Category Archives: OTHER

Church & State, Gravelbourg Vineyard, Chardonnay, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC, 2012, 13.8% abv, C$27

Posted on December 23, 2014 by winellama

This wine was awarded silver in the 2014 Decanter World Wine Awards and it won a gold star at a pre-Christmas dinner this past weekend with the in-laws. So complimentary with roast turkey, the wine is a medium shade of gold … Continue reading →

Posted in BC, Chardonnay, OTHER, WHITE | Tagged BC, chardonnay, Church & State, VQA, white wine | Leave a comment

Malivoire, Gamay, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, 2013, 12.5% abv, C$17.95

Posted on December 19, 2014 by winellama

Prohibition. Prohibiting something rarely, if ever, accomplishes the original goal. Whether it involves anti-drug campaigns, teenage abstinence programs or international trade embargoes, relying on fear, shaming and isolation tactics rarely produce the hoped for results. This extends to alcohol; the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gamay, Ontario, OTHER, RED | Tagged gamay, Malivoire, Niagara Peninsula VQA, Ontario, red wine | Leave a comment

Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder Winery, Napa Valley, 2011, 14% abv

Posted on December 18, 2014 by winellama

While at Trader Joe’s last summer on a cross-border run, I did a scan for the most expensive red wine I could buy and this was the one- a whopping $20. “Go big or go home”, I thought. I went … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, California, OTHER, RED | Tagged Cabernet Sauvignon, california, Mount Veeder, napa valley, red wine, Trader Joes | Leave a comment

Semillon, Santa Monica, DO Rancagua, Rapel Valley, Chile, 1993, 12.5% abv

Posted on December 10, 2014 by winellama

My friend Sean N. is one of those intrepid folks who always manages to find a bottle that is unusual and unique – and then has the class to share it. Come to think of it, I have met many … Continue reading →

Posted in Chile, OTHER, Semillon, WHITE | Tagged chile, rancagua, rapel valley, semillon, white wine | Leave a comment

Mastroberardino, Aglianico, Campania IGT, Italy, 2007, 13% abv

Posted on December 5, 2014 by winellama

Here is a fly-under-the-radar, smokin’ hot deal of a wine. From southern Italy’s Campania region, it is an unoaked example of pristine fruit and complexity. With a medium ruby hue and deep legs, this wine has medium plus aromas of boysenberry, plum and … Continue reading →

Posted in Aglianico, Italy, OTHER, RED, Red | Tagged aglianico, Campania, Italy, red wine | Leave a comment

AE Dor, XO Cognac, AOC Fine Champagne, France, 40% abv, 95 GBP (C$170)

Posted on December 4, 2014 by winellama

This arrived safely nestled in a suitcase following a trip to England. None is imported into Canada although some finds its way to the US via various importers, and it is available in some of the finest European and Japanese restaurants. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Cognac, Colombard, Folle Blanche, France, OTHER, Ugni Blanc, WHITE | Tagged A E Dor, Cognac, Colombard, fine champagne, Folle Blanche, france, Ugni Blanc | Leave a comment

Viognier, Paul Mas, Pays D’Oc, IGP, Languedoc, France, 2013, 13.5% abv, C$14

Posted on November 30, 2014 by winellama

Looking for a wine that is easy to find, not terribly pricey, tasty and isn’t Sauvignon Blanc? I thought so. This Viognier could be the one. It has a clear, medium lemon colour with light legs and aromas of minerals, apricots … Continue reading →

Posted in France, OTHER, Viognier, WHITE | Tagged france, Paul Mas, viognier, white wine | 2 Comments

The Dalmore, 15 year old, Highland Single Malt Whisky, Scotland, 40% abv

Posted on November 11, 2014 by winellama

Mmmm…Scotch. Here we have The Dalmore – owned by Whyte & Mackay, which is in turn owned by India’s United Breweries (UB). Did you know; India is the world’s largest market for whisky? Most that is sold there consists of … Continue reading →

Posted in OTHER, SPIRITS, Whiskey/Whisky | Tagged scotch, the dalmore, united breweries, whisky | Leave a comment

Adir Winery, Shiraz, Kerem Ben Zimra, Upper Galilee, Israel, 2011, 14% abv (0217/3,900), C$27 or 90 NIS

Posted on November 7, 2014 by winellama

Fess up, now. Who hasn’t wondered at one point or another about turning water into wine. Well, if you remember anything about Sunday School, you may recall that Galilee is where the story of the wedding of Cana is thought … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel, OTHER, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged Adir Winery, Galilee, Israel, red wine, shiraz | Leave a comment

De Ponte Cellars, Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2009, 14.1% abv

Posted on November 6, 2014 by winellama

Friends, Americans, neighbours to the south, what are you going to drink with your Thanksgiving turkey? Yes, you can drink red wine with this meal, you really can. There are many options to choose from. Pinot from Oregon’s Willamette Valley … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon, OTHER, Pinot Noir, RED | Tagged DePonte Cellars, Dundee Hills, oregon, pinot noir, red wine, Willamette Valley | Leave a comment