Author Archives: winellama

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About winellama

I love wine...and finally decided to do something about it.

Prior de Neo, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2006, 15% abv, C$45

From Porrera, Priorat in Catalunya and all its rocky, llicorella glory, this is a primarily Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) wine with Merlot, Syrah and Garnacha thrown into the blend. On the eyes, this beauty is a translucent ruby, with developed aromas … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Grenache / Garnacha, Merlot, OTHER, RED, Shiraz / Syrah, Spain | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Champagne, Brut, Nicolas Maillart, Premier Cru, Millésime, Champagne AC, France, 2007, 12.5% abv.

Coco Chanel probably said it best when she remarked, “I only drink champagne on two occasions.  When I am in love and when I am not.” Champagne just makes everything better.  Always.  Some people have said to me that they … Continue reading

Posted in Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, RED, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Fino, En Rama, Bodegas Tradición, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO, Spain, 15% abv, €25

When we walked out of Bodegas Tradición, we looked at each other and exclaimed simultaneously, “Never in my lifetime did I imagine I would pay C$40 for a bottle of Fino!” This, however, is not your average Fino. While a … Continue reading

Posted in Palomino, Sherry, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pinot Noir, Scott Paul, Azana, Chehalem Mountains AVA, Oregon, 2013, 12.9% abv., US$60

We visited the tasting room for this graceful Pinot Noir in tiny Carlton, Oregon in August 2016. The Chehalem Mountains AVA where the grapes for this wine are grown is located entirely within the larger Willamette Valley AVA, just south … Continue reading

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Manzanilla Pasada Pastrana, Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO, Spain, 15% abv, €15

Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana is located 30 km east of Jerez in the Spanish seaside town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda housed in a set of cathedral-like buildings built originally on the oceanfront.  The Atlantic started receding in the 1800s and … Continue reading

Posted in FORTIFIED WINE, OTHER, Palomino, Sherry, Spain, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cream, Bodegas El Maestro Sierra, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO, Spain, 375ml, 17.5% abv.

During a September 2017 visit to Jerez, Spain, we wanted to find a way to spend some time in a vineyard growing Palomino grapes. This proved to be more challenging than one would think!  The grape growing system in the … Continue reading

Posted in Palomino, Pedro Ximenez / Pedro Gimenez, Sherry, Spain, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Amontillado Viejo Del Duque VORS, Bodegas González Byass, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO, Spain, 21.5% abv, €22

Next time you plan to enjoy, say, some manchego cheese and mushroom risotto, pull out the Amontillado Viejo del Duque VORS (Very Old Rare Sherry) from González Byass to pair up with it. This delicious tip was provided by Maribel, … Continue reading

Posted in FORTIFIED WINE, OTHER, Palomino, Sherry, Spain, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Moscatel, Emilín, Bodegas Lustau, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO, Spain, 17% abv, €25

During a recent trip to Jerez De La Frontera to learn more about sherry, we planned ahead and were lucky to have the @delfgroup assist with making an appointment at Bodegas Lustau. Originally founded in 1896, today Lustau is a … Continue reading

Posted in FORTIFIED WINE, Moscatel / Muscat of Alexandria, OTHER, Sherry, Spain, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pedro Ximénez, Bodegas Mons Urium, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO, Spain, 15% abv, €82.50

The very first thing that hit us was the overwhelming smell of the yeasty velo de flor as we walked through the bodega doors.  Flor is a layer of yeast that protects the developing wine from oxidation – and it … Continue reading

Posted in FORTIFIED WINE, Pedro Ximenez / Pedro Gimenez, Sherry, Spain, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Torroja, Terroir Al Limit Soc. Lda., Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2012, 12.5% abv.

We visited Priorat in January 2015 after attending the WSET Diploma graduation ceremony in London.  When we were trying to put together our list of Priorat bodegas to visit, this one emerged as a bright star. Peter, the winemaker, is … Continue reading

Posted in Grenache / Garnacha, RED, Spain | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments