Category Archives: OTHER

Miraval, Rosé, Jolie-Pitt & Perrin, Provence AC, France, 2014, 13% abv. 19.50 GBP / C$29 ++

There’s not much about this famous Brangelina – Perrin brothers product you can’t find on the internet.  A quick search brings up a mere 27,900 links on Google.  It was named on Wine Spectator’s 100 top wines of 2013 as the … Continue reading

Posted in Cinsault, France, Grenache / Garnacha, OTHER, Rolle, ROSE, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Qupé, Syrah, Central Coast, California, 2012, 13.5% abv.

“Whose bottle is this!?” This bottle of Qupé flew to Saltspring Island, BC from Menlo Park, California and almost didn’t make it onto the plane due to someone forgetting it was actually in the hand luggage.  Oops. In the post-911 flying … Continue reading

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Pinot Noir, Cumières Rouge, Champagne Geoffroy, Coteaux Champenois AC, Champagne, France, 12.5% abv.

This is actually THE bottle that is the pictured headliner on this very site.  I snapped that picture in June 2014 when visiting Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy, his lovely wife and tribe of spirited daughters in Aÿ. The cork used is a traditional … Continue reading

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AcÚstic, Garnaxa Blanca, Montsant DO, Spain, 2012, 14% abv. C$27 @ Marquis Wine Cellars

Montsant DO lies literally in a ring around tiny Priorat DOQ just inland on the northeastern shores of Spain, southwest of Barcelona.  Oft ignored as ‘lesser than’ compared to the tinier but mightier DOQ it surrounds, this wine is proof … Continue reading

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Evans & Tate Metricup Road, Chardonnay, Margaret River, Australia, 2011, 13.5% abv.

Visitors to the 2015 Vancouver International Wine Festival will recognize this delicious Aussie Chardonnay from Evans & Tate that punches above its weight in terms of value for money. A shade of medium lemon with tears, the nose shows grapefruit pith, Meyer lemon, … Continue reading

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Tawse, Quarry Road Vineyard, Chardonnay, Vinemount Ridge VQA, Ontario, 2011, 13% abv. C$34.95

Irony of ironies, although I live in Canada, it’s almost impossible for me to purchase a wine grown and produced in Ontario living here on BC’s west coast. This was picked up during a trip to the Niagara region in March 2015. … Continue reading

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Bottega, Il Vino dei Poeti, Prosecco DOC, Treviso, Italia, 11% abv, C$18

Glera – grape of the ever popular and reasonably priced Italian sparkling wine Prosecco.  This selection is perfect for appetizers, brunches, lunch time or summer sipping.   With its fizzy, persistent mousse, this bubble is the palest lemon colour.  On the nose, it … Continue reading

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Lorenzon Borgo dei Vassalli, Friulano, Friuli-Venezia Giulia DOC, Italy, 2013, C$15.40 at Marquis

Made from the Friulano grape (aka Sauvignonasse) this wine is a characterful white from Fruili-Venezia Giulia in Italy’s northeastern corner and up against the border with Slovenia. Pale lemon yellow, it has a beautiful fragrance of sweet, white flowers, lemon … Continue reading

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Albariño, Martin Códax, Rias Baixas DO, Spain, 2011, 12.5% abv. C$22.90

Go out and get a bottle of this – bypass the Sauvignon Blanc, the Chardonnay and the Pinot Grigio.  Here is a fabulous little Spanish white that not only tastes great, but punches well above its weight and is a great deal. … Continue reading

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Génération Dix-Neuf, Sauvignon Blanc, Alphonse Mellot, Sancerre AC, Loire Valley, France, 2012, 13% abv.

We visited this tasting room in the heart of Sancerre in June, 2014.  Although I’d booked a personal appointment well in advance, no tour was offered and we simply did the regular tasting with their store employee – who was … Continue reading

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