Category Archives: Winery Review
Iron Horse Ranch and Vineyards, Sebastopol, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
The Russian River Valley is stunning. There, I’m done. What more is there to say? Its soft green, undulating hills, covered by gentle creeping mists of fog and the rippling river itself hide one of the best kept secrets about … Continue reading
Jordan Winery, Healdsburg, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
I’ve been ‘Jordanized’. It’s quite clear Jordan Winery knows what it’s doing. The attention to detail at this trade tasting and tour was apparent from start to finish – from the moment I stepped out of the car and was … Continue reading
WSET Diploma Unit 5 – Sparkling Wines of the World – Tasting
Tasting notes from a study group for the WSET Diploma, Unit 5, Sparkling Wines of the World course … Wine #1 Cava, Parés Baltà, Brut, Penedès, Spain, 11.5% abv, C$22.99 Clear and bright, pale gold, bubbles noted. Clean, light intensity aromas of … Continue reading
‘Napa Rocks’, Napa Valley Wines, Vancouver International Wine Festival, 2013
Th 2013 theme at the Vancouver International Wine Festival was California, so a Saturday afternoon spent in a tasting seminar of some of those was in order. The ‘Napa Rocks’ presentation featured various wineries from the region that boasts 16 separate AVAs, … Continue reading
White Wedding, Hidden Chapel Winery, Sauvignon Blanc – Viognier – Riesling, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2011, 12.6% abv.
Purchased in summer 2011 during a foray to the Okanagan Valley, we hit a few wineries and picked this one up along the way. It’s a pale lemon and has light legs with stronger than average aromas of lychee, pink grapefruit, … Continue reading
The Big Night
We gathered together last evening at Table 1006 to worship at the altar of Mr. Truffle. The entire evening, engineered by the remarkable Chef Parker, was an ode to Him. Hors d’oeuvres started us off – the freshest French bread, … Continue reading
Gehringer Brothers, Private Reserve, Pinot Blanc, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2010, 13.3% abv, $14.99
We visited this winery located in the Golden Mile Bench in August during a week long trip to Osoyoos, deep in BC’s wine country. They’ve been growing vinifera varietals at Gehringer Brothers for 25 years and that’s one of the … Continue reading
La Stellina, Rosato, La Stella Winery, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2011, 12% abv.
A pink Merlot wine from the Okanagan to start the festivities off for Andrew’s 15th birthday. Yes, I called it pink. We call white wines, white and reds, red. Pinks should also be pink – and not Rosé. We aren’t … Continue reading
Carménère, Black Hills Estate Winery, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2010, 12.5% abv.
Canada’s first Carménère wine comes from the Okanagan Valley’s Black Hills Estate Winery in Oliver, located just north of Osoyoos and south of the Naramata Bench. The vines were planted in 1999 and the wine produced there has acquired a bit … Continue reading
Church & State, Hollenbach Family Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2009, 13.9% abv, C$26
There’s BC salmon on the dinner menu, so we need a Pinot Noir. Fully 100% Pinot, this wine won silver medals for 2011 at both the Canadian Wine Championships and the London, UK International Wine and Spirit Competition. The year … Continue reading
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