Obsessed much?

This was me at the LCBO on Saturday: "What do you MEAN there isn't any Obsession??" Cue the gasp, as Mitchell would say ...

But don't panic. This was at the Bank Street store; I've been reassured that over 200 bottles are available at the Rideau/King Eddie store. Whew.

Well, seeing as I was already there, I *had* to buy something. So I loaded up on some eye-catchers from the March 19 Spain/Portugal Vintages release, along with some yummy things I've tried before, a California white blend recommended by a colleague, and some interesting finds. Still want my Obsession, though (pouting).

From the release: Varando do Conde Alvarinho/Trajadura Vinho Verde 2009 (Provam, DOC Sub-Regiao Monaçao e Melgaço, Portugal, $13.95); Lealtanza Reserva Seleccion 2004 (Bodegas Altanza, DOCa Rioja, Spain, $17.95); and the Serradayres Reserva 2008 (Caves Velhas, DOC Ribatejo, Portugal, $14.95).

Recommended buys: Big House White (California, $13.00 - my main guy in IT, a fellow wineau, gave this one two thumbs up); Santa Christina 2009 Massoni Lugana (Veneto, Italy, $17.95 - Natale suggested this one from the March 5 release.)

So good I think I'll buy a bottle: Cave Spring 2008 Chardonnay Musqué (VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara, $15.95 - something we tried ages ago at the winery and still love); d'Arenburg 2007 The Footbolt Shiraz (Australia, $22.95 - the only one that didn't fit in the less-than-$20 limit I had set on myself, but hey, it was so good at Vines I have to try it again; Terra d'Aligi Tatone 2007 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (Italy, $15.95 - one of the leftover bottles from the service exam).

The last one is from the Naramata Bench in the Okanagan, and I'm really surprised I haven't stumbled across it until now, as it was released January 8: Lake Breeze 2009 Gewurztraminer (VQA Okanagan, $18.95). Given the scarcity of BC wines in the LCBO, I was all over this one.