Category Archives: OTHER

Manzanilla Pasada Pastrana, Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO, Spain, 15% abv, €15

Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana is located 30 km east of Jerez in the Spanish seaside town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda housed in a set of cathedral-like buildings built originally on the oceanfront.  The Atlantic started receding in the 1800s and … Continue reading

Posted in FORTIFIED WINE, OTHER, Palomino, Sherry, Spain, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Amontillado Viejo Del Duque VORS, Bodegas González Byass, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO, Spain, 21.5% abv, €22

Next time you plan to enjoy, say, some manchego cheese and mushroom risotto, pull out the Amontillado Viejo del Duque VORS (Very Old Rare Sherry) from González Byass to pair up with it. This delicious tip was provided by Maribel, … Continue reading

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Moscatel, Emilín, Bodegas Lustau, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO, Spain, 17% abv, €25

During a recent trip to Jerez De La Frontera to learn more about sherry, we planned ahead and were lucky to have the @delfgroup assist with making an appointment at Bodegas Lustau. Originally founded in 1896, today Lustau is a … Continue reading

Posted in FORTIFIED WINE, Moscatel / Muscat of Alexandria, OTHER, Sherry, Spain, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Le Cupole, Tenuta del Trinoro,Toscana IGT, Italia, 2005, 14.5% abv.

The Cupole Super Tuscan wines are usually made of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon which didn’t get into their top tier bottles. They are also regularly reviewed and rated by Antonio Galloni and Stephen Tanzer which speaks volumes about … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, cesanese, Italy, Merlot, OTHER, Petit Verdot, RED, Uva di Troia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sangiovese, Pian Dell’Orino, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italia, 2009, 14.5% abv.

Risotto was on the dinner menu and I decided it needed an Italian red.  Did I ever hit the goldmine. This wine came to me out of pure luck; I purchased a case of random, sight unseen bottles from an … Continue reading

Posted in Italy, OTHER, RED, Sangiovese Grosso (Biondi-Santi) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Le Soula, VdP des Côtes Catalanes, France, 2009, 14% abv, C$45+

Every now and then, I’m reminded how small producer, attention-to-detail, hands-on and earth-friendly farming and wine-making practices all conspire to produce some of the seriously fabulous wines of the world. From the minute this was opened, I wondered where it … Continue reading

Posted in Chardonnay, France, Grenache blanc, Grenache Gris, Macabeu, Marsanne, OTHER, Rousanne, Sauvignon Blanc, WHITE, White Grenache / Garnacha / Garnaxa | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Albariño, Bagoa do Mino, Lagrima, Rias Baixas DO, Spain, 13% abv., US$25

Ninety percent of the wines made in Rias Baixas are white and most are produced from the pale green Albariño grape, although 12 different grapes are allowed.  Rias Baixas is located on the far northwest Atlantic coast of Spain just … Continue reading

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Pinot Noir, Toulouse, Alexander Valley AVA, California, 2011, 14% abv., US$28

Toulouse is located near the northwestern end of the Alexander Valley AVA, a few short kilometers after emerging from the switchback drive through the Navarro River Redwoods State Park from Mendocino on the Californian coast. We visited there in August … Continue reading

Posted in California, OTHER, Pinot Noir, RED | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Cabernet Franc, Les Muriers, Anjou Villages AC, Loïc Mahé, Loire Valley, France, 12.5% abv. 2013, US$20

These are a few of my favourite things.  From a site located in the western part of Savennières and north of the Loire River, Brittany native Loïc Mahé grows bio/organic grapes on shale soils and makes unfiltered wines fermented with natural … Continue reading

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Tire Bouchon, D’Ourea, Adrien Roustan, Vacqueyras, IGP, France, 2014, 13% abv.

Quick, I’m going to test your memory of high school French.  What does tire bouchon mean?  Corkscrew! And you will want your corkscrew for this – so you can drink it all by yourself. Certified organic and located in Vacqueyras, … Continue reading

Posted in Aramon Noir, France, Grenache / Garnacha, Oeillade Noire, OTHER, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment