They say that good girls like bad boys.  So does it hold true that good boys like bad girls?  Well we are going to find out today, because we are sampling two French wines.  The sparkling is called “Bad Girl” and the red wine is called “Bad Boy”.

Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud are the masterminds of our two French wines today.  To say that they are an interesting couple would be the understatement of the year.  It seems as though people either love what they do… or not so much.

It has been said that Jean-Luc Thunevin is one of the first few winemakers to turn French winemaking upside-down and inside-out.  He was one of the first ‘garagistes’ otherwise known as ‘microchâteau’ or ‘vins de garage’.[1] This is a relatively new phenomenon.  These ‘garagistes’ produced what Richard and I like to call ‘wines for the new world palate’: big fruit, big colour, and often big oaky wines.  They became a hit and found the favour of wine writers like Robert M. Parker, Jr.  It was Mr. Parker who tagged Jean-Luc with the name ‘bad boy’ and ‘black sheep’.  This notoriety, so to speak, was what gave life to the idea of the ‘Bad Boy’ wine.[2] Château Valandraud, owned by Jean-Luc Thunevin and his partner Murielle Andraud, was one of the first microchâteaux.  The wines from these pioneering winemakers are commanding some very high prices.  Some wonder why, but others think why not.  Luckily the two wines we are trying this week are still within our reach!

You will notice this week that we don’t have any food pairings to go with the wines.  We figure nothing goes better at New Year’s than a glass of wine or bubbly with your honey in your arms.  How can you beat that?!

Bad Girl

Location: Bordeaux, France
Blend: 70% Sémillon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Muscadelle
Tasting: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

What exactly is Crémant de Bordeaux?  First of all, it isn’t Champagne.  Remember a wine may only be called Champagne if it is made in the Champagne region in France using the Méthode Champenoise (a.k.a. Traditional Method). This means that the second fermentation takes place in the bottle producing those beautiful sumptuous tiny bubbles.   However, Crémant de Bordeaux is a sparkling wine that is made in Bordeaux, France in the same method as Champagne, but with different grape varieties. The grapes allowed to be used in Crémant de Bordeaux are:  Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Côt (Malbec), Merlot, Muscadelle, Petit Verdot, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris with minor additions of Colombard, Merlot Blanc and Ugni Blanc.  The Grapes for this wine are grown in the Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux (see right).  The literal translation of Entre-Deux-Mers is ‘between two seas’.  It isn’t, in fact, between two seas.  It is, however, between two rivers:  Dordogne and Garonne.

Crémant came into being in 1990 to replace Bordeaux Mousseaux.  Over the next five years, the Bordeaux Mousseaux designation was completely phased out.  Today only a small amount of sparkling wine is made in Bordeaux, in comparison to other regions of France.

Just a little geeky information:  Saumur and Vouvray were the first two French non-Champagne sparkling wine regions to use the term Crémant.  Crémant is also a term used to describe some of the best sparkling wines of Luxembourg.[3]

This is a fun wine.  Don’t save bubbles for what you might consider a special occasion.  Every day should be a special occasion.  If you feel like having bubbly on a Saturday evening instead of a Meritage or Burgundy or California Cabernet, then open it up.  Bubbles go with everything like:  Popcorn, Sushi, Chinese Seafood, Lobster and Salty Food.  Just to name a few things.

This ‘Bad Girl’ is going to surprise you… in a very good way.

CSPC:                   743225
Winesday Price:

$25.19 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$27.99

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

Bad Boy

Location: Bordeaux, France
Blend: 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc
Tasting: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

There are those who sing the praises of Bad Boy (Mauvais Garçon) and those who are a little less warm in their approach.  Don’t you wonder why?  Here are our thoughts on the matter.  A winemaker decides he/she doesn’t want to follow the pack and goes against the grain in making wine.   The outcome are wines that are big and fruity, big colour and a little more approachable at a young age than some other Bordeaux wines that receive the admiration of wine consumers and wine-writers.  Geez, doesn’t that sound familiar?  Super Tuscans come to mind right away.  The winemakers in Tuscany were lambasted by some and lauded by others in the beginning.  After a number of years passed, they became accepted, if not reluctantly, by the traditional crew.

So let’s look at it another way.  If we didn’t have people who had a vision for something new because the status quo just didn’t do it for them, we wouldn’t have electricity, telephones, cars, airplanes, computers, Blackberrys and everything else that we take for granted in our day to day lives.  We think that switching it up a little is a good thing.  Some days you may feel like a little ‘Bad Boy’ (we are talkin’ wine here people) and other days you may feel like a Château d’Armailhac.  Diversity is a good thing.

In 2008 James Lawther MW (Decanter Magazine) wrote:  “Back in May (2008) the unthinkable happened. The bad boy of St-Emilion, Jean-Luc Thunevin, owner of Château Valandraud and godfather of the garagistes, was welcomed as an honorary member of the venerable Left Bank association, the Commanderie du Bontemps du Médoc et Graves, Sauternes et Barsac. ‘He woke us up and helped revolutionize Bordeaux,’ said the order’s grand maître, Jean- Michel Cazes of Château Lynch-Bages.”  Those are big kudos.  We are very excited to see what you think of this wine.

CSPC:                   733870
Winesday Price:

$25.19 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price: 

$27.99

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

Happy New Year to you and your families.  May 2012 bring you love, peace and joy.  Enjoy a nice bottle of wine with your best gal or guy and lots of friends and family.

[2] www.thunevin.com

[3] The Oxford Companion to Wine

Moscato d’Asti DOCG is made from the Moscato Bianco grape and is produced in Asti, which is located in the Northwestern region of Italy known as Piedmont.  So here is a handle for you… the DOCG means “Denominazione di origine controllata e garantita”.  Try and say that quickly, or even slowly for that matter.   Right off the bat we want to let you know that this is not Asti Spumante.  Moscato d’ Asti has the tiniest little bubble (technically speaking it has about 1.7 atmospheres of pressure compared to that of Asti which would be 3.5 - 4 atmospheres of pressure.)  It is not full blown sparkling.  It is known as a Frizzante.  It can be described as very fragrant.  It is quite pleasing, actually.

A Frizzante does not need a big sparkling wine cork with the cage on it, because it doesn’t have that much pressure built up in the bottle.  Just enough to feel a tingle in your mouth and that is it.  A reular cork will do.  Moscato d’Asti is the grander big brother to Asti Spumante.  Now the way we are writing that it sounds kind of snobbish, but it isn’t meant that way at all.  It is just a fact that it is regarded with a little more prestige.  Moscato D’Asti, however, is the one with the lovely Frizzante.  We can’t wait for you to try this wine.

Ricossa Moscato D’Asti

Location: Asti, Piedmont, Italy
Blend: 100% Moscato Bianco
Tasting: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

“The story of “Ricossa Antica casa” is a story of loyalty to territory and tradition, a blend of resourcefulness, professionalism and ingenuity which transformed a small provincial distillery into a large international company.”[1]

The history of Italian wine goes back centuries.  Each region has wonderful wines to go with the local fare.  Some say that there are no wines in the world like Italian wines.  They are pretty special, for sure.  The fun thing about wine is the constant discovery.  Now you know why Richard and I love this industry so much.

The buzz over the past year or so is that Moscato (a.k.a. Mucsat) has become the new hot white grape variety.  We are seeing more and more of it in our marketplace all the time and in various price ranges.  It has a very distinctive fragrant aroma that is very pleasing to the senses.

This Ricossa Moscato D’Asti is described this way:  “Bursting with floral and citrus aromas, this semi-sweet wine, slightly sparkling, expresses flavors of peach and honey on the palate with a healthy dose of crisp acidity to balance the sweetness

Food Pairing:

Peaches Baked with Amaretti; Candied Fruit Biscotti

CSPC:                   743347
Winesday Price:

$15.29 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$16.99

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

Rigal - The Original Malbec

Location: Cahors, France
Blend: 100% Malbec
Tasting: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Malbec… from France, not Argentina.   ”So many local names for the same grape… Auxerrois in Quercy and Cahors where it originates, but also Pressac, Noir de Pressac or Gros Noir, Cot in the Loire Valley and Malbec in Bordeaux.  Malbec has been grown in France for over 800 years.”[2]

We have had the pleasure of sampling French Malbec on Winesday previously.  However, this Rigal was a new find for us this fall.   It was featured at ‘French Fling’ in October of this year.  (If you like French wines, or want to discover French wines, mark it on your calendar for next fall.  The date will be announced in the spring.)

“RIGAL is located in the Lot valley in the heart of South West France, and its roots have been in the town of Cahors since 1755.

For more than 250 years, this historical company has developed its expertise, assuring tradition, authenticity and quality for a range of wines from Cahors and the South West.”

What does Rigal have to say about the wine?  “Flavours of red fruit and spices plus a full body.  It is well-balanced and smooth with just a touch of vanilla.”

CSPC:                   284026
Winesday Price:

$11.93 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$13.25

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

St. Rémy à la Crème

Location: France
Type: Cream Liqueur - Brandy Based
Tasting: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

This product comes with a warning… once you try it you will be hooked!!  That is a summary of what people have been saying over the past couple of months.  The first ingredient is cream.  Remember, at this time of year there are no calories.  Here our thinking on that matter.  Take the bottle and turn it upside down.  The shape looks like an ‘O’ or ‘zero’.  So if you have a fraction of zero, we figure it is minus calories.  We am going to go with that logic.  Who is with us?

So here we have a brandy-based liqueur.  We can’t remember the last time one was even available in Alberta.  The cream category has a great deal of representation, especially in the Irish Whiskey based section, but none with brandy.  Not here in Alberta, in any case.   The St. Rémy à la Crème is a brand new product from St. Rémy.  They could have released it anywhere in the world, but they chose Canada.

“St-Rémy is the world’s N°1 French Brandy made from prestigious French vineyards.  St-Rémy à la Crème is made from the subtle association of sweet cream elegantly combined  with the unique taste of St-Rémy French Brandy.  An original blend producing notes of rich caramel, creamy chocolate and exquisite nuts.  A unique design highlighting a cow in the flourishing grasslands.  Fresh and smooth, St-Rémy à la Crème is subtle and delectable”[3] This past weekend, one lady said that ‘the cow on the label looks very happy.  I bet she was sampling some of this liqueur.’

What is surprising about the reaction to this liqueur is the number of people who have commented that they weren’t big on brandy, but they really enjoy the liqueur’s unique flavour.

The most common question is:  “How do you drink this?”  It is great on ice.  Mix it up with some Cointreau (about 1 part Cointreau to 3 parts St. Rémy à la Crème.)  Coffee and Hot Chocolate work great as well.  Log on to the Facebook page for some great recipes.

CSPC:                   745709
Winesday Price:

$28.79 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$31.99

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

Next week we are celebrating New Year’s Eve a little early. Come join us! We are staying in France for next week to enjoy some wine and liqueur.

[2] www.cahorsmalbec.com

[3] St. Remy

Okay, so how magical does this scene look?  Sigh…  Richard and I walked down this street last year, but it was not bedecked with all the Christmas regalia in the month of June.  Can you imagine how beautiful this whole town of Eguisheim would look during Christmas?  It is nestled in Alsace and is just a stones throw to the Vosges Mountains.  All the beautiful half-timber homes… my oh my.  They are truly a sight to see.  It is a dream of mine to spend some time with Richard in Alsace before Christmas.  We just know it would be magical.  When we were there in 2010, we stayed in a charming little spot right in town called Hotel Hostellerie des Comtes.  The location was perfect.  We were about a one minute walk from the centre of town and driving distance to the other towns/wineries we wanted to visit.  Oh and the local bakery was just a minute down the road.  Writing this brings back memories of the smell of the fresh baked bread that would waft in the window first thing in the morning.  Meanwhile just up the road from us was Domaine Zinck.

Although the Zinck family has been in the wine industry for many generations, this venture was started by Paul in 1964.  His son Philippe joined him in 1997.  The Zinck winery started with only 2.5 hectares of vines and now produce their whole line of wines with 30 hectares.  “Respect for the environment” is important to Philippe.  Because of that, the Zinck winery “is heading progressively towards organic agriculture on nearly all of the surface area.”[1]

Paul Zinck Pinot Gris

Location: Eguisheim, Alsace, France
Blend: 100% Pinot Gris
Tasting: Wednesday, December 14, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio.  Are they the same or different?  They are the same, but like with all grapes, they will taste different depending on where they are grown.  Alsace produces nice honeyed-note Pinot Gris.  If you are used to drinking Italian Pinot Grigio, you will notice right off the get go that the Alsatian Pinot Gris is a little… let’s say they are a little fatter.   There is just something about Alsatian wines that makes them stand out.  Not only from the rest of France, but from the rest of the world.  They are a hidden gem yet to be truly discovered and appreciated.  However, you are going to get to discovered them this week.

TASTING NOTES* by Manuel Peyrondet - Best Sommelier of France, 2008

COLOR This brilliant pale yellow wine offers dazzling glints of silver.

NOSE The aroma before breathing is redolent of plums (notably greengage) and tart apples, mixed with notes of fresh mushrooms. Breathing provides both freshness and lightness. We expect a frank, lively, light wine. Slight hints of pepper round off the aromatic range of this Pinot Gris, which proves to be more subtle than many others of its kind, from an olfactory point of view.

TASTE In the mouth, the impression of freshness is confirmed by an ample and direct attack. The wine gracefully covers the palate, and charms with its volume. Perfectly dry in the mouth (a rare event with this varietal), the wine evolves with a delicate acidity and a slightly leafy note that gives it an even more streamlined body. The finish, still lively at this stage of maturity, is thirst-quenching while at the same time leaving a hint of smokiness.

Food Pairing:

 Lobster Curry; Whole Roast Pork Loin

CSPC:                   702457
Winesday Price:

$17.55 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$19.50

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

Paul Zinck Gewürztraminer

Location: Eguisheim, Alsace, France
Blend: 100% Gewurztraminer
Tasting: Wednesday, December 14, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Yah Yah.  We know.  This is the grape that a lot of people have a hard time pronouncing.  Try this:  Guh-Vurts-Trah-Meener

‘Gewürz’ is German for ‘spicy’ and traminer means ‘coming from Tramin’ (a little town in Austria where the grape originates).  Our translation of the word is simple:  Dee Lish Us.  We love the aromas that come from Alsatian Gewürztraminer.  You can’t miss them.  They almost jump right out of the glass.  One might say that they are seductive in nature.  The Alsatian Gewürztraminer wines have a lot going on.  Oz Clarke, an extremely accomplished British wine writer and critic, says this about Gewürztraminer in his book ‘Grapes and Wines’:  “Those who choose to grow it do so because they love its richness and are prepared to accept low yields and relatively low returns.  It’s unlikely ever to cover the map:  it is not, and never can be, an all-purpose wine.  But with such and in-your face personality, how could it ever be?”

In Alsace, the grape represents about 20% of vineyard space.

Here are the tasting comments by Manuel Peyrondet - Best Sommelier of France, 2008

COLOR The sustained yellow of the wine is enhanced by golden tones.

NOSE The smell is the epitome of the varietal: generous, quite aromatic, it opens on notes of ripe pear, rose petals and violets. The full-bodied aromas of the varietal are strong and precise, despite some yeastiness due to its youth. The wine increases its exotic allure after breathing, with hints of litchi and peppermint.

TASTE In the mouth, the attack begins sweetly on a few grams of sugar that are as charming as the intense perfume. We appreciate the freshness of the wine, especially the measured balance in alcohol found here. The finish seems drier, and culminates on fleeting notes of roses.

Food Pairing:

Thai Green Curry with Beef Recipe; Szechuan Beef; Baked Ham with Marmalade-Horseradish Glaze; Roast Turkey

CSPC:                   702458
Winesday Price:

$18.89 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$20.99

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice
We are staying in France for next week to enjoy some wine and liqueur.

The word ‘sangria’ is said to come from the Spanish word, sangre, for blood (or bloodletting), referring to the colour of this summertime drink.  Actually, we say ‘summertime’, but in fact it is a drink for anytime.  If you are visiting Spain you may also see Sangria referred to as ‘Zurra’ in some regions.  It is a very refreshing drink made of fruit that is soaked in red wine (or sometimes white wine).  It started as a summer drink in Spain and Portugal, but is enjoyed the whole world over.  I have heard that Sangria made its way across the ocean to our fair shores sometime during the 1960’s.

Our friend, Vivian, has made Sangria from a few different recipes including a white Sangria.  I didn’t try the white one, but I did try the red and they were delicious.  My first bottled Sangria that I tried was the Don Simon Sangria that I sipped at ‘The Taste of Wine’ at ‘The Taste of Edmonton’ last year.  We went through I don’t know how many cases of both the regular and Organic Don Simon.  Every day we got shipments.  It was incredibly popular.  So Richard and I thought we should have it for a Winesday this year.

Producer: J. Garcia Carrión
Location: Spain
Blend: Organic Red Wine, Water Sugar, Citric Acid, natural fruit and cinnamon extracts
Tasting: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

The various Don Simon Sangrias are the #1 selling sangrias in the world.[1] There is the regular (red label), organic and sparkling (unfortunately not available in Alberta as of yet).

So here is what you do:

Chill the Sangria, freeze some grapes (great in wine too), cut up some fruit like oranges, lemons, etc.  Pour  the sangria into individual glasses garnished with the fruit.  Or have the fruit cut up and put in a pitcher (Looks pretty cool.  Everyone will be impressed).  Now we have chosed the Organic, but the regular is pretty darn tasty too.  We don’t have the sparkling one here, but we have an idea.  How about pouring some club soda into the sangria?  Yes it will dilute it a little, but our guess is that it will be pretty darn good.

CSPC:     761148
Price:

$11.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

This is a family run winery with Dominique and Benedicte Ricome at the wheel. This winery is located in Costières De Nîmes in the southern region of France. If some of you have been into wine for a while, you would know this region by the name Costières Du Gard. The name change was done over 20 years ago. This area is located between Nîmes and the Petit Rhône at the point where Languedoc meets the Rhône. The wines, although quite different than either the Rhône or Languedoc, tend to lean more to the style of the Rhône.

The Valcombe vineyards are a mere 20 miles from the Mediterranean Sea. The south facing hillsides provide a fabulous growing area. The vineyards are made up of Grenache and Syrah. The average age of the vines is 40+ years with the oldest vines heading on their way to 60.

Winery: Château De Valcombe
Location: Costières De Nîmes, France
Blend: 50% Syrah and 50% Grenache
Tasting: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - 4:00 – 7:00 p.m

No matter what the vintage, this wine displays a deep ruby/purple colour. That seems to be quite consistent with the vintages that we have received. Some Blackcurrant, Blackberry, strawberries, dark chocolate, a little peppery spice and roasted meat are the notes we get from this wine. This is a very popular wine in the store. Come by and have a taste. Incredible value.

CSPC: 857243
Price:

$12.50

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

Next week we are having a ‘bubbles times two’ week.  Oh wait ‘til you see.  There is something for everyone… beer drinkers and wine drinkers alike.

This week we are sampling Malbec (pictured left).  Ah… I bet you were thinking that we were travelling to Argentina.  Well, as you can see by the map above, we are heading to France.  France?  Malbec?  Really?  Well, that is where Malbec hails from.  Yah, I know there is a ton of it in Argentina.  In fact, Argentina has a greater number of acres planted in Malbec than France.

We are heading to Cahors, France (The “H” and the “S” in  Cahors are silent, so it is pronounced Ka’or).  It is located about 100 kms just a little southeast of Bordeaux.  They have been making wine in this region since the middle ages even longer than in Bordeaux.  The wine must be at least 70% Malbec, which in this region is also known as Côt, Côt Noir or Auxerrois just to totally confuse us.  The other grape varieties allowed are:  Merlot (to the right), Tannat (below and to the left) and a local grape variety called Jurançon Noir (which has almost disappeared.)   Notice something?  No Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc.  Surprising?  Malbec used to be used as a blending grape in Bordeaux, but although it is still used today it is fairly rare.  The wines in this region are known as “the black wines of Cahors”.  If you look at the grape varieties that are allowed here, you can almost see how they get that name.  They have also been referred to as ‘rustic’.  There is a great deal of wine produced in Cahors.  The only region that makes more wine in the southwest part of France is Bergerac.  Oh and by the way, there are no whites made in Cahors.

This area got hit hard by deadly frosts in 1956 and almost the whole region had to replant.  As a result, the vines are no older than about 55 years.  We are going to visit Cahors again at some point, so I am sure there will be more news to tell at that time.

Domaine La Bérangeraie

Winery: Domaine La Bérangeraie
Location: Cahors, France
Blend: 100% Malbec
Tasting: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

Just 100 kms away from Bordeaux lies this slightly populated part of south west France.  Industry is rare here, so pollution is not as big a problem here as it is in other areas.  We come to this lovely land owned by the Bérangeraie family.  Here is a family dedicated to the wine industry and the earth.  Three generations working side by side at this organic vineyard.  They produce a number of wines that are an expression of the land.  Their vines are on average 30 to 50 years old.  All harvesting is done by hand and the land is farmed organically.   There is a complexity and richness to this wine for all to enjoy.  It can positively lay down for a bit, if you like, as well.

Here is the winery’s take on this Malbec:  “Pepper, truffle, violets, liquorice, cherry kirch: a Cahors to drink between 5 and 12 years. ”

Food Pairing:

Grilled Lamb Loin Chops with Shallots and Red Wine; Marinated Grilled Beef Kabobs.

CSPC:     710086
Price:

$20.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

Seduction

Winery: Domaine La Bérangeraie
Location: Cahors, France
Blend: 90% Malbec, 10% Merlot
Tasting: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The label for this wine always attracts attention.  This wine is a blend of marvelous Malbec with a touch of velvety mellow Merlot.

Malbec’s origins are unfortunately being forgotton.  So many think that Malbec is from Argentina.  Of course they do make this wine in Argentina, but the wines from there and the wines from France are completely different.  If you expect one to be like the other, you will be mistaken.  In Argentina, they are allowed to use irrigation, but in Cahors they get what Mother Nature gave them and that is it.  This grape does like the heat, which is why it does well in Argentina.  You don’t get that same heat intensity in Cahors, France.  Sometimes, in fact, it can struggle to ripen in France.  But French Malbec is not to be missed.  How lucky are we to try two of them this week.  We can’t wait to hear what you think.

Food Pairing:

Sausage, Red Onion and Wild Mushroom Pizza;  Barbeque Beef Burgers

CSPC:     727288
Price:

$16.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

I know you think we have a ‘thing’ for Italy, and you could be right.  Next week we are heading back to Tuscany. Ciao!

The region of Beaujolais itself is larger than any other region in Burgundy.  It measures about 34 miles long and is 7 to 9 miles wide.  There are about 50,000 acres of vines planted in this region.  That is a lot of acres producing a good amount of wine.

When Richard and I travelled to beautiful Burgundy last year, we did not get to Beaujolais due to time constraints.  There are all kinds of nice wines that come out of this area.  We have the light and fruity Beaujolais, like what we are sampling today and we have Beaujolais Villages and the top step of Cru Beaujolais.  Yes these wines are very nice, but wine drinkers think of different parts of Burgundy and Bordeaux when they think of, as one might say, more serious wines.  You know what… that is okay with us.  The unfortunate thing is, however, they are missing out on some really nice wines.

In the 1980’s Beaujolais hit the peak of its popularity in the wine world with the mystique of ‘Beaujolais Nouveau’.  Nouveau began as a local phenomenon in bars and cafes in Beaujolais and Lyons in France.  It was wine that was made quickly, while the other Beaujolais lay in wait to be enjoyed at a later date.  It was marketing genius how this ‘new wine’ took off and enjoyed success for so long.  Nouveau is fermented for just a few weeks and then released on the third Thursday of November each year and not a moment sooner.

I remember when I was working for the old ALCB and we would get reports that ‘Air Canada cargo plane had left Canada enroute to France to pick up the Beaujolais Nouveau’.  It would even be on the national news!  Then there would be a report of when it had left France and another once it had touched down in Canada.  It was a race to see who would have the opportunity to try it first.  I remember lineups outside the liquor stores.  People were waiting to get the first drops of Nouveau.  They would buy it by the case, not just the bottle.  It was a news event all unto itself.

But like many things, the bloom came off the rose and the activity slowed from fanaticism to interest.  Every year we still receive Beaujolais Nouveau in Canada and many cases are still sold, just not like at the height of it in the 80’s.  Unfortunately, with that success came the belief that all Beaujolais is Nouveau.  The one we are trying today is light and easy drinking which is great, but it is not Nouveau.

As always, we can go on and on and on.  So instead of doing that and talking the paint off the wall, let’s just sample our two wines today.

FUN Beaujolais

Winery: Georges Duboeuf
Location: Beaujolais, Burgundy, France
Blend: 100% Gamay
Tasting: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

It seems it was only a short while ago when I last tried this wine.  Oh wait a minute… it was just a short while ago.  Actually it was Sunday afternoon.  We had it on our blind wine tasting exam!  When I first saw this wine, I thought ‘what a fun name’ (no pun intended… well, okay maybe a bit of a pun).  Beaujolais gets such a bad wrap.  Yah, okay, Beaujolais isn’t a Syrah, Pinot Noir or a Malbec or anything like that, but it is not trying to be that.  It is a light bodied, easy drinking wine.  Like the name says… it is ‘Fun’.  You would even chill this wine just a little bit before serving it.

Food Pairing:

Baked Ham;  Roasted Pork Loin with Cardoman-Red Currant Jelly Sauce; Frisée Salad with Lardons and Poached Eggs;

CSPC:     7395221
Price:

$13.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

Hob Nob Chardonnay

Winery: Georges Duboeuf
Location: France
Blend: Chardonnay
Tasting: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

You have to admit that our wines today have very catchy names.  First we had ‘FUN’ now ‘HobNob’.  You know why we like this name.  It basically says everything about having a glass of wine.  You ‘mingle’ with your friends and have a bit of fun.  You ‘socialize’ with your neighbours and enjoy a sip or three!  It is just a very friendly name, which is quite appropriate, because this is a very friendly wine.

Like the Beaujolais, the HobNob is an easy drinking, put your feet up and relax kind of wine.  Although it does have some oak (by way of oak chips), but it is not like chewing on a 2×4, it is crisp.  This wine will go with a number of types of food and it won’t break the bank.

Food Pairing:

Lobster Pot Pie; Scallops with Mushrooms in White Wine Sauce; Gratinéed Chicken in Cream Sauce;

CSPC:     736253
Price:

$15.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

Winery: Mouton Cadet
Location: Médoc, Bordeaux, France
Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
Tasting: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

On June 2, 2010, Richard and I had the great honour of visiting Château Mouton Rothschild.  To have the opportunity to visit this famous Château was like a dream come true.  Our visit was incredible, amazing and every other word that describes ‘awesome’ that you can think of.  Ironically, on that same day Diana was sampling one of the Rothschild’s ‘branded’ wines, Mouton Cadet, in Edmonton for Sherbrooke’s Winesday (click here for link to blog and history of Mouton Cadet).

Last year Mouton Cadet celebrated 80  years.  In comparison, our wine that we are sampling this week is a mere baby.  The Réserve Mouton Cadet line of wines came to be in 1988.  Barely 23 years ago.

The ‘Réserve’ line of wines is a bit of a bump up from the fresh fruit easy drinking Cadet.  The winemakers want to keep the nice fruit characteristics, but this reserve wine is also aged in wood for 12 months and then it sits at the Saint-Laurent Médoc Winery for an additional 24 months before being released so that you and I may enjoy a sip or two.  The oak is not overpowering, it is integrated giving subtle notes of vanilla and complementing the nice fruit.

The tasting notes from the winery tell us this:  “The wine has a deep, dense colour with a violet, almost black tint and a remarkable, highly expressive nose on which concentrated black fruit aromas (blackberry, blackcurrant, black cherry) mingle with subtle, refined and elegant floral notes, powerful on the palate, it combines forward. Silky, well-integrated tannins, thoroughly characteristic of Médoc wines, with generous fruit, displaying varied notes of fresh plum, liquorice, cherry stone and red fruit liqueur.  The long, richly flavoured, lingering finish enhances the power of this perfectly balanced wine.”

Food Pairing:

Grilled Marinated Lamb Chops with Balsamic Cherry Tomatoes; Beef Stew with Shiitake Mushrooms and Baby Vegetables

CSPC:     728480
Price:

$18.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

Winery: Mouton Cadet
Location: France
Blend: Rosé:  Merlot (65%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (15%).
Tasting: Wednesday, February 9, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

“Le Rosé de Mouton Cadet is the result of a rigorous selection of grapes from our partner wine growers in the main appellations of the Bordeaux region: Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur and Premières Côtes de Bordeaux between the Dordogne River and the Garonne River, Côtes de Blaye, Côtes de Bourg, Côtes de Castillon and Bordeaux Côtes de Francs on the right bank of the Gironde and the Dordogne.”[1]

When North Americans see a ‘pink’ wine, they automatically think ‘sweet’.  What the heck are we talking about?  North America is where the term ‘blush’ wine came to be.  White Zinfandel, White Grenache, White Merlot and so on are referred to as ‘blush wines’.  In sweetness levels that you are familiar with, these wines tend to run from a sweetness of a 2, 3 or 4.  Now they are great little wines and are lots of fun for sipping on the patio and enjoying with some food.  The unfortunate thing is that now when customers see a ‘pink’ wine, they don’t think that it will be dry.  Our mission in life is to show people that ‘pink’ does not always mean sweet and sweet does not always mean ‘pink’.

Our Rosé (not ‘blush) today is dry.  Actually, I would say that about 95% of Rosé wines made in the world are dry.  Le Rosé de Mouton Cadet is also lots of fun to pair with food and for sipping on the patio.  Okay, maybe we won’t be on the patio today because there is about 3 feet of snow, but we can close our eyes and think warm!  This wine was featured at the Taste of Wine at the Taste of Edmonton in July of 2010 and was a real hit.  The customers had fun discovering it.  ‘Oh this is nice and dry.’  ‘I expected this to be sweet.’  These were comments that we heard a lot.  You know there is something about Rosés that makes me want to dance.  They are just fun fun wines.  Come and enjoy this Le Rosé de Mouton Cadet with us.

Some fun words from Mouton Cadet about this Rosé:  “A brilliantly clear light ruby, the wine has a rich, fruity nose of redcurrant, raspberry and red cherry enhanced by a floral touch. Generous in the mouth, its fresh and crisp, ripe red fruit is nicely balanced by refined, silky tannins, extending into a long and smooth finish.”

Food Pairing:

Pissaladiere; Poached Salmon with Beurre Blanc;

CSPC:     732029
Price:

$11.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

Argentina here we come… Gee I wonder what grape variety we are going to try next week?   …Hmmm

In honour of Chinese New Year (2011 is the year of the Rabbit), we are sampling a couple of fun wines that go great with Chinese food (Thai food and Indian Food work well too!)

`People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig, and Dog.`

“The Dr. Loosen estate has been in the same family for over 200 years. When Ernst Loosen (pronounced loh-zen) assumed ownership in 1988, he realized that with ungrafted vines averaging 60 years old in some of Germany’s best-rated vineyards, he had the raw materials to create stunningly intense, world-class wines.”[2] Ernst halted the use of chemical fertilizers and instead used, on a very limited basis, organic fertilizers.  He wanted to see the wines develop to be the best they could be without a lot of technical or manual interference, so the cellars practices were changed to reflect the gentle approach that he believed would bring out the best in the wines.

He obviously found the secret, because his full cast of wines has been rated between 88 and 97 points in excess of 200 times by Wine Spectator Magazine.  The 2009 Riesling that we are sampling today received 88 points.  As we have said many times before, the geeky side of us enjoys reading what the ‘who’s who’ in the wine industry is saying about a particular wine.  The consumer side of us looks at it and thinks ‘consistency’.  Here are just a few of Ernst’s noted accomplishments:  European Winery of the Year nominee, 2007 & 2008,Wine Enthusiast; Man of the Year 2005, Decanter; White Wine Maker of the Year 2005, Wine International; World’s 50 Most Influential Winemakers, Wine & Spirits.

Ernst Loosen has taken his knowledge and philosophy to the new world, as well.  In 1999 a relationship was developed with Chateau Ste. Michelle in Washington state.  Old world meets new world, if you will.  In 2006 Ernst took his love of Pinot Noir from the Pfalz region in Germany to another relationship with Jay Sommers of J. Christopher Wines in Oregon.  Ernst has also worked in a collaborative effort with Jay at J. L. Wolf winery.  We digress, as usual.  Let’s just get started on our first wine.

Winery: Dr. Loosen
Location: Mosel, Germany
Blend: Riesling
Tasting: Wednesday, February 2, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

We have done a number of tastings with this wine and we cannot tell you how many times we have heard ‘No thanks.  I am not much of a German wine fan.’  However, once they have tried this wine, the vast majority change their minds.

Yes, most of what we see in this part of the world are sweet German wines and yes again, this Dr. L has some lovely sweetness to it.  The difference is this wine has loads of flavour and nice acidity.  That is what makes this a very nice wine.  Now what difference does acidity make?  Well good acidity has a big influence on the taste of a wine.  Together with alcohol, sugar, minerals and the good acidity you will get a nicely balanced wine that just makes you want more.  There is nothing as bad as tasting a sweeter style wine and all you get is syrup.  When you have the acidity, yes you get the sweetness, but it isn’t all about the sugar.  It should be about flavour and balance.

This is one of the best descriptions for a wine written by the winery.  It is in my Top 10.  If this doesn’t make your mouth water, well, I don’t know what to say:  “The 2009 Dr. L Rieslingevokes a walk throughan orchard in the latesummer: luscious pear,peach and apple aromasretain the crisp sweettartof ripeningfruit just before harvest.On the palate, the medium-bodied wine is refreshing and juicy,with zippy acidity balancing bright flavors of pear, apricot,mango and lime. The lush attack is followed by a long finishthat is simultaneously sweet and tart, dry and mouth-watering.”

Food Pairing:

Braised Chicken with Smoked Ham, Chestnuts, and Ginger; Spicy Lemongrass Tofu;Peach-Glazed Baked Ham;

CSPC:     599274
Price:

$16.25 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

Our second family winery comes from the Alsace region in France. The vineyards in this region date back to the Romans.  During the middle ages the Alsatian wines were so prized that they were some of the most expensive in Europe.[3]

The region of Alsace is located on the lower eastern slopes of the Vosges Mountains between Strasbourg and Mulhouse.  The wines in Alsace are completely different than any other wine in France.  Because it is right on the border of Germany, there is a very strong Germanic influence not only with wine, but also with food and other traditions.  You see because of its location, sometimes it was part of France other times it was part of Germany… depending who won a particular conflict.  But those cultural differences are a part of what makes this region so very special.

DomainePierre Sparr has been in the wine industry since 1680.  Through that period of times there have been many family members (9 generations so far) and many changes in the wine industry.  What has not changed is their desire to make wonderful wines no matter what happened.  In December 1944 the allied forces fought for the liberation of Sigolsheim (the home of Domain Sparr).  The town and surrounding vineyards were damaged severely.  By the spring of 1945 the whole of the Rhine-Haut area was liberated.  After the end of WWII, it took years of dedication to bring this region back to its glory.

While the rest of France name their wines mostly by region or terroir, in Alsace you generally see the grape variety on the label.  The wine law states that if you put the grape variety on the label, 100% of that grape must be in the wine.  Now there are other types of wine in the region as well, but this is what you see most often.  The most common grape varieties that you see in this part of France are:  Riesling, Sylvaner, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Klevener de Heiligenstein, Muscat, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Noir.

When Richard and I went on our trip last year I positively wanted to go to Alsace.  I have loved their wines for so many years, and I could not see visiting France without spending time in this region.  After some moving around of dates and the like, we travelled to Alsace.  Although Richard could not see how we were going to do it, he was so very happy that we went to this beautiful part of France.  We know that we will return.

This part of France is so gorgeous that it is hard to put into words.  These beautiful smaller villages are surrounded by vineyards too numerous to count.  Some of the villages that we visited were so incredibly picturesque and charming.  I tell people that it is like walking into a children`s storybook.  If you have the chance to visit Alsace, do not turn it down.  It will be well worth it.

Today we are going to try a blended wine from this region.  It is a great wine that you will find will pair with many types of food.

Winery: DomainePierre Sparr
Location: Sigolsheim, Alsace, France
Blend: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Muscat and Gewürztraminer
Tasting: Wednesday, February 2, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Now many of you may say that you have tried Pinot Gris, or Gewürztraminer or Riesling.  However, if you have not tried these grape varieties from Alsace, you don`t know what you are missing!On top of that when you blend those grapes into one wine, plus add Pinot Blanc and Muscat, well you can only come up with a very enjoyable wine.  Those grape varieties make up the proprietary blend from Domain Pierre Sparr.

The winery puts it best: Alsace One is the expression of a harmonious assembling the best grape varieties. Explosive aromas of exotic fruits,and very floral One will amaze you by its richness, its intensity and its balance.

Food Pairing:

Spicy Thai Shrimp Salad; Szechuan Pork Tenderloin;

CSPC:     604413
Price:

$17.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

Next week we are going to stay in the country of France… after all February 14^th is Valentines Day!

[2] www.drloosen.com

[3]www.vins-sparr.com

The Côtes du Rhône runs about 200 kms from Vienne in the north to Avignon in the south.  When people think of this region, they think Red.  After all, that is what dominates this area.  From Syrah ruling in the north to Grenache leading in the south.  There are, however, some delicious whites that come from this part of France.  Château Grillet AOC and Condrieu AOC are known for their Viognier; Clairette De Die Traditional AOC known for sparkling whites from Muscat á Petits Grains and Clairette; and we can’t forget Hermitage AOC known for its Roussanne and Marsanne… to name just a few areas.

This week we are sampling a sparkling wine from the Clairette De Die AOC (kleh-RHET duh DEE) area of the eastern edge of the Côtes du Rhône.  This is a wine region centered around the village of Die.  The grapes used in this region are Muscat à Petits Grains (minimum 75%) and Clairette (up to 25%).

There was a gent by the name of Pliny the Elder who was a Roman author, naturalist, natural philosopher as well as an army and navy commander who lived from 23AD to 79AD.  Pliny wrote about and admired the beautiful area of Die in his encyclopedic work called Naturalis Historia. He was a man ahead of his time, as this piece of work was the basis and model for all those written after the fact.  From a wine historical point of view, we also know that wine has been made in the Die region for about 2000 years.

In 1942 the region was given the designation of AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controlée).  What that basically means is that in this region there are specific rules and regulations to follow so that a producer can put ‘AOC’ on the label.  At 400m to 700m, the vineyards here are amongst the highest altitude vineyards in all of France.

For our tasting today, we are going to focus on the off-dry to sweet sparklers from this area.  The Muscat grape is harvested much earlier than the Clairette, which is the grape mainly used in the drier version of the sparkling wine.  The Muscat grape requires a great deal of care. Its grape bunches are very tight and can therefore be prone to some diseases.  The harvest is lengthy and begins usually at the end of summer and has been known to last until the beginning of October.

Organica Sparkling

Winery: Domaine Achard-Vincent
Location: Sainte-Croix,
Clairette De Die AOC Côtes du Rhône, France
Blend: 100% Muscat à Petits Grains
Tasting: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

The first time Richard and I tried this wine, we knew it was something a little special.  The tiny bubbles and the peachy notes were just wonderful.  Now we get to let you know about Organica.

The 12 hectares that make up the striking vineyards at Domaine Achard Vincent are located in Sainte Croix just a little west of the town of Die.  These vineyards have been farmed organically since 1970.

Historically we have heard of vineyards and wineries being passed from father to son.  Well this family has been passing the family tradition from mother to daughter for five generations.  Each of the daughters has married a man who loved the vineyards and loved making wine.  That is why there have been five winery name changes in five generations.  This current generation has had a change in that tradition.  Claudie and Jean-Pierre’s son, Thomas, is taking over the winery.  Thomas has decided that although he supports their organic tradition, he wanted to take it a step further and he decided to use biodynamic methods.  The 2010 harvest marks the third biodynamic vintage.  The family credits the switch to biodynamic farming in helping to save their crop in 2009.  Mildew and other diseases affected neighbouring wineries in 2009 and they suffered heavy crop loss.  The Achard-Vincent vineyards, on the other hand, had a very small loss and they had a very good quality crop.  The winery is now certified both organic and biodynamic.[1]

The Muscat grape is harvested much earlier than the Clairette, which is the grape mainly used in the drier version of the sparkling wine.  The Muscat grape requires a great deal of care. Its grape bunches are very tight and can therefore be prone to some diseases as we mentioned above.  The hand-harvest is lengthy and begins usually at the end of summer and has been known to last until the beginning of October.  The harvest is followed by a slow fermentation process to preserve the sugars, which is very important for this fresh, fruity and light sparkling wine.

“The Clairette de Die is produced according to the traditional method.  In the ancient times, the locals left barrels of wine in the chilling water of the Drôme River (coming down from the Alps). The cold naturally slowed down the fermentation process. The wine was bottled and fermentation continued from the sugar in the grape forming a naturally sparkling wine.”[2]

Of course today, they don’t plunge the barrels in the river, but the cooling is still done, just in a more modern method albeit a little less splashy (oohhh bad pun).

Organica Sparkling: This off-dry Muscat wine presents lovely thin bubbles combined with crisp green apple and white peach notes.  This wine contains absolutely no added sugar and/or yeast.  It has a low alcohol content (7%) and natural sweetness.  It is best served chilled (6 to 8 deg C.).

“Judge’s choice” International Value Wine Award Wine Access Magazine.

Food Pairing:

Roasted or lightly sweetened/seasoned walnuts; Apple Tart; Scallop and Mango salad; Suisse de Valence (bisquit)

CSPC:     729688
Price:

$26.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

Italy we are on our way… again.  Happy New Year!!  We hope that 2011 will be a bang up year for you.

[2] Organic Wine Connection

Whenever we have a chat about Vodka, we have found that most people associate it with Russia. The word ‘vodka’ did come from the Russian word for water (voda). Stewart Walton and Brian Glover, in their book The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Wine Beer Spirits and Liqueurs say “The word vodka is a Russian endearment meaning ‘little water’”. It is hard to trace back the definitive history of this spirit, but it seems that in the 14th century it was being distilled in Russia and possibly Poland. Today Vodka is made in France, United States of America, Canada, Sweden, Ukraine, Russia and Poland to name just a few countries around the world.

The spirit is made from a fermented mash. That mash can be made up of different things like grains and potatoes. It has been said that throughout history vodkas have been made out of other vegetables and even molasses. Although today there are vodkas made out of potato, the majority of the ones we see on our store shelves are made from grains, most notably wheat and rye.
Vodka can definitely owe some of its popularity to its ability to mix in cocktails. We all know those cocktails: Caesar, Cosmopolitan, Black Russian (our friend Don’s favourite), Vodka Martini, Chocolate Martini, Long Island Ice Tea… and so on and so on and so on.

Flavoured vodka has been around for a long time (I think pepper vodka and chocolate vodka were the first ones we had tried), but over the past decade we have seen some incredible flavours. Citrus and berry are flavours we have seen for sure, but how about Cotton Candy, Cherry Lemonade, Grape, Double Espresso, Root Beer and Whipped Cream. Yup… you are reading that correctly. Whipped Cream. This week we are going to sample the Pinnacle Vodka Whipped Cream and the Pinnacle Vodka Cherry Lemonade.

Pinnacle Vodka

Location: France
Flavour #1: Cherry Lemonade
Tasting: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 - 4:00 – 7:00 p.m

Pinnacle Vodka is from France and they have a wide array of flavours… 23 of them. (Most of which are available in Alberta). Just in case you are not into the flavours and just like classic vodka, well, they have that too. Pinnacle is made from a recipe that has been handed down from generation to generation with wheat grain from the Brie region of France. The water used in the recipe comes from naturally filtered water from the northern region of France. We quite often hear that every Vodka is the same… they all taste the same. Well, I wouldn’t say that is the case. Like every kind of spirit each type of vodka is different.

Sour-tini
2 oz of Pinnacle Cherry Lemonade Vodka
1.5 oz of Cranberry Juice.

Cherry Lemonade Tea
2 oz Cherry Lemonade Pinnacle Vodka
4 oz of tea.

For more Cherry Lemonade recipes click here

Pinnacle Vodka
Location: France
Flavour #2: Whipped Cream
Tasting: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 - 4:00 – 7:00 p.m

Whipped Cream Savour-Tini
2 oz Pinnacle Whipped Cream Vodka
1 oz Pineapple Juice
1 oz Orange Juice

Orange Float
1 oz Pinnacle Whipped Cream Vodka
3 oz Orange Crush

For more Whipped recipes click here

You are only limited by your imagination. Richard even tried the Whipped Cream in coffee one day. We were both very pleasantly surprised. Come by and have a wee try of the Cherry Lemonade and the Whipped.

Next week Richard and I are heading back to Italy