Intense pink color. Fresh and sweet aromas. A balanced and creamy wine with a fresh finish.
Went really well with dinner (garlic pasta) but there was enough left in the glass to really take notice while we were chatting after dinner. Actually went back and added a dribble more to our glasses to enjoy as we carried on the conversation.
Stands up really well by itself and would be great with a lunch on the deck.
ROSE – VINA CASABLANCA CEFIRO
$12.99
12.5% Alcohol
UPC: 07804350002959
We never tire of a nice Chianti filling a glass.
Made with 90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot and 5% Colorino, this juicy wine opens with aromas of flowers and berries.
This is one that will be enjoy over the next few years with it’s soft tannins and medium body. This wine will pair excellently with mature cheeses.
The grapes underwent soft- press and fermentation with selected yeasts in stainless steel tanks. After malolactic fermentation the wine goes through 3 months maturation until the optimal balance of fruitiness and freshness is achieved.
CHIANTI CLASSICO – GABBIANO CAVALIERE D’ORO 2019
$17.99 regularly $19.99
14% Alcoho
lUPC: 00089819502417
Montreal wHines about another foot of snow.
Oak Bay wHines about lawnmower noise instead of snowplow noise.
Calgary wHines about Minus 40 and Snow.
Summerland wHines about Minus 15 and Not enough snow for skiing.
North Saanich wHines about not enough colour for his sunset shots.
We go visit the Goddess and wine.
Even if you aren’t a carnivore, you’ll enjoy this one. You could do fish or just share with nachos. A cheese plate would go wonderfully with it.
We chose to make a big, fat, thick homemade stew that filled the house with warmth.
Beautifully structured from aroma to finish. A vineyard we very much like.
A true 93 pointer of Syrah/Shiraz. Deep rooted, organically grown vines that are at least 25 years old. Around 12 months ageing. 85% of which takes place in concrete tanks to preserve the freshness and minerality of the fruit. The remaining 15% is aged in barrel which gives the wine consistency and power, along with aromatic complexity.
CROZES HERMITAGE – CHAPOUTIER MEYSONNIERS ORGANIC 19
$29.99
14% alcohol
UPC: 03391180001749
The village of Vaux-en-Beaujolais was the inspiration for Gabriel Chevalier’s classic novel, Clochemerle. It seems that really very little has changed here since Chevalier wrote his humorous social observation in the 1920’s! Maybe that’s true when it comes to the inhabitants of the village but it’s certainly not the case when it comes to wine-making. Situated at about 400 metres above sea-level, the vineyards are some of the highest in the Beaujolais region and there are approximately six grower-winemakers in the village, all of whom are highly regarded. This is indeed Beaujolais ‘profond’!
This wine is 30% Auxerrois, 30% Muller Thurgau (a crossing of Riesling and Chasselas), 30% Tokay Pinot Gris and 10% Gewurztraminer.
Full of flavour, with a very dry finish.
One doesn’t need anything to pair with this. Unless you have two bottles. One before and one during your meal. We showed extreme constrain and only had our usual one glass with dinner (scallops and couscous) and saved the other half for the next night with pasta.
Chateau Vaux Beaujolais
$32.99
13.5% Alcohol
It’s slightly sweeter than we’re used to with a Chardonnay, but that’s just us.
This Chardonnay boasts ripe pear and apple notes. Citrusy on the palate and moderately acidic.
Very Expressive and sends good vibes.
It’s by the Elicit Wine Project, part of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates of Washington State and definitely one to remember for the deck in the summertime.
In some locations, you’ll be able to buy it in Cans, to put on ice.
CHARDONNAY – FRUIT AND FLOWER
$15.47 regularly $18.99
13.7% Alcohol
UPC: 00088586010828
The best things in life are usually really simple. And this is a wine that is just that: Good, honest, and delicious. Simply – just pour it and enjoy.
It’s created by a wine maker with a great philosophy: Linda Trotta’s motto “A good wine is a wine you like“. Thus, pleasure is the aim for the majority of their wines rather than following a particular trend, matching with special food or expressing the nuances of a certain terroir.
As Linda says “Remember, red wine is seasonal, as in good in every season. Don’t overthink it.”
And as I would say “Suck it up Sunshine!”
CABERNET SAUVIGNON – BREAD AND BUTTER
$22.99
13.5% Alcohol
UPC: 00818051020744
North meets south in this 50/50 blend. The South Okanagan Valley’s arid, desert-like landscapes deliver grapes with rich, round, generous flavours. In contrast, the North Okanagan’s cooler temperatures and high elevation yield fresh and bright notes with a delicate balance of acidity.
2019 was up until September, near picture perfect. Warm days, but not too warm, cool nights, but not too cool, set the ripening process on a trajectory of ideal balance. With September came cool weather and some rainfall, but with careful attention to sorting and managing harvest dates, we feel our hard work paid off with wines of ideal balance and intense fruit character. In particular, the lively acidities have produced wines which are bright and fresh.
The finished blend of these two contrasting regions celebrates the uniqueness of both places. As you sip, you’ll experience the taste of the entire Okanagan Valley coming to life.
93% stainless steel, 7% neutral oak for 3 months.
It had better acidity than in the past.
This versatile wine goes with everything, or nothing at all. The first night we enjoyed it with a baked, salsa chicken thighs
CEDAR CREEK – PINOT GRIS 2019
$21.99
13% alcohol
UPC: 00778913022098
The vineyard features fully sustainability. I’d like to stop by, stay a night or two, and sample the food as well as their wines. Restaurant. Deli. And you can even do a farm picnic.
Their vision is to balance tradition and experience with contemporary innovation to produce classic wines with measured modern new world attitude that are uniquely Boschendal.
So we are sampling their Chardonnay. The one with hints of oak spice. Unirrigated, well drained, rocky shale terroir. Whole bunch pressed. Natural fermentation. Then 11 months in oak.
It is big on aroma and flavours, great nose with citrus on the palate. Well balanced, good complexity and roundness.
Early sampling sorta screamed pasta – so we did … with lots of garlic, red and yellow pepper strips, red onion, egg noodle pasta.
CHARDONNAY – BOSCHENDAL WESTERN CAPE 2019
$19.99
13.5% alcohol
UPC: 06001660003824
Matua, meaning “Head of the Family” is the first ever to produce Sauvignon in New Zealand.
A little different than most Sauvignon from here, this one comes from Hawke’s Bay on the Northern Island.
This favourite boasts classic regional flavours. Its fresh and clean and very expressive. Very light in colour, with a tinge of green in the hue. It finds the right balance of fruity sweetness and zesty acidity. The finish is semi-dry.
Definitely will be looking for this one again when the weather brightens and we can spend some time on the deck – munching crackers and cheese listening to stories of winter shenanigans.
SAUVIGNON BLANC – MATUA HAWKES BAY
$17.99
12% Alcohol
UPC: 09415305120994
There isn’t a lot of Gamay grown in BC, but it is one of the most popular grapes around the world – often grown to be part of a blend.
We are starting off Mystery Case #15 with this VQA red from the Middle Bench, near Keremeos. They have been organic farming their Robin Ridge vineyard since 1997.
Reviewers say “red licorices” flavours. …fellow imbiber asks “What about gummy bears flavours?”
Treehouse homemade Chilli the first night and prune/fig stuffed pork tenderloin the second night. All went down well with this elegant and crisp Gamay made from organic grapes, estate grown. There is an easy and very well balanced finish.
We will have to watch out for others in their repertoire.
ROBIN RIDGE – GAMAY ORGANIC 2020
$23.99
14% Alcohol
UPC: 00626990155027
