I am not an expert, just a discerning wine lover or amateur de vin (as the French say), but everyone has a different palate, likes and dislikes so it must be understood that any of my recommendations are personal. I just hope that you find them useful or at the very least - interesting. I also hope you enjoy my photos. It is more fun sharing then keeping them backed up on a hard drive.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Big Red, Not So Big Price...

This truly is a Wine Gem. Lots of cherry, leather and hint of licorice spice. On the full side of medium bodied with a solid tannic grip and very good balance.

TERREDORA - AGLIANICO - 2008 CAMPANIA, ITALY - $ 14.95

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Fresh in the Valley - 20 Valley Favourites

Some QPR Highlights from my "Get Fresh in the Valley" tour:

Rosewood Estates Winery Semillion 2009 - $18.00
Intense and vibrant wine with essence of lemon grass and pear. - paired with a goat's cheese crostini
http://www.rosewoodwine.com/category/wines

Staff Winery - Pinot Grigio 2009 - $21.00
Crisp, complex and beautiful matched with the pairing a pastry creation with papaya, ginger mint, vegetable, soya poached salmon ...
http://www.staffwines.com/

Angel's Gate Sussreserve Riesling 2009 - $13.95
Crisp lemon and white grapefruit but off dry. - Southwestern beans & rice with shrimp
http://www.angelsgatewinery.com/our_wines.html

Peninsula Ridge Wismer Sauvignon Blanc 2010 - $19.95
Tropical fruit and flint, complex long racy lemon finish - paired with goat's cheese, cucumber & mint
http://www.peninsularidge.com/our_wines.htm

Good Earth Chardonnay 2008 - $19.00
Citrus and mineral on the nose, lime and white grapefruit with mineral finish. - paired with pea soup.
http://www.goodearthfoodandwine.com/goodwine

13th Street White Palette 2010
Blend includes Chardonnay-Musque, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris - white flowers and tropical fruit, beautiful balance. - Paired with a spring roll
http://www.13thstreetwinery.com/index.php?/wine/

Not "on the menu" but also liked:
Megalomaniac Bigmouth Merlot 2008 - $24.95
Black fruit, herbal - full and round in mouth.
http://www.megalomaniacwine.com/main.php

13th Street Red Palette 2010 - $14.95
Blend includes Merlot, Pinot Noir, Gamay - Dusty, soft lots of bright red fruit, good structure

There were so many beautiful wines that weekend, all quite lovely, unfortunately the note taking blurred...

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Ahhh, Rhone, my fall-back position for Wednesday's dinner...

I love these Southern Rhone GSM blends because they can be such good value for money. This one definitely is!

CAVE DE RASTEAU LA DOMELIÈRE -CÔTES DU RHÔNE -VILLAGES - 2009 - FRANCE
- $ 15.00

All spice, plum, anise and tobacco on the nose. Smoky, spicy black cherry palate with juicy acid structure.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=222927

http://rasteau.com/produits.asp?idproduit=25&sX_Menu_selectedID=left_E3E05605

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Scrumptious Ontario Pinot Gris'

Many like the stark minerality and acid of a Pinot Grigio but for me I tend to be attracted to the lusher expression of the grape. That does not mean none of the elements that make Pinot Grigio attractive are not there, just a slightly different feel. In Ontario, I have yet to find the full mouthfeel of an Alsatian Pinot Gris but there is a different and equally beautiful expression through the terriors of Niagara. The QPR for these wines is quite notable.

I was lucky enough to tank -taste this in its infancy and even then it was interesting and complex...

COYOTE'S RUN - PINOT GRIS - ST. DAVID'S - 2009 - $17.95
Nose of green apple, honeydew melon, nutmeg & flint. Palate: mineral, white grapefruit with a lemon acidity.

http://www.winerytohome.com/files/viewwine.html?sku=3035&referral=WineAlign



I like both the 2009 & 2010 from Malivoire, although quite different, they are both beautiful in their own way...

MALIVOIRE - PINOT GRIS - BEAMSVILLE - 2009 - $19.95
Stone fruit with beautiful and minerality

http://www.malivoire.com/index.php?page=wine-detail&productID=58

MALIVOIRE - PINOT GRIS - BEAMSVILLE - 2010 - $19.95
Citrus & tropical fruit on the nose, citrus and pear and hint of flint on the palate

http://www.malivoire.com/index.php?page=wine-detail&productID=81