March 2006
Can you smell it?
Go ahead, poke your head out the window…it’s the smell of spring!
If you
are from the school of ‘glass is half full’ (like a certain
Wine Diva) you know what I mean…Spring-it’s
coming down the pipe in the wake of wine geeks busiest time of the
year…Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival.
Yes, go ahead give another sniff-deeper this time. Is that wine I smell?
It most
certainly is, the aromas of over 1300 different bottles to be precise.
Start priming
yourself now, it takes practice and stamina to taste that many
different wines (I know).
And if that isn't enough to put a smile on your face ladies (and gents)
think about all those pretty, girly, eyelet
lace-ruffled-flowery-feminine dresses arriving for summer! I am shaking
so badly (with barely contained excitement) I can barely type!
Because if I can’t have it pink…I want it pretty!
Introducing "wine list sure bets":
Pay attention here
peeps!
The Wine Diva’s Wine List
Sure-Bets, a fabulous addition to the site.
Click on said icon above, its that easy to simplify your life. Sit back
relax and let the Wine Diva do the
work for you.
Better yet, I've made it downloadable so you can print it off and slip
it your wallet.
Easy Peesy!
Check in periodically I’ll be adding new wines (so none of us get
bored).
This Month:
Wine Diva’s
Playhouse Picks
Wine Reviews
Wine Reviews
Wine Reviews
From the Cellar
Taste-Bites
-Central Envy
-Neal's Yard Cheese
Trendspotting
-SnackAttack.com
Icons
 Patio Wine |
 Wine
List Sure Bet |
 Good
With Food |
 Girls'
Night Out |
 Unique |
 Crowd
Pleaser |
 Good
for Romance |
 Cellar
Keeper |
Eat Here |
Wine Diva’s Playhouse Picks-
The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival has come and gone
once again. Exhausted and exhilarated,
Wine Diva is relieved yet bereft.
Here is a selection of of
Wine Diva’s fave’s!
Available though Private Wine Stores and Restaurants:
Duval-Leroy,
Champagne 'Femme'-Refreshing, rich and floral. $150
Yalumba 'The Virgilius' Eden Valley Viognier, Australia-Ripe
peaches, ginger and honeysuckle.$46.99
Yalumba Hand Picked Shiraz-Viognier, Australia-Blackberry, bitter
chocolate, dark flowers and spice-$41.99
La Crema 'Nine Barrels' Pinot Noir, California, 2003- Velvety Christmas
cake,
plums, tobacco and earth $125.
Joseph Drouhin 'Clos des Mouches Rouge, Burgundy Fr. 2002-Fresh &
delicate, sour cherry, cedar, earth and tobacco $80.
Louis Jadot 'Clos des Ursules Beaune 1er Cru Les Vignes Franches',
Burgundy 2002-Rich black cherry, dried fruit, chalky earth and smoke. $80.
Mission Hill Oculus, Okanagan, 2003-Sweet blackberry, chocolate
mint, smoked meat-$49.99 (available September 2006)
Canonbah Bridge SGM
(Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvedre)
Australia-Dried fruit, mocha, velvety smooth $28.95
Mission Hill SLC Merlot, Okanagan, '03-Black fruit, cocoa, softly
vegetal (needs 6mos.+) $39.99 (available May 2006)
Quails' Gate Family Reserve Pinot Noir, Okanagan, 2004-Ripe
berries, mocha,
earth $40.00
Plaisir de Merle, Shiraz, South Africa-Smoke, coffee, black
cherry, spice $34.99
Sokol Blosser 'Estate Cuvee' Pinot Noir, Oregon, 2003-Coffee,
leather, black cherry. $60.
Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir, New Zealand, 2003-Red berry, menthol, velvety &
earthy
$53
Nautilus Pinot Noir, New Zealand, 2002-Sweet red berry, smoked meat and
earth.
$50 (available May 2006)
Tignanaello 2001, Italy-Raisined fruit and prunes, savoury herbs, lushly smooth.
$85.99
available at government BCLDB stores:
de Venoge N/V Blanc de Noirs Brut, Champagne- Red berries,
apples & nuts. $63
Duval-Leroy,
Champagne
'Collection Paris'- Elegant, honeyed fruit, nuts. $59.99
de Venoge Vin du Paradis Champagne-Honeyed fruit, citrus rind and
flowers.
$52.99
Signorello Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa California-$59.99
Canonbah Bridge, Drought Reserve Shiraz Australia-$46.95
Pierre Sparr Res. Pinot Gris-Alsace Fr.-Ripe tree fruit, flowers
and honey-$25.90
Barossa Valley Estate 'Ebenezer' Shiraz, Australia-Sun ripe
berries, chocolate, lively and spiced- $39.99
Yalumba 'Hand Picked Tricentary' Grenache, Australia-Bright
cherries, eucalyptus, tobacco $41.99
Pfaffenheim Gewurztraminer Alsace Fr.-Rose petals tropical fruit,
cream-$18.99
Balthasar Ress Riesling, Germany- Apples, white flowers,
citrus and petrol $15.99
Bodegas Costano 'Monastrell', Spain- Sweet berries and
velvety chocolate $9.95
Wine Reviews
Martini Asti
Sparkling Wine, Italy (200ml)-Wine
Snobs look away!
I love this little bottle. I saw them appear on the LDB shelves just
before Christmas, in all their petite blue cuteness.
I had to have one.
It’s like a personal sized shot of sweetness (which I recommend you
serve with a lime wedge to cut some of that sweetness) with a screw top
capper designed to look like a cork. Are you kidding, how brilliant
would you seem at your next soiree, handing out these little babies with
coordinating blue bendy straws? (Straws not included)
Candied peaches, honey and sweet pink grapefruit with nice little
bubbles, and only 7% alcohol!
$3.45 each
Wine Diva tasted-February 2006
Moselland Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling Kabinett, Germany, 2003-
I tasted this with a lineup of other international whites
along with a group of, well let’s say ‘not your typical riesling
drinkers’ and at the end of the tasting, this was their favorite wine,
and surprise…the cheapest!
Delicate aromas, white flowers citrus fruit and petrol, but in the mouth
is where it really sang. Lush peach compote, oily and minerally lime oil
and a gorgeous long crisp finish topped with just a hint of spice.
$12.99
Wine Diva tasted- February 2006
Cecile Chassagne Rosé, Vin de Pays Vaucluse, France, 2004-
Adorned with an
adorable busy little bee buzzing about on the fresh yellow label!
Pretty nose… full on strawberry supported by smoke and minerals. Lightly
refreshing, bone-dry, clean and crisp with good acidity and a peppery
finish…perfect with patio fare!
$13.99 Private wine stores
Wine Diva tasted-February 2006
Cécile Chassagne Les
Amandiers Syrah, Vin de Pays de Vaucluse France, 2004-
a perfectly simple, delicately structured bistro wine with fresh red
berries, smoke, spice and a soft earthy finish. This is not your
expected syrah, it has the body of a bold French rosé, which makes it
the perfect summer red wine!
$13.99 Private wine stores
Wine Diva tasted-February 2006
Veramonte Merlot, Casablanca Valley Chile, 2003-Blackish-blood
red, a colour as bold as the tall commanding bottle in which it is
housed. Another Wine Diva go-to
wine with sweet, ripe blackberries, mint, minerally earth and
savoury herbs. In the mouth is a burst of ripe black fruit, cola
flavours and a long bitter-chocolate finish.
$14.99
Wine Diva
tasted- February 2006
Beringer ‘Stone Cellars’ Merlot, Napa California, 2003- The
Wine Diva loves these go-to
bottles. In Wine Diva speak
“Monday-to-Wednesday wine”. Something you can open at the drop of a hat
(worth buying numerous bottles at once,) without feeling as though
you’ve robbed a bank.
Smoked raspberries and chocolate aromas, velvety smooth in the mouth
brimming with black fruit and berries with a long smooth, smoky finish.$14.99
Wine Diva tasted-February 2006
Wine
Reviews
Ruffino Lumina Pinot Grigio, Venezia Italy, 2003- Cut grass,
white flowers, earth, musk and marzipan…sounds like it could be a deadly
combination but is actually a very refreshing quaff. Sweet fruit on the
attack (when the wine first hits your tongue) moving to citrus fruit and
a pleasant grassy finish. Surprisingly full and assertive in the mouth,
worth a try of this well priced Northern Italian white.
$15.99
Wine Diva
tasted- February 2006
Cécile Chassagne Tempranillo, Navarra Spain, 2003-
Ripe red cherries, earth, leather, smoke, meaty and spicy, lean yet
complex fresh pepper and long sweet fruit finish. Simple and rustic but
mouthwatering…pass the Manchego and olives!
$15.99 Private wine stores
Wine Diva tasted-February 2006
Penfolds ‘Koonunga
Hill’ Cabernet-Merlot, Australia, 2003-
Exceptionally vibrant with lush aromas of blackberries, chocolate,
eucalyptus and fruit cake. Soft, well integrated tannins and a long
sweetly spiced finish. Great paired with a selection of cheese from
Les Amis du Fromage like; Fougerus a
super creamy ‘brie-style’ from Champagne, Delice des Gourmets-a
delicate triple crèam from France (similar to Delice de Bougogne-a
Wine Diva fave) and Keen’s
Cheddar from Neal’s Yard in England. Excuse me now while I head to
the fridge…$16.99
Wine Diva
tasted-February 2006
Pfaffenheim Gewurztraminer,
Alsace France, 2004-
One of those bottles that when you open you say to yourself, why do I
always forget how good this wine is? Honey blossoms, blood orange,
lychees and Turkish delight with hints of cold cream. Sweet and
oily-rich in the mouth with rose petals, tropical fruit and finished
with Asian spices.
Paired well with a selection of cheese from Les Amis du Fromage like;
Brindamour and the bolder Munster.$18.99
Wine Diva tasted-February 2006
Cline Zinfandel, Sonoma California, 2003-Intensly
shaded opaque purplish.
Slightly rustic vs. ripe jammy fruit with cedar box, raisin fruit,
tobacco, hints of vegetation and tea leaves.
Solid wine, a crowd pleaser that sells well in our BC market.
$19.99
Wine Diva
tasted-February 2006
E&J Gallo Pinot Noir, Sonoma County California, 2002-
Bright and clean aromas .Cherries, red berries, smoke, barnyard
aromas and a hint of game meat. Light bodied with just a suggestion of
vegetation and subtle tannins. Nice price point at:
$20.00
Wine Diva
tasted-February 2006
Savardo Pinot Nero Superiore DOC, Breganze Italy, 2003-Bright
aromas of sweet raspberries and red cherries, smoke and pretty violets.
Dry and light-bodied with rustic flavours of earth and tobacco, velvety
texture lingers on the tongue with a long spiced finish.
$23.50
Wine Diva tasted-February
2006
Wine Diva tip- pinot nero is
pinot noir
Sandhill SLP
Cabernet-Syrah 2003 (287 cases)-
Gorgeous and lush!
Ripe black cherries dipped in bittersweet chocolate, mint, black pepper
earth and chewy (leathery) tannins. Decant, decant, decant or hold in
your cellar for a year of three.
$29.99
Wine Diva tasted-February 12th
2006
Sandhill SLP Barbera 2003 (283 cases)- Smoked black cherries and
blueberries, violets and leather with earthy, game-y and tobacco aromas.
Velvety chocolate flavours produce a creamy mouth-texture followed by a
long peppery finish.
Thank you Howard Soon & Co.!
$26.99
Wine Diva tasted-February 12th
2006
Cécile Chassagne Gigondas, Rhone France, 2001-Cherries…sweet
and sour, smoked meat and pepper, medium body but fully rounded and
elegant, soft acidity and a spiced finish.
$28.99 at private wine stores
Wine Diva
tasted-February 2006
Ravenswood ‘Sonoma County’ Zinfandel, Sonoma Calif., 2003- The entry level Ravenswood ‘Vintners Blend’
is always a crowd pleaser, the county specific, ‘Sonoma’ is that
and more. Slightly more complex than the lower priced ‘Vintners’
but still adhering strictly to Ravenswood ‘no wimpy wines’
mantra.
The 2003 is zin-sational with fresh rasp-blueberries, dried
fruit, chocolate, tobacco and a nice long, boozy finish.
$29.99
Wine Diva tasted-February 2006
Kestrel Vintners Rosé, Yakima Valley Washington, 2004-
An intriguing combination of sangiovese 92% and cabernet franc 8%, but
with all the required elements of a pretty rosé. Fresh red ground berry
aromas with some lovely sweet and savoury spice notes. Medium bodied
just off-dry and as refreshing as a Tuscan breeze. Not inexpensive, but
as we’ve all seen, the wines coming out of the Pacific Northwest these
days are of exceptional quality but pricey.
$27.95-Private wine stores
Wine Diva tasted-February 2006
Bommarito Cabernet
Sauvignon, Napa Valley California, 2002-
Rare in our market to find such a tasty treat from the ‘valley of the
cab king’s’-Napa.
Sweet black cherries, plums and earth lightly spiced, chewy tannins and
a long cassis finish. Perfect for the big Napa cab lover on a eensie bit
of a budget.
$28.99
Wine Diva tasted-February 2006
Wine Reviews
Yering Farms Merlot,
Yarra Valley, Australia, 2001-
Fresh juicy ripe berry, plum and hints of mint, and vanilla. Clean
aromas, uncomplicated and pristine flavours and a long smooth finish.
$35.95
Wine Diva tasted-February 2006
Seghesio Old Vines
Zinfandel, Sonoma County, California, 2003-
Produced
from vines that are 90+ years and it shows in this complex, intellectual
zin. Deep fruit aromas (fresh and dried), chocolate, earth, coffee beans
and tobacco. Velvety smooth, balanced and seamless with chewy tannins. A
good cellar keeper.
$
46.90
Wine Diva tasted-February 2006
Cullen ‘Mangan’ (Petite Verdot, Malbec, Merlot),
Margaret River Australia, 2002-Wonderfully
barn-y, leathery smoky and earthy with rich black fruit and red
cherries, meaty, elegant, intense and velvety. Smoothly lush with fine
grained tannins. A wordy description yes, but the combination of these
three grapes makes for an intriguing and gorgeous wine!
$49.95 Private wine stores and restaurants
Wine Diva tasted-February 2006
Chateau Lamartine, Cuvee Expressions, Cahors France, 2001-This
100% malbec is gorgeous. Deep grape/purple colour with a flavour
intensity to match. Cola, dark flowers, game, smoke and lush spiced
cherries. Brawny and chic with big, chewy tannins.
$56.95
Private
wine stores and restaurants
Wine Diva
tasted-February 2006
Barnett
Vineyards Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, California, 2002-
Wine Diva wrote about the Barnett
Vineyards ‘Sleepy Hollow’ Pinot Noir in the February newsletter and was
able to sample the R.R a day later. If the Sleepy Hollow was masculine,
the Russian River is feminine, soft red berry and sour cherry aromas,
fresh and delicate with a background of cedar, tobacco and fine grained
dusty tannins.
Drink or hold for a special occasion.
$58.95-Private wine stores
Wine Diva
tasted-February 2006
Pepper Bridge Merlot, Walla Walla Washington, 2002-
Sweet and sumptuous oozing with dried fruit, ripe dark berries, earth,
cola and peppery spices. Substantial finish with well integrated tannins
(89%merlot, 7% cabernet, 4% malbec)
$70.95-Private wine stores
Wine Diva
tasted-February 2006
From the Cellar
De Loach Zinfandel, Russian River Valley California, 1994- A
bottle, forgotten in the depths of the cellar, a varietal prized by many
for its ripe fruit jam and chocolate flavour profile was, the
Wine Diva suspected, far past its
prime. Opening bottles like this is the best form of wine education,
something you can’t read in an article but must experience first hand.
The Wine Diva likes the youthful
freshness of California zin so saving a bottle beyond 5-8 years seems a
waste. The age-ability of a wine depends on the grape varietal, the
vintage and the producer, but it can also depend on the individual
palate. The De Loach actually held up very well for being 12 years old,
the colour had changed dramatically to a very brickish-brown, with full
on raisin and sherry, tobacco and cedar box aromas yet was still
surprisingly bright in the mouth. Not to the
Wine Diva’s taste, but worth the experience nonetheless.
Eileen Hardy Shiraz, Barossa Valley Australia, 1993- No spring
chicken, but Eileen is holding up remarkably well. A clue to the
consistent quality of the Eileen Hardy Shiraz’s produced.
The 1993 was open and decanted for a couple of hours before we savoured
it.
Still some fresh berry fruit but certainly showing the signs of
maturity… aromas becoming bouquet, the softening of the tannins and drop
off of original lush fruit. The colour had softened to a brickish red,
sediment lined the base of the glass, cedar box, dried fruit and tobacco
prevailed and all was good.
Wine Diva tasted-February 2006
Conversely;
Eileen Hardy Shiraz, 2001- Tasted just last month was powerful
and sexy with lush blackberry fruit, eucalyptus, fruitcake and bold
spice…just what Dr.
Wine
Diva ordered!
Limited availability arriving in April at private wine stores $93.00 (approx)
taste bites
Neal's Yard Dairy-Spenwood-
This goat's cheese looks a bit
like Manchego in disguise but is much more expensive. Neal's Yard Dairy
carries cheeses made by small producers, kind of an agent for small
British artisanal cheese makers, and sells them through it's two retail
stores in London (Covent Garden and Borough Market), to specialty food
stores across the UK and around the world.
www.nealsyarddairy.co.uk
Joe at Les Amis du Fromage knows of my
predilection for all things goat (in the cheese world) and suggested
this beauty. Firm and creamy white, it comes in drums about 7" x 5'' high
(like Manchego) and has a strong chalky, earthy and nutty flavour slightly wild
and herbaceous with a texture just bordering on crumbly.
Stink Factor: Low
Wine Diva tasted-February 2006
Central
envy
The Wine Diva has often been heard
to lament the lack of a neighborhood haunt in her own little slice of
lotusland.
Granville Island is right there, but often overrun with tourists (thank
goodness for that) and there are a few places up south Granville but
what I am longing for is a place on the corner. Like the bizarrely named
corner pubs London locals hang out at, or the cafés found in abundance
around Paris. I want my own little Cheers, where everyone knows my name.
Somewhere I can sidle up to the bar and have a glass of wine and a bite
(if I feel) or not.
What I want is a Central….
Central, formerly the Brass Monkey which I am
ashamed to say I never visited, is recognizable from the two cheeky
brass monkey handles lingering on the front door.
I’m not sure of the previous décor, if perhaps, (like the cheeky
monkey’s swinging at the entrance) it was easier to just go with the
status quo, or if changes were made?
I do know that I like the room, it has options, and options are
important to a Wine Diva and are
based upon mood.
A decent sized bar to the right of the entrance, brighter window
seating at the front left (perfect for people watching) and banquette
seating in the rear, for two or 12. At the very back a raised platform
with a roaring fireplace anchors two lounge-y banquets perfect for a
cozy foursome.
The room reminds me of a turn of the century bordello, with shades of
rich deep reds and metallic burnt umbers are the foundation for parlor
lights and antique photographs.
The wines by the glass are very affordable (although I would like to see
a couple more options each of red and white) and the well priced small
plates (tapas) are meant to be shared. Order the appetizer platter or go
for individual dishes like Smiling Buddah Wontons, Samosa Spring Rolls
(a spring roll wrapper stuffed with traditional samosa fillings of
potatoes and peas) served with sweet, chunky, chutney. Spicy Sweet
Potato fFies to dip into creamy aioli or the trio of dips served with
herbed Middle Eastern bread are all great options. A friend suggested
the mussels (a Central signature dish) saying they were not only
delicious but a meal on their own.
The service has been spectacular on each visit, relaxed and unaffected,
quite chummy actually.
I really enjoy Central, and envy those who live nearby in the
west end. I know, I know, do not covet thy neighbor…but not even a
little bit?
Central Bistro
1072 Denman @ Comox
604-689-4527
Trendspotting
Snack Attack
You
think you’ve got the munchies, check this out.
Seriously, and I thought tasting all this wine was difficult… There are
some seriously weird (and I mean twisted) snack 'products' available in
the USA that I couldn’t conjure up...even if I wanted to.
www.taquitos.net
The Oreo ChocoStix Wafer Sticks sounded quite compelling,
but the Miaow Miaow Cuttlefish Crackers, now that’s just
offside…
Check out the ‘Best Ever’ and ‘Worst Ever’ categories.