Category Archives: France
Charity fundraising tasting
During Cov*d, I offered a wine tasting with paired hors d’oeuvres to a local Rotary Club fundraiser for the Victoria Hospice Society in the memory of my father-in-law, Ken, who spent his last days there. Of course, because of Cov*d, … Continue reading
Chenin Blanc, David Monopole, Arnaud Lambert, Brézé, Saumur AOC, Loire Valley, France, 2020, 13.9% abv., US$88
In September 2023, we dropped into Monterey, California for the Rennsport 7 Reunion, a kind of convention for Porsche enthusiasts. On the last night, and to celebrate 20 years of being together, we dined at ‘Passionfish’. We are no slouches … Continue reading
Chenin Blanc, Clos de la Coulée de Serrant, Appellation Savennières – Coulée de Serrant Contrôlée, Savennières, Loire Valley, France 2010, 15% abv., US$68.70 (in 2014)
I read a lot about wine, and the one thing that consistently irritates me about so many reviews is the fawning, oh-my-god-this-wine-is-amazing accolades that many churn out. The thing though is that, truly, there are many wines of the world … Continue reading
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains + Clairette, Cuvée Ancestrale, Tradition, Scea Domaine Guigouret, Vigneron Récoltant, Clairette de Die AOC, Rhône Valley, France, NV, 7% abv., US$16
This wine has a history going back 2,000 years in France’s Rhône Valley, but the first bottle I found and enjoyed was in Curaçao, off the coast of Venezuela. What a find it was at the Carrefour supermarket – it … Continue reading
Chardonnay, Premier Cru Chablis, Kirkland Signature, AOC Chablis, France, 2019, 13.5% abv., US$17.79
While perusing the shelves at Costco Lihue, I picked this Premier Cru Chablis up for a song. Aged in stainless steel for a year, this was a great wine to enjoy in the warmth of Kauai on the lanai. I … Continue reading
Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache, Gérard Bertrand, Côte des Roses, Languedoc AOP, France, 2020, 13.5% abv. US$15
One of the things I like to do most when in the US is to shop in the liquor section in Costco. Usually that just serves to get me really riled up though – because I become overwhelmingly jealous at … Continue reading
Pinot Noir, Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Aux Vergelesses, Simon Bizes et Fils, Côte-d’Or, Bourgogne, France, 2010, 13.5% abv. US$95
Simon Bizes et Fils is a fifth generation Burgundian winery in Savigny-les-Beaunes south of Dijon. The Pinot Noir grapes for this 2010 bottle come from vineyards planted in 1939, 1949 and 1954. On the eyes, it’s a translucent garnet with … Continue reading
Blanc de Blancs, Brut, Petit Lebrun et Fils RM, Grand Cru, Avize, Champagne, France, NV, 12% abv., US$50
It’s not every day you get into a graduate degree program. This extraordinary feat demanded I bring out the heavy artillery in honour of Jenna’s acceptance letter to an MSc in Genetic Counselling program at University of Toronto. The Petit … Continue reading
Gringet, Brut, Domaine Belluard et Fils, Ayse, Savoie AOC, France, NV, 12% abv.
Nestled in a valley between Geneva and Mont Blanc at an altitude of 400m, Domaine Belluard et Fils is a biodynamic (since 2001) and organic vineyard growing several grapes – but one that is most unusual and unique – Gringet. … Continue reading
Expression, Champagne Geoffroy, Brut, Premier Cru, Cumières, Champagne AC, France, 2011 + 2012, 12.5% abv, C$80
Something extremely exciting happened to us about a month ago when our family welcomed a brand new baby granddaughter to the clan. To welcome this adorable nymph to the world, we opened a bottle of Geoffroy ‘Expression’ champagne. We selected … Continue reading
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