Author Archives: winellama

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About winellama

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

In Vino Veritas, Viña Eguía, Reserva, Rioja DOCa, Spain, 2007, 13.5% abv, US$10

In wine, there is truth.  Sometimes too much truth, but that depends on how much of it you drink. The truth is, this wine punches far above its weight for the price (US$10 at Costco in the States, and more … Continue reading

Posted in RED, Spain, Tempranillo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Viognier, Marsanne, The Hermit Crab, D’Arenberg, McLaren Vale, Australia, 2013. 13% abv, C$18.50++

From the Osborn family winery, D’Arenberg – located in McLaren Vale and established in 1912 – this is a blend of Viognier and Marsanne made from grapes grown on calcareous, limestone soils.   Fourth generation winemaker, Chester Osborn, is responsible … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Marsanne, Viognier, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Pinot Noir, Foxtrot, Erickson Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2010, 13.6% abv.

We visited Foxtrot in 2013 and purchased this bottle plus another Pinot Noir made with grapes from the Foxtrot Vineyard.  It wasn’t easy keeping this one until Christmas 2015, but we managed. A perfect accompaniment to turkey dinner with sausage stuffing … Continue reading

Posted in British Columbia, Pinot Noir, RED | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Pinot Noir, Le Clos Jordanne, Le Grand Clos, Twenty Mile Bench VQA, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, 2011, 13.5% abv.

When in Ottawa, I walked into the Constellation speciality store and purchased this.  Perhaps I should have known better, but hope springs eternal. I thought, “Going to their upper end product may make a difference!” It didn’t. Made with Pinot … Continue reading

Posted in Ontario, Pinot Noir, RED | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Socrè, Barbaresco, Dolcetto d’Alba DOC, Cuneo, Italia, 2010, 12.5% abv.

This wine comes straight from Piemonte in the northwestern corner of Italy from a vineyard tended to by former architect Marco Piacentino and his family.  The vineyard lies directly across the road from Angelo Gaja’s famous Sori Tilden vines. Piacentino’s side of the … Continue reading

Posted in Italy, Nebbiolo, OTHER, RED | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cabernet Sauvignon, Don Melchor, Puente Alto, Concha y Toro, Chile, 2007, 14.5% abv.

Straight from what is referred to as Chile’s equivalent of a Grand Cru, the Don Melchor is one of giant Concha y Toro’s flagship wines.  Grown on the north bank of the Maipo River at a cool 640m of altitude, … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Chile, RED | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fino, En Rama, Montilla Moriles DO, Alvear, Spain, 2008, 15% abv. C$25

Are you looking for a wine to accompany a charcuterie plate this holiday season?  Pick this up some of this Fino. En Rama sports the palest shade of lemon, so light it’s almost water white.  The nose exudes yeasty bread … Continue reading

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

Pinot Noir, Reserve, Mission Hill, Okanagan VQA, BC, 2012, 13% abv.

Drinking this, one should almost exclaim, “We’re not in Kansas anymore,” because it’s ruby red, as in ‘Dorothy’s-shoes-were-here,’ ruby red. With its deep aromas of Okanagan cherry, moss and cedar frond, this wine is characteristically BC; the green moss gets … Continue reading

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Viña Gravonia, White Crianza, López de Heredia, Rioja DOC, Spain, 2004, 12.5% abv.

Oh dear followers, this is my favourite kind of wine.  I just love these classics – few wines are made in this traditional fashion. Why?  They’re challenging, different, unique, unusual.  I’ve opened up a 2000 version of this in the … Continue reading

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Bella, Gamay Noir, Sparkling Rosé , Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 2013, 11.4% abv.  

Bella is run by husband and wife team, Jay Drysdale and Wendy Rose – and named after their dearly beloved, but departed dog, Bella.  They specialize in sparkling wines and are proud of staying true to the traditional method. Their wines … Continue reading

Posted in British Columbia, Gamay, ROSE, Sparkling Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment