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.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Bubbles on the brain...

Perhaps it is the fast approaching New Years Eve, or tonight's #winechat on Twitter, or the long bubbly-soak I took post-gym, but I cannot seem to stray from the subject of sparkling wine, so I gave in and popped the cork on a Cremant de Bourgogne and I'll tell you about a few other values to help you celebrate this festive season.



Paul Delane - Cremant De Bourgogne - Burgundy, France - $17.60
Honeydew melon, lime blossom, brioche and apple nose. Pleasing, fresh lemon-lime citrus palate.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=214981

Tawse Winery - Spark Rose - Laundry Vineyard - 2009 - Niagara, Ontario - $39.95
Very delicate, persistent bubbles. Nose of green apple and citrus. Long, elegant finish.
tp://www.tawsewinery.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&page_id=89


Previously reviewed sparklers to help make your selection easier:

Charles Baur Cremant D'Alsace , Alsace, France - $ 18.95 Green apple and slight biscuit nose translates on palate. Creamy mouthfeel with lovely lemon finish.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=185678
http://www.vinscharlesbaur.fr/gb/boutique/cremant-alsace/cremant-alsace-brut-medaille-or-au-concours-effervescents-du-monde-en-2010-750ml.html


Delmas Cuvee - Tradition Brut - Blanquette de Limoux, France - $ 18.95
Nose of green apple and brioche with a creamy palate of apple with a lime finish. Elegant.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=179978
http://www.blanquette-delmas-bio.com/la-gamme-delmas


Roederer Estate - Brut - Sparkling, Anderson Valley, CA $28.95

Mineral, biscuit, apple and lemon aromas. Refreshingly crisp citrus finish. Incredible value.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=294181
http://www.roedererestate.com/TechSheet.php?Wine=113


Henry of Pelham - Cuvee Catharine Rose Brut - Niagara, Ontario - $29.95
This is a Fav and a staple for me - crisp wine with biscuity, floral and gentle cherry notes on the nose.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=4051
http://www.henryofpelham.com/wines.php?sub_id=23


The Grange of Prince Edward - Sparkling Brut 2007 - PEC, Ontario - $29.75Fresh notes of lemon and grapefruit with tinge of biscuit. tangy, long finish.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=183228
http://grangeofprinceedward.com/grange-wines/


Fielding Estate- Sparkling Riesling, Niagara, Ontario - $28.15
A nice twist to use Riesling grapes, fresh apples and lemon freshness - beautifully balanced and a great value.
http://www.fieldingwines.com/page/whites

13th Street Winery- Premier Cuvee Brut- Niagara, Ontario - $29.95
Nose of mineral, lemon zest and orchard fruit with lengthy finish.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=142679

Featherstone - Joy - Blanc de Blancs - Niagara, ON - $34.95
The name is right, what a Joy! Citrus and green apple notes. Delicate mousse and lovely minerality on the palate. Long finish. Very limited production.
http://www.featherstonewinery.ca/wines.html

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Time to start thinking Turkey Wines...

...or in my case Tofurky...regardless, the holidays are fast approaching and I have three beautiful wine suggestions to go with your Christmas meal.

Featherstone Winery - Canadian Oak - Chardonnay - 2009, Niagara, ON - $21.95
I love this wine - it is special because it is fermented with wild yeast & in local oak barrels. It has a rich mouth feel, slight spice & caramel with long citrus fruit finish. Well balanced & complex.

St. Urbans-Hof - Riesling Kabinett - 2009 - Mosel, Germany- $21.95
Such a beautiful wine. Enticing aromatic nose.Complex and rich with but very bright fruit. Long, clean finish!

Akarua - Bannockburn - Pinot Noir - 2009- Central Otago, NZ - $36.95
Delicate red cherry, earth & a touch of spice on the nose. Red fruit palate with wonderful acidity. Very elegant wine.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Something that Sparkles for the Holidays!

Challenged by "Blogger's Block" after a month away studying, I wondered how to dip my toe back in. Then it hit me, something as light and sparkly as Christmas twinkle lights. Bubbly! Best of all, great value for money bubbly, and in the big scheme of celebrational, traditional method, sparklers - hardly much money at all.

Roederer Estate - Brut - Sparkling, Anderson Valley, CA $28.95
Mineral, biscuit, apple and lemon aromas. Refreshingly crisp citrus finish. Incredible value.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=294181
http://www.roedererestate.com/TechSheet.php?Wine=113



Featherstone - Joy - Blanc de Blancs - Niagara, ON $34.95
The name is right, what a Joy! Citrus and green apple notes. Delicate mousse and lovely minerality on the palate. Long finish. Very limited production.

http://www.featherstonewinery.ca/wines.html