of ratatouille! $16.95*

[ France Languedoc ]

100% Chenin grapes

Yellow coloured with brillant glints. The aromatic complexity features exotic fruit aromas and  the intense bouquet of white flowers. Finely balanced, smooth and silky on the palate followed by a long aftertaste. Traditional accompaniment to white meat, fish and shellfish. Try it also with lightly spiced, saffron or curried  oriental dishes. $17.95*

Pinot Gris
Opulent, slightly smoky nose. Full, round mouthfeel with a hint of spiciness. A wonderful companion to game, roasts or foie gras. $21.95 *

Riesling
The airy, floral nose is reminiscent of fresh fruit. The palate is direct, well-built, dry, fine and elegant with tastes of citrus and pineapple. Enjoy with shellfish, fish fillets, grilled fish, fish fried or oven-baked, or with specialities such as sauerkraut, coq au vin and frogs’ legs. $19.95*

Hob Nob Pinot Noir
Refined elegant wine with flavours of black cherry. $14.95*

Hob Nob Pinot Chardonnay
Intense flavours of grilled almonds, hazelnuts and honey. $14.95*

 Côtes-du-Rhône Domaine de Beaurenard Red from France
is CBC’s feature wine this month.
Get your bottle at Neon Cactus Wines!

Laurie McKay will taste and talk about this wine on
Winers on CBC radio’s Homestretch on
Friday, March 19 at 5:45 p.m.
 
Aromas of ripe fruit (wild strawberry), nuts, dried fruit, and a touch of mint. A fresh, full-bodied wine with an elegant style, supported by tannins that are ample but round and supple. It perfectly accompanies a variety of different dishes, from the simplest to the most complex. $19.95*

Each month, get the featured bottle at Neon Cactus Wines and enjoy some sipping pleasure with Laurie while you learn about the wine!

60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
Aromatic red cherry, plums, chocolate and spice on the nose. On the palate, the wine is well balanced with bright red currant and ripe spicy fruit flavours complemented by fine, silky tannins. Pair with marinated leg of lamb, penne with stir-fried beef and red bell pepper or pork chops in beer teriyaki marinade. $17.95*

[ Entre Deux Mers, Bordeaux ]

Chateau Val Joanis Rouge is a deep purple colour. A well structured, supple and balanced wine. Dark and spicy with subtle leather, barnyard and blackberry notes ~ big, round and smooth. Loaded with Grenache fruit. $19.95*

Chateau Val Joanis Blanc is a clear, pale straw colour. Aromatic fruit and white flowers, fresh and clean. Well balanced and crisp with fresh fruit acidity. The region’s rather cooler nights than in most Côtes du Rhône help to produce some of the crisper, more interesting white wines of the southern Rhône Valley. $19.95*

[Luberon Cotes du Rhone]

Duboeuf’s flower ~ “Fleurie” ~ exhibits a sumptuous array of floral and fruit fragrances on the nose: irises, violets, roses, black currant, strawberry, peach and raspberry. Effusive notes of cassis and blackberry jelly well up and lively acidity drives the red cherry, violet and blackberry flavours. Distinctively elegant and velvety. A nice firm, minerally edge on the finish adds dimension. $19.95*

Rhone blends are usually based on Grenache grapes though some are predominantly Syrah or Mourvedre. The fact that these wines are blends gives the winemakers real flexibility in creating their wines. In the Southern Rhone Valley, the styles range from light, fruity, soft Cotes du Rhone to big, bold, age-worthy Chateaunuef-du-pape. (The same blend is popular in Australia and the U.S., where it is often called GSM ~ Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre ~ and exhibits the rich, bold fruit that these countries are famous for.)
This particular Cotes du Rhone red, new to Neon Cactus Wines, is light and lovely. We’re sure you’ll enjoy it!  $17.95*

Quality grapes and a winemaker’s expert touch combined to reach new heights. A distinctive bouquet with fine intense floral notes, some minerality, and the underlying suggestion of ripe grapes. Fresh and refined with an attractive intensity. A fine expression of Sauvignon Blanc, this wine is a delight. Serve chilled. Excellent with starters such as fish, seafood or white meat. $16.95*

[ Gascony ]

Artemia
50 % Syrah, 50 % Grenache
A very aromatic nose with blackberry notes and a nice minerality. The balanced mouth receives fruit and power from the Syrah and richness and spices from the Grenache. Serve at 18°C accompanied by terrines, roasted red meats, meats in sauces, game and, especially, pair Artemia with duck and scrambled eggs with truffles. $49.95*

Chateau Pesquie Viognier
Golden color with bright, clear silvery highlights. White flowers (acacias), violet and peach on the nose with slight menthol notes. Great balance with delicate flavours of white flowers, citrus fruits and peach. Fresh with a nice long finish. A favourite as an aperitif, it is also an elegant accompaniment to asparagus, grilled fish, stuffed squid, spring vegetables with shellfish, smoked fish, cream cheese, reblochon and goat cheeses. For dessert, it is delicious with pecan, pear, or apricot pie. $22.95*

Guy Chaumont’s vineyard in Burgundy has been organic since 1965.
Givry Pinot Noir
A complex and aromatic wine, aged in oak for 18 months. Smooth and full of ripe berry fruit flavours. Perfect to drink now or keep for up to 10 years. Excellent with red meat, a hearty casserole or cheese. $26.95*
Givry Chardonnay
A fine and subtle wine, aged in oak for 10 months. Slightly golden colour, buttery with apple and melon fruit. Characteristic mineral undertones from the region’s soil add complexity to this lively wine. Wonderful with light meats or seafood. $24.95*

The aromas are both mineral and citrus, though the citrus is of a sophisticated order: grapefruit and bergamot. On the palate, the citrus is joined by orange and lime, backed by a choir of peach, pear and fresh apricot. The finish is extremely tasty and refreshing. A succulent wine that offers an excellent mouthful.  $32.95*

Meet Lulu B.:
This young french woman, who is proud of her region and its terroirs, brings you wines that are light-hearted and delicious.  Like the sunny South of France, Lulu B.’s wine is warm and approachable.
Full-bodied Lulu B. Pinot Noir has luscious aromas of ripe grapes and black cherries. Smooth and soft-textured, this wine feels like liquid silk. Perfect with grilled fish, poultry, pasta, or just to enjoy while relaxing with a ham and cheese sandwich. 
Elegant and charming ~ like Lulu B.! .” $14.95*

[Vin Pays D'Oc]

Brilliant colour with golden tints. Harmonious floral scents with fresh fruit aromas and citrus notes. Fresh, lively palate with plenty of body and a long finish. Medium bodied, refreshing and satisfying with a zesty, clean finish, this wine would be a beautiful match with freshly shucked oysters and clams or any seafood dish that would benefit from a squeeze of lemon. $24.95*