Author Archives: winellama

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About winellama

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

Ximenis, Genium Celler, Blanco, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2012, 14% abv, 12 euros

He drove 2.5 hours from his day job and Barcelona to meet and pour wines  for us at Poboleda. Jordi Ossó i Estivill, Genium Celler’s export manager, is one of six family partners who’ve banded together to bring their wines from this tiny Catalan … Continue reading

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Riu, Trio Infernal, Combier, Fischer and Gerin, Torroja, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 14.5% abv, 2010, 16 Euros

We found this at the Vins i Olis del Priorat store the minute we arrived in Falset.  Nothing was open at 4pm except the town’s two exceptional wine stores. Llorenc and Marc Aguilo quickly ushered us to the tasting bar … Continue reading

Posted in Carignan, Grenache / Garnacha, RED, Shiraz / Syrah, Spain | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Diez Siglos, Verdejo, Rueda DO, Spain, 2013, 12.5% abv, 9 UK GBP

It’s always slightly depressing to go anywhere outside of Canada and realize the incredibly restricted wine options available on our domestic market. This is even more apparent when one arrives in England, arguably the centre of the wine universe. Every … Continue reading

Posted in Spain, WHITE | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Pinot Noir, Fort Berens, Lillooet, BC VQA, 2012, 13.5% abv, C$26

How is this possible?  A Canadian winery poised at 50.5 degrees north latitude – just outside the usually accepted outermost limits of vinifera grape growing. Yet, there Fort Berens lies, thumbing its nose at the non-believers, and producing quality Pinot … Continue reading

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Rabaja, Cascina Luisin, Barbaresco DOCG, Italia, 1996, 13.5% abv, US$50 (rarewineco.com)

This Barbaresco is 100% Nebbiolo and comes from a (still) family-owned Piedmonte winery established in 1913.  The Rabaja vineyard is close to the central village of Barbaresco and the famous River Tanaro runs below the property and moderates the vineyard’s climate. Today … Continue reading

Posted in Italy, Nebbiolo, RED | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Montevertine, Rosso di Toscana, Radda, Toscana IGT, Italy, 2009, 13% abv, C$50

Let’s just cut to the chase. The Montevertine Rosso is, well… outstanding. A Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino blend made by winemaker Martino Manetti, the winery left the world of the rule-bound Consorzio and declared itself an IGT rated producer after the 1990 vintage. The wine … Continue reading

Posted in Canaiolo, Colorino, Italy, OTHER, RED, Sangiovese | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Azelia, Dolcetto D’Alba DOC, Bricco Dell’Oriolo, Castiglione Falletto, Italia, 2012, 13% abv

I probably don’t need to tell you what happens when several wine and food geeks get together and each brings a nerdy bottle of wine. Not only was there an abundance of alcohol and food, but also of educated opinion. … Continue reading

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Champagne Marie Courtin, Résonance, Extra Brut, Pinot Noir, Polisot, Aube, France, 12% abv, disgorged May 2013, C$90

Champagne – bubbles, blended parcels of wines, large famous luxury brand companies.  Right?  Well, it has been that way for a long time for the internationally marketed mega brands. There has, however, been a resurgence in the grower Champagne market that has come … Continue reading

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Foxtrot, Pinot Noir, Foxtrot Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan VQA, BC, 2010, 13.6% abv, C$50

Pristine, precise, pleasureable – this is not your average Okanagan creation. Kudos to winemaking husband and wife team, Gustav Allander and Nadine Allander for this thoughtful Pinot Noir – one of several outstanding versions created since Foxtrot’s inception in 2003. … Continue reading

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Church & State, Gravelbourg Vineyard, Chardonnay, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC, 2012, 13.8% abv, C$27

This wine was awarded silver in the 2014 Decanter World Wine Awards and it won a gold star at a pre-Christmas dinner this past weekend with the in-laws. So complimentary with roast turkey, the wine is a medium shade of gold … Continue reading

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