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!

Back in the late 19^th century, Don Melchor Concha y Toro, who started Concha y Toro Winery in Chile, brought the noble French vines from Bordeaux to Chile.    After a number of his ‘special’ wines kept disappearing from his cellar despite being kept under lock and key, Don Melchor spread a rumour that the devil lived in his cellar.  The rumour spread like wildfire and it did the trick.  The wine stayed in his cellar never to ‘disappear’ again.  That is how these great little wines got their name ‘Casillero del Diablo’

You will most likely recognize a few of these names:  Frontera, Trio, Marques de Casa Concha, Terrunyo, Amelia, Don Melchor (gee I wonder who that was named after) and Carmin de Puemo.  These are some of the delightful wines made by Concha y Toro.  We always like to say that every wine has its story, and it is no different here with these wines.

We will sample more of these wines in the future, but this week we are going to concentrate on the Casillero Del Diablo.   Although a very popular wine within Chile, the winery decided to start to export the Casillero Del Diablo wines to Europe in 1963.  >From then until today, you can find these wines in over 100 countries.

They are known as incredible value for the dollar.  It is amazing to think that although this winery makes a large amount of wine, it is able to maintain its quality.  It has done so through its commitment to producing a good wine for their customers to enjoy.   After all, if we don’t make our customers happy… well, you know the rest.

Concha y Toro has also taken a stand on the environment.  “Our sustainability philosophy leads us to work with respect for the environment and be socially equitable with our employees and the community. As a company we view our business according to the principles of sustainability. We see ourselves as an innovative and responsible company with a serious commitment to the environment.”

“As our own vineyards are exposed to the climate change phenomena predicted by experts, we believe that to care for the environment by minimizing our environmental impact and having sustainable production processes will be key to the future of our company and to the new generations of wine growers.”[1]

As of 2010 the Casillero Del Diablo wines are now in lighter bottles.  Also in 2010, Concha y Toro was the first winery in the world to measure its water footprint.  That was to go along with its decision to measure its carbon footprint three years earlier and make changes to decrease its footprint.  Every step makes a difference to our wonderful planet.  It certainly can’t hurt, that is for sure.

So this week we are sampling 3 of the Casillero wines.  We have had the opportunity to work with these wines many times previously and we love how people enjoy them and find a new favourite each time.

Casillero Del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc

Winery: Casillero Del Diablo
Location: Central Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

This is our lone white this week in our group of three.  Like all three of the wines we are sampling this week, the grape vines have their origins in France.  This wine is nice and light with easy drinkability.  Remember on a hot day to put a couple of frozen grapes in your glass to keep this nice wine cool.   Nobody says it like the winery:   “Pale yellow colour with green hues, very bright and clean.  Fresh, due to citric hints. Presence of pears, lime and some tropical touches with a greenish finish thanks to the presence of green apples.  An elegant wine due to the intensity and balanced acidity. The citric characteristics from the coastal areas of the Central Valley stand out. It is fresh from the beginning to the end, where the balance of fruit and acidity refresh the palate.

Food Pairing:

Scallops Carpaccio; Baked Oysters; Crab Cakes

CSPC:     578641
Price:

$12.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

Casillero Del Diablo Carménère

Winery: Casillero Del Diablo
Location: Rapel Valley, Chile
Blend: Carménère
Tasting: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Ah… ‘the lost grape’.  We just love talking about this grape variety.  We have spoken about this in the blog previously, but it doesn’t hurt to do a quick recap.

In the latter part of the 19^th century there was a little louse that was imported to Europe from North America (the charming aphid like bugs pictured to the right).  The vines in Europe were no test for this invasive little pest.  Vineyard to vineyard and country to country this nasty little creature made its devastation known and it wiped out vineyards throughout Europe.  A Phylloxera resistant root stock was developed (that is another story all on to itself) and the European vines were grafted onto this new rootstock.  It was thought that one of the casualties of this infestation was the Carménère grape.  Many thought it had been wiped out of France altogether.  Well little did they know that the Carménère vines had been brought to Chile.  The Chileans, however, thought it was a clone of Merlot and it wasn’t until 1994 that they discovered otherwise.  There… that is the Reader’s Digest version.

The Chilean’s are known for Carménère in the same way that the Argentineans are known for Malbec.  They just go hand in hand, even though they both come from France J.

It was just two weeks ago that we presented a tasting for customers and this wine went over like gangbusters!  This is easy to drink, food friendly and like the other Casillero wines, it won’t break the bank. And what does the winery have to say?:  “Dark and deep purple.  Luscious fruit flavors. Aromas:  Dark plums and blackcurrant, black chocolate with hints of coffee and toasted American oak.  Taste:  Notes of dark plums and spice, generously framed by toasty American oak with a soft and well structured mouth-filling texture

Food Pairing:

Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Chilean Cilantro Sauce; Chili Con Carne; Grilled Pork Tenderloin

CSPC:     714648
Price:

$12.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

Casillero Del Diablo Merlot

Winery: Casillero Del Diablo
Location: Rapel Valley, Chile
Blend: Merlot
Tasting: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

If you are not a big Cabernet person, try your hand at Merlot.  Some refer to it as the velvet devil (how appropriate for this wine).  There is even a winery in the U.S.A. that called its Merlot by that very name.  For those of you who do not like the big heavy tannins, you don’t need to worry about that with this wine.  I could write notes on this Merlot, but the notes written by the winery really says it all:  “Native from Bordeaux, France, is elegant by nature. Flexible, of soft tannins, expresses freshness and sweetness. In its Merlot, Casillero Del Diablo captured all the finesse of a subtle wine, of low astringency, with blackberry, strawberries and raspberries, together with chocolate, vanilla and cassis notes.”

Food Pairing:

Veal Picata; Beef Stroganoff; Slow Roasted Lamb Shanks

CSPC:     427088
Price:

$12.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

Au revoir mes amis. Richard et moi vous rencontrerons en France la semaine prochaine.
(Good-bye my friends.  Richard and I will meet you in France next week.)

We are going to have a little ‘Fun’.

Nk’Mip Cellars (Pronounced in-ka-meep) is North America’s first Aboriginal owned and operated winery.  (On the map to the left it is number 64 at the bottom centre).  It is located at the most southerly point of the Okanagan Valley. It overlooks Osoyoos Lake.  We have spoken to many people who have visited the winery and they have told us that it has some of the most incredible scenery in that whole region.  On one side you have a natural desert and then to contrast you have the lush green vineyards.  The land in that region of the Okanagan that is owned by the Osoyoos Band and it spans 32,000 acres.  1,155 acres of that is planted under vine.  Some is managed directly by Nk’ Mip and some is leased.  The plan is to have another 100 - 200 acres planted over the next 12 months.

The 18,000 square foot winery was designed by Robert Mackenzie, an architect from Penticton.  Mr. Mackenzie has also designed four other wineries in the region.  Nk’ Mip Cellars has the capacity to produce 18,000 cases of wine per year.  With 60% being red and 40% being white.  Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Riesling are the varieties planted at the Nk’ Mip Vineyard and the vineyard adjacent to the winery.  They not only produce single varietal wines, but also a Meritage and a special Riesling Icewine.  They are dedicated to making premium VQA wines.

Nk’Mip Cellars is part of the Osoyoos Indian Bands long-term plan. The winery was the second phase of a $25 million Nk’Mip project that includes:

• The Patio at Nk’Mip, a seasonal outdoor restaurant located in the winery. The Patio is open from May through October offering Aboriginal-inspired cuisine
• The Nk’Mip Campground and RV Park, which was the first phase, and is now, an all-season facility
• Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre,
• Sonora Dunes, an executive nine-hole golf course, and
• Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa, which includes 226 luxurious suites and villas, Sonora Desert Spa, conference facilities, outdoor pool, hot tub & fitness facilities, and a gourmet restaurant - Passatempo, The Market.

The team of winemakers made up of Randy Picton, Justin Hall and Aaron Crey are very dedicated to their craft.  Make sure you check out their bios.

Winery: Nk’ Mip Cellars
Location: Osoyoos, British Columbia
Blend: Chardonnay
Tasting: Wednesday, April 6, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

This wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks and although it has oak aging, only 40% was aged in French oak barrels for 10 months with the balance being aged in stainless steel.   This means that the wine was able to “retain a crisp, fruit forward flavour with a smooth finish.”

This wine has received a few accolades along the way:

• Silver - All Canadian Wine Championship - 2010
• Silver - SanFrancisco Wine Competition - 2010

BCLCB says:  “Driven by fruit, the peach, apple and pear flavours combine with winemaking dexterity to build a powerful wine with great length.  Notes of honeycomb, butter and mineral…”

Food Pairing:

Crab Cakes; Provolone Cheese; Pork Tenderloin in Cream Sauce

CSPC:     626408
Price:

$20.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

Winery: Nk’ Mip Cellars
Location: Osoyoos, British Columbia
Blend: Merlot
Tasting: Wednesday, April 6, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

I think Merlot is given a bad rap.  People say things like…’ well it isn’t big like a Cab’.  You know what?  That’s right.  It isn’t a Cabernet Sauvignon and although it goes with nice red meat dishes like Cabernet it is totally and completely different.  I think the big bold Cabernets and wonderful, don’t get me wrong.  The beautiful fruit and the velvet finish that you can get on Merlot can be just heavenly too.  The word velvet is key.  I say quite often that for me, when you are sipping a nice Merlot it should give you the same sense as the touch of soft velvet on your fingertips.  Now that’s just me, of course.

This is what the winemakers have to say about this lovely wine:  “This wine was aged for 18 months in a combination of French and American oak. It weaves intricate flavours of plum, cassis, and fresh tobacco that layer harmoniously with subtle clove and cocoa leading into a concentrated toasty finish.”

Food Pairing:

Bison Ribs with Merlot BBQ Sauce; Shepherd’s Pie; Cantalet Cheese or Dorset Cheese

CSPC:     626416
Price:

$23.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

Spain… ah lovely Spain.  We can’t wait for you to meet Maria!

Winery: Eikendal
Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Blend: 100% Chenin Blanc
Tasting: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

For the past 30 years, this winery has been owned by the Saager family from Switzerland.  They invested in modernizing the operations from the vineyards to the cellar.

Social Responsibility is also a big part of this company.  So they not only make great wine for us to enjoy, but they give back to their community.  “Eikendal is involved in sponsoring and supporting not for profit organizations, involved with taking care of children with disadvantages or special needs.”  They are also commited to the preservation of Africa’s wildlife and support some organizations involved with the welfare of wildlife.

This wine was fermented in both stainless steel tanks and French oak.  I have a lot of ‘favourite’ grape varieties and Chenin Blanc is one of them.  The South African Chenin Blanc, also known locally as Steen, has totally different aromas when it is grown here than it does in France.  More tropical flavours are evident in the South African wine.  It is the most widely planted grape variety and accounts for almost 1/5^th of all grapes planted in South Africa.  A lot of the vines are located in the Stellenbosch region.

The winemaker has a few words for us on this wine:  “The Eikendal Chenin Blanc is an elegantly wooded and fresh white wine, with a full, rounded and balanced palate. On the nose it has melon, pineapple, lychee, apricot and peach flavours.  The fruit flavours follow through on to the palate, with a rich and generous fruit and cream finish. . The oaked component gives the wine an extra, and graceful structure, without dominating the wine.

Food Pairing:

Chicken with Roasted Vegetables; Sushi

CSPC:     730731
Price:

$15.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

Winery: Eikendal
Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Blend: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot
Tasting: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

These three grapes when blended together are like a great   marriage.  The Cabernet Sauvignon has got the power, the Cabernet Franc has the fruit and the Merlot makes it all go down like the feel of soft velvet on your fingertips.

French oak was also used in making this wine.  The flavours it imparts are subtle, so as not to overpower the wine.

Winemaker’s Notes:  “The Eikendal Classique is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 30% Merlot and Cabernet Franc each - a wine that always entices the senses. Sweet, ripe black and red fruit abound, followed up with slight spice and typical earthy, mineral characters. On the pallet it grips with fine, silky tannins. This wine typifies what Eikendal is all about - it is a classy, understated red wine with staying power.”

Food Pairing:

Beef Tenderloin Medallions; Beef Flank Roll Ups.

CSPC:     719876
Price:

$29.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

STOP THE PRESSES… Our wines were changed at the last minute, which is why this is late being posted this week.  Our apologies.  We are still doing Spain, just a little different than we had planned.  We hope you enjoy our fun funky wines this week!

Winery: Bodegas Mustiguillo
Location: Valencia, Spain
Blend: 50% Bobal, 20% Tempranillo, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% each Merlot, Syrah and Garnacha
Tasting: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Bodegas Mustiguillo is known for being one of the pioneers in the Vino de la Tierra El Terrerazo, which is located in Utiel Requena in the southeastern region of Valencia, Spain.

This is a juicy wine with lots of earthy funk to it.  Now you may read that and wonder whether it is a wine for you.  Well, here is what I say… you never know until you try and that is what Winesday is all about.  You get to try some wines that you may see on the shelf and wonder what the heck they are all about.  Robert Parker (The Wine Advocate), is what one may call ‘a wine aficionado’ and he says “While it is not for everybody… but it is unquestionabley avant garde in its aromas and flavours.  I found its weirdness to be a turn-on.”  He gave the 2003 vintage 89 points, which isn’t too shabby.

Food Pairing:

Spanish Beef Stew;  Marinated Beef Flank

CSPC:     718228
Price:

$25.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

Winery: Beso de Vino
Location: Carinena D.O. Spain
Blend: 100% Garnacha
Tasting: Wednesday, February 23 - 2011  4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Garnacha, Grenache… you say tomato and I say… well you get what we mean.  These two ‘G’ words are the same grape variety.  It is just that in different languages it may be spelled and pronounced a little differently.

Garnacha is a very friendly grape and this particular wine, because it is aged in oak for such a short period of time (only 4 months in French oak), it maintains its nice fruit flavours.

The winery says this:  “Beso de Vino’s red wines begin with the 2009 Beso de Vino Garnacha V.V. (old vines) which spend 4 months in French oak. It displays super fragrant aromas of black cherry, red licorice, and lavender leading to a dense, layered wine that over-delivers big-time for its humble price. Enjoy it over the next 3 years. Grandes Vinos y Vinedos’ collection is replete with stunning values”.  As with the previous wine, this one also scored 89 Points from Robert Parker.

Food Pairing:

Lentil Soup;  Baked Ham

CSPC:     834846
Price:

$11.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

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

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…

“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.

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.