Author Archives: winellama

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About winellama

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

Adrien Camut, Calvados, Pays d’Auge, Normandy, France, NV, 40% abv

If you go: -arm yourself with a GPS with European maps, -the basics of French (you’ll need it when you get lost), and -make an appointment ahead of time with the Camut brothers, Emmanuel, Jean-Michel and Jean-Gabriel. When we began … Continue reading

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Domaine Huet, Le Haut Lieu, Demi-Sec, Vouvray AC, France, 2003, 12.5% abv.

Inspired by our visit to Huet in Vouvray, Loire Valley, France and the friendly and informative tasting and tour led by Johan Le Calonnec, we bought two bottles, one of which was the 2003 Haut Lieu. Medium gold with a … Continue reading

Posted in Chenin Blanc, France, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Lillet Rouge, Podensac, Gironde, Bordeaux, France, NV

Imagine you’re at the Le Mans 24 Hour Race in France. Oh look – here I am! What to drink? A little apéritif served by a handsome bartender will do nicely. Meet Lillet Rouge – a blend of Merlot and … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, France, Merlot, RED, Tonic Wine / Aperatif Wine | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

La Croix de Chaintres, Domaine Filliatreau, Chaintres, Saumur-Champigny AOC, Loire, France, 2011, 13% abv.

Saumur-Champigny makes some great red wines from Cabernet Sauvignon and Pineau d’Aunis, but this wine is produced from the more prevalent Cabernet Franc grape. Cabernet Franc is a parent to Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and even Merlot, so it’s not … Continue reading

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L.A. Cetto, Petite Sirah, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, Mexico, 2011, 13.5% abv, C$17

They’ve been growing vinifera vines in Mexico since the 1500s and at one point, the King of Spain decreed that each settler would have to plant 1000 vines for each 100 natives ‘granted’ to his lands.  That’s a lot of … Continue reading

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Chateau Maison Blanche, Médoc, Cru Bourgeois, France, 2009, 14% abv, C$29

There’s no two ways about it.  Bordeaux is confusing.  What does Cru Bourgeois mean? You’ve probably heard about the Premier through Cinquième Crus – the famous First through Fifth Growths. The Premier level includes renowned chateaux Lafite, Latour and Margaux, … Continue reading

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

Thornhaven Estates, Gewürztraminer, Summerland, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada, 2012, 13.5% abv.

Did you know? Gewürztraminer shares the same genetic footprint as several other white grapes including Savagnin, Paien (Switzerland), Traminer (Germany) and Traminer Aromatico (Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy). It’s an aromatic grape that is thought to be a mutation of the Savagnin Rose … Continue reading

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Hospices de Colmar, Pinot Gris, Vin d’Alsace DOP, France, 2011, 15% abv, C$35

Alsace is located in the northeastern corner of France cut off from the rest of the country by a string of mountains running north to south called the Vosges. Sitting there in the rain shadow that the Vosges offer the … Continue reading

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Andretti Winery, Sangiovese, Napa Valley, California, 2009, 14.9% abv.

Sangiovese is a black grape native to Central Italy and primarily Toscana whose name literally means ‘Blood of Jove’, the Italian name for Jupiter. It’s Italy’s most planted variety, is the only grape allowed in Brunello di Montalcino and is … Continue reading

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Brokenwood, Sémillon , Hunter Valley, Australia, 2012, 10.5% abv, C$30

I’ll bet you know what White Bordeaux is – but have you ever heard of the Sémillon grape? White Bordeaux is always a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon added to build out the body.  Sauvignon Blanc has a following … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Semillon, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment