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Author Archives: winellama
Merlot, Upper Bench Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 2012, 14.3% abv, C$26
I visited this winery in mid-August 2015 on the day they were actually harvesting Chardonnay for sparkling wine out back. Yes, in August! While I had real trouble getting the attention of those behind the bar for tastings, eventually I … Continue reading
Posted in British Columbia, Merlot, RED
Tagged BC, Canada, merlot, Okanagan Valley, red wine, Upper Bench, VQA
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Tarima, Organic, Monastrell, Alicante DO, Spain, 14.5% abv, 2012, C$14++
What exactly is Monastrell? In France it’s called Mourvèdre, and in Australia, Mataro. In those two countries, the grape is part the common blend called GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) with each of the grapes bringing something special to the blend. … Continue reading
Posted in Mouvedre, Monastrell, RED, Spain
Tagged Alicante DO, Monastrell, mourvedre, organic, organic grapes, spain, Tarima
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Pinot Noir, The Princess and the Peasant, Signal Ridge Vineyard, Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California, 2014, 13.9% abv.
We’ve been to Napa and Sonoma before and for sure, they’ve got the storied, now chi-chi vineyards – all buttressed by the legacy of that 1976 double blind Judgement of Paris tasting that introduced California to Europe. They have their … Continue reading
Muscat Ottonel, Hillside Winery, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC,13.2% abv, 2014
I’ve never been there, but it’s not for lack of trying. It has just never worked out – yet. But others I know have been and have enjoyed the award-winning restaurant, in addition to the wines made there on the … Continue reading
Posted in British Columbia, Muscat Ottonel / Lunel / Muscatoly, WHITE
Tagged BC, Canada, Hillside Winery, Muscat Ottonel, okanagan valley vqa, white wine
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Viña Tondonia, White Reserva, López de Heredia, Rioja DOC, Rioja Alta, Spain, 1999, 12.5% abv, C$50++
It’s hard to share a bottle of López de Heredia. Firstly, I would be quite happy to keep it all to myself. So, selfishness ranks high. But the other reason is that it’s often hard to find someone to drink it … Continue reading
Posted in Malvasia, OTHER, Spain, Viura / White Rioja, WHITE
Tagged 1999, Lopez de Heredia, Rioja Alta, Rioja DOC, spain, vina tondonia, White Reserva, white rioja, white wine
4 Comments
Cairanne, Peyre Blanche, Famille Perrin, Côtes du Rhône Villages AC, France, 2012, 14.5% abv, C$24++
Today I ran into a friend who also reads this blog and made my day by saying she loves it! Usually I get, “Yes, well, ummm, I’m kinda busy. Isn’t it good enough that I subscribed? You mean I have to … Continue reading
Posted in France, Grenache / Garnacha, OTHER, RED, Shiraz / Syrah
Tagged 2012, Cairanne, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Famille Perrin, france, grenache, Peyre Blanche, red wine, syrah
8 Comments
Merlot, Charles Shaw, California, 2012, 12.5% abv, US$2.98
The Two Buck Chuck nickname is a bit of a misnomer in this day and age of inflation. Still, that’s about all this is worth – with its watered down body and astringent flavours and aromas. But let’s be … Continue reading
Posted in California, Merlot, OTHER, RED
Tagged california, charles shaw, crappy wine, faulty wine, merlot, red wine, Sangria, two buck Chuck, US
2 Comments
Faro, Bonavita, Superiore, Faro DOC, Messina, Italia, 14.5% abv, 2012, US$38
Bonavita is located on only 2.5 ha of land in northeastern Sicily near Messina and owned by Giovanni Scarfone – one winemaker determined to bring back the use of local grapes that have almost become extinct. This wine is comprised … Continue reading
Posted in Nerello Capuccio, Nerello Mascalese, Nocera, OTHER, RED, red wine
Tagged Bonavita, Faro DOC, italia, Messina, Nerello Capuccio, Nerello Mascalese, Nocera, red wine, Scarfone, Superiore
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Cabernet Sauvignon, Bosché Vineyard, Freemark Abbey, Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, 13.8% abv, 2004, US$120
It’s possible I may have a bit of a bucket list for wine-related things, just sayin’. I’ve enjoyed fresh oysters in Cancale buttressed by glasses of Muscadet, had a private tasting with the Queen of Priorat, and in summer 2015, … Continue reading
Bobal, Corazón Loco, Rosé , DO Manchuela, Spain, 13% abv, C$20
From a landlocked DO west of Valencia and Utiel-Requena off the southwest coast of Spain comes the Corazón Loco – the crazy heart – a rosé made from Spanish varietal Bobal. Named after the Latin bovale for its (apparent) similarity … Continue reading
Posted in Bobal, RED, ROSE, Spain
Tagged Bobal, Corazón Loco, DO Manchuela, pink wine, rosé, spain
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