Tag Archives: france

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

Posted on May 29, 2014 by winellama

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 →

Posted in Cabernet Franc, France, RED | Tagged Chaintres, Domaine Filliatreau, france, La Croix de Chaintres, loire, Saumur-Champigny AOC | Leave a comment

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

Posted on May 23, 2014 by winellama

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 Bordeaux, cabernet franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgois explanation, Diploma notes, france, Maison Blanche, Médoc, merlot, WSET Light Wines of the World | Leave a comment

Hospices de Colmar, Pinot Gris, Vin d’Alsace DOP, France, 2011, 15% abv, C$35

Posted on May 14, 2014 by winellama

Alsace is located in the northeastern corner of France cut off from the rest of the country by a string of mountains running north to south called the Vosges. Sitting there in the rain shadow that the Vosges offer the … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Pinot Gris | Tagged chaptilization, Colmar, france, Grauburgunder, Hospices de Colmar, Malvoisie, Pinot Grigio, pinot gris, Rulander, Vin d'Alsace DOP, Vosges, WSET Alsace Study | Leave a comment

Domaine Vincent Delaporte, Maxime, Vielles Vignes sur Silex, Sancerre AC, France, 2012, 13% abv.

Posted on April 19, 2014 by winellama

France’s Loire Valley boasts four main regions – the Nantais located on the eastern Atlantic coast, Anjou-Saumur inland, the Touraine where the maritime meets a continental climate and the furthest inland region, the Central Vineyards. Sancerre is located in the … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Sauvignon Blanc | Tagged Domaine Vincent Delaporte, france, Kimmeridgian, limestone, Maxime, Sancerre AC, Vielles Vignes sur Silex, WSET Diploma, WSET Studying, WSET unit 3 | Leave a comment

Domaine Marcel Deiss, Riesling, Vin d’Alsace (Alsace AC), France, 2010, 13% abv, C$41

Posted on March 30, 2014 by winellama

Alsace – a 120km long by 8km wide swath of land located in the far northeastern reaches of France to the east of the Vosges Mountains that cut it off from the rest of the country. Alsace has a somewhat … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Riesling, WHITE | Tagged 2010, biodynamic, Domaine Marcel Deiss, france, Marechal Foch, riesling, TDN, trimethyldinapthalene, Vin d'Alsace (Alsace AC), Vosges, white wine | 2 Comments

Sauvignon Blanc – Chardonnay, Vielles Vignes, Cheverny AoC, Vignes des Marnières, Loire Valley, France, 12%, 2012, 9 GBP @ Oddbins

Posted on August 15, 2013 by winellama

This is what happens when you pop into an Oddbins with 5 minutes to spare prior to your train’s departure and ask ‘what is the most unusual and lowest priced wine you can pull for me?’ Oddbins, for those of … Continue reading →

Posted in Chardonnay, France, Sauvignon Blanc, WHITE | Tagged Cheverny AoC, Diploma, france, loire valley, Sauvignon Blanc - Chardonnay, Vielles Vignes, Vignes des Marnieres, white wine, WSET Studying | Leave a comment

Chateau Cantin, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AC, France, 14.5% abv, 23.99 GBP

Posted on July 16, 2013 by winellama

Another lovely wine available at the neighbourhood Waitrose. Seriously, for my Canadian readers, just imagine picking up a Grand Cru Bordeaux at Safeway. Ah, in my dreams. This classic Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc blend is clear and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, France, Merlot | Tagged cabernet franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, france, merlot, red wine, Saint Emilion, saint Emilion Grand Cru AC | Leave a comment

Chateau Carbonnieux, Grand Cru Classe du Graves, Pessac-Leognan AC, France, 2009, 13% abv, $C60

Posted on July 10, 2013 by winellama

In October 2012, I got up at 5am to purchase this wine at the local Bordeaux release upon the recommendation of my good friend, Chef Parker. So, who else to enjoy it with at a local Japanese ‘tall food’ restaurant … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, WHITE | Tagged 2009, Château Carbonnieux, france, Grand Cru Classe du Graves, Pessac-Leognan AC | 2 Comments

Monmousseau Cuvée JM, Brut 2007, Blanc des Blancs, Touraine AC, France, 12% abv, C$19.99

Posted on March 30, 2013 by winellama

With the WSET Sparkling Wines of the World Diploma exam on the horizon, this bottle was sacrificed for a study session. A tradition in the Loire Valley since 1886, this sparkling wine is 100% Chenin Blanc and produced in the traditional … Continue reading →

Posted in Chenin Blanc, OTHER, Sparkling Wine, WHITE | Tagged Blanc des Blancs, Brut 2007, chenin blanc, france, Monmousseau Cuvée JM, sparkling wine, Touraine AC, WSET Sparkling wine exam | Leave a comment

WSET Diploma Unit 5 – Sparkling Wines of the World – Tasting

Posted on March 10, 2013 by winellama

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 →

Posted in Cava, Champagne, Industry Tasting, Prosecco, Sparkling Wine | Tagged Brut NV, Cava, Cava Pares Balta Brut, champagne, Diploma, DOC, france, Imperial, Italy, Jose Dhondt, Le Marne, Moet and Chandon, Oger, organic, Penedes, Prosecco, rose, Saignee, spain, Sparkling Wines of the World, Tasting, Unit 5, veneto, Villa Theresa Prosecco, Vino Frizzante, WSET | Leave a comment