I had the pleasure of visiting Tantalus at the end of August. It was just the beginning of veraison. I got to walk the vineyards and pick out the few berries that had started to turn red. It was clear that the Okanagan valley had gotten an early start on...
2014 Henry of Pelham Estate Chardonnay – Vintages 268342 – $19.95 – **** – Wines at this price point are some of the most important wines coming out of Ontario right now. I have no issues getting a friend or family member to bring a twenty dollar bottle over for...
2013 Cave Spring Estate Bottled Gewurztraminer – Vintages 302059 – $17.95 – ****+ – Dear Gewurztraminer, Why do you insist on breaking my heart? I know there isn’t much left of you after a couple of very cold winters, but isn’t there some way we can compromise? Why do you...
One of my first stops in the Okanagan was to Sperling Estates. I have long been a fan of Ann Sperling’s work at Southbrook. So, as soon as I knew I was heading out west my first point of order was to make sure I got a chance to visit...
After five years of free beer in the dressing room you get tired of it. So the logical step (obviously) is to move to Grand Cru Bordeaux. This is what Jim Cuddy told me when I recently connected with him to talk about his new wines released through Tawse. In...
2013 Stratus White – $38.00 – ****1/2 – The 2012 version of this wine was one of the most memorable wines I tasted through last year. I opened this bottle with great anticipation. I was not disappointed. This is a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Viognier. Stratus White...
I think at this point everyone is very familiar with New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. I have to tip my hat to the Kiwis for taking something and adding their own signature to it. Personally, I have grown a little tired of drinking only NZ Sauvignon Blanc. I have joked that...
2012 Flat Rock Red Twisted – Vintages 86918 – Price $24.95 – ****+ – This wine drinks dangerously smooth. We are now four summers away from the very warm 2012 vintage… So we should enjoy what few releases we have left. The flavours are raspberry, cherry and strawberry with velvet...
2013 Foreign Affair Apologetic Red – Vintages 471516 – $69.95 – ****½ – The label is adorned with the word sorry. The wines from the Foreign Affair are all crafted as a love letter to Canada and to Italy where owner Len Crispino fell in love with the appassimento style...
I recently had the chance to taste through a few new wines coming to the regular list at the LCBO. As it stands right now California makes up 89% of the total production of wine coming from the United States with Washington state coming in a distant second at 4%....
2013 Fielding Red Conception – Vintages 189183 – Price $18.95 – ****+ – Once again Fielding brings us a wine that has the ability to sit in a cellar for a few years and maybe improve. But, this is a perfect wine for anyone looking for a premium bottle, but...
2013 Fielding White Conception – Vintages 203737 – $18.95 – **** – This is a wine that is perfect for the patio, or a large family gathering. This drinks very easy, flavours are subtle and it is very food friendly. This is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Viognier....
