Author Archives: winellama

About winellama

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

Le Soula, VdP des Côtes Catalanes, France, 2009, 14% abv, C$45+

Posted on June 26, 2017 by winellama

Every now and then, I’m reminded how small producer, attention-to-detail, hands-on and earth-friendly farming and wine-making practices all conspire to produce some of the seriously fabulous wines of the world. From the minute this was opened, I wondered where it … Continue reading →

Posted in Chardonnay, France, Grenache blanc, Grenache Gris, Macabeu, Marsanne, OTHER, Rousanne, Sauvignon Blanc, WHITE, White Grenache / Garnacha / Garnaxa | Tagged 2009, Agly Valley, chardonnay, france, Gerard Gauby, Gerard Standley, Grenache blanc, Grenche Gris, Le Soula, Macabeo, Malvoisie, marsanne, Perpignan, Prugnanes, Pyrenees, Roussanne, Roussillon, sauvignon blanc, VdP des Côtes Catalanes, white wine | Leave a comment

Rethink Pink, Rosé, Joie Farm, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 2015, 12.5% abv.

Posted on June 21, 2017 by winellama

Here’s an uncomplicated Rosé made with Gamay and Pinot Noir grapes by Heidi Noble for your back porch. The colour of pretty, pink salmon, this wine has aromas of watermelon and cherry. On the palate it’s mostly dry with a … Continue reading →

Posted in British Columbia, Gamay, Pinot Noir, RED, ROSE | Tagged 2015, BC, Heidi Noble, Joie Farm, okanagan valley vqa, Rethink Pink, rosé | 1 Comment

Pinot Noir, Ken Wright Cellars, Savoya Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton AVA, Oregon, 12.5% abv, 2013, US$85

Posted on June 13, 2017 by winellama

In August 2016, we visited Ken Wright Cellars’ tasting room in Carlton, Oregon for the second time. We stayed at their Carlton Lofts which is very beautiful, but pricey. It’s worth noting that Ken Wright doesn’t discount anyone for tastings … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon, Pinot Noir, RED | Tagged 12.5% abv, Ken Wright Cellars, oregon, pinot noir, red wine, Savoya Vineyard, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton AVA | 2 Comments

Albariño, Bagoa do Mino, Lagrima, Rias Baixas DO, Spain, 13% abv., US$25

Posted on June 9, 2017 by winellama

Ninety percent of the wines made in Rias Baixas are white and most are produced from the pale green Albariño grape, although 12 different grapes are allowed. Rias Baixas is located on the far northwest Atlantic coast of Spain just … Continue reading →

Posted in Albarino / Alvarinho, OTHER, Spain, WHITE | Tagged Albarino, Bagoa do Mino, Lagrima, marquis wines, Rias Baixas DO, spain, white wine | Leave a comment

La Grande Cuvée Rose, Domaine Lafage, Côtes du Roussillon AOP, France, 13% abv, C$35++

Posted on June 7, 2017 by winellama

Made from 70% Grenache Gris, Grenache and 30% Mourvèdre grapes harvested by hand from 65 and 80 year old vines, this is a visual beauty of the palest salmon. Jean-Marc Lafage makes this at his estate near Perpignan, France. … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Grenache / Garnacha, Grenache Gris, Mouvedre, Monastrell, ROSE | Tagged 13% abv., Cotes du Roussillon AOP, Domaine Lafage, france, La Grande Cuvée Rose | 2 Comments

Red Cuvée, Stina, Dalmatia, Croatia, 13% abv, C$20++

Posted on May 25, 2017 by winellama

Put this Dalmatian gateway wine on your to drink list and get ready to visit your nearest BC liquor store. Those are words you should rarely – if ever – expect me to write (the BCLB part). But, I would … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Croatia, Merlot, Plavac Mali, RED, red wine, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged BC, Blend, Brac, british columbia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Croatia, Dalmatia, Dalmatian coast, Direct Wines, Island of Brac, merlot, Plavac Mali, Red Cuvée, red wine, Stina, syrah | 2 Comments

Pinot Noir, Toulouse, Alexander Valley AVA, California, 2011, 14% abv., US$28

Posted on May 19, 2017 by winellama

Toulouse is located near the northwestern end of the Alexander Valley AVA, a few short kilometers after emerging from the switchback drive through the Navarro River Redwoods State Park from Mendocino on the Californian coast. We visited there in August … Continue reading →

Posted in California, OTHER, Pinot Noir, RED | Tagged 14% abv, 2011, Alexander Valley AVA, california, pinot noir, red wine, Toulouse | 2 Comments

Cabernet Franc, Les Muriers, Anjou Villages AC, Loïc Mahé, Loire Valley, France, 12.5% abv. 2013, US$20

Posted on May 15, 2017 by winellama

These are a few of my favourite things. From a site located in the western part of Savennières and north of the Loire River, Brittany native Loïc Mahé grows bio/organic grapes on shale soils and makes unfiltered wines fermented with natural … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Franc, France, Loire, OTHER, RED | Tagged 2013, Anjou Villages AC, bio, cabernet franc, france, Les Muriers, Loïc Mahé, loire valley, red wine, savennieres | Leave a comment

Tire Bouchon, D’Ourea, Adrien Roustan, Vacqueyras, IGP, France, 2014, 13% abv.

Posted on May 11, 2017 by winellama

Quick, I’m going to test your memory of high school French. What does tire bouchon mean? Corkscrew! And you will want your corkscrew for this – so you can drink it all by yourself. Certified organic and located in Vacqueyras, … Continue reading →

Posted in Aramon Noir, France, Grenache / Garnacha, Oeillade Noire, OTHER, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged Adrien Roustan, Aramon Noir, D'Ourea, france, grenache, IGP, Oeillade Noire, red wine, syrah, Tire Bouchon, Vacqueyras | Leave a comment

Zweigelt, Upper Bench Winery, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 13.9% abv. C$26

Posted on May 2, 2017 by winellama

Zwei what? Zweigelt – a cross between St. Laurent and Blaufrankisch (aka Lemberger) created in 1922 in Austria. In this case it’s being grown in the Okanagan at several estates. This version is an estate grown, 100% Zweigelt, fermented in … Continue reading →

Posted in British Columbia, RED, Zweigelt | Tagged BC, Canadian wine, okanagan valley vqa, red wine, Upper Bench, Zweigelt | Leave a comment