Category Archives: RED
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
Iron Horse Ranch and Vineyards, Winter’s Cuvée, Sebastopol, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, 2008, 13.5% abv.
We visited this winery in the beautiful Russian River Valley and its 65 ha of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines in 2013. While there, we purchased two bottles – both for children’s high school graduation celebrations. When the second one … Continue reading
Saignée, Culmina, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 2013, 14% abv.
It’s a beautiful, sunny, June afternoon and Canada’s women’s soccer team is getting ready to play in nearby BC Place stadium. What better time than to enjoy a rosé that has been sitting in the wine fridge, just waiting for … Continue reading
Muga, Reserva, Rioja DOC, Spain, 2010, 14% abv, C$26
This bottle of Muga Reserva 2010 travelled all the way around the world from Rioja Alta to a patio off the far west coast of Canada in Ucluelet, BC. One day, I will visit Rioja DOC and the Bodegas Muga … Continue reading
Notre Histoire, Bourgueil AC, Domaine de L’Oubliée, Loire, France, 13% abv, 2011
This is a wine made by Xavier Courrant who used to work in Paris as a wine retailer. In 2009 he purchased 6 ha of vines (five Cabernet Franc and one Chenin Blanc) in Bourgueil near Saint-Patrice and went to … Continue reading
Olho de Mocho, Reserva, Herdade do Rocim, Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal, 2011, 14% abv.
Why, oh why, are we not all drinking Portuguese wines in copious quantities. The price is right, they taste delicious, everything – from lightly effervescent Vinho Verde to sparkling, white, red and fortified wines – is available, and the quality … Continue reading
Domaine Jules Desjourneys, Moulin-à-Vent, Cru Beaujolais, France, 2009, 13.5% abv.
Moulin-à-Vent is one of the most special of the Beaujolais crus and the wine can most closely resemble fine Burgundy when aged. In fact, this bottle doesn’t even mention Beaujolais on the label but instead, refers to red ‘Burgundy’. Make … Continue reading
Gaston Chiquet, Tradition Brut, Premier Cru, Dizy, Champagne, France, RM, 12.5% abv, NV (Magnum) @ Marquis Wine Cellars
A grower-producer from the cool named, Dizy located just north of Épernay, the Chiquet family has been growing vines and making Champagne for generations. The current crop of Chiquets include brothers Antoine and Nicolas with Antoine’s daughter Marion. Their 23 ha … Continue reading
Pietradolce, Nerello Mascalese, Etna Rosso DOC, Sicilia, Italia, 2012, 14.5% abv.
Here is a stunner straight from the north facing slopes of Sicily’s Mount Etna. Grown on bush trained vines at 600m above sea level, the name of the winery is a direct acknowledgment of the volcanic soil the vines are rooted in – … Continue reading
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