Category Archives: WHITE

Chardonnay, Upper Bench Winery, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 2013, 13.7% abv, C$22@winery

My mother loves this wine, so I was honestly trying to save my second bottle for a dinner with her. But then it got busy at work.  And I deserved it. Sorry, Mom. This great little homegrown Okanagan beauty is … Continue reading

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Sauvignon Blanc, Waters & Banks, Haywire, Okanagan Valley BC VQA, Canada, 13% abv, 2014

Love. Haywire wines are consistently gorgeous.  It doesn’t get much better than this on the BC wine stage. When you’re committed to using organically grown grapes, and providing little intervention in the cellar – no additives or oak, indigenous yeasts … Continue reading

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L’Amateur, David Léclapart, Blanc de Blancs, Pas Dosé, Premier Cru, Trépail, Marne, Champagne AC, France, 12.5% abv

Late blooming Pinot Meunier is the most frequently planted grape in the Marne, so the fact that David Léclapart has got Chardonnay growing in the frost prone village of Trépail is very interesting. That he is a fervent devotee of … Continue reading

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Chardonnay, Clos de Ste. Anne, Naboth’s Vineyard, Millton Vineyards, Gisborne, New Zealand, 2013, 13.5% abv, NZ$70

From a biodynamic, dry-farmed, single vineyard of 25 year old vines, this is a tremendously delicious Chardonnay fermented with native yeasts.  On the eyes, it’s a pretty lemon with a nose of pomelo, quince, ginger and crushed rock dust. The … Continue reading

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Champagne, Perrier-Jouët, Brut, Belle Epoque, Epernay, Champagne AC, France, 2006, 12.5% abv.

Over two centuries, Perrier-Jouët has only had seven cellar masters.  It was also the first House to create a dry Champagne in 1856.  Then there are its famous art-nouveau bottles – and this one has been hand-painted.  Since 1902 when … Continue reading

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Muscat Ottonel, Hillside Winery, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC,13.2% abv, 2014

I’ve never been there, but it’s not for lack of trying.  It has just never worked out – yet. But others I know have been and have enjoyed the award-winning restaurant, in addition to the wines made there on the … Continue reading

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Viña Tondonia, White Reserva, López de Heredia, Rioja DOC, Rioja Alta, Spain, 1999, 12.5% abv, C$50++

It’s hard to share a bottle of López de Heredia.  Firstly, I would be quite happy to keep it all to myself.  So, selfishness ranks high.  But the other reason is that it’s often hard to find someone to drink it … Continue reading

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Pinot Gris, Switchback Vineyard, Haywire, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, Canada, 2013, 13% abv, C$25

As the bottle mentions, this delicious tipple was created by Michael Bartier, Matt Dumayne and consultant winemaker Alberto Antonini at the Okanagan Crush Pad and has been “..fermented using wild yeast and raised in concrete.” Okay, so let’s talk about … Continue reading

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Viognier, Tahbilk, Nagambie Lakes, Central Victoria, Australia, 2014, 13.8% abv.

This wine is produced at Tahbilk where 5 generations of the Purbrick family have been involved in winemaking since the current owner’s great grandfather purchased the vines in 1925.  Viognier was planted here in the 1990s. Medium lemon in colour, … Continue reading

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Brut Vintage, Gold Label, Lanson, Champagne AC, France, 1999, US$75.00

I was awarded this bottle, oh yes I was… along with an engraved decanter for having the highest overall score in 2014 for WSET graduates in BC.  As someone who doesn’t even work in the industry (alas, the blog doesn’t … Continue reading

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