Earlier in the fall I had the Foreign Affair pop up in my instagram feed. Their labels have seen a facelift. It’s been awhile since I’ve tasted through the wines from the Foreign Affair. The winery was acquired by Corby a few years ago. I think it’s normal for people...
This past summer I had an opportunity to interview Andrzej Lipinski for Two Guys Talking Wine to get his history on tape. What wasn’t reflected in the interview was the number of wines I had the opportunity to taste. When you start tasting through wines with Andrzej it’s like hanging...
I first met Jerry Kopanski a few years ago at the Wychwood Barns Farmer’s Market. I was enamoured with his 2011 Cabernet Franc made in a ripasso style. I bought a case of that wine and sadly have none left … it’s hard to hold onto a bottle priced at...
Arterra are a pair of new wines being offered by Jackson-Triggs winemaker Marco Piccoli. These wines are going to fill a hole in the constellation portfolio that has been created by the absence of Le Clos Jordanne. That being said, these are not meant to emulate these wines but be...
2014 Canadian Oak Chardonnay – Vintages 149302 – $21.95 – ****1/2 – The nose is rich and complex there is Pineapple, Peach, Vanilla and a hint of something funky. It really doesn’t get more local than this wine. The barrel is made with Canadian Oak and the grapes are fermented...
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...
2010 Henry of Pelham Estate Pinot Noir – Vintages 268391 – $24.95 – **** – Aromas of smoke and cherry rise out of the glass. This Pinot definitely has a dark side to it. Less fruity and more earthy while the wine settles on your palate but it blooms in...
March 5th I had the chance to stop by Graham Rennie’s vineyard. I have had a chance to check out the wines at Malivoire in my last few visits. Last year I had the chance to taste the Halo wine from Rennie “G” at an Italian/Ontario tasting and what was...
2012 Villa Annaberta Amarone Della Valpolicella – LCBO 433961 – $38.95 – **** – Drinking Amarone feels like drinking a decadent dessert. It’s rich and concentrated, loaded with very ripe fruit flavours and whispers of cocoa, or coffee. Amarone is made by drying the grapes before pressing them. The winemaking...
The Cuvée Grand Tasting 2016 took place March 5th at the Scotiabank Convention Centre. Every year I set out with the goal of tasting every wine at the event and every year I fall short. This year there were 48 wines in attendance. This year was also interesting because we...
2012 Henry of Pelham Family Tree White – Vintages 251116 – $17.95 – **** – (Tasted Feb 19, 2016) The nose is soft with Vanilla and Passion Fruit. The flavours of this wine are complex and delicious Passion Fruit, Pineapple, Peach, Pear, and Apples with a wonderful texture on the...
I recently took a visit to the new brick and mortar facility for Big Head wines. If you haven’t had the chance to check out the new winery it is well worth the visit. Many of the wines are getting the appassimento treatment. There are many mixed reviews about using the...
