It was announced earlier today that the heroic LCBO negotiating team has reached a tentative agreement with ‘Smokey’ and his OPSEU bandits, thus averting the labour disruptions threatened to begin today. As the parched Ontario populace emits a collective and thankful sigh of relief, all LCBO hooch ordering processes return to normal.

Arthur’s Cellar Wines Currently Available on LCBO.com:

Half of our original order of 80 six-bottle cases of ‘La Soif’ Rose have been spoken for; about a third of the 30 cases of each Champagne have also been snapped up.

Champagne Forget-Brimont Brut 1^er Cru – 12.0% Alc./Vol.   LCBO Product # 926617                 $47.70/$286.20 for 6

Believe me, this is a great wine at a great price. The grape composition is 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay (all Premier and Grand Cru). A pale golden colour with a delicate nose of fresh green apples, white flowers and hazelnuts, it has a very fresh, deep structure and is well-balanced with good length. What a great way to start any party and also a wonderful accompaniment for white meats.

Here’s what Alison Napjus said about it in the December 31, 2012 edition of the ‘Wine Spectator’ – “Firm and focused by racy acidity, this is lightly chalky in texture, offering tightly knit flavors of ripe Gala apple, anise, black currant candy, fresh ginger and biscuit. Fine balance. $63 (wow, note the price – US$!!) – 91/100”. Robert Parker rated it a 90!

And, it costs much less than you would pay for regular mass-marketed Champagne. Here are some examples of the prices of ordinary Champagne currently available at the LCBO (not a 1^er Cru in the bunch, let alone one with Grand Cru juice as well):

Ain’t it wonderful when you don’t have to support all those expensive advertising campaigns? Click here to order.

Champagne Forget-Brimont Rosé Brut 1^er Cru - 12.0% Alc./Vol.   LCBO Product # 926633         $52.80/$316.80 for 6

This is the Champagne for those most festive occasions. It is also an ideal apéritif. Its rose colour comes from adding a touch of red wine from Brouzy to the Forget-Brimont reserve cuvée. The grape composition is 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay (Premier and Grand Cru grapes only!). In the glass, the beautiful light salmon colour provides an ideal backdrop for its steady stream of tiny bubbles.

Alison Napjus had this to say about it in the November 15, 2012 edition of the ‘Wine Spectator’ – “This offers lovely balance, a finely detailed texture and delicate acidity that focuses the subtle flavors of ripe plum, wild strawberries, and melon fruit. A hint of almond-tinged financier and mineral notes add complexity. $67 (note the price in US$!!) - 91/100”

At least $25 less than anything comparable at the LCBO, it is a big hit with our Members. Click here to order.

LCBO.com

Here’s how LCBO.com works. We will supply the LCBO with selected wines and you or anyone else in Ontario can order and pay for them on-line via the ‘LCBO.com’ site. The major benefit to you is that the wines will already be here at the LCBO warehouse and will be delivered in a short amount of time. By paying a $12 delivery fee, they will ship it (regardless of quantity as long as the order is for $50 or more) by way Canada Post to any address in Ontario and it will be delivered within four business days. Or, you can avoid the shipping fee by having the wine sent to any LCBO store you designate. The store will call you once it is ready to be picked up. This process will take from one to two weeks (possibly up to four weeks in remote areas). Another benefit is that you will no longer have to provide us with the LCBO Lab Waiver email.

Please get in touch with me if you have any questions, would like additional information or would like my help ordering your wine (I’d be pleased to place your order for you). The LCBO will assist with any post-ordering issues. Contact them at ‘helloLCBO’.

Know anyone who would like some delicious, refreshing Rosé or well-priced world-class Champagne? If so, it would be most ducky if you passed this note along to them.

Many thanks and cheers!

Jim, Hélène and Kate
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
www.arthursellers.com
hbuisson@arthursellers.com
kwalker@arthursellers.com

PS: Follow our vinous adventures at Gentleman’s Portion.