A few weeks ago I switched my blog over from Blogger to WordPress. I find WordPress to be more flexible in what I can post and how I post it. I will keep these posts here for posterity, but they are also on my new blog site: http://mywinepal.wordpress.com/. Also, all my new blogs are on the new blog site.
I hope you will visit my new blog and provide me with feedback. Which blogs do you like? What topics would you like me to cover in the future? I want to make these blogs as interesting for you as they are for me.
Cheers.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
BC Chardonnay for Summer Sips
Chardonnay. Some people love it; others are not too crazy about it. From my speaking with people, I think it is mainly the heavily oaked chardonnays that are not as enjoyable for many people. But the good news is that there are many unoaked chardonnays which are lighter in body and show more fruit character. Mission Hill brought worldwide attention to Okanagan wines when their 1992 Mission Hill Grand Reserve Chardonnay was awarded the Avery Trophy for the Best Chardonnay at the International Wine & Spirit Competition.Chardonnay can show a wide range of character including peach, pear, apple or tropical fruits, mineral notes and rich full-bodied buttery, toasty flavours if aged in oak. It can be a heavy white wine with oaking, and can be a replacement for some red wines. Try with a bbq'd steak.
Checking the www.EverythingWine.ca website, for $15-$25 BC Chardonnay, I came up with 33 wines:
Chardonnay is quite a popular grape amongst BC wineries. Some chardonnay's in my tasting notes are:
- Therapy Vineyards Chardonnay, 2007 - Pale lemon. Vanilla, apple, and butterscotch aromas. Butterscoth, leees, citrus, and orange peel flavours. Round mouthfeel.
- Dirty Laundry Vineyard Unoaked Chardonnay, 2007 - Light lemon colour. Tropical fruit, lemon, and honey on the nose. Some roundness in the mouth. Vanilla, apple and pear flavours.
- Greata Ranch Reserve Chardonnay, 2006 - Single vineyard. Slight oaky aroma and lime. Topical fruit flavour with a vanilla finish. Medium body, some roundness on the palate.
- Greata Ranch Chardonnay, 2006 - Pale straw coloured. Oak, vanilla, and pineapple aromas. Oak, apple and citrus flavours. Light acidity, but very fruity.
Monday, July 19, 2010
BC Cabernet Sauvignon for Summer Sips
Well I've talked about Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Riesling. This blog is on BC Cabernet Sauvignon wine for the summer. Sometime you want a big red wine, with good tannic structure to complement some serious barbecuing in your backyard or patio. Cabernet Sauvignon is known as the king of the red grapes, although some may say Syrah should share that crown. Cabernet Sauvignon typically has black currant and dark fruit aromas. It can also have other interesting aromas of cedar, violets, leather, or cigar box. The tannic backbone of this varietal helps it age gracefully in the bottle and bring out the nuances in aroma and flavour profiles.Checking the www.EverythingWine.ca website for BC Cabs in the $15-$25 range I came up with:
In general, Cabernet Sauvignon wines command a greater price than other varietals, due to their full body, their ageability, and cachet. I was happy to get 9 BC Cabs showing up in the $15-$25 price range. I've had the Mission Hill Family Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon many times over the years. It is a solid wine and sure to please. I recently visited the Sumac Ridge winery and sampled their Black Sage Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. A nice full bodied Cab.
With the hot weather we are now having in BC, now might be the time to try some of these wines. Enjoy!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
BC Riesling for Summer Sips
So far, I've covered BC Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir for summer sips. Another varietal you may want to consider is Riesling. Riesling can be made in a bone dry, citrusy style, through to a very luscious sweet ice wine. I think that there will be some style of riesling that would fit your taste.Checking again on the www.EverythingWine.ca website, I've come up with the following wines in the $15-$25 range (you can click on the links and go to the EverythingWine.ca website to see how many bottles are in stock):
From a check of past notes, I have tried some of these wines. My notes are as follows:
Dirty Laundry Vineyard Riesling, 2008. Pale lemon colour. Green apple aroma and crisp apple flavour. Tart. Refreshing.
Kalala Organic Estate Winery, 2008. Crisp acidity, pineapple and apple aromas with a hint of petrol. (It won a Gold at the 2010 New World Int'l Wine Competition in California, a Silver in the 2010 Concours mondial de Bruxelles, and a Bronze at the 2010 Northwest Wine Summit.)
Kettle Valley Winery Riesling 2008, has a bit of residual sugar with some apple, flower and citrus aromas, and apple with a bit of petrol flavours.
Cheers!
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