Category Archives: RED

Rose, Bodegas Muga, Rioja DOCa, Spain, 2013, 12.5% abv, C$18

Summer is meant for rose wine – or is it the other way around?  I often wonder why rose is not called ‘pink’ wine in English – we have white and red, so why not pink? This pink wine is fresh, … Continue reading →

Posted in Grenache / Garnacha, ROSE, Spain, Tempranillo, Viura / White Rioja | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Les Solitaires, Chateau la Begude, Gigondas AC, Gabriel Meffre Negociant-Eleveur, France, 2010, 14.5% abv

Gigondas is well-known as the little sibling to Chateauneuf-de-Pape and hails from France’s Southern Rhone Valley. An Appellation Controlee since 1971, most wines made here are red and may be no more than 80% Grenache. Some roses are made, but no … Continue reading →

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Champagne Louis de Sacy, Brut Rose Grand Cru, NV, Verzy, Champagne, France, 12% abv, 375 ml

In December 2013, we had bought a bottle of the Louis de Sacy Brut Grand Cru and really enjoyed it (review here).  Louis de Sacy is the kind of brand I like to support – relatively small production and mostly … Continue reading →

Posted in Champagne, France, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, ROSE | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Il Fauno Di Arcanum, IGT, Toscana, Italia, 2008, 14% abv.

Oh happy day – a Supertuscan wine from the Castelnuovo Beradenga region of Chianti Classico that has been declassified to IGT status because it’s a blend of 62 Merlot, 23 Cab Sauvignon, 8 Cab Franc, 6 Sangiovese and 1% Petit … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Italy, Merlot, Petit Verdot, RED, Sangiovese | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Champagne René Geoffroy, Aÿ, Champagne, France

I realized three things about Champagne after arriving there and having only studied it out of books up until that point.  First, it’s not actually that big.  Second, the Montagne de Reims is a misnomer – more of a large … Continue reading →

Posted in Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, RED, ROSE, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quails’ Gate, Old Vines Foch, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, 2009, 15% abv.

It’s Sunday morning and I stumble sleepily into the living room, fire up the iPad and think, “What a perfect time to catch up on a few posts.” I pull out the bottle and a glass so I can take … Continue reading →

Posted in BC, Marechal Foch, RED | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lillet Rouge, Podensac, Gironde, Bordeaux, France, NV

Imagine you’re at the Le Mans 24 Hour Race in France. Oh look – here I am! What to drink? A little apéritif served by a handsome bartender will do nicely. Meet Lillet Rouge – a blend of Merlot and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, France, Merlot, RED, Tonic Wine / Aperatif Wine | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

La Croix de Chaintres, Domaine Filliatreau, Chaintres, Saumur-Champigny AOC, Loire, France, 2011, 13% abv.

Saumur-Champigny makes some great red wines from Cabernet Sauvignon and Pineau d’Aunis, but this wine is produced from the more prevalent Cabernet Franc grape. Cabernet Franc is a parent to Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and even Merlot, so it’s not … Continue reading →

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L.A. Cetto, Petite Sirah, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, Mexico, 2011, 13.5% abv, C$17

They’ve been growing vinifera vines in Mexico since the 1500s and at one point, the King of Spain decreed that each settler would have to plant 1000 vines for each 100 natives ‘granted’ to his lands.  That’s a lot of … Continue reading →

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Chateau Maison Blanche, Médoc, Cru Bourgeois, France, 2009, 14% abv, C$29

There’s no two ways about it.  Bordeaux is confusing.  What does Cru Bourgeois mean? You’ve probably heard about the Premier through Cinquième Crus – the famous First through Fifth Growths. The Premier level includes renowned chateaux Lafite, Latour and Margaux, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, France, Merlot, RED | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment