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.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Niagara's Bounty Red & White

As harvest approaches, I can't help but think of the gift of local wine. These both are at different end of the spectrum but speak of their respective terrior.

Chateau des Charmes - Equuleus - Paul Bosc Vineyard - 2007, Niagara, ON $24.95
Spicy blackberry, red flowers, sweet tobacco, slight licorice. Velvety and lush in the mouth.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=319525
http://www.chateaudescharmes.com/the_wines/paul_bosc.html




Peninsula Ridge - Wismer Vineyards - Sauvignon Blanc - 2010, Niagara, ON $18.95
Grassy, gooseberry, citrus. Follows through, very crisp on palate. Good length.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=116475
http://www.peninsularidge.com/our_wines.htm

Friday, August 19, 2011

California Whites for Summer Sipping

While to us Northerners it may seem like summer much of the time in California, it is certainly not everlasting here. Fall and cooler days are not so far away. So while it remains Hot, Hot, Hot, I would do an overview on some of the fabulous whites I had on my visit to Napa & Sonoma.

Cline Cellars - Sonoma Coast Viognier - 2010, Sonoma - $16.00
Nose of peach, pear, green apple, orange blossom follows through on the palate. Elegant, fresh, long finish.
http://www.clinecellars.com/index.cfm?method=storeproducts.showDrilldown&productid=e129eada-cbb8-c54a-2427-833cc2ac044d&ProductCategoryID=751222a2-bf71-d0bd-21d4-1b455e1536c4&OrderBy=PXPC.DisplayOrder+Asc,+P.Price1

Cornerstone - Stepping Stone - Sauvignon Blanc-Musque - 2010, Napa Valley - $18.00
White flowers and honeysuckle on the nose. Crisp, dry, citrus with clean delicate finish.

http://www.cornerstonecellars.com/index.cfm?method=storeproducts.showDrilldown&productid=5135c3ce-f59e-303b-3eec-84fc0f0e8fa0&ProductCategoryID=833c63dd-9b97-6886-8f30-8b45284c7f33&OrderBy=PXPC.DisplayOrder%20Asc,%20P.ProductName%20ASC


Scott Harvey Wines - Jana Old Vine Riesling - 2007, Napa Valley - $22.00
Slate, slight petrol, white flowers, bruleed honey. Rich and creamy in mouth with long citrus finish.

http://winestore.scottharveywines.com/2008-napa-valley-old-vine-riesling-p16.aspx

Michel Schlumberger - La Bise - Pinot Blanc - 2010, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma - $24.00
Delicate white blossom and citrus nose. Clean citrus fruit and mineral on the palate. Enchanting.

http://www.michelschlumberger.com/index.cfm?method=storeproducts.showDrilldown&productid=6566c225-a2ee-f39e-bb27-1beb15dfec6f

Jessup Cellars - Sauvignon Blanc - 2010, Napa Valley - $28.00
Pretty nose of honeysuckle & white flowers. Very fresh, bright fruit with long citric finish.

http://jessupcellars.com/

Friday, August 12, 2011

What's on the grill? Likely goes with this wine...

Busy, busy work week. No time to review more of my California tastings... But, there was time to enjoy a fabulously-priced rench wine, full of character! Last year I fell in love with the Corbieres region, the wines spoke to me so much more once I had been there. Drinking them was like breathing the garrigue-soaked-air.

I picked this up in Montreal at SAQ and drove it across provincial lines before everyone decided it was okay to do so. Not sneaky or daring, just thinking the whole thing was stupid and wanting to get wine the LCBO didn't offer. This one was a gem because it is only $12.00 - in the US under $10.


Pellerin Domaines Et Châteaux -  La Réserve De Bubas -2008, Corbières, France - $11.95
Intense nose of black fruit, smoke, garrigue - follows through, savoury on the palate.




Thursday, August 4, 2011

Seriously Cool Chardonnays

Attending the Cool Climate Chardonnay World Tour at Tawse Winery - I found myself overwhelmed by so much choice - over 100 Chards! How could I write about them all?! I have made a Favs list below but of course there were many more and some I didn't even get to try. I hope you enjoy these...


13th Street - June's Vineyard Chardonnay - 2009, Niagara, ON - $19.95
(Vintages 236745)
Nose of green apple, citrus and flint. Vibrant, clean, crisp wine on the palate.
http://www.13thstreetwinery.com/index.php?/wine/detail/2009_chardonnay_junes_vineyard/

Mission Hill - Reserve Chardonnay - 2009, Okanagan Valley, BC - $19.95
Tropical fruit and butterscotch on the nose. Richness balanced beautifully by citric finish.
http://www.missionhillwinery.com/to_purchase/wine_list.asp#reserve
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=545004

Cooper Mountain - Reserve Chardonnay - 2009, Willamette Valley, WA - $22.95
(Vintages- 232827)
Varied geology makes this wine very complex, good winemaking gives it wonderful balance - biodynamic
http://www.coopermountainwine.com/html/char_reserve.html

Mt. Difficulty - Chardonnay - 2008, Central Otago, NZ - $26.95
(Vintages - 238592)
Mineral and tropical fruit on the nose. Creamy mouth-feel with lots of lemon to balance.
http://www.mtdifficulty.co.nz/catalog/P1488_Mt-Difficulty-Chardonnay-2008.html


Domaine des Deux Roches - Vieilles Vignes St. Veran - 2009, Macon, France - $27.95
(Vintages -365023)
Delicate lemon and toasty notes. Creamy mouthfeel with a long mineral finish.
http://www.collovrayterrier.com/docs/TECHNICAL-SHEET-COLLOVRAY-TERRIER-DOMAINE-DEUX-ROCHES-BURGUNDY-SAINT-VERAN-VIEILLES-VIGNES-GB.pdf

Tawse - Robyn's Block Chardonnay - 2008, Niagara, ON - $41.95
(Vintages -204982)
Always one of my very favourite chardonnay's - elegant, complex and fabulously balanced!
http://www.tawsewinery.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=Product.display&product_id=91

Vie Di Romans- Chardonnay- 2009, Friuli, Italy - $49.95
(Vintages - 103143)
Rich, exotic, some tropical fruit. Subtle use of oak, full finish.
http://www.viediromans.it/wines.htm

Domaine de la Vougeraie - Clos du Prieure Vougeot - 2007, Burgundy, France - $79.95
(Vintages - 232835)
Shy nose but floral and mineral elements shine through. Voluptuous wine with extended finish.
http://www.boissetfamilyestates.com/products/ProductDetails.aspx?PrdId=379

Chateau de Meursault - 1re Cru Meursault - 2008, Burgundy, France - $79.95
(Vintages - 232892)
Gentle white flowers and buttered toast. Creamy, full in the mouth but yet still elegant with lasting finish.
http://www.meursault.com/meursault/uk/vins/vins.htm#