In winery terms, Viña Chocalan is the baby on the block, but boy that baby sure has been getting around in this part of the world.

Guillermo Toro, whose family owns Viña Chocalan, had worked on the periphery of the wine industry for over 50 years before he decided that he wanted to expand the family business.  His family supplied wine bottles to producers, but he wanted to do more than that.  He wanted to “realize his long-held dream of filling his bottles with his own high quality red wine.”[1] So in 1996 he set out on his quest to find just the right property.  After searching for 2 years, he finally found the spot.  In 2002 they built their own vinification facility and in 2003 the passion for wine that Guillermo had for so many years turned a dream into reality.

Viña Chocalan (pronounced “Sho-kaw-lann) is located near the town of Melipilla.  (Believe it or not, the Province of Alberta has something in common with the Melipilla… the Rodeo!  Apparently they are totally into the macho sport.)  The meaning of ‘Melipilla’ is ‘four warrior spirits’ from the Mapudungun language, which is spoken in South-Central Chile and West-Central Argentina.

Winery: Viña Chocalan
Location: Maipo Valley, Melipilla Region, Chile
Blend: 85% Carmenère, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting: Wednesday, January 26, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

We have spoken previously about the wonderful Carmenère grape.  Just to give you a quick refresher, it is originally from the Bordeaux region in France.  Like a lot of vines from the old world, the explorers brought vines to the new world.  In this case, they brought them to Chile way back in the mid 16^th century.  Although the grape may be found in France today, it is fairly sparse in its plantings.  Today Chile has the largest planting of this vine in the world.  It wasn’t until about 17 years ago, however, that they found out that it was Carmenère.  They thought it was Merlot or a clone of Merlot for all the time prior.  It is referred to as ‘the lost grape’, because viticulturists thought it had been lost from France during an outbreak of phylloxera (a nasty little pest), which devastated vineyards throughout Europe.  Today Carmenère is safe and sound and R & R are happy campers.

Winemaker’s comments:  “Brilliant and deep ruby red color. In nose, intense fruits aromas, varietal, frank and clean. In mouth, mature red fruits stand, jams, some mocha notes, and a touch chocolate and black pepper flavour.  Medium-bodied Carmenère, tasty, good volume and soft texture. A good balance between fruits and wood notes given by the guard in oak barrels.”

Food Pairing:

Smoke-Grilled Lamb Shoulder; Slow Cooker Pulled Pork; Grilled Rib-Eye Steaks with Roasted-Pepper Salsa;

CSPC:     717289
Price:

$12.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

With a history that dates back to Cleto Chiarli in 1860, Chiarli 1860 is very in tune with and has a great appreciation for its customers.  To be in business for over 150 years you have to know what you are doing.  The company is also involved with the production of Balsamic Vinegar and Parmigiano Reggiano, unfortunately we do not see these in our market.

The place where the grapes are grown is near the town of Castelvetro, from which our wine today gets its name.  “Lambrusco, known even in Roman times, is a wine of ancient origins which thanks to its natural fizziness, is more suitable than ever before to the requisites of modern eating habits.  Lambrusco comes in various types and, each being different, largely satisfy the various tastes of the consumer.”[2]

Winery: Chiarli 1860
Location: Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Doc Castelvetro, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Blend: Lambrusco
Tasting: Wednesday, January 26, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Lambrusco is not only the name of the wine, but it is also the name of the grape.  Unfortunately, Lambrusco has been given a bad rap and therefore people shy away from it.  Back in the last quarter of the 20^th century the name Lambrusco had been associated with a less than stellar product in the new world.  Just like the names ‘Champagne’, ‘Chablis’ and others, ‘Lambrusco’ had been flung far and wide and really didn’t have anything to do with the Italian wine.

“The vine grows on the dry soils of the Modenese uplands and lower hill-slopes, an area dotted with country mansions and ancient castles, where the Apennine chain, rising up to the peak of Monte Cimone, provides the cornice of an undulating landscape of rare beauty.”[3]

The wine made from this grape can be dry or sweet, still or sparkling.  The one that we are sampling today is sparkling and on the sweeter side.  The wine makes a fun ‘let’s go for a picnic’ sipper or an aperitif or enjoy it with some desserts.

The winery says:  “The wine is deep ruby in colour; with a violet sheen and a light froth with an edge of the same hue. The notable bouquet is fruity fragrant and interesting, bringing to mind the aroma of the grape. According to Agazzotti “it emanates a pleasant scent of peach-almonds”. Its keen, harmonious flavour has delicious body, is well-balanced in acidity and slightly fruity leaving a pleasant, somewhat bitter aftertaste. It makes an excellent aperitif and goes divinely with Modena’s typical pastries and desserts.”

Food Pairing:

Cherry Bavarian Cream; Red Fruit Salad; Makes a great Aperitif!!!

CSPC:     711220
Price:

$10.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

February 3^rd is Chinese New Year… the Year of the Rabbit.  We are going to sample two wines that go great with Chinese food.  France and Germany will be our stops.

[2] www.chiarli.com

[3] www.chiarli.com

Nugan Estate was started in 1999 about 60 years after Alfredo Nugan emigrated from Valencia, Spain to start a fruit and vegetable packing business.  Little did Alfredo know that 70 years later his packing business would turn into all that it is today.  Not only does the Nugan family produce estate grown wines on its almost 600 hectares of land, but it is also still involved with the fruit and vegetable packing business, the food industry and food services industry.

In 1965 Alfredo retired and left the company in the hands of his son Ken.  Ken Nugan headed the company for 21 years.  He passed away quite suddenly of cancer in 1986, just six short weeks after his diagnosis.  Ken’s wife Michelle, was thrust into taking over the wheel at Nugan.  She saw the company through some tough market changes and under her leadership, the company has grown exponentially.  Ken and Michelle’s children, Matt and Tiffany, are involved as well.  Matthew for over 20 years and Tiffany for 10 years.  Matthew is the General Manager of Nugan Estate and Tiffany is the National Sales Manager (Australia) and the International Marketing Manager.  Both of them have visited Edmonton over the past few years.  As has their Export Manager, Phil Goodman.  Matthew and Tiffany’s mom is still the lady at the helm.  She must be very proud to see how this company has grown under her watch.  Since its inception, Nugan Estate has grown into one of Australia’s Top 20 wine exporters.

Nugan, like so many other wine producers, has a number of different wine labels.  In Alberta, we see the following: Nugan Estate Single Vineyard, Nugan Estate Black and White, Nugan Estate Third Generation, Cookoothama and Wally’s Hut.  We are trying two of the Wally’s Hut wines this week.

Wally’s Hut Chardonnay

Winery: Nugan Estate Wines
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Blend: Chardonnay
Tasting: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

We have a little story to tell you about this wine.  A few years ago we were doing a Wally’s Hut tasting in a store.  This lovely young lady came in to try the wines.  She wanted to each of the wines except the Chardonnay.  When we asked her why she did not want to sample the Chardonnay, she said ‘I don’t like Chardonnay at all.’  We asked if she would be willing to give this one a go and she reluctantly said ‘okay’.  She took a teeny weenie drop.  Then she had a look of astonishment on her face and took an actual sip.  ‘Geez this is pretty good.  Are you sure this is Chardonnay?’  She was so surprised.  You know there are so many fun things about what Richard and I do, but watching someone rediscover a wine or discover something new… that is the best!  We love the look on peoples’ faces when they find a gem!

When people ask us to describe this wine, we say that it is refreshing.  You don’t need to worry about the taste of chewing on a 2×4 when you enjoy this wine.  It has waved as it is passing by the oak trees and that is about it.

Winemaker’s notes:  “Pale straw with youthful green highlights. Aromas of poached peach, fig and pineapple with biscuit notes. Tropical, medium bodied style with peach and melon flavours complimented by zesty acids, savoury nuances and a crisp, dry finish.”

As one gentleman said a while ago, ‘this is a thirst quenching wine’.  Chill, say ‘cheers’ and enjoy.

Food Pairing:

Grilled Mahimahi with Tomatillo Sauce;[1] Battered Cod; Chicken Breasts in a Light Cream Sauce

CSPC:     711222
Price:

$10.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Wally’s Hut Cabernet Shiraz

Winery: Nugan Estate Wines
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz
Tasting: Wednesday, January 12, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

We didn’t talk about the name ‘Wally’s Hut’ yet.  There is always a story about how a wine gets its name.  Here is Wally’s story.

“Wally’s Hut is the stockman’s hut built in the 1860’s on our Cookoothama vineyard. The hut was used by stockmen who rode the fence line of this once vast grazing property protecting its livestock. Today, the lone rider is long gone and the landscape has been transformed by vines but Wally’s Hut stands as his legacy.”[2]

This is an easy going wine that has a nice bit of flavor.  With the combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz it also pairs with a lot of food.  So let your imagination take you down lots of food roads.

This is what the winemaker has to say:  “Deep crimson with youthful purple hues. Lifted aromas of plum and blackcurrant melded with earth and spice. On the palate, appealing sweet berry flavours layered with mint, earth and spice.”

Food Pairing:

Grilled New York Steak; Braised Short Ribs[3]; Nugan website suggests - Homemade Bolognese Sauce topped with Parmesan Cheese.

CSPC:     711220
Price:

$10.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

California here we come.  Good timing, I would say, with all this snow we are getting in Edmonton.

[2] www.nuganestate.com

[3] www.epicurious.com

What the Heck is IGT?

When you look at the labels of the bottles of wine that we are sampling today you will see Indicazioni Geografica Tipica (a.k.a IGT) underneath the name and area the wines come from.  Reading wine labels is an art itself and can be as confusing as all get out.  ‘What in heaven’s name does this label say?’ or ‘How can I tell what kind of wine is in this bottle?’ are questions Richard and I get asked a lot.  People have literally written books about this very subject and as much as I like to talk and write, in my attempt to try and explain all of this, well…you could be here for a while.  I have been known to talk the paint off the wall (just ask Richard).  So here it is in the Reader’s Digest version.

In ‘old world’ wine countries there are rules and  regulations to follow regarding growing grapes and making wine.  You can only use ‘a, b and c’ grapes.  You can use a minimum or maximum of ‘x‘ percentage of ‘a‘ grape, ‘b‘ grape and so on. You may only be allowed to make red wine in one area or white wine in another area.  There will be minimum alcohol percentages for red, white or rosé and a maximum yield per hectare.  And so on…

But where would we be in the world without people who like to  experiment and push the limits?  We wouldn’t have televisions, cars, refrigerators, computers or Blackberries.  It is no different in the wine world.  There have been and always will be vineyard owners and winemakers who want change.  They may not want to follow the rules for their particular region and therefore decide that they want to grow something different than what their regional laws allow.  They want to make a wine that they think will work well for their vineyards and their winery.  In particular, these vineyard owners or winemakers have wanted to use ‘International Grape Varieties’.  Grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc or Chardonnay.  They know that they won’t get their ‘DOC’ or “DOCG” designation, but they want to do it anyway.

In the beginning, these winemakers got unceremoniously dumped into the ‘table wine’ category.  Now that was okay in the beginning, but consumers were paying attention to some of these ‘new’ wines.  So too were the people in the know like people in the wine media, who gave some of these drops of vino a lot of press and a lot of points.   Some of these so called table wines (or ‘vino da tavola’, as they are called in Italy) were fetching a pretty good price and gaining a following.

To make a long story short, in 1992 in Italy, the powers that be created a new category in most of the regions that allowed vineyard owners and winemakers to, shall we say, experiment a little.  Now mind you, there are still rules to follow, but it gave the winegrowers a little more latitude.   As a result, we have seen some pretty cool wines come out of different Italian regions.  Some are priced in the hundreds of dollars and some are priced in the tens of dollars.  Today we get to try some priced in the tens.  Great tasting wines at a very good price.

We hope we didn’t put you to sleep with all that stuff.

Winery: Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi
Location: Tuscany, Italy
Blend: Sangiovese 85% and Cabernet Sauvignon 15%
Tasting: Wednesday, January 5, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

Our two wines today have something in common.  Not just that they are made by the same family, but they are both easy drinking, uncomplicated, just put your feet up and relax kind of wines.  Nice fruit and good flavours.  How can you go wrong with that?

The Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon used in Rèmole were not put in wood at all.  So what this gives us is the fruit without the added feature of the oak.  In the past few years we have spoken to a number of people who are not fans of oak, so this is a great wine for them to try.  For those of you who do like the oak, well, it is nice to switch it up a little.

This is how the winery talks about our wine:  “Remole ‘08 greets the eye with a deep, brilliant purple.  The bouquet is a dense complex of fruit aromas, such as blackberry, raspberry, cherry, and redcurrant, lifted with fragrant hints of spice and black pepper. The palate is velvet smooth, very warm and rich, with a perfect balance of its components and a refreshing crispness. A long-lingering finish mirrors nicely the fruit on the nose.”

Food Pairing:

All’Amatriciana; Pork with Figs and Charcuterie

CSPC:     105429
Price:

$13.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Danzante Pinot Grigio IGT

Winery: Danzante
Location: Friuli Venezia Giulia and Trentino regions, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio
Tasting: Wednesday, January 5, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Danzante Pinot Grigio is another great sip and enjoy wine.  Isn’t that really the best thing about wine anyway?  The name, Danzante, is Italian for dancing. The name ‘was selected to convey a feeling of enjoyment and celebration’.[1]

Pinot Grigio is such a fun grape.  It is easy drinking and pairs so nicely with different types of food, as you will see below (recipes included).  It makes a nice crisp tasting wine.  Pinot Grigio is Italy’s most popular white wine and according to a number of articles that we have read, it is one of the most popular white wines imported into North America.  Each Italian region where the grapes are grown is different as is the weather and, of course, the winemakers.  Hence every Italian Pinot Grigio we have tried has been (you got it)… different.  A lady said to me the other day ‘I don’t think of white wine in the winter time.’  Please don’t forget about the whites even though the ground is covered in white!

The winery has a lot to say about this wine: “A luminous straw yellow with generous gold highlights announces Danzante Pinot Grigio 2009, followed by an explosion of aromatic impressions that include tropical fruit, such as banana, pineapple, and papaya, as well as spicy notes of cinnamon and vanilla. The palate is bold and self-confident, with a smooth mouthfeel and appealing warmth. A crisp vein of tasty acidity adds to the fine balance of all of its components. A very leisurely finish ends on a subtle note of crisp fruit.”

Food Pairing:

Lemon Risotto with Shrimp and Peas; Creamy Leek Torte; Lemon and Black Pepper Grilled Chicken Legs

CSPC:     534214
Price:

$16.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

We are going down under next week to visit good old Australia.  Come join us in the hut.

Chianti Rufina is probably the second best known area in the Chianti region next to Chianti Classico.  Picture this… woods, beautiful vineyards, olive groves and the incredible cypress trees along with the gently rolling hills.  The salamis, cheese, steak, homemade pasta and beef stew are only what you could dream of.  Doesn’t that make you want to hop on a jet and head over to Italy?

Even today, when people think of Chianti wine, they get a picture of that bulbous bottle with the straw bottom.  You remember those, don’t you?  Lots of people would turn them into candle holders.  Having said that, if your birthdate was after 1980, you have no idea what I am talking about and you are probably thinking that I am some old lady born at the turn of the 20^th century.  So please just humour this old lady and read on.

These wines are so much more than the Chiantis of old.  They have complexity, but simplicity.  The flavours just go on and on and every sip you have makes you want to have more.

The Frescobaldi family are responsible for making this great wine and the others at this beautiful estate.  The family has been involved in many different aspects of the wine industry for 30 generations.  Throughout the Tuscany region, they own over 5,000 hectares of land, with about 1,000 hectares being under vine.  The Castillo di Nipozzano Estate was built in the year 1000 AD and covers an area of over 625 hectares of which about 240 hectares are planted with Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.  Today, the Castle houses the wine cellar, where this particular wine spends its time in oak, just waiting to come abroad to you and I.

Richard and I were not able to make it to Chianti Rufina on our trip.  We were so close, but yet so far.  There were so many places to see and so little time.  Five weeks sounds like a lot of time, but it flies by very quickly, especially when you want to see as much as you can.  As I said last week, we will travel back to Italy for sure.  We loved the people, the food, the scenery… oh and I can’t forget about the wine.  The wine was wonderful.  Every time I have a sip of Italian wine my mind takes me back to this beautiful country.  Sigh!  Talking about wine, it is time to have a sip or two!

Nipozzano Riserva 2007  - Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG

Winery: Castillo di Nipozzano Marchesi de Frescobaldi
Location: Chianti Rufina, Tuscany, Italy
Blend: Sangiovese 90% and complementary grapes (Malvasia Nero, Colorino, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon)
Tasting: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

Of all the wines made at this estate, this wine is undoubtedly the most well-known.  Before it is released to the market, it spends 24 months in oak and then another 3 months in the bottle. It has received accolades galore over the past number of years.  Most recently by Wine Spectator, where the 2007 vintage was on the Top 100 List for 2010 - coming in at #65!  In the vintages of 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 it has received no less than 90 points from Wine Spectator.   Now what that says to me is that this winery makes great consistent wine.  I am a little prejudice about this wine, as I have sampled it numerous times… strictly for professional reasons, of course (wink wink nod nod).

As I have said many times before, the geeky side of me loves to read all the info that the wine magazines write.  I still need to like the wine, no matter what anyone else says.  The same goes for you.

This is what the winery says about the wine:

“In the glass, this wine has an impressive brilliance in its deep,  purple-edged ruby red color. On the nose, solid fruit notes of wild blackberry, blueberry, raspberry and dark cherry emerge initially, gradually yielding to more pungent impressions of sage, rosemary, vanilla, and cinnamon. That spiciness segues onto the palate, and then into a finish that ends with a flourish of balsam, black pepper, and cocoa powder. The mid-palate shows warmth and roundness, while the tannins and acidity are noticeable, adding to the wine’s overall harmony. ”

Before it is released to the market, it spends 24 months in oak and then another 3 months in the bottle.  The oak is nicely integrated with the wine.  This is just a very nice, balanced and yummy wine.

Food Pairing:

Grilled Pizza; Beef stew; Aged cheeses

CSPC:     107276
Price:

$24.95 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Attems Venezia Giulia IGT Pinot Grigio

Winery: Attems
Location: Lucinico, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Gorizia, Collio, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio
Tasting: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

“The Attems wine estate is located in Lucinico, in the most eastern part of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, in the Gorizia area of the Collio.”  “For generations, Attems has been synonymous with winegrowing in the Collio.” (Source:  Attems Website)

The Collio Goriziano comprises a series of descending hillslopes (from which it derives its name) facing south, protected on the north by the arc of the Julian Pre-Alps, which act as a barrier to the cold north winds.  The region is best known for its white wines, but there are a number of red here as well.  Predominately:  Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Pinot Nero.  Winemaking in this region has had a high importance in this district’s economy.

This region has close ties to the Slavic and Austro-Hungarian Cultures.  It was annexed to Italy after WWI and after WWII there were many changes again.  The ties are still very close with its bordering countries.  So much so that there are still some Italian wine producers that make ‘Slovenian’ wines under the Collio name, as the Collio vineyards cross borders.

“The centuries-long history of the Attems in Friuli begins in 1106, with the donation of land by the Bishop of Salzburg to Corrado Attems. The Attems archives, still preserved in the family residence in Lucinico, amply demonstrate the family’s consistent interest in viticulture.”  (Source:  Attems website)

The Attems family and the Frescobaldi family entered into an “alliance” to continue to “develop even further the potential of Collio wines.”  When you have two such prominent families putting their heads and business acumen together, only good can come from that.  The wine world may seem huge, but in many respects it is small.

Today, we are sampling the 2009 Pinot Grigio.  The 2008 and 2007 were rated 91 points and 90 points respectively by Wine Spectator, with the 2009 not yet rated.  The 2008 vintage also had the honour of being selected for the Wine Spectator Top 100… #51.  Not too shabby.

Food Pairing:

Chicken Florentine; Pizza with Shrimp; Grilled Chicken with Shite Barbecue Sauce (the latter is from “Wine, Food & Friends by Karen MacNeil)

CSPC:     713401
Price:

$22.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

New Zealand here we come…

Baron Philippe de Rothschild Maipo Chile came to be in January 1997 and is “wholly-owned” by Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA. in France.  The bodega was built in 2003 and, of course, it is a state of the art facility.  We would expect nothing less than the best from Rothschild.  “Escudo Rojo is the literal Spanish translation of ‘Rothschild’, which comes from the German ‘das rot Schild’, the red shield, which initially served as the family emblem.”  On the Escudo label the red shield is surrounded by alternating blue and yellow blocks of colour.  The blue and yellow are the Rothschild family colours.  A classy label from a world class company.  Enjoy the wines we are tasting today.

Escudo Rojo

Winery: Baron Philippe de Rothschild - Chile
Location: Maipo Valley, Chile
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Syrah, Cabernet Franc
Tasting: Wednesday, December 1, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

Escudo Rojo (Red Shield) first whet our palates over 2 years ago when we were doing a tasting.  We loved all the grape varieties that make up this neat wine, so how could we go wrong!  It did not disappoint.  The longer the wine was open, the more flavours came along.  I refer to this wine as a ‘French grapes with a Chilean twist’.  You get the full body from the Cabernet Sauvignon, a bit of spice and zip from the Carménère and Syrah and the wonderful fruit from the Cabernet Franc.  The grapes for this wine are grown in the Maipo and Rappel Valleys.

The grapes are hand-picked and hand-sorted.  The wine is matured in two ways: 6 months in French oak and 6 months in stainless steel.  “This delicate balance enables the winemakers to preserve the wine’s freshness and fruit over a measured tannic structure and controlled oak.”  “The density of Carmenère and Syrah give it the strength of its Chilean character, while Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc complete a blend which has its origins in Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s Bordeaux winemaking know-how.”

Richard and I enjoyed it as it was, but as always my mind went wandering down ‘cooking lane’.  I started thinking about all of the foods that would go with these flavours.  At the end of the tasting I headed for the butcher and picked up some strip loin steaks.  Instead of barbequing them, I decided to put them under the broiler.  As a side dish I started some mushrooms, onions, green and red peppers (basically anything I had in the crisper went in).  I took a fork and pierced the steaks a few times on each side.  Then I took a wee bit of the wine and poured it over the top and then cracked some fresh pepper over the steaks.  I was a little mistaken in how long it would take the steaks to cook so the side dish was ready a little sooner.  No problem, I figured.  I took some of the Escudo Rojo and deglazed the veggie pan.  By the time that was done the steaks were ready.  I put the steaks on the plate and topped them with the vegetable mix and added a baked potato on the side.  Richard looked at me and said “you can make this again, Smiley”.  After that was such a hit, every time I did a tasting with this wine, I would tell people about that first day.

Decant decant decant.  Did I say decant?  You won’t believe the incredible aromas and flavours that come out of this wine after it has had some time to sit in a decanter!  If you would like to sip a wee bit as soon as you come home, use your aerator.  Then put the rest in a decanter.  You can even pour it into the decanter by way of the aerator!  This is a wine that has many lovely layers.  The character is unmistakable.  We hope you enjoy.

Food Pairing:

Broiled Strip Lion steak (see above); Aged cheddar cheese; Lamb and beef stew; Grilled lamb.

CSPC:     577155
Price:

$18.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Escudo Rojo Chardonnay

Winery: Baron Philippe de Rothschild Maipo Chile
Location: Maipo Valley, Chile
Blend: Chardonnay
Tasting: Wednesday, December 1, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Each time Richard and I present some wines for people to taste, it is always so interesting to hear what they think about a product.  Quite frankly, we are of the belief that it doesn’t matter what someone else tells you or what you read.  Yes, that is very interesting and it is always great to see what the ‘people in the know’ think and how they rate it’ (that is the geeky side of me talking there).  BUT… the most important thing is how much each individual enjoys the wine.  For those of you who know us, you have heard us say this many times.  Every time we ‘do’ a tasting, we fill out customer comments so that the agent and producer can read what the people who are buying their wine, think of their products.  That brings me to this Escudo Rojo Chardonnay.  Each time people have tried this wine, they are so surprised… in a very good way.  We usually get ‘oh I am not much of a Chardonnay person’… then they try the wine and find out that they are a Chardonnay person, but just didn’t know it.

Sometimes people have tried a wine many years ago and they didn’t like it and then think that they just don’t like that grape variety.  Nothing could be further than the truth and this wine is a great example.  This is an easy drinking, medium-bodied Chardonnay.  I notice the nice fruit (tropical mostly), but here is how the winery describes this Chardonnay:  “Nose: Refined and complex. It first reveals a subtle combination of white blossom and toasted hazelnut aromas before asserting its power on notes of tropical fruit. White peach and pineapple, elegantly associated with toast and vanilla.  Palate: The attack is round and substantial with aromatic white fruit flavours enhanced by a touch of fresh vanilla. The lush and creamily smooth mid-palate displays perfect balance between fresh tropical fruit and toasty, spicy notes.”  Doesn’t that sound yummy?  Don’t chill it too much, because you will lose some of the lovely flavour.

Food Pairing:

Grilled chicken encrusted with bread crumbs, sesame seeds and Dijon; Pan seared Scallops (put a little of the chardonnay in the pan!; Roasted Turkey breast.

CSPC:     732030
Price:

$18.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

“Every man dreams of making his/her personality live forever by leaving an indelible trace of his/her life and creations. The idea that underlies MGM Mondo del Vino is just this: to make premium wines with the aim of leaving a real mark, that is, the satisfaction of customers and consumers.”  They go on to say “Grape harvesting and processing is not just enough to make an excellent wine. It takes passion, curiosity, and enthusiasm. These are exactly the values shared by all the staff working every day at MGM Mondo del Vino”

Luna Argenta Prosecco

Winery: MGM Mondo del Vino
Location: Veneto, Italy
Blend: Prosecco
Tasting: Wednesday, December 1, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

We have been Prosecco fans for at the very least a decade.  There is something about this sparkling wine that keeps drawing us back.  It is great as an aperitif, with salad, a main course or dessert.  In short… Prosecco is like a smile in a bottle.

This Luna Agenta just received the ‘Judge’s Choice - Sparkling,  Wine Access International Value Wine Awards’.  I am mentioning this because this is a Canadian magazine.  Wine Access and Vines are probably two of the most recognized recognized magazines in this country.

Prosecco is a white grape variety that is grown in the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions in northern Italy. It is best known for the light easy drinking fun sparkling wines.

The winery describes this wine:  “This harmonious and seductive sparkling wine, pale straw yellow in colour combines soft body of floral notes.”

If you think bubbles are for a special occasion only… well, you are right.  Our thinking is, however, that every day should be a special occasion!  Now we are going to let this sparkling wine do the talking.  Come join us!

Food Pairing:

Salad; Fish (poached, broiled); Fruity desserts.

CSPC:     733428
Price:

$17.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Next week we are staying it Italy for a bit, then we are off to Germany.

“Rumor has it that the Vampire Vineyards are actually owned by a circle of vampires, and the company’s founder, an entertainment attorney from New York, is actually just a front. (Whether he and his convertible were commandeered by a Vampire is still a subject for debate.) We do know however that after satiating themselves for years with their Transylvanian blood of the vine, the powers that be decided to spice things up and migrate westward like so many vampires before them.” (Vampire.com website)

Now I know a lot of you are probably thinking that here is a company riding the Vampire band wagon. You would be correct about vampires being more popular with the onset of Twilight, True Blood, The Vampire Diaries and a number of other books, movies and TV shows. Although this onslaught of vampire-media has created more awareness, what you may not know is that Vampire Wines have been around since the mid 1980’s. The idea was the brainchild of lawyer Michael Machat.

The wines originally came from Transylvania. Yes you read that correctly. We first started to see these Transylvanian wines on the shelves in Alberta around 1996. They were produced in relatively small amounts at that time. The first labels had a demonic funky feel to them. They were reproduced from tapestries that hung in old castles in Romania.

The brand started to grow and the label changed to become a little more “main stream”. More growth saw more changes. The owners of Vampire wines wanted people to take them seriously. They didn’t want a gimmicky label that would make people think that they made gimmicky wines. Mark Morton of Vampire Wines says “We are proud of our wines.” “The Vampire wines are made for everyday consumption.” Not just for around this time of the year.

The wines made a leap from Transylvania, Romania to California, U.S.A. The move allowed Vampire to have more control from the ground to the bottle. It also allowed for further growth. In 2006 Vampire became a licensed winery. They “wanted to ensure high quality.” They purchase their grapes from a number of vineyards throughout the North Coast region. “The grapes may be from Napa, Sonoma or other counties in the region.” They have the ‘advantage of purchasing the grapes from wherever’ they want. They also have a winemaking team who help to bring their vision to consumers.

Vampire Wines will be opening a Tasting Room in Beverly Hills in the not too distant future. It will be the only tasting room in Beverly Hills. It will be located on Santa Monica Boulevard across from The Peninsula Beverly Hills. There isn’t a firm date for opening, but tune into their website. I am sure a date will be posted as soon as it gets a bit closer.

Vampire Cabernet Sauvignon

Winery: Vampire Vineyards
Location: North Coast Appellation, California, U.S.A.
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (with just a touch of Syrah and Merlot)
Tasting: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 - 4:00 – 7:00 p.m

Map sourced from “California Wine Info”

The Vampire Vineyards folks say: “Classic, small-lot fermentations, followed by aging with both European and American oak, gives full expression to the rich varietal flavors in this wine. Judiciously blended with small amounts of Merlot for softness, and Syrah for added structure, our Cabernet displays ripe flavor character and a lovely aroma that will continue to develop with additional time in bottle.”

Food Pairing:

Grilled Pork Chops with onions, peppers and a Cabernet Sauvignon reduction; Roast Beef; Grilled hamburgers with rosemary.

CSPC: 726562
Price:

$16.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing. Price subject to change without notice

Vampire White Zinfandel

Winery: Vampire Vineyards
Location: North Coast Appellation, California, U.S.A.
Blend: White Zinfandel
Tasting: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 - 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Vampire Vineyards says that this White Zinfandel is “the perfect wine for picnics, luncheons or lighter fare, our White Zinfandel is also an ideal aperitif or casual afternoon sipping wine. Enjoy with good food and great friends.” Mark Morton of Vampire Vineyards says that the White Zinfandel “is the best kept secret in our portfolio”. It came into the marketplace about 3 years ago.

Food Pairing:

Roast Pork with a sweet fruit sauce; Chicken salad; Apple Crisp

CSPC: 726564
Price:

$16.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing. Price subject to change without notice

We are taking a road trip to British Columbia next week. Come share the ride with us. We have lots of room and would love to have your company.

Don Sebastiani & Sons

Who knew that a man who has a Degree in Government from USF and served as a California Assemblyman for three terms, would end up being in the wine industry for over three decades!  Well that describes Don Sebastiani’s life… in a nutshell.

If you are thinking that this name looks familiar, you would be right on the money.  It was just last week that we were talking about Samuele Sebastiani, Don’s Grandfather, who started Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery.  For a period of 15 years, Don sat as the CEO of the family winery.  After that time, he left to continue his love of wine in a company that Don and his brother-in-law Roy Cecchetti started in 1986.  In 2001 Roy decided to pursue some other interests.  That is when the company name changed to Don Sebastiani & Sons (the sons being Donny and August).

By the time that 2004 rolled around, the company was producing one million bottles of wines.  Just one year later in 2005, the winery was named “American Winery of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  A mere two years after that the company was  producing two million cases of wine.  All the while keeping with their philosophy of “bringing upscale, but moderately priced wines” to consumers like you and me.

Greg Kitchens has been the winemaker at Don Sebastiani and Sons since 2001 after working at Beaulieu Vineyards and the Sebastiani Family Winery in Sonoma County.

Greg says “We make great tasting wines by taking an aggressive approach to winemaking.  The team spends many early mornings and late nights in the vineyards and wineries where we produce our wines.  This way all our wines get the attention that they deserve and the payoff is in the bottle.”  Let’s just see, shall we…

Winery: Smoking Loon Wine Co.
Vintage: 2007
Location: California, USA
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Blend: Viognier
Tasting: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Don & Sons produce a number of different labels.  Two of which we can get here in Alberta (Smoking Loon and Pepperwood Grove).  The wines we are sampling on Wednesday were part of a group of wines started by the company a decade ago.

What the heck is Viognier (VEE-ohn-YAY) anyway?  The history is a little grey, but one can say that it was very popular in the Rhône region of France for quite a number of years.  It fell out of favour for a while, but it is coming back again.  California (where Smoking Loon calls home) and Australia, have been planting a number of acres with the grape.

The Viognier grape makes a dry, full-bodied and aromatic wine.  When people get a whiff of the wine they think it might be sweet, because of all the nice floral aromas that are abundant.  Then they try the wine and are pleasantly surprised that it is in fact dry.    I have done a couple of tastings with Smoking Loon Viognier and the outcome has been very similar each time.  People are very happily surprised about how much they enjoy the wine.  Even some serious red drinkers like it, because of the layers of flavours.  Apricot, white peach, guava and a touch of honey are some of the flavours of this wine.

Food Pairing:

Butternut squash risotto; roasted chicken; chicken with a cream sauce; white fish; slightly spiced dishes (Thai).

CSPC:     715029
Price:

$16.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing. Price subject to change without notice

Winery: Smoking Loon Wine Co.
Vintage: 2007
Location: California, USA
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

We had a little white, now for a little red.  Well, it is not so  little truthfully.  After all, it is a Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabs are not known for being petite.  Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the grape varieties that most people have heard of.  It is grown in almost every wine country around the world.  One thing you will notice is that the alcohol is not overwhelming.  The Smoking Loon Cabernet, like the Viognier, is 13.5% ABV (Alcohol By Volume).  The flavours will come out nicely in this wine and won’t be overpowered by the alcohol.

Now you know what is coming next… decant this wine.  Get it out of the bottle, even if you pour it out into a glass and let it sit for about an hour.  As we have said many times before, this gives the wine a chance to set all those great flavours and aromas free.

I am going to digress for a quick moment.  A few years ago I was doing a tasting in Edmonton and this young gent and I were chatting about decanting wine.  He felt it wouldn’t do much good.  I said “Let’s put it this way… if you were stuck in a bottle for a couple of years or more, you’d need a little airing out wouldn’t you?”  He got a great chuckle out of that.  Back to the wine…

This Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon offers lots of ‘flavours on the nose”: Raspberry and dark plum with a touch of some herbs (oregano) will be noticed.  When you taste this wine you will get blackberry, red berries, red currants, rounded off with lighter tannins.

Now what do all of these nice flavours mean for food pairing?

Food Pairing:

Chocolate (dark); beef stew (if you have never done it on the BBQ, try it); aged cheese; Gorgonzola; Grilled lamb; beef with some rosemary and/or thyme.

CSPC:     715030
Price:

$16.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing. Price subject to change without notice

California to Argentina is not too far a jaunt for next week.
Come join us.

Winery: Baron Phillippe de Rothschild S.A. Mouton Cadet
Location: France
Alcohol: 13%
Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting: Wednesday, June 2, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

When one utters the name ‘Rothschild’, people automatically think of history, luxury beyond imagination and everything expensive.  Quite frankly that is true.  Although Baron Philippe de Rothschild was a member of the banking dynasty family, he was also a Grand Prix racecar driver, a screenwriter, a film producer, a theatrical producer and, one of the most successful wine producers in the world.

The company today is still a family owned company.  The Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, the Baron’s daughter, is the majority shareholder.  In this day and age when so many large family companies have gone by the wayside, that is quite wonderful.

The Rothschild family has been making wines that have been lauded for many years. For example Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Mouton Rothschild have been mentioned in just about every wine magazine you can think of.  At the same time as making these incredible wines, they have also been making some very approachable wines at very reasonable prices.  The Rothschild Escudo Rojo wines from Chile are fabulous wines, and are priced reasonably.  Then there is “Mouton Cadet”.

Can you believe that Mouton Cadet is celebrating 80 years this year?  In honour of this celebration, we thought this would be a great time to sample two of their Bordeaux wines… a little red and a little white.  Come join us in France on this little birthday trip.

Chateau Mouton Rothschild was known for making exceptional wines that fetched a very good price.  In 1930, however, Baron Philippe Rothschild felt that the vintage was not up to snuff to put the Mouton Rothschild name on it.  It was still a nice wine however.  So he decided that he would come up with a new wine line called Mouton Cadet.  Baron Philippe was the youngest child, so he put the French term for youngest on the label… ‘cadet’.  The wine became an instant hit.  The following year, 1931, brought a high demand for this new label.  So much so, that the Rothschilds had to purchase grapes from other growers in neighbouring vineyards to keep up with the demand for this new wine.  Grapes came from Pauillac, Ste. Estephe, Haut-Medoc to name a few.  After the Second World War the wine was given AOC status.  The popularity of the wine grew immensely and before you knew it, a white Mouton Cadet became part of the family in the 1970’s.

The red wine is a blend of 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 65% Merlot and  15% Cabernet Franc.  This wine is easy drinking and what I like to call, as I said before, very approachable. It is not matured in oak casks, so the fruit is more evident when you taste it.

The wine has nice aromas of red berry fruit (raspberry, cherry and strawberry) and even a wee touch of mint.  The tannins are not over abundant, so it feels nice and ‘round’.

This wine has been around for 80 years, that is true, but it is still very popular.  On their website it says Mouton Cadet “The world’s leading Bordeaux AOC”.  See what you think when you try it.

Food Pairing: 

Lamb; medium to older aged hard cheese; veal (especially either grilled or done in a light tomato based sauce); and of course the perennial favourite… beef.

CSPC:     943
Price:

$13.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price subject to change without notice.  Price correct at time of printing.

Winery: Mouton Cadet
Location: France
Blend: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle
Tasting: Wednesday, June 2, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Just like its red brother, this wine is meant to sit back and enjoy.  When people think of Bordeaux, they usually think of just red wines.  Don’t forget about the whites!!  Think about where Bordeaux is located and what kind of food one would likely have there.  It has a strong influence not just from the land, but also from the sea.  Lots of fish!  So red wine with scallops just isn’t gonna cut it, no matter how much you may want it to.  That is where the Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc come in.  They are very good friends not just to fish, of course, but to other foods as well.

The home of Sauvignon Blanc (pictured left) is France.  It thrives here and it makes some of the most incredible wines, from very dry to some of the most expensive and delicious dessert wines you have ever tasted (quite often paired with Semillon).  We are talking about the dry wine today.  The taste you can get from this grape can go from grassy crisp and acidic to almost tropical flavours.  It just depends on where it is grown.  Different areas and climates produce different types of wines.  In the Bordeaux region the Sauvignon Blanc has a fruitier characteristic to it so that works very well with its partner in this wine… Semillon.  Semillon is a relatively easy grape to grow (don’t tell the winemaker’s that I said that, though).  Semillon (pictured left), Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle are the three white grape varieties allowed in the Bordeaux region.  In this particular wine, the tropical flavours are abound.  Freeze some grapes and put them in the glass to keep your wine chilled when you are sitting out on the deck.

So let’s look at the food pairings for this pleasant wine:

Food Pairing:

Goat’s cheese (used in a sauce or just on a light cracker); light tasting Brie cheese; Scallops and other shellfish just steamed;  Scallops/shellfish done in a light broth or butter/cream sauce;  Broiled fish; light chicken dishes.

CSPC:     323105
Price:

$13.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price subject to change without notice.  Price correct at time of printing.

Antu Ninquén Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenère

Winery: MontGras - Antu Ninquén
Vintage: 2006
Location: Colchagua, Chile
Alcohol: 15%
Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Carmenère
Ageing: 15 Months - 27 % American Oak, 73% French Oak
Tasting: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The inspiration of Hernán Gras, along with the “entrepreneurial vision” of his brother Eduardo and the “pragmatic business view” of partner Cristián Hartwig, brought the vision of Viña MontGras (MontGras Winery) to life in 1993. This was the first project of MontGras Properties.

What does Chilean wine have to do with Canada?  Well, in this case, quite a bit. Andrea Ilabaca (Public Relations Director for MontGras Properties) said that Hernán Gras, President and Winemaker of MontGras “lived for over 20 years in Canada. Till this day, he considers Canada “home” and returns at least 3 to 5 times per year as one of his daughters lives there.” While living here, Hernán worked at Brights Winery in Ontario and in 1992, “he returned to Chile to make his dream come true with MontGras, and now, Ninquén, Intriga and Amaral.”

That isn’t where the Canadian connection ends, however.  Ms. Ilabaca explained that the winery was designed by Sandwell Engineering, which has an office in Niagra on the Lake, Ontario.

Antu Ninquén means “Sun of the Mountain“.  Ninquén was the first mountain vineyard planted in Chile.  It isn’t easy growing vines under these conditions, but they knew that with patience they would have wonderful wines as a result.  The vines become stressed (which is a good thing) and they produce lower yields of fruit, but the fruit is laden with flavour and colour.

My suggestion would be to decant this wine for about 60 minutes.  The colour is going to be first thing you notice.  It is a beautiful deep ruby red colour with a pleasing purple overtone.  Before you have your first sip, experience the wonderful aromas coming from your glass.  You will smell lots of black fruit… cherries, blackberries and dried plums.  A bit of spice will be evident along with some nice vanilla and even some nuts.

Now here comes that first sip.  The tannins are positively there.  There is that wonderful flavour that you had a hint of from the aromas.  Savour the flavour. This is just a very pleasant wine that you could enjoy on its own or with some delicious food.  It is no wonder that this wine has earned notice by some of the people in the know.  For example:

90 Points - (Wine Advocate, October 2008)
Silver Medal & Best In Class - (International Wine & Spirit Competition 2008, U.K.)
89 Points - Buying Guide - (Wine Enthusiast, November 2008)

Food Pairing:

rack of lamb; filet mignon; game and game birds; herb crusted beef (esp. rosemary, thyme).  Be adventurous and try it with some Gorgonzola cheese or aged cheddar.

Come by and enjoy this fine wine on Wednesday, February 17, 2010.

CSPC: 729783
Price:

$18.99* (Minus Winesday 10% discount)

*Price Correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice.

Next week we are travelling to the United States of America.