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World of Wine News- Host of the Italian Wine Podcast Receives Vinitaly Lifetime Achievement Award
- ROBERT MONDAVI WINERY REOPENS ITS HISTORIC OAKVILLE ESTATE FOLLOWING A MULTI-YEAR TRANSFORMATION
- The Catalina Wine Mixer Returns To Descanso Beach Club May 29-30, 2026
- Frederick Wildman & Sons Expands National Alignment with Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Author Archives: winellama
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 BC, Bella, bubbles, Gamay Noir, Naramata Bench, okanagan valley vqa, pink wine, rose, sparkling, Sparkling Rose, traditional method
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Semillon, The Last Block, Tyrrell’s, Hunter Valley, Australia, 2014, 11.5% abv. C$15++
The story with this entry level Semillon is that in 1993, the winemaker actually forgot about a block of it. When they realized they’d missed picking it, they eventually harvested the block and then made a much more accessible, ‘do … Continue reading
Posted in Australia, OTHER, Semillon, WHITE
Tagged 2014, Australia, Hunter Valley, semillon, The last block, Tyrrell's, white wine
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Verdejo, Naia, Rueda DO, Spain, 2010, 13% abv, $26
Now, this wine made me sit up and take notice! It was marked down for sale as it’s near the end of its drinking life, but make no mistake; this is an awesome drink. Verdejo is the grape of Rueda … Continue reading
Posted in Spain, Verdejo, WHITE
Tagged 2010, Naia, Rueda DO, spain, Verdejo, white wine
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Sauvignon Blanc, Open Wines, Niagara Peninsula VQA, Ontario, Canada, 2013, 12.5% abv, $12 @ LCBO
After arriving late at the hotel located in the heart of the Niagara Peninsula, I selected this bottle from the wine list to take to my room. I was hopeful that being in the heart of Ontario’s wine region, I … Continue reading
Posted in Ontario, Sauvignon Blanc, WHITE
Tagged 12.5% abv, 2013, Canada, Niagara Peninsula VQA, Ontario, Open wines, sauvignon blanc
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Olivar, Cesconi, Bianco, Vignetti delle Dolomiti IGT, Italy, 2010, 13.5% abv, C$32
Nestled up in Italy’s northwest corner, north of Trento in tiny Pressano lie the Cesconi brothers’ vineyards. Most of the fruit for this wine – a blend of Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay – is from the Olivar, a single … Continue reading
Posted in Chardonnay, Italy, OTHER, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, WHITE
Tagged 13.5% abv, 2010, Bianco, Cesconi, chardonnay, Italy, Olivar, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Vignetti delle Dolomiti IGT, white wine
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Musar Jeune, Chateau Musar, Bekka Valley, Lebanon, 2011, 14% abv, C$23
The Chateau Musar vines that were planted in the 1930s by Gaston Hochar, and are today maintained by his family, have been through more than their fair share of challenges. After all, when you’re trying to make wine in what … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, RED, Shiraz / Syrah, Lebanon, Cinsault
Tagged red wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, syrah, Lebanon, chateau musar, cinsault, musar jeune, unoaked, Bekka Valley
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Viognier, Yalumba, The Y Series, Eden Valley, South Australia, 13.5% abv, 2014, C$16++
Yalumba has been around a while and seen five generations of Aussies named Hill or Hill-Smith come and go in the winery and vineyards. This is a vegan-friendly wine (no fish bladders were used in production) and Yalumba also uses … Continue reading
Posted in Australia, Viognier, WHITE
Tagged Australia, Eden Valley, South Australia, The Y Series, viognier, white wine, yalumba
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Tenuta Poggio Ai Mandorli, Chianti Classico DOCG, Gran Selezione, Italy, 2011, 13.5% abv. US$19
I purchased this bottle at Trader Joe’s Bellingham store for about US$19, but it actually cost me a lot more in Canadian dollars because of the tax paid at the border. Medium ruby with a tinge of garnet, it has aromas … Continue reading
Posted in Italy, Merlot, RED, Sangiovese, Shiraz / Syrah
Tagged Chianti Classico DOCG, Gran Selezione, Italy, merlot, red wine, Sangiovese, syrah, Tenuta Poggio Ai Mandorli, Trader Joes
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Grüner Veltliner, Singing, Laurenz Five und Sophie, Austria, 2013, 12% abv, C$19++
Grüner Veltliner (aka Gru-vee) is indeed a groovy, Austrian grape that makes great wine. Generally, Gru-vee is food friendly with a solid floral and fruit profile, elegant minerality and a peppery hit. This one is no exception. Made from Grüner grapes harvested … Continue reading
Posted in OTHER
Tagged 12% abv., 2013, Austria, Gruner Veltliner, Kremstal, Laurenz Five und Sophie, Laurenz V, Singing, Weinviertel, white wine
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