Author Archives: winellama

About winellama

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

Wayne Gretzky Estates, No 99, Cabernet Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA, Ontario, Canada, 2013, 12.5% abv, $15.95

Posted on November 25, 2014 by winellama

I’d forgotten how cold Ottawa is in the winter time. Chilly. Icy. Brrrr. But alcohol is warming, so the first thing I did after I made it to my hotel was make a beeline for the closest wine store. Of course, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Merlot, Ontario, RED | Tagged Cabernet Merlot, No 99, Ontario, red wine, Wayne Gretzky | 2 Comments

Canoe Ridge, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington, 2010, 13.9% abv, US $20

Posted on November 17, 2014 by winellama

I’m sure you’ve either had Canoe Ridge before or seen it on a shelf or restaurant menu. Canoe Ridge is one of Washington State’s largest wineries and is located in Horse Heaven Hills AVA, just north of the moderating influence of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Malbec, Merlot, RED, Washington State | Tagged Cabernet Sauvignon, canoe ridge, chateau ste michelle, horse heaven hills ava, red wine, washington state | Leave a comment

Gillmore, Cabernet Sauvignon, Old Vines, Loncomilla Valley, Chile, 2009, 14.9% abv, C$16

Posted on November 13, 2014 by winellama

If all Cabernet Sauvignon tasted like this, I would drink it every day, all day long and twice a day on Thursdays. And here is a double whammy – if you visit the Gillmore website, they play my favourite piece of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Chile, RED | Tagged Cabernet Sauvignon, chile, gillmore, loncomilla valley, red wine | Leave a comment

Maysara, Pinot Noir, Delara, Momtazi Vineyard, McMinnville AVA, Oregon, US, 2006, 13.9% abv

Posted on November 12, 2014 by winellama

Small and family-owned? Check. Belief in the importance of terroir? Check. Biodynamic certified? Check. Humble, friendly and welcoming? Check, check, check. When we visited this winery in 2013 because we found it mentioned in a Jancis Robinson footnote, Hanna Momtazi and … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon, Pinot Noir, RED | Tagged biodynamic, maysara, mcminnville AVA, momtazi vineyard, oregon, pinot noir, red wine | Leave a comment

The Dalmore, 15 year old, Highland Single Malt Whisky, Scotland, 40% abv

Posted on November 11, 2014 by winellama

Mmmm…Scotch. Here we have The Dalmore – owned by Whyte & Mackay, which is in turn owned by India’s United Breweries (UB). Did you know; India is the world’s largest market for whisky? Most that is sold there consists of … Continue reading →

Posted in OTHER, SPIRITS, Whiskey/Whisky | Tagged scotch, the dalmore, united breweries, whisky | Leave a comment

Hennessy, Pure White, Cognac, France, 40% abv, C$70

Posted on November 8, 2014 by winellama

Allen picked this bottle up in a Mexico duty free store and it’s not available in Canada or the US. Apparently it’s made exclusively for the Caribbean market where it’s enjoyed chilled from the freezer or mixed into cocktails. Who … Continue reading →

Posted in France, SPIRITS, WHITE | Tagged Caribbean, Cognac, Colombard, Folle Blanche, france, Ugni Blanc | 3 Comments

Adir Winery, Shiraz, Kerem Ben Zimra, Upper Galilee, Israel, 2011, 14% abv (0217/3,900), C$27 or 90 NIS

Posted on November 7, 2014 by winellama

Fess up, now. Who hasn’t wondered at one point or another about turning water into wine. Well, if you remember anything about Sunday School, you may recall that Galilee is where the story of the wedding of Cana is thought … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel, OTHER, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged Adir Winery, Galilee, Israel, red wine, shiraz | Leave a comment

De Ponte Cellars, Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2009, 14.1% abv

Posted on November 6, 2014 by winellama

Friends, Americans, neighbours to the south, what are you going to drink with your Thanksgiving turkey? Yes, you can drink red wine with this meal, you really can. There are many options to choose from. Pinot from Oregon’s Willamette Valley … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon, OTHER, Pinot Noir, RED | Tagged DePonte Cellars, Dundee Hills, oregon, pinot noir, red wine, Willamette Valley | Leave a comment

Carpe Diem, Melon de Bourgogne, Domaine de l’Ecu, Nantais, Loire, Vin de France, 12% abv, 2012

Posted on October 31, 2014 by winellama

I visited Domaine de l’Ecu in June 2014 about a week after writing the final Diploma exam. I was still recovering from WSET trauma – but eager to meet renowned winemakers Guy Bossard and Fred Niger van Herck at this … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Melon de Bourgogne, WHITE | Tagged clay amphorae, domaine de l'ecu, france, Fred Niger van Herck, guy bossard, loire valley, melon de bourgogne, nantais, natural wine | Leave a comment

Chardonnay, Charles Shaw, California, 2012, 12.5% abv, US$2.49

Posted on October 29, 2014 by winellama

Let it be said I will try just about anything – at least once. When I saw the infamous bottles of Two Buck Chuck on the shelves at Trader Joe’s during a cross-border shopping trip, I admit I was terribly … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, WHITE | Tagged 2 buck chuck, 3 buck chuck, california, chardonnay, charles shaw, white wine | 2 Comments