Category Archives: WHITE

Nelin, Clos Mogador, Gratallops, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2012, 15% abv, 30€

I made the arrangement for a tour and tasting at world renowned Clos Mogador several months prior to our January 2015 arrival in tiny Gratallops, population a mere 260. As we walked through the gate, I wondered aloud, “Do you … Continue reading

Posted in Escanyavelles, Macabeu, Spain, Viura / White Rioja, WHITE, White Grenache / Garnacha / Garnaxa | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Old Vines Riesling, Sperling Vineyards, Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2012, C$32

In June 2014 we were in Normandy and spent a day with Emmanuel Camut, one of three Camut brothers and the sixth generation of their family making premium Adrien Camut Calvados on land they’ve owned since the 1800s.  Emmanuel was intrigued by … Continue reading

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Argyle, Blanc de Blancs, Knudsen Vineyard, Julia Lee’s Block, Dundee Hills AVA, Oregon, 2009, 12.5% abv.

‘Brut makes you better‘ is the claim on the Argyle Winery website. Agreed!  We were there in 2010 and purchased this with that goal in mind. Very pale lemon with a persistent, chubby bubble, this sparkler has a very light nose … Continue reading

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Albariño, Eidos de Padriñán, Rias Baixas DO, Spain, 2013, 12.5% abv, US$19.

This wine is made in tiny Padriñán on the cool, wet north western Atlantic coast of Spain.  Hanging off the edge of Spain, Padriñán is south of Santiago de Compostela and not so far across the border with Portugal from Porto. Made … Continue reading

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Riesling, Spätlese, Bünchen, Mosel (Saar), Germany 2011, 9.5% abv.

As Keith quipped, ‘Doesn’t Bünchen mean brunchin’ in English?”  You can’t argue with a great breakfast wine. Spätlese literally means ‘late harvest’ – and this one is a sweet version (they can also be dry).  It’s a delicious and beautifully … Continue reading

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Guiborat Fils, Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut, Grand Cru, Cramant AC, Champagne, France, 2005, 12% abv.

Owned by Richard and Karine Fouquet, this Guiborat Fils Grand Cru vintage champagne is produced from Chardonnay grapes in the quaint French village of Cramant. Richard is the 5th generation of his family to be making champagne and he farms 8 ha … Continue reading

Posted in Champagne, Chardonnay, France, OTHER, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Jacquesson, Cuvée No. 736, Extra Brut, Champagne, France, 12% abv, C$75 @ Marquis

A celebrated Champagne house in operation since 1798, Jacquesson has been owned since 1974 by the Chiquet family and is located in Dizy, just north of Epernay. The family owns 31 ha of vineyards throughout Aÿ, Avize and Oiry, all Grand Crus, … Continue reading

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

Ava, Le Vieux Pin, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 2012, 14% abv.

Here’s a BC bottle made in the image of a white Rhône Valley wine. The Ava is fashioned from 61% Viognier, 21% Roussanne and 18% Marsanne grapes that have seen about half of it age in new French barrels for 9 … Continue reading

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Viña Tondonia, Reserva, López de Heredia, Rioja DOC, Spain, 1998, 12.5% abv.

Just about any bottle of López de Heredia is enough to make most wine geeks swoon.  But, when we put five in a room armed with glasses and this bottle of Viña Tondonia Reserva, 1998, the atmosphere quickly became ‘fan girly’. We … Continue reading

Posted in Macabeu/Viura, Malvasia, OTHER, Spain, Viura / White Rioja, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chardonnay, Freycinet Vineyard, Tasmania, 2012, 13% abv

Straight from the wettest climate in Australia, the Tasmanian down under, this marvelous example of an elegantly finished Chardonnay came to us via Jodie whose mum packed it in her suitcase on a recent trip to BC. Tasmania boasts the … Continue reading

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