Wine tasting [Events]
2008 Jan 11
Thank you everyone that came to the tasting, was very nice to meet all of you. I had a great time & tried some fab wines!
For those of you that didn't take notes or were unable to attend...
Appleby Lane, Sauvignon Blanc, 2006, Nelson, New Zealand.
Crisp white with green apple, gooseberry, citrus notes.
$17.25 from Small Wine Makers
www.smallwinemakers.ca
Ruffino, Chianti Classico, riserva 2004, Italy
Big, flavourful, delicious wine! Barnyard, cocoa, dark cherry, oak flavours.
Other notes...'Classico' is the sub-area of Chianti. 'Riserva' in this case means it has to
be aged 3 years before release.
LCBO vintages product #45195 $24.95
Cline, Syrah, 2006, Sanoma, California
Smooth, spicy wine with floral, blueberry & black cherry aromas.
LCBO VINTAGES product #733758, $12.85
Great wine for the price.
Another great wine by Cline is their Zinfandel. Very big wine. LCBO vintages #489278, can't believe it but only $12.20!
Luigi Righetti, ripasso valpolicella, classico superiore, 2005
Juicy wine with cherry, sweet berry flavours. Delicious!
From Small Wine Makers, think the price is $18.70?
other notes...'superiore' means the original zone, minimum 12% alcohol and is to be aged 1 year before market.
Fat Bastard, Shiraz, 2006, France
Juicy, sweet, spicy wine with berry & tobacco flavours.
LCBO product #563122 $14.85
Carmen, Merlot, 2005, Chile
Very full bodied wine. Caramel, strawberries, coffee. Smelt like 'new carpet' off gas. Great wine! Needed to breath a bit. Very nice this morning, lol!
LCBO, not sure of price or product number?
***The second Thursday in February is Valentine's day so we are going to move the next meeting to the Thursday before, February 7th at 7pm. Please rsvp.
Hope to see you there.
Summer
For those of you that didn't take notes or were unable to attend...
Appleby Lane, Sauvignon Blanc, 2006, Nelson, New Zealand.
Crisp white with green apple, gooseberry, citrus notes.
$17.25 from Small Wine Makers
www.smallwinemakers.ca
Ruffino, Chianti Classico, riserva 2004, Italy
Big, flavourful, delicious wine! Barnyard, cocoa, dark cherry, oak flavours.
Other notes...'Classico' is the sub-area of Chianti. 'Riserva' in this case means it has to
be aged 3 years before release.
LCBO vintages product #45195 $24.95
Cline, Syrah, 2006, Sanoma, California
Smooth, spicy wine with floral, blueberry & black cherry aromas.
LCBO VINTAGES product #733758, $12.85
Great wine for the price.
Another great wine by Cline is their Zinfandel. Very big wine. LCBO vintages #489278, can't believe it but only $12.20!
Luigi Righetti, ripasso valpolicella, classico superiore, 2005
Juicy wine with cherry, sweet berry flavours. Delicious!
From Small Wine Makers, think the price is $18.70?
other notes...'superiore' means the original zone, minimum 12% alcohol and is to be aged 1 year before market.
Fat Bastard, Shiraz, 2006, France
Juicy, sweet, spicy wine with berry & tobacco flavours.
LCBO product #563122 $14.85
Carmen, Merlot, 2005, Chile
Very full bodied wine. Caramel, strawberries, coffee. Smelt like 'new carpet' off gas. Great wine! Needed to breath a bit. Very nice this morning, lol!
LCBO, not sure of price or product number?
***The second Thursday in February is Valentine's day so we are going to move the next meeting to the Thursday before, February 7th at 7pm. Please rsvp.
Hope to see you there.
Summer
2008 Mar 17
These are the tasting notes from last weeks wine tasting. For those that are interested the next one is April 10th at 7:00pm. Contact me if you are interested in joining us.
1. Cave Spring, 2006 Riesling Estate, Jordan, Ontario
VINTAGES #286377, $18.00
Beatiful citrus, mineral, apple, pear, floral notes. Off dry, medium body.
2. Smoking Loon, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005, California
LCBO #55517, $17.95
Black cherry, ripe berries, spices(cinnamon & clove), currents.
Very nice wine.
3. St Hallett, 2005 Faith Shiraz, Australia
VINTAGES #980631, $19.80
Cherry, plum, floral, smoky oak, spice, barnyard, earthy.
Scored 90/100 from the wine spectator & 93/100 from Natalie MacLean.
Can understand why & have to love the screw top.
4. Finca La Celia, 2005 Malbec reserva, Argentina
VINTAGES #58412, $15.55
Rich full bodied wine with spicy, cherry, vanilla & oak flavours.
To answer the question about 'reserva' or 'reserve' it generally means that the wine has been aged for a certain amount of time. In this case is was aged for 1 year in both french & american oak and then 6 months in the bottle. There are many different regulations for a wine to be a reserve, all depends on the country. Those with no regulations you will often find wines that have not been aged, they just use the word as a marketing tool.
5. Mezzomondo, 2006 Negreoamara salento, Italy
LCBO #588962, $8.40
Cherry, plum, wood, spicy.
Great house wine & lovely label.
6. Louis Jadot, 2006 Beaujolais-Villages, France
VINTAGES #365924, $15.70
Lovely easy drinking beaujolais with cotton candy, cherry, light smoke, & plum flavours.
7. Luigi Righetti, 2003 Capitel De' Roari Amarone, Italy
Small wine makers, $31.30
Concenrated, earthy, black cherry & prunes.
Love this wine.
8.Sandbanks Estate Winery, 2005 Foch Reserve, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Winery direct, $16.95
Wine was 'off' so we didn't get to try it as it should be. Tasted flat & musty.
Suppose to be a rustic red with oak, coffee, raspberry & spicy notes.
9. PELLEGRINO PASSITO DI PANTELLERIA, 2006, Italy
VINTAGES #585703 , $16.95
Concentrated apricot, marmelade, grapefuit on the nose, citrus.
Made with Zibibbo grapes which are dried to intensifiy sweetness and aroma, and fortified to raise the alcohol level and stop fermentation, leaving some residual sugar.
Fantastic dessert wine.
1. Cave Spring, 2006 Riesling Estate, Jordan, Ontario
VINTAGES #286377, $18.00
Beatiful citrus, mineral, apple, pear, floral notes. Off dry, medium body.
2. Smoking Loon, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005, California
LCBO #55517, $17.95
Black cherry, ripe berries, spices(cinnamon & clove), currents.
Very nice wine.
3. St Hallett, 2005 Faith Shiraz, Australia
VINTAGES #980631, $19.80
Cherry, plum, floral, smoky oak, spice, barnyard, earthy.
Scored 90/100 from the wine spectator & 93/100 from Natalie MacLean.
Can understand why & have to love the screw top.
4. Finca La Celia, 2005 Malbec reserva, Argentina
VINTAGES #58412, $15.55
Rich full bodied wine with spicy, cherry, vanilla & oak flavours.
To answer the question about 'reserva' or 'reserve' it generally means that the wine has been aged for a certain amount of time. In this case is was aged for 1 year in both french & american oak and then 6 months in the bottle. There are many different regulations for a wine to be a reserve, all depends on the country. Those with no regulations you will often find wines that have not been aged, they just use the word as a marketing tool.
5. Mezzomondo, 2006 Negreoamara salento, Italy
LCBO #588962, $8.40
Cherry, plum, wood, spicy.
Great house wine & lovely label.
6. Louis Jadot, 2006 Beaujolais-Villages, France
VINTAGES #365924, $15.70
Lovely easy drinking beaujolais with cotton candy, cherry, light smoke, & plum flavours.
7. Luigi Righetti, 2003 Capitel De' Roari Amarone, Italy
Small wine makers, $31.30
Concenrated, earthy, black cherry & prunes.
Love this wine.
8.Sandbanks Estate Winery, 2005 Foch Reserve, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Winery direct, $16.95
Wine was 'off' so we didn't get to try it as it should be. Tasted flat & musty.
Suppose to be a rustic red with oak, coffee, raspberry & spicy notes.
9. PELLEGRINO PASSITO DI PANTELLERIA, 2006, Italy
VINTAGES #585703 , $16.95
Concentrated apricot, marmelade, grapefuit on the nose, citrus.
Made with Zibibbo grapes which are dried to intensifiy sweetness and aroma, and fortified to raise the alcohol level and stop fermentation, leaving some residual sugar.
Fantastic dessert wine.
2008 Mar 19
Momomoto - though the wine was 'off' & it had a bit of a nutty flavour which sparked the lady bug discussion but don't believe that was the reason for the problem.
The lady bug issue I believe was in 2001 & this was a 2005 vintage.
Would be interesting to find a wine from 2001 from the affected area to taste at the next tasting. If there is any left out there.
I tried one from Malvoire when it first came out which tasted like I was drinking a very thin sesame oil, awful. Was actually surprised they released it as they are 'suppose' to be known for high quality. They lost me when I tried that one, guess quality with them is an illusion.
The lady bug issue I believe was in 2001 & this was a 2005 vintage.
Would be interesting to find a wine from 2001 from the affected area to taste at the next tasting. If there is any left out there.
I tried one from Malvoire when it first came out which tasted like I was drinking a very thin sesame oil, awful. Was actually surprised they released it as they are 'suppose' to be known for high quality. They lost me when I tried that one, guess quality with them is an illusion.
2008 Mar 19
I first heard about the "lady bug" wine on my annual trek to Niagara. According to the majority of the wineries bottling this stuff was a bad decision. The better winemakers (large and small) dumped their effected grapes that year. Unfortunately, Malvoire decided to bottle it. BIG MISTAKE, it was beyond awful! I don't know if it was just this decision, but overall I wasn't impressed by the Malvoire Winery, and I have crossed them off my wine list.
My's Mom's a Foodie - At some point I have to get to one of these winetasting evenings, they sound like fun. Would like to know more about it (is there a wine theme, blind tasting, etc).
My's Mom's a Foodie - At some point I have to get to one of these winetasting evenings, they sound like fun. Would like to know more about it (is there a wine theme, blind tasting, etc).
2008 Mar 20
MMAF: It all depends on what the equipment's like at Sandbanks. If I remember correctly, it's not that ladybug problems have gone away in the vineyards: it's that they've learned how to deal with it and most wineries now employ shaker tables that sift the ladybugs out. If this didn't happen at Sandbanks, for whatever reason, it could explain its offness. And since they're in The County instead of Niagara, there could be differences in practices that mean that this wouldn't get caught as easily.
At any rate, they should be called and informed, and maybe they'll even tell you what their analysis brings up!
At any rate, they should be called and informed, and maybe they'll even tell you what their analysis brings up!
2008 Mar 22
I just picked up four of my favourites from the wine tasting evening and am thrilled to have some wines kicking around my pantry that I *know* are good:
1. Cave Spring, 2006 Riesling Estate, Jordan, Ontario (making me rethink whites)
3. St Hallett, 2005 Faith Shiraz, Australia (my contribution but now I *know* it's good)
5. Mezzomondo, 2006 Negreoamara salento, Italy (hey it's a bargain)
6. Louis Jadot, 2006 Beaujolais-Villages, France (like amazing kool-aid)
I think the LCBO should be paying royalties to My Mom's a Foodie. :-)
1. Cave Spring, 2006 Riesling Estate, Jordan, Ontario (making me rethink whites)
3. St Hallett, 2005 Faith Shiraz, Australia (my contribution but now I *know* it's good)
5. Mezzomondo, 2006 Negreoamara salento, Italy (hey it's a bargain)
6. Louis Jadot, 2006 Beaujolais-Villages, France (like amazing kool-aid)
I think the LCBO should be paying royalties to My Mom's a Foodie. :-)
2008 Mar 22
You sure it was 2001 Malivoire that you tasted? According to Konrad Ejbich's book on Ontario Wines "In 2001, the year of the dreaded Asian lady beetle, they decided to unceremoniously dump almost the entire production, rather than release tainted wines and damage the company's reputation. Only icewines - picked after the bugs had gone - were produced." Malivoire is one of my favourite wineries in the Niagara and it would be a mistake to cross them off any list. I've always wondered about them having the ladybug as a symbol on their bottles, but perhaps it pre-dated 2001.
2008 Mar 25
Inkling: I remember hearing a story that Malivoire released a wine that they knew was ladybugged, not because of crap quality control or poor winemaking, but because they knew it was going to be distinctive (and not for everybody). Don't know how much truth is behind it. So far I've enjoyed all of their products, too, and I'm definitely heading there this summer on our wine tour.
2008 Mar 25
FF: Man, the more I think about that Riesling, the more I like it. And I'm not just saying that because I'm a fan of Ontario Riesling. (Or because I brought the bottle.) It's more because I keep thinking about that slight taste of wet rock that I get out of it. Bright lemon and wet rock: together at last.
2008 Mar 25
Yep, and I served both the Riesling and the Shiraz to my extended family for Easter dinner. The Riesling met with unanimous approval. Quite a gem!
As my sister in law recalled from a recent German winery tour: the guide explained to the group that "Riesling is the perfect wine." (End of discussion) :-)
As my sister in law recalled from a recent German winery tour: the guide explained to the group that "Riesling is the perfect wine." (End of discussion) :-)
2008 Mar 25
Inkling - I looked back on my winery notes and also did a little internet research to be sure, and yes it indeed was Malivoire Winery where I had the wine with the ladybug taint. Interesting thing I found on the net was Malvoire also had ladybug problems in 2002 and 2003, it was stated this was because of the cooler temperatures along their section of the bench, and the fact the bugs migrated to the trees in the nearby forest during the evenings. So now I can't even say for sure it was the 2001 that I tasted, BUT I do know what I tasted and it was awful, like someone said earlier it had sort of an oily gasoline taste. Ick!
Fresh Foodie - Riesling in someways is the perfect wine, it is white, easy drinking, a good beginner wine, doesn't overpower food, has enough complexity to keep a serious wine drinker interested in its flavour (as well as the variables that make it... country, terroir, season, winemaker, etc).
Momomoto - Germany, ah shucks! (I'm so jealous)
Fresh Foodie - Riesling in someways is the perfect wine, it is white, easy drinking, a good beginner wine, doesn't overpower food, has enough complexity to keep a serious wine drinker interested in its flavour (as well as the variables that make it... country, terroir, season, winemaker, etc).
Momomoto - Germany, ah shucks! (I'm so jealous)
2008 Apr 14
Hello everyone,
Thanks again to everyone who attended. Was as usual lots of fun!
Here are the notes...
Chateau des Charmes
Gewürztraminer, 2006
St.Davids Bench Vineyard
Ontario
VINTAGES #453472, $19.95
(this is for the 2005, assuming it is the same number as the 2006 as it is not listed?)
A smooth, rich wine with Lychee, grapefruit, and lovely floral notes. The next day black liquorice was predominate. Delicious!
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards
Merlot, 2004
Oliver, BC
VINTAGES #530725, $19.95
Great wine full of blueberry, raspberry, cherry, moss and cocoa powder flavours. Aged in american oak. Rare to find Tinhorn Creek at the LCBO, pick it up while you can!
Chateau Timberlay
Bordeaux Superieur
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005
France
LCBO #30072, $15.85
Sweet with current and blackberry notes. Also described to taste of 'tab' or 'thrills', jury is still out if that is a good or bad thing, haha. Caressent yet firm tannins. Very nice wine.
Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso
Valpolicella, 2005
Verona, Italy
LCBO #12443, $14.60
Candy like wine with lots of red berry, swedish berry candy, clove & raisin with low tannins.
Nice & easy spring/summer drinking wine.
****The next wine tasting is Thursday May 8th at 7:00pm.
Hope you will join us.
Summer
Thanks again to everyone who attended. Was as usual lots of fun!
Here are the notes...
Chateau des Charmes
Gewürztraminer, 2006
St.Davids Bench Vineyard
Ontario
VINTAGES #453472, $19.95
(this is for the 2005, assuming it is the same number as the 2006 as it is not listed?)
A smooth, rich wine with Lychee, grapefruit, and lovely floral notes. The next day black liquorice was predominate. Delicious!
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards
Merlot, 2004
Oliver, BC
VINTAGES #530725, $19.95
Great wine full of blueberry, raspberry, cherry, moss and cocoa powder flavours. Aged in american oak. Rare to find Tinhorn Creek at the LCBO, pick it up while you can!
Chateau Timberlay
Bordeaux Superieur
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005
France
LCBO #30072, $15.85
Sweet with current and blackberry notes. Also described to taste of 'tab' or 'thrills', jury is still out if that is a good or bad thing, haha. Caressent yet firm tannins. Very nice wine.
Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso
Valpolicella, 2005
Verona, Italy
LCBO #12443, $14.60
Candy like wine with lots of red berry, swedish berry candy, clove & raisin with low tannins.
Nice & easy spring/summer drinking wine.
****The next wine tasting is Thursday May 8th at 7:00pm.
Hope you will join us.
Summer
2008 May 1
SPEAKING OF WHICH:
Those of you who were at the last wine tasting will remember me ranting about the Wildass Rosé that Stratus makes. I think I called it a "manly hot-pink Rosé for men who wear pink shirts."
The 2006 vintage is going to be available in Vintages at the May 24th release. $19 a bottle, and worth every penny if it's as good as the 05 is.
Those of you who were at the last wine tasting will remember me ranting about the Wildass Rosé that Stratus makes. I think I called it a "manly hot-pink Rosé for men who wear pink shirts."
The 2006 vintage is going to be available in Vintages at the May 24th release. $19 a bottle, and worth every penny if it's as good as the 05 is.
2008 May 3
One thing I would like to do is set up a Rosé tasting, to see what styles different parts of the world take. Tavel, Stratus, and Spain would all make appearances.
I remember reading somewhere about how Rosés from Tavel are great because they have this savoury, herbal-type thing going for them that makes them go very well with, well, the Provencal (sorry, on a laptop and can't find accent characters) cooking that they grew up with.
I'm a big fan of smoked salmon as an accompaniment. It's just so colourful and also tasty.
I remember reading somewhere about how Rosés from Tavel are great because they have this savoury, herbal-type thing going for them that makes them go very well with, well, the Provencal (sorry, on a laptop and can't find accent characters) cooking that they grew up with.
I'm a big fan of smoked salmon as an accompaniment. It's just so colourful and also tasty.
2008 May 6
WOW! We have quite the turn out this time, 12 people so I am sorry to say to anyone who has not responded that we are 'full':( The notes will be posted on here next week.
The next tasting is June 12th so if you have the night free & are interested let me know asap to avoid disappointment.
Also, July's tasting will be the 3rd Thursday as I have guests coming the week before.
Cheers
The next tasting is June 12th so if you have the night free & are interested let me know asap to avoid disappointment.
Also, July's tasting will be the 3rd Thursday as I have guests coming the week before.
Cheers
2008 May 12
Hello everyone,
Here are the tasting notes from last week.
Southbrook Vineyards, Niagara-on-the-lake
Triomphe sauvignon blanc, 2007
$get back to you?
A fantastic summer wine. A clean & crisp wine with citrus, grass, grapefruit and salty notes. Thought to have tasted of mussel liquor & white Welch's grape juice, in a good way of course.
Painted Turtle Cellars, cellared in BC
Sauvignon Blanc
LCBO 22194, $11.95
Also a fresh, clean sauvignon blanc. Mineral, peach & lemon with a tequila after feel. Great cheap & cheerful summer wine!!!
In addition this wine has a few different/unique things about it. Comes in a clear bottle, no vintage year & it is unknown where the grapes come from, just know it was 'cellared' in Oliver, BC.
On the LCBO site is says Mission Hill makes it but on the Painted Turtle website Mission Hill is not mentioned?
Thought it was interesting as I do not see this everyday.
Echelon, California
Merlot, 2003
VINTAGES #54817, $19.80
A juicy wine full of black fruit, liquorice & cocoa with hints of red wine vinegar.
Strewn, Niagara-on-the-lake
Cabernet Sauvignon Terroir, 1999
$18.00, winery direct
Lovely raspberry, yellow plum, hickory & dill flavours. Very herbaceous with moist manure nuances. Smells jaunty;)
Santa Alicia Vineyards & Winery, Chile
Carmenere, 2005
LCBO #309302, $11.00
Shy smelling with big barnyard, smoky BBQ & pepper flavours. Great wine for the price!
Pedras do Monte, Portugal
Castelao, 2003
LCBO 565762, $10.10
Unbelievably smooth & long lasting wine with vanilla, red berry and cherry notes. Reminiscent of sponge toffee.
***Thank you Shawna for bringing the lovely cheeses. One was called La Sauvagine from Quebec and the other was not marked on the label & can't remember what you called it? If you know what it was Shawna let me know, both were delicious!
***The fantastic Pakora's & sauce were both made by 'Aliments Rinag', 88 Jamie Avenue, Nepean. Doesn't say on the website but they can be found at some Farm Boys apparently?:)? Thanks John for bringing those! Might be my new addiction.
***Last but not least thank you Pete for bringing the racks of lamb!!! Never had lamb with such a soft flavour! Would love the recipe for the marinade. For those interested he purchased them from Saslove's & were from Ontario which is why the gamey flavour was so soft.
The next tasting will be Thursday, June 12th at 7pm. Please RSVP.
Looking forward to trying some more fun stuff!!!
Summer
Here are the tasting notes from last week.
Southbrook Vineyards, Niagara-on-the-lake
Triomphe sauvignon blanc, 2007
$get back to you?
A fantastic summer wine. A clean & crisp wine with citrus, grass, grapefruit and salty notes. Thought to have tasted of mussel liquor & white Welch's grape juice, in a good way of course.
Painted Turtle Cellars, cellared in BC
Sauvignon Blanc
LCBO 22194, $11.95
Also a fresh, clean sauvignon blanc. Mineral, peach & lemon with a tequila after feel. Great cheap & cheerful summer wine!!!
In addition this wine has a few different/unique things about it. Comes in a clear bottle, no vintage year & it is unknown where the grapes come from, just know it was 'cellared' in Oliver, BC.
On the LCBO site is says Mission Hill makes it but on the Painted Turtle website Mission Hill is not mentioned?
Thought it was interesting as I do not see this everyday.
Echelon, California
Merlot, 2003
VINTAGES #54817, $19.80
A juicy wine full of black fruit, liquorice & cocoa with hints of red wine vinegar.
Strewn, Niagara-on-the-lake
Cabernet Sauvignon Terroir, 1999
$18.00, winery direct
Lovely raspberry, yellow plum, hickory & dill flavours. Very herbaceous with moist manure nuances. Smells jaunty;)
Santa Alicia Vineyards & Winery, Chile
Carmenere, 2005
LCBO #309302, $11.00
Shy smelling with big barnyard, smoky BBQ & pepper flavours. Great wine for the price!
Pedras do Monte, Portugal
Castelao, 2003
LCBO 565762, $10.10
Unbelievably smooth & long lasting wine with vanilla, red berry and cherry notes. Reminiscent of sponge toffee.
***Thank you Shawna for bringing the lovely cheeses. One was called La Sauvagine from Quebec and the other was not marked on the label & can't remember what you called it? If you know what it was Shawna let me know, both were delicious!
***The fantastic Pakora's & sauce were both made by 'Aliments Rinag', 88 Jamie Avenue, Nepean. Doesn't say on the website but they can be found at some Farm Boys apparently?:)? Thanks John for bringing those! Might be my new addiction.
***Last but not least thank you Pete for bringing the racks of lamb!!! Never had lamb with such a soft flavour! Would love the recipe for the marinade. For those interested he purchased them from Saslove's & were from Ontario which is why the gamey flavour was so soft.
The next tasting will be Thursday, June 12th at 7pm. Please RSVP.
Looking forward to trying some more fun stuff!!!
Summer
2008 Jun 5
Typically, cellared in Canada would be a sign that foreign grapes or already made wine are being used. According to VQA rules, a bottle can be labeled as a product of Canada (i.e cellared in BC) so long as it contains no more than %75 foreign vino in the blend. Often cheap bulk wines from Chile and other places are mixed with a small amount of Canadian wine and marketed as such.
My Mom's a Foodie
Looking forward to it.