May 2006
Fetishes
& Flavours
Jelly Bean Wine Bars.
A brilliantly cheeky way of introducing wine newbie's to the flavours found
in wine by utilizing and blending original Jelly Belly flavours. Brought
to you by the hip wine-chugging group at Wine X magazine. These bean bars
are
similar to the concept behind Le Nez du Vin (a pricey, sniff-able
set of vials containing classic wine aromas) or the Aroma Wheel by Anne
Noble (a visual guide to aromas found in wine).
But Jelly Belly blending is not a new concept. The
Wine Diva has been
dining on PB & J's (one grape bean and two peanut butter is the perfect blend) for
years.
Or chewing on hangover free strawberry margaritas (one margarita bean and one strawberry jam
bean).
Strawberry Margarita also happens to be the name of the new
OPI shade for spring adorning
WD's tootsies.
I did say flavours and fetishes...
Speaking of fetishes.
What is the most common female fetish?
Shoes! (What did you think I would say?)
The annual Army & Navy Shoe Sale in downtown Vancouver brings out the city's
hard-core shoe collectors. Wine Diva found herself
lining up at seven-thirty with hundreds of other women on a recent
morning. The plan, race inside, grab as many pairs of shoes as your shopping bag
will hold and then find a corner (or a table or a rack) to prop yourself up
and try them on. Personally I think its more of a ritual because I rarely find
more than two must-have pairs. But some people take it very seriously, too
seriously. I passed one woman hunkered down in a luggage bin with at least a
hundred pair of shoes scattered about her. I made the mistake of glancing down
to see what all she had and I swear she growled at me...
Kinky Boots-When fetishism hits the big screen. In an
attempt to save his family shoe making business a bloke falls out of the frying
pan and into the fire with the help of a colourful character in a pair kinky
boots...
In theatres now.
More curious flavour concoctions. Has anyone
else seen this site?
www.lambrinigirls.com
It seems to be a Brit concoction of sparkling wine and flavourings. There
is a Cherry Lambrini, a
Buck's Fizz Lambrini (O.J and sparkling
which last time I checked was a mimosa). There is also a
Cream
Lambrini
(that'll curdle your pretty pedi) or the Wine Diva's
fave-Diet Lambrini, now available in magnum size
(does anyone else see the humour here?).
If anyone knows where I can get a sample let me know.
This Month:
Bc new releases
bc new releases
bC new releases
International sips
new & noteworthy
Taste-Bites
-How Cheesy-Carmelis
now in Vancouver!
Wine Diva-isms
-Sauvignon Blah?
Juiced wine group
-'flowers in your wine'
Icons
 Patio Wine |
 Wine
List Sure Bet |
 Good
With Food |
 Girls'
Night Out |
 Unique |
 Crowd
Pleaser |
 Good
for Romance |
 Cellar
Keeper |
Eat Here |
BC New Releases... A few Wine Diva favorites
Red Rooster Gewurztraminer, Naramata
BC, 2005-
Always a pleaser the 2005 vintage is no exception. Bright tropical fruit,
Turkish delight and a pleasant spicy-sweet finish.
$14.90
Private wine stores and VQA
Wine Diva tasted-April 18, 2006
Lake Breeze Ehrenfelser, Naramata BC, 2005-
Ehrenfelser may be the ultimate BC summer sipper. This hybrid (of
riesling and sylvaner) has the brightness, fruitiness and crispness
to stand up to summer heat and summer dishes. Orchard fruit, white
flowers, sweet spices and candied grapefruit. Fabulous...and may I
suggest you buy by the case!
$15.90 Private wine stores and VQA
Wine Diva tasted-April 18, 2006
Hillside Estate Riesling, Naramata BC, 2005- Ripe peaches,
blossoms
and juicy Granny Smith apples supported by slate. An
invigorating spritz of grapefruit on the finish balances the soft sweetness of this wine. The best
of the whites from this Hillside vintage.
$15.95 Private wine stores and VQA
Wine Diva tasted-April 18, 2006
Cedar Creek Dry Riesling, Kelowna BC, 2005- Peaches, white
blossoms and minerals. Spritzy acidity chock full of grapefruit and
lime zest. Some BC rieslings claim 'dry', this one is!
$15.99 Private wine stores and VQA
Wine Diva tasted-April 26 2006
Cedar Creek Ehrenfelser, Kelowna BC, 2005- Is there a ballad
about ehrenfelser? Somthing that goes...sitting in the warmth of
the sun, sipping my eh-ren-fel-zuur...? No, maybe not. But there
should be The Cedar Creek (once again) does not fail to please.
Beautiful candied aromas, tropical fruit, rose petals, pineapple and
melon, pear and star anise. Bright grapefruit in the mouth spiced up with
candied ginger.
$15.99
Wine Diva tasted-April 26 2006
Mission Hill Five Vineyards Pinot Grigio, Westbank BC, 2005-
The Mission Hill Pinot Grigio is a well-known BC staple and
this new vintage may well be better than the last!
In a word, fresh.
Ripe peaches, minerals, tropical fruit and peach blossoms. Lush and
creamy in the mouth with a crisp white grapefruit finish.
Stock up for those summer shin-digs, and don't worry if you forget
to bring the corkscrew.
$15.99
Wine Diva tasted-April 22, 2006
Quails Gate Gewurztraminer, Westbank BC, 2005- Is it my
fogged up pink-ish brain or does this years Q.G Gewurztraminer
have a slightly more amber hue than last? Either way, all the flavour is
there. Still slightly off-dry (which Wine
Diva thinks enhances all the wonderful flavours)
peaches, blossoms and stone/mineral aromatics rounded off with a
hint of tropical fruit. Sweetly spiced with a fresh
grapefruity finish. Another superb liquid from winemaker Grant
Stanley.
$15.99 *limited quantities available
Wine Diva tasted-April 2005
Therapy 'Pink Freud' Naramata BC, 2005- Tongue-in-cheek and
the definitive Wine Diva wine!
This 100% merlot rosé is berry fresh,
refreshingly robust, crisply concocted and of course
pink!
$17.00 Private wine stores and VQA (June 1 release)
Wine Diva tasted-April 18, 2006
Therapy Gewurztraminer, Naramata BC, 2005-A more subtle
gewurztraminer for those who prefer 'spice girls' on your radio not
in your glass. Orchard fruit and hints of rose petal with citrus
fruit and a nice hot (read: boozy) finish. The colourful
Rorschach inkblot label is worth the price of admission!
$17.00 Private wine stores and winery
Wine Diva tasted-April 18, 2006
Therapy Pinot Gris, Naramata BC, 2005- Another dose of therapy
in a bottle (cheaper than a shrink) the pinot gris is full of soft
pear, white peaches and citrus zest. Clean flavours, good minerality
and a full mouth-feel.
$19.00 Private wine stores and winery
Wine Diva tasted-April 18, 2006
Cedar Creek Estate Select Pinot Gris, Kelowna BC, 2004- The
Cedar Creek pinot gris was bottled last summer and has had
eight months of oak ageing to
give it depth and make it more food friendly. Butterscotch,
tropical fruit, grapefruit zest a creamy spiced mouth and a
hot (13.8% alc) finish.
$19.99
Wine Diva tasted-April 26 2006
Cedar Creek Estate Select Chardonnay, Kelowna BC, 2004- We all
know that winemaker Tom Di Bello is no slouch when it comes to chard
(or pinot or merlot...) he wins awards all over the place. In fact
Cedar Creek produces 3 tiers of chardonnay starting at their
'classic' level $16.99 followed closely by the Estate
Select (keep reading) and topped by the Platinum level
$28.99. Trust me the lush Platinum is labeled as such for a
reason with beautifully integrated flavours-even for you anti-oak folk.
But bang-for-your-buck and availability I am writing here about the
Estate Select. Bright tropical fruit, pears and leesy aromas,
Werther's caramels minerals and soft spices.
$20.99
Wine Diva tasted-April 26 2006
Laughing Stock 'Pinot-Pinot', Naramata BC, 2005-Double your
pinot pleasure with this bend of 66% gris and 33% blanc. Creamy,
buttered corn and ripe pear, with citrus and grapefruit lovingly
coddled in a sweetly rich mouth-feel. Initially smells like a
chardonnay with it's buttery-ness but the truth is revealed in the
flavours. A good dose of French oak on this voluptuous lady.
$21.90 (only 150 cases) available at the winery
and small amounts at select private wine stores
Wine Diva tasted-April 18, 2006
La Frenz 'Small Lots" Riesling, Naramata BC, 2005-Green Apples, tree
fruit, lime zest and a lovely minerality. Slightly off-dry
but balanced with snappy acidity. A shame that there is so little
produced. If you can get to the winery buy as much as you can carry!
$19.00 winery only
Wine Diva tasted- April 18, 2006
La Frenz 'Alexandria', Naramata BC, 2005- This muscat blend
came to the attention of many local diners when Vikram Vij of Vij's
smartly added it to his very select wine list. The sweet
musk-honeyed, floral and tropical fruit flavours in the
Alexandria are a perfect foil for the intensity of Vij's spiced
Indian dishes. A very unique wine that will surprise you
(pleasantly) with it's candied fruit sweetness.
$18.00 Private wine stores and winery
Wine Diva tasted- April 18, 2006
La Frenz 'Small Lots' Sauvignon Blanc, Naramata BC, 2005- Smells
like a gorgeous New Zealand sauvignon blanc-all gooseberry, tropical
fruits and bits of asparagus. But when it hits your mouth the
sweet fruit flavours 'pop' and carve the edge off of the expected
bracing lemony-acidity. A well balanced and very pretty wine.
Bravo!
$19.00 (release in May) winery only
Wine Diva tasted- April 18, 2006
Poplar Grove Pinot Gris, Naramata
BC, 2005-
Never, ever a disappointment. Crisp, elegant and serious.
Tropical fruit, white flowers, minerals, peaches and grapefruit.
Just a hint of creamy lees. Owners Ian and Gitta Sutherland
suggest pairing the pinot gris with the Poplar Grove Double Cream
Camembert or Naramata Bench Blue.
$21.90 winery
Wine Diva tasted- April 18, 2006
Township 7 Merlot, Naramata & Langley BC, 2003- Juicy plums,
blackberries earth, cocoa and sweet and savory spices. A very easy
wine to drink full of freshness
and character.
$21.90 winery and private wine stores
Wine Diva tasted- April 18, 2006
Township 7 Reserve Chardonnay, Naramata & Langley BC, 2004-
Fresh orchard fruit, apples and Asian pears and richer tropical
fruit aromas. Creamy mouth-feel and hints of mineral, nuts and sweet
vanilla. A classy chardonnay with real old world charm.
$24.90 winery and private wine stores
(only 87 cases produced)
Wine Diva tasted- April 18, 2006
Cedar Creek Estate Select Pinot Noir, Kelowna BC, 2004- Mixed
berries, cranberries and sour cherries. Bright and delicate, soft
earth, leather and tobacco with bright acidity. A lovely showing!
$26.99 Private wine stores and VQA
Wine Diva tasted-April
26 2006
Red Rooster Merlot
Grand Reserve, Naramata BC, 2004- Plum and berry pie, velvety
smooth with hints of sweet vanilla mocha and spice. It should be
interesting to see what happens with the wines of Red Rooster now
that Andres/Cascadia (Sandhill, Calona, Peller) have purchased it.
Wine Diva's pink Swarovski
crystal foresees good wines getting even better!
$29.90 Private wine stores and VQA
Wine Diva tasted- April 18, 2006
Poplar Grove 'Benchmark' Merlot, Naramata BC, 2003-Salma Hayek
in a bottle. Lush curves ahead on this liquid treat. Ripe black cherries,
blackberries and smoky plums draped in bittersweet chocolate,
harnessed with leather and sweetened up with a bit of vanilla spice.
The P.G wines are usually hard to track down, but an attempt
would be well worth it. If not a trip to the winery to sample and
buy is Wine Diva's
suggestion...just don't forget to sample the
Poplar Grove cheese!
$34.90 winery
Wine Diva tasted- April 18, 2006
Hillside Estate 'Mosaic', Naramata BC, 2003-Mosaic is a pretty
proprietary name for a 'meritage blend' meaning a
Bordeaux-style blend (72% merlot, 9% cabernet franc,
6% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot, 5%malbec).
With the primary component being the softer, less tannic merlot you
can bet this gal will be a lush and approachable (no comments from
the peanut gallery please). Sweet cherry, spiced chocolate and earth
with hints of cedar and tobacco. A nicely made blend with just a
hint of bell pepper.
$34.95 Private wine stores and VQA
Wine Diva tasted- April 18, 2006
Nichol Syrah Reservare, Naramata BC, 2003- If you recognize
the name Nichol you immediately think 'syrah'. They are well
known for their super syrah's and the '03 Reservare (means
best of the barrels) is no exception. The intense colour warns you
of what's to come. Deeply scented with smoked meat, black plums and
spices. Lushly sweet in the mouth with a long solid finish.
Gorgeous!
$35.00 winery
Wine Diva tasted-April 18, 2006
Cedar Creek Platinum Reserve Pinot Noir, Kelowna BC, 2004-Welcome Back!
We missed you! Due to the Okanagan fires of 2003 there was none of this pinot
noir
released last year. It was sorely missed on the shelves, in restaurants and in
Wine Diva's glass. But it is back and promises to be wonderful.
WD tasted it recently and it is coming along
nicely. The release date is TBD but we are told it will be this summer. It's
best to let this pretty wine sit a bit. We all agreed the acidity was a bit high
at the time of tasting but WD thinks all the
elements are there. Black cherry, sweetly spiced tobacco, chocolate shavings,
earth and tea leaves. Velvety smooth mouth-feel turning to soft dusty tannins
and obvious acidity.
Keep an eye out for the summer release!
$36.99 Private wine stores and VQA
Wine Diva tasted-April 26 2006
Cedar Creek Platinum Reserve Merlot, Kelowna BC, 2003-
Plums macerated in chocolate liqueur, vanilla hints, earth and leather. Velvety
smooth, sweet luscious fruit and a long silky finish. Stunning!
$39.99
Wine Diva tasted-April 26 2006
Cedar Creek Platinum Reserve Meritage, Kelowna BC, 2003- Where the merlot
is velvet jam, the Meritage is layered and elegantly reserved (like a Bordeaux).
Blackberry, plum and mocha. Subtle ripe smoky fruit on the nose with leather,
tobacco, coffee and slight bell pepper. Silky smooth with a long dry finish and
soft tannins.
$44.99
Wine Diva tasted-April 26 2006
New and Noteworthy!
Van Westen Vineyards
The new kid on the Naramata Bench Block snuck in under the radar at
the recent Naramata tasting.
The buzz I've been hearing from local wine and food media is
promising for the Van Westen's. Although the family has been
"cultivating the soils of the Naramata Bench" for over 50 years this
is their first vintage. They showed off three wines, with the (Wine
Diva approved) names of Vino Grigio, Vivacious
and Voluptuous. Keeping it all in sync, a simple paint brushed 'V'
adorns the
label.
Vino Grigio 2004- 100% Pinot Gris (55 cases produced)
$17.90
Vivacious 2004-Pinot Blanc & Pinot Gris (190 cases) $17.90
Voluptuous 2003- Merlot & Cabernet Franc ( 145 cases)
$27.90
Viognier (coming soon)
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards
No, Tinhorn Creek is not new but they have decided to update
their ensemble! They showed off their colourful new look a recent
tasting and release at the new Vintage Park at the
Executive Inn on Howe Street. With the marketing $$ behind wine
labeling these days it no wonder a refreshing and colorful new
outfit was designed. To compete with the constantly expanding
plethora of newer brands and to jump off the shelf at consumers.
But as Marketing Manager Shaun Everest says, "We didn't want to
reinvent" rather refresh with new packaging and (eventually) all
stelvin closures.
Wine Diva thinks the packaging
looks good. It still looks like Tinhorn Creek, just
fresher.
Tinhorn Creek Gewurztraminer, Oliver BC, 2005-A delicate
gewürztraminer bright but not cloying it its aromatics. Smooth
fruit, softly spiced with a glycerin, tongue coating finish.
$14.50
Tinhorn Creek Pinot Gris, Oliver BC, 2005- Refreshing!
Tropical fruit and cheerful citrus on the front followed by white
flower blossoms and mineral with a long crisp finish. $15.50
Tinhorn Creek Oldfield's Collection '2 Bench', Oliver BC, 2005-
A surprise hit and the Wine Diva's favorite of the tasting.
The '2 Bench' is a 'Conundrum' style blend of Semillon
(47%),Chardonnay
(25%), Sauvignon Blanc (21%) and Gewurztraminer
(7%). Creamy,
tropical and sweet honey-musk with pretty floral and spice. A lovely
combo!
$22.00 Private wine stores
and VQA (only 220 cases available in BC)
Tinhorn Creek Cabernet Franc, Oliver BC, 2002- Blackberries
and blueberries with coddled cream. Ripe velvety and soft with the
common cabernet franc vegetal flavours. Bold acidity and soft but
present tannins. $15.95
International Sips
Fish Eye Pinot Grigio, California, 2005-Bright fruit aromas jump
out of the glass at you (just like the back label says). Peaches,
melon, white flowers, minerals and marshmallow with just a hint of
asperagus. Satisfyingly
slippery mouth-feel, creamy and ripe with crisp acidity and a long
finish.
At this price ladies you can serve it up to all your gal-pals and
still save your pennies for that perfect little white eyelet
slip-dress!
$9.99
Wine Diva tasted-April 30 2006
Voted Wine Diva Wine of the
Week May 1/2006
Deinhard 'Lila' Riesling Sekt, Germany- Quite an effervescent
little sparkler (I suggest you wait until the bubbles have
dissipated somewhat before sticking your sniffer in the
glass-ouch!). Less creamy-more crispy but fresh with orchard fruit
and pretty floral (lilac?) aromas. Good dry finish with
mouthwatering acidity.
$13.99
Wine Diva tasted-April 24 2006
Terra Andina Sauvignon Blanc, Valle Central Chile, 2004- Bright
tropical fruit (specifically pineapple) aromas with gooseberry and
asparagus. Light and crisp with soft green flavours and a long
finish. Very good value and sans the tongue numbing acidity
found in some sauvignon blancs.
$13.00 Private Wine Stores
Wine Diva tasted-April 24 2006
Angove's Vine Select Clare Valley Riesling, Australia, 2003-Crisp
orchard fruit, bold minerality, fresh squeezed grapefruit
juice, lime zest and a hint of petrol. To make your own mocktail
version at home-take one green apple, one lemon-lime and one
grapefruit Jelly Belly and you've pretty much nailed it!
$19.99
Wine Diva tasted-April 21 2006
Domaine de Beaurenard, Côtes du Rhône, France, 2003-
Not your typical Côtes du Rhône-better!
Bright cherry fruit, fresh berries, violets, earth and leather
(sounds a bit like a pinot). Soft chalky minerals and white pepper
with light dusty tannins long intriguing finish, reminiscent of
smoked duck fat, that coats the tongue and lingers on the palate.
Wine Diva's father was visiting and gave it two thumbs
up!
$20.95 Private wine stores
Wine Diva tasted-April 21 2006
Niebaum-Coppola Rosso Classic, 2002-
Gorgeous fresh cherry, ripe berry, hints of raisin, tobacco with
a long warm spiced finale.
The blend consists of zinfandel, cabernet and syrah and
the result is a juicy, bold well-structured wine. Lovely!
$21.45
Private wine stores
Wine Diva tasted-April 21 2006
Pierre Sparr Cremant d'Alsace Brut Reserve, Alsace France-
Pretty pinky-salmon hue with lovely persistent mousse. Bright
fruit aromas-banana and sweet berries and hints of dried fruit. A
fresh and creamy party in your mouth. Happy, happy, happy!
$24.90
Wine Diva tasted-April 21 2006
Antinori Pèppoli Chianti Classico,
2003, Tuscany Italy- Earthy fruit flavours, red cherries, smoke
and dried fruit. Velvety smooth in the mouth with a hint of acidity
on the finish. Very good value for a Chianti Classico highly
enjoyable with antipasti and pasta dishes!
$24.99
Wine Diva tasted-April 21 2006
Seghesio Old Vines Zinfandel, Sonoma California, 2003-Spring
seems an odd time to write up a zin, it's more a cozy-up-by-the-fire
wine. But I have always been a fan of Seghesio and hey, when
it's good, its good! Dried cherries, prune pie and cigarillo smoke
topped off with the opposing forces of fresh and raisined fruit. The
old vines really come through in the mouth. This is no young-stud
trying to get fresh with you...Structured and solid with dry-dusty
tannins and (Wine Diva thinks) he needs a couple more years to
soften up.
Kind of like Burt Reynolds, old-school rough and masculine, he's
been around forever, but somehow he still looks good.
$46.90
Wine Diva tasted-April 21 2006
Coates Organic Shiraz, McLaren Vale Australia, 2003- France
meets Oz, ergo earthy elegance lifted by ripe-juicy fruit.
Blackberry, eucalyptus and pepper softened by more delicate red
cherries. The Coates finishes with a soft earthiness and a
suggestion of bright acidity.
Less than 300 cases produced of this fine wine.
$49.95 Private wine stores
Wine Diva tasted-February 2006
A quicker trip to Carmelis!
If you have followed the Wine Diva on her escapades you will know that I have
made it a habit to drop into the Carmelis farm and artisan cheese shop whenever
I am in Kelowna.
But as luck would have it the Wine Diva received an email from Ofri Barmor who
(much to my delight) mentioned that Carmelis was setting up a booth at
Granville Island Public Market on a permanent basis! Ofri is offering all 20 of
her handcrafted artisan goat cheese styles (and they will let you sample) sent
down fresh from the dairy.
My favorite is the Chabichou (although Ofri didn't want me to put ideas
into your head) but the newest addition 'Misty' was a close second with it's
sweet creaminess. Vintage, a hard cheese doused with St. Hubertus wine is
always good with a glass of antioxident-rich red. But if you like
your goat cheese with bite then try the Picollo (with its soft edible
rind covered in vegetable ash) or the firm blue-veined Goatgonzola.
Carmelis Goat Cheese Artisan- 170 Timberline Road, Kelowna
250-764-9033
Or
Granville Island Public Market-Various traveling locations (look for the
crowds)
www.carmelisgoatcheese.com
Just a Thought-Sauvignon Blah?
Can you keep a secret?
W.D is not the worlds biggest Sauvignon Blanc fan.
No surprise to my comrades. But after reading a piece called Sauvignon Blah
by Mike Steinberger in the National Post on April 21st I felt less
freakish about my aversion.
Steinberger, who seems to want to be the catalyst for a backlash against the
cat-pee grape says, "Simply put, the grape is a dud, producing chirpy little
wines wholly devoid of complexity and depth". He continues "For years,
this offensively inoffensive grape has escaped criticism while chardonnay and
merlot have been scorned".
Now, I do feel like that first bit is a tad harsh..."a dud...wholly
devoid of complexity and depth"-ouch!
Fans would argue (and I would tend to agree) that the great Sauvignon Blancs of
France, (the recognizable Pouilly-Fumés and
Sancerres) have loads of depth and complexity are a perfect match with fresh
chevre, mussels and of course the conundrum that is asparagus.
New Zealand, for others, became the benchmark for S.B in the 1990's with its
sweet tropical fruit and ripe gooseberry style.
Perhaps Steinbeger misses the point with the fact that Sauvignon Blanc has never
reached the pinnacle of popularity that Chardonnay and Merlot have. So how could
there be a backlash against it?
We all know about backlash don't we gals? Big hair and spiral perms in the 80's
(see photo: Wine Diva). By the 90's there
was nary a perm rod to be found. Leggings did the same (but egads they are now
coming back in full force!).
Let people drink what they want, be it Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. Personal taste will dictate (or a movie or a
spectacular ad campaign).
And don't stop the critics...they spark debate and make for good reading!
What do you think?
‘Not Your
Typical Wine Tasting Group”
Juiced Wine Group
Juiced Wine Group hosted their scheduled monthly tasting on Monday
May 1,
2006 at Savory Coast Cucina Mediterranea.
The theme: "Flowers in Your Wine".
The Wines:
Favorite Wine of the tasting!
Craneford 'Frontignac', South Australia, 2002- Frontignac is
simply an Aussie name for the French grape 'Muscat Blanc
à petits Grains'. Craneford is a relative youngster in
the wine world. It has only been in existence since 1978 and current
owner/winemaker John Zilm took over in 1996. Since Zilm took control of the
winery Craneford has gained some of the international recognition it
deserves. Craneford produces some exceptional wines like reds: shiraz, cabernet,
petit verdot, sparkling shiraz and whites: viognier, riesling and chardonnay. The frontignac may be the ultimate summer sipper.
Honey flowers, tropical and orchard fruit grapefruit. Crisply refreshing and
just off-dry.
$14.00 Private wine stores
Tie for Second-Favorite Wine of the Tasting!
J. Bookwalter Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley Wash., 2003- Chenin blanc
(like the above muscat) is classic to France, especially the famous wines of the
Loire Valley (Coteaux du Layon, Vouvray, Saumur). Chenin blanc is grown here in
BC, Washington and is known is South Africa as steen. The delicate floral
and fruitiness balanced with good acidity make chenin perfect for; sipping in a
dry style, celebrating with a sparkling-style or enjoying as an age-worthy dessert wine when produced in a sweet style.
J.
Bookwalter is a family run winery (no surprise, all of the
Bookwalter's names start with 'J') in Washington State where they
have been making small lot quality wines since 1983.
Peaches, white flowers, spice, citrus and lovely nearly oily mouth-feel.
$22.95 Private wine stores
Michel Gassier 'Les Piliers' Viognier, Vin de Pays du Gard France, 2004-
Michel comes from a long line of winemakers. But it was after returning to
France after a decade in America (where he met his wife Cristina) that he
returned with a strong sense of place. He wanted to ensure the future of his
family and family vineyards by focusing on terroir and organic winemaking
practices. Generations of Gassier's family have passed down the vineyards of
Chateau de Nages and Domaine de Molines (recognized for their
wines worldwide). Michel has added to the list of wines (and labels) the family
has past produced. The 'Les Piliers' is Michel's attempt 'To evoke the
emotions and sensations of the Mediterranean...'
Ripe peachy-apricot aromas, spice, mineral and orange blossoms.
$24.95 Private wine stores
Marchesi Di Gresi, Monte Aribaldo Dolcetto D'Alba Italy, 2001- Alberto di
Gresy (in typical Italian style) is a true renaissance man with charm running
through his veins. We are fortunate to see him visit Vancouver about once per
year. His wines are the result of childhood visits to his grandfathers hunting
lodge, Villa Giulia, in the heart of Piedmont where he would spend his vacations.
Finally in 1973 Alberto decided it was time to stop selling his fabulous grapes
to other local wineries and begin to make his own fabulous wines. Three separate
vineyard sites grow moscato (d'asti), nebbiolo (Barbaresco), barbera, sauvignon
blanc, chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon which ultimately become some of our
favorite Italian wines.
Iodine, crushed flowers (violet-lilac), raspberry, cherry and earth.
$29.00 Private wine stores
Tie for Second-Favorite Wine of the Tasting!
Mazzei Tenuta Di Belguardo 'Serrata', Tuscany Italy- Few can argue the
history of winemaking of the Mazzei family. Since 1435 the family (whose crest
bears the emblems of winemaking and cooperage tools) has produced wine. The
Mazzei family home Castello di Fonterutoli is located near Siena in the
heart of Chianti Classico. The newer Belguardo vineyards are quite a bit farther
south than the family's other estates and are planted with sangiovese, cabernet
sauvignon and merlot (the same varietals that make up the Serrata). Due to the
fact that the wine does not have the required quantity of sangiovese it does not fall within the labeling
laws of the Chianti Classico DOC. Therefore it is considered IGT or
SuperTuscan wine. (sangiovese, cabernet, merlot)
Lush blackberry, sour cherry, violets, earth and truffles.
$29.95 Private wine stores
Zefina 'Serience White', Columbia Valley Washington, 2003- We at
Juiced Wine are huge fans of Zefina. They are owned by Corus
Brands which has vineyards in Washington, Oregon and Idaho (which happens to
be where another Juiced favorite Sawtooth hails from). Plantings
in the spectacular Alder Ridge vineyards in the Columbia Valley began in
1997 with varietals such as zinfandel, rousanne, viognier, sangiovese and syrah
to name few. The Rhone-style blends Serience White (rousanne
& viognier) and Serience Red (grenache, syrah, counoise) have
understandably gained the most critical acclaim, but we think we'll see a lot
more from this winery in the future.
Viognier aromas of tropical fruit, peaches and orange blossoms, more austere
in the mouth-minerals and citrus.
$33.95 Private wine stores
Juiced Wine
Group’s next tasting…
Monday, June 5th
’A Rosé by any Other Name’
For details go to
www.juicedwine.com
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