Category Archives: OTHER

Bacca Nera/Red Blend, Scappatello, Cantina Diubaldo, Cerasuolo D’Abruzzo DOC, Abruzzo, Italy, 13% abv., 2022, US$17

Azienda Agricola Diubaldo is located near Teramo, Abruzzo, Italy – just north of where we travelled in August 2022, and to the east of the Grand Sasso d’Italia, aka the Apennines (right). They produce some pretty awesome certified organic wines … Continue reading

Posted in Italy, OTHER, RED, red wine, ROSE | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chorus Cuvée Rouge, Brendel, Napa Valley AVA, California, 2021, 13% abv., US$35

What a refreshingly gorgeous red wine this is – the Chorus Cuvée is a Napa Valley field blend co-ferment of 32% Tempranillo, 26% Touriga Nacional, 22% Tinta Cão, 12% Tinta Madeira, and 8% Trousseau. It’s a translucent beauty offering aromas … Continue reading

Posted in California, OTHER, RED, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Riesling, Tantalus, Okanagan Valley VQA, British Columbia, 13% abv, 2014

A few weeks ago my sister was over and we were commiserating. I needed to pull out a good wine to bring our spirits back. This 2014 Riesling from Tantalus more than fit the bill. I bought it a decade … Continue reading

Posted in British Columbia, OTHER, Riesling, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Peated Single Malt Whisky, Distillery Smoked – Sugar Kelp Infused Peat, Portuguese Red Wine Barrique, Macaloney’s Island Distillery, The Peat Project, Single Cask Series, Saanich, BC, Canada, 46% abv., C$109.99

It’s rare to taste and cover a world-first in whisky innovation – but recently, I attended the launch of a Peated Single Malt Whisky smoked with sugar kelp-infused local peat which was just that.  Macaloney’s Island Distillery has created a … Continue reading

Posted in OTHER, SPIRITS, Whiskey/Whisky | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A ‘No Spit’ Bucket List Day in Burgundy’s Côte D’Or with Hautes Côtes 

When we started planning a trip anchored to the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, I knew I also needed to plan a stop just up the road in Burgundy. Now, Burgundy is a hallowed wine region, and one which demands much … Continue reading

Posted in Burgundy, France, OTHER | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Aleatico + Nielluciu, Le Rappu, Clos Paoli, AOP Coteaux du Cap Corse, Morsiglia, Cap Corse, Corsica, France, NV, 15% abv., 16 €

Ever since I studied the wines of Corsica during the WSET Diploma Wines of the World course, I have wanted to visit the island, birthplace of Napoleon, and see it for myself. We made a trip in June 2024 and … Continue reading

Posted in aleatico, Corsica, FORTIFIED WINE, France, Le Rappu, OTHER, RED | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Douro Branco, Luis Seabra Vinhos, Xisto Ilimitado, Portugal, 2021, 12% abv., C$42

This wine comes from the northern Portuguese vineyards of Luis Seabra and is made from a field blend of Rabigato, Códega, Gouveio, Vioshino and other indigenous varietals.  The vines range between 30-60 years old, and are grown at 400-500m. After … Continue reading

Posted in Codega, OTHER, Portugal, Rabigato, WHITE | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Tempranillo, Vina Bosconia, Lopez de Heredia, Rioja DOCa., Spain, 2009, 13.5% abv. US$50

I’m going to be dreaming about having enjoyed this bottle for a while yet.  It’s a classic Riojan red blend from benchmark winery, Lopez de Heredia – one of my absolute favourite houses. A stunning blend of Tempranillo (80) with … Continue reading

Posted in Graciano, Grenache / Garnacha, Mazuelo, OTHER, RED, Tempranillo | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gin, Lady Trieu, Hoi An Spice Road; The Lab Series, Edition 1, Nguyen Nguyen Distillery, Cu Chi, Vietnam, 43% abv., 700 ml., US$50

We took a trip recently to Vietnam – I highly recommend this country as a place to travel to.  The people are extraordinarily gracious, the food is almost uniformly delicious everywhere you go, and the country is incredibly beautiful. There’s … Continue reading

Posted in gin, OTHER, SPIRITS | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Zinfandel, Split Rail, St. Anne’s Crossing Winery, Dry Creek Valley AVA, Sonoma County, California, 15.7% abv., 2020, US$44

On a recent trip to California, I met some truly fabulous people – people who treated me like a member of their own family, and who I can’t wait to host in BC some day.  Brenda and Joe were two … Continue reading

Posted in California, OTHER, RED, Zinfandel | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment