We’ll jump right into the fray with a Mission Hill Family Estate Reserve 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon. On the nose there is a degree of creaminess and lots of vanilla indicative of a judicious use of oak. There is a load of black cherry, coconut, blueberry pie and cranberry sauce. On the palate there are moderateContinue reading “More British Columbia Red Wines”
Category Archives: Wine
Canada’s British Columbia 2021: Let’s get started with a couple of whites
As far as British Columbia wines go there is a bit of tyranny of Okanagan wines made available to us here in Ontario through the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. I am a happy serf with that because Okanagan wines that I have tasted have been exceptional. But a break is both appreciated and educational.Continue reading “Canada’s British Columbia 2021: Let’s get started with a couple of whites”
New Italian Grape in My Hood: Nero di Troia
Yes from Puglia in Italy comes a new grape in my hood called Nero di Troia which is primarily found in the Apulia region of Italy and is according to some rustic, tannic and very productive. It translates as “black of Troy” but DNA analysis shows no relationship to Greek grapes. On the nose aContinue reading “New Italian Grape in My Hood: Nero di Troia”
The Futility of Virtual Wine Tastings
Prior to COVID-19 life for a wine writer in Toronto was a busy one. Wine shows, tutored tastings, lunches and dinners with winemakers and trips abroad. First let me dispel a myth that all these events are a glorious fun filled romp. Not so. It takes time to get to and from your destination. YouContinue reading “The Futility of Virtual Wine Tastings”
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario $15 and under corner: Gérard Bertrand Réserve Spéciale Viognier 2018
Viognier when done right makes me think of peaches and honey. This Viognier is from a well-known producer of moderately priced wine. On the nose a solid hit of apricot, peach and mango. On the palate almost silky and restrained acidity. It has a full mouth feel with notes of apricot, peach and of courseContinue reading “The Liquor Control Board of Ontario $15 and under corner: Gérard Bertrand Réserve Spéciale Viognier 2018”
Robert Stephen’s Best Red Wines of 2020
Robert K. Stephen’s Best Red Wines for 2020 Fogolar 2016 Picone Vineyard Cabernet Franc $44.20, Ontario (94) Pentage Winery GSM 2015, $28.61, British Columbia (94) Pentage Winery Gamay 2017, $20, British Columbia (94) Crescent Hill Winery 2017 Mad Medusa Merlot, $29.95, British Columbia, (94) Fogolar 2016 Cabernet Franc, $22.20, Ontario (93) Mayhem Wines 2017 CabernetContinue reading “Robert Stephen’s Best Red Wines of 2020”
Robert K. Stephen’s Best White Wines of 2020: British Columbia rules
Robert K. Stephen’s Best White Wines for 2020 British Columbia cleans up in 2020. In fact this is the first time ever my best white list does not include non-Canadian wines. And the top rated white is; Whites Crescent Hill Winery Glennallyn Private Reserve Gewürztraminer 2017, British Columbia $16.99 (95) Mayhem Wines 2018 Gewurztraminer 2018,Continue reading “Robert K. Stephen’s Best White Wines of 2020: British Columbia rules”
Dipping into Dalva at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario: Double Douro Product
It is not easy to dip below $14.95 for Liquor Control Board of Ontario Vintage releases. For example, there are only three in the December 12th Vintages release. In this case from the Douro we have both a red and a white Dalva. Let us start with the red 2017 Dalva. In colour black cherryContinue reading “Dipping into Dalva at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario: Double Douro Product”
LBV not LBJ!
I remember attending Port Wine Day in Porto a few years ago and A Parisian marketing guru I was sitting next to on the media bus said to me that Port is a luxury product at a bargain price. One may debate if Vintage Ports are available at bargain prices but Late Bottled Vintage PortContinue reading “LBV not LBJ!”
Cork Away # 1: Australian Wine at The Liquor Control Board of Ontario The Australian Winery Yalumba makes an excellent “Y Series Viognier” at a very reasonable price. This time we try an organic Shiraz available at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. It has a black cherry colour. As for aromatics black cherry, blackberryContinue reading
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