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.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Great wines from LENS & PEC

Recently I attended two tastings - The Taste of the County & the Ontario Wine Society's Shores of Lake Erie tasting - that allowed me to access two Ontario Wine Regions that I don't give enough space in my blog. This is not because I don't think the wines are wonderful, but is simply due to accessibility. I split my time between Toronto and Niagara which means I seldom travel to LENS or PEC. There were so many nice wines, this may just be part one!

Here are some standout QPR wines:

Lake Erie North Shore
Muscadere - Pinot Noir - 2009 - $25.00 - strawberry, red flower, gentle earthiness, nicely integrated.

Muscadere - Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - $30.00 - Herbaceous, blackberry & plum, full bodied & elegant.
http://muscederevineyards.com/ourwines/



Prince Edward County
Norman Hardie - County Pinot Noir, 2009 - $35.00 -  Bright Strawberry, integrated minerality - long finish!
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=125310
http://www.normanhardie.com/winelist.html


Karlo Estates - Riesling, 2010 - $22.00 - stone fruit & citrus nose some flint, complex, extended finish.
http://karloestates.com/buy-wine/

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Uncharted Austria

Aside from the ever-trendy Gruner Veltliner, I am only vaguely acquainted with the wines of Austria. I am quite taken with the wines that the St. Laurent grape makes. There were all sorts wonderful wines at the Austria tasting, sadly in my neck of the woods they are hard to get your hands on. I hope you have better luck.

Laurenz V - Friendly - Gruner Veltliner 2010, Niederosterreich - $18.95
Complex citrus and mineral with a vibrant palate

http://www.laurenzfive.com/friendly.12.0.html


Laurenz V - Forbidden - Gruner Veltliner 2011, Niederosterreich
Off-dry, white peach, honeysuckle, slight minerlity with a long finish.

Domane Wachau - Klassik Terrassesn -Muskateller 2011, Wachau
White peach, lemon on the nose. Light but complex palate.

http://www.domaene-wachau.at/Einzellagen.435.0.html?&L=2



Domane Wachau - Federspiel - Gruner Veltliner 2011, Wachau -$17.95
http://www.domaene-wachau.at/2011-Gruener-Veltliner-Feder.500.0.html?&L=2

Andert - Barrique - St. Laurent 2008, Burgenland - $20.00
Plum, red flower, slight spice and toastiness no the nose. Rich and complex palate. elegant

http://www.austrianwine.com/producers-market/producers/details/betriebe/weinbau_andert_wein-100808/

Andert - Beerenauslese - Scheurebe 2010, Burgenland
Gorgeous, voluptuous med-sweet wine with a honeysuckle and lemon-lime nose. Great acid balance with a finish that seemingly never ends.

http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/andert+josef+beerenauslese+cuvee

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Cali QPR's

I feel guilty when I don't keep up on my Blog. It is odd because the commitment is to myself and it is usually because I am distracted by living life (beyond the computer). One of these distractions was the California Wine Fair where I tasted some marvellous wine. These ones were excellent QPR's...

Bogle Vineyards - Petite Sirah, 2009 California - 16.95
Lovely full-bodied wine with a nose of black currants and plums with hints of leather and cocoa
http://www.boglewinery.com/ourwines_petitesirah.php


If you run a search on Pine Ridge Vineyards on this blog, it will be no surprise to you that I am a fan, but I even surprised myself when I was so impressed I made notes to re-review!

The new vintages of the following are also fantastic:
Pine Ridge Vineyards - Chenin Blanc & Viognier 2011, California
Pine Ridge Vineyards - Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Napa Valley
Pine Ridge Vineyards - Dijon Clones Chardonnay, Carneros

http://www.pineridgevineyards.com/wines

http://www.liffordwine.com/our_wines/wines.php?q=pine+ridge&price_filter=price_zero

Vina Robles - Red4 - GSM Blend 2009, Paso Robles - $17.95
Yum! Full-bodied, black cherry & prunes on the nose with a touch of clove. Wonderful spicy ripe fruit on palate.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=vina+robles&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

http://vinarobles.com/wine_store/detail/2009_REDsup4sup_Blend_of_Syrah_Petite_Sirah_Grenache_and_Mourvdre