Author Archives: winellama

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About winellama

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

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, Syrah 2009, BC VQA Okanagan Valley, 14.5% abv, C$29.90

Burrowing Owl’s tasting room was three folks deep with ‘splash and dashers’ last August when we dropped in for a peek. They wouldn’t give me an industry discount and weren’t terribly knowledgeable about wine in general to be honest. I … Continue reading

Posted in RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

‘Napa Rocks’, Napa Valley Wines, Vancouver International Wine Festival, 2013

Th 2013 theme at the Vancouver International Wine Festival was California, so a Saturday afternoon spent in a tasting seminar of some of those was in order. The ‘Napa Rocks’ presentation featured various wineries from the region that boasts 16 separate AVAs, … Continue reading

Posted in California, Industry Tasting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Alvear, Pedro Ximenez, De Anada, Montilla Moriles DO, Spain, 17% abv, C$35 (375 ml)

Sherry, sherry, sherry – it’s so versatile. Drink Fino with salty snacks – great with almonds, mackerel, sardines, potato chips or olives. Or choose an Oloroso, an Amontillada or some Manzanilla. This Alvear Pedro Ximenez has been hanging around since … Continue reading

Posted in FORTIFIED WINE, Sherry | Leave a comment

Dominio de Tares, Cepas Viejas, Mencia, Bierzo DO, Bierzo Alto, Leon, Spain 2008, 14% C$30

Purchased at a local specialty wine store, this is a great wine made from the Mencia varietal, aka ‘Jaen’. Mencia is grown primarily in North Western Spain, and especially in Bierzo, an up-and-coming DO. Ironic to say that as of … Continue reading

Posted in Mencia, RED | Leave a comment

Black Hills Estate Winery, Nota Bene, Meritage, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada, 2010, 14% abv.

I bought this bottle at the winery in Oliver in August 2012 – and then brought it right back to the Okanagan to drink with Jennifer and Allan.  Fun! This is Black Hills’ renowned Meritage blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot … Continue reading

Posted in British Columbia, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Meritage, Merlot, RED | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Vinas Elias Mora, Toro DO, San Roman di Hornija, Valladolid, Spain, 2009 14.5% abv, C$19

Oh, Spanish wines – how we love and adore you.  Great deals, fabulous fruit, complexity… Let me count the ways. The Elias Mora is from the northwestern corner of Spain, directly west of Ribera del Duero.  Made from Tinta de … Continue reading

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

Lambrusco di Sorbara, Emilia-Romagna, Tenuta Casolari, Vino Frizzante Secco, Italy, 11% abv, C$15

Kelowna is the centre of the BC wine universe, but I brought something just a little different to Allan’s this weekend. Lambrusco is both the name of the grape and the wine – and it comes from Italy’s north central Emilia-Romagna region. … Continue reading

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Matsu, El Recio, Tinta de Toro, Toro DO, Spain, 14.5% abv.

If my sources are correct and El Recio refers to a ‘tough guy’ – then the picture on this bottle says it all!  He definitely looks tough. The wine’s not though – and it’s one of my favourite types.  Spanish?  Check. … Continue reading

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Les Champs Vignots, Anjou AC, France, 2011, 11% abv.

Straight from France’s Loire Valley in the appellation contrôlée of Anjou comes Les Champs Vignots, a demi-sec 100% Chenin Blanc wine. We enjoyed this with goat’s cheese topped with spicy Thai chili sauce, pork pâté and fresh green grapes. A pale shade … Continue reading

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Château d’Anglès, La Clape, Classique, Syrah – Grenache – Mourvèdre, Languedoc, France, 2008, 14% abv, C$19

What a deal – what a find! Old eagle eyes found this in the liquor store as I was looking for Ports and Sherries to purchase for tasting. In September, we bought a case of Château d’Anglès’ La Clape Grand … Continue reading

Posted in France, Grenache / Garnacha, Mouvedre, Monastrell, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments