“From the stunning mountain ranges of Southern Italy to the sprawling fertile soils of the Adelaide Plains, Virgara Wines is the culmination of a family’s dream; a dream which has spanned three generations.”[1]

In 1962 Michael (father) and Maria (Mother) and their 10 children ventured off from the beautiful region of Southern Italy to another beautiful place called South Australia.

They made their home in Angle Vale and soon after they started growing potatoes, vegetables and grains along with raising beef cattle.  They did grow grapes to produce wine, but this was for their own use only.  That changed in years to come as their started to supply fruit for some major wineries.  In the 1990’s they purchased an existing vineyard in Angle Vale and in 2001 the family purchased the former Barossa Valley Estates Winery.[2]

The vineyards produce Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Alicante.

Tony Carapetis is the winemaker who is leading the way in the winery.

We think it is about time that we try these wines.

Virgara Sangiovese Alicante Bouschet Rose

Location: Angle Vale, South Australia
Blend: Sangiovese and Alicante Bouschet
Tasting: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

This wine is a blend of Sangiovese and a grape called Alicante Bouschet.  Alicante Bouschet is a cross of two grapes:  Petit Bouschet and Grenache.  One of the parents, Petit Bouschet is also the result of a cross:  Teinturier du Cher and Aramon.  Although it used to be all over the south of France, Alicante Bouschet’s numbers have been in deline.  It can be found in Spain, Portugal and the U.S.A., as well.  Although it has generally been used as a blending grape, it has found success as a single varietal by some producers in the Alentejo region in Portugal and a few areas in the U.S.A.  It found a great blending partner in the Sangiovese to produce this wine.

Virgara Says:

“The wine has a bright ruby red colour and the nose displays raspberries and strawberries. The palate is luscious and fruity with fine balanced acidity, with a very refreshing finish.”

Food Pairing:

Spicy Barbecued Shrimp Skewers;  Szechuan Beef

CSPC:                   731904
Winesday Price:

$15.76 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$18.99

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

Virgara Shiraz

Location: Angle Vale, Adelaide Plains, South Australia
Blend: Shiraz
Tasting: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

“The Adelaide Plains environment is much like the Mediterranean, and is a wonderful climate to produce quality fruit. Tony Carapetis is the winemaker who, with over 18 years of experience in the industry, gives the family great confidence in the quality of their wines. For the Virgara family winemaking has always been a family tradition and the Virgara Wines premises at Angle Vale is the tangible proof of their hard work and passion.”

Virgara describes this wine:

“The colour of the wine is deep ruby red.  The nose displays aromas of spicy black berry fruits with spice and vanilla.  Hints of earth and tar typical of the Adelaide Plains.  The palate is mouth filling dark brooding berry fruits, with fine plump rich earthy tannins. Great length!”

Food Pairing:

  Bistro Beef Tenderloin; Roast Beef with Mushroom Gravy

CSPC:                   730389
Winesday Price:

$16.59 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$19.99

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

Next week we are visiting a Chilean winery that practices sustainable farming.

[2] James Halliday Australian Wine Companion.  As well as Virgara Website

Well, here we are back in South Africa again.  Stellenbosch, to be exact. Known as the capital of the wine industry in South Africa.  It is also the home for Guardian Peak Winery.  It opened in 1999 as a partnership between Jean Engelbrecht and PGA Golf star Ernie Els.  Although the two recently dissolved their partnership to further explore their separate wine interests, Guardian Peak lives on.  Guardian Peak’s philosophy is to provide fruit driven new world style wines that are accessible to wine enthusiasts.  They know what a large number of consumers are looking for and they are delivering.  You will see what we mean when you come to try the wine.

Guardian Peak Frontier

Location: South Africa
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 45% Shiraz 35% Merlot 20%
Tasting: Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

A few months ago we had the opportunity to try this Guardian Peak wine and we thought you would enjoy it.  So here we are.  The wine has some interesting flavours that make it quite food friendly.  You will notice the ‘Grilled Sausage’ and the ‘Grilled Filet with Herb Butter’ recipes below.  When we read them we thought they would go great with this wine.  We haven’t tried them yet, but it is all about experimentation… in other words, we are trying them this weekend.

As described by the winery:

Appearance: Deep Ruby Red

Aroma: Great complexity on the nose with floral notes of jasmine and violet. This is backed up by sandalwood and licorice with hints of classic lead pencil.

Palate: Ripe, juicy red fruit are prominent on the palate with a lengthy, smooth finish. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz are in perfect harmony. Together with the Merlot, this creates a well rounded, wonderfully balanced wine.

Impression: “The three varietals each contribute unique flavours and character to the wine to make this a wonderful drinking experience. The wine will mature and soften beautifully over the next 5 years.”

Food Pairing:

Grilled Sausage Sandwiches with Caramelized Onions and Gruyère Cheese; Grilled Filet Mignon with Herb Butter & Texas Toasts;

CSPC:     721145
Winesday Price:

$17.09 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$18.99

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

Guardian Peak Shiraz

Location: Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
Blend: Shiraz
Tasting: Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Philip van Staden, the Winemaker describes the wine for us:

Appearance: Bright ruby red.

Aroma: Ripe red fruit aromas are evident, with cassis and white plum. This is backed up by hints of coffee and mocha, with well balanced, subtle oak notes.

Palate: The focused fruit shows exceptional follow through from the nose. This, combined with the seamlessly integrated tannin structure creates an approachable, elegant wine.

Impression: “A beautiful and well integrated Shiraz best enjoyed now and for the next three years.”

Food Pairing:

Bison Burgers with Cabernet Onions and Wisconsin Cheddar; Grilled Leg of Lamb with Rosemary, Garlic, and Mustard

CSPC:                   721144
Winesday Price:

$15.75 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$17.50

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

We have many favourite places in the world, but without a doubt Alsace in France ranks right up there.  Wait until you see the photos and taste the wine.  You will think you are right there.

COPAIN SAISON DES VINS VIOGNIER

Winery: Copain Wines
Location: California, U.S.A.
Blend: Viognier
Tasting: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

Every winemaker we have spoken with has had an interesting story behind their chosen profession.  Wells Guthrie’s story, too, is an interesting one.  Wells worked for Wine Spectator in their San Francisco office as a tasting coordinator.  Not only had he fallen in love with wine, but he had a very strong desire to become a winemaker.  He left Wine Spectator and then he and his wife packed up and headed off to the Rhône Valley in France.

It was in the Rhône that two men had an incredible influence on his love of wine and winemaking.  Michel Chapoutier and Jean Louis Chave.  Wells worked as an apprentice to vintner Michel Chapoutier for two years.  You might be wondering why he wanted to work with Chapoutier.  Credentials, quite frankly.  The Chapoutier family has been in the wine industry in the Rhône Valley for more than 200 years.  If you drink wines from this region, then you most likely know the Chapoutier name.  Then there is Jean Louis Chave.  His family has been in the ‘vine’ business since the late 15^th century and is considered to have one of the finest wineries in the region.  Ironically, Jean Louis did his schooling at the University of California Davis.  We can only imagine the depth of the impact that these two ‘star’ Rhône vintners had on Wells.  His French winey name, Copain, in English means ‘buddy/friend’.  He gave it that name because he feels that wine is best shared with friends and family.  Hear hear.

Wells founded Copain in 1999 in the state of California and quickly became known for his big Syrah and received a lot of press.  Like all good winemakers, Wells believe that quality starts in the vineyard.  Over the years the alcohol has lowered in the wines and they have become longer lasting and more, shall we say, elegant.  He wants to be a winemaker forever.   Although they make many lovely wines, we are lucky to have Wells’ Viognier to sample this week.

Wells describes this wine:

“This stainless steel fermented Viognier combines candied lemon rind, subtle white flowers, and dried apricots in a steely mineral nose.  Aromatics carry well to the palate which is clean, crisp and lively with a zesty lemon curd and chalk finish.”

CSPC:                   722095
Winesday Price:

$25.19 (Includes Winesday 10% discount.)

Regular Price:

$27.99

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

Rutherglen Estates Burgoyne’s Block MSG

Winery: Rutherglen Estates
Location: Rutherglen, Australia
Blend: 60% Mourvedre, 20% Shiraz, 20% Grenache
Tasting: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Although we did not plan it this way… both of our wines this week have their roots in the Rhône Valley.  They are not made there, of course, but the history leads us back to that region.

“Rutherglen Estates was conceived with the ambition to redefine the traditions of one of the world’s best fortified wine regions, by producing premium table wines from varieties most suited to the climate and conditions of the Rutherglen region.”

In the mid 19^th century, the Rutherglen region of Australia was one of the largest wine producers in the southern hemisphere.  However, they were mostly known for their fortified wines.  The United Kingdon was the recipient of most of these wines, which really isn’t that surprising.  They seemed to have an insatiable taste for all things fortified.  Peter Burgoyne was considered to be a ‘wine pioneer’ in his day and he had the idea to make the Rutherglen region the principal winegrowing area in Australia.  This wine was named in his honour.[1]

Modelled on the Rhône Valley classics, this blend heralds the delightful reunion of these varieties. Although Mourvedre is rarely the dominant variety in these traditional blends, the colour, structure and intensity of flavour from our Mourvedre, allows us to make a unique version, adding an extra gamey and rich dimension to the Shiraz and Grenache. Shiraz offers lovely berry fruit, pepper and colour richness, while Grenache is the strawberry, candy, vanilla and spicy support variety.  This wine is very drinkable, yet is sophisticated and elegant with great length, rounded tannins, truffles, pepper, spice and red berry fruits.”

CSPC:                   738576
Winesday Price:

$18.89 (Includes Winesday 10% discount.)

Regular Price:

$20.99

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

Can you believe that next Winesday we will be a mere 18 days from Christmas?  We will be celebrating with two wines from Guardian Peak in South Africa.   We are looking forward to see you this week and next.

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

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

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

Wally’s Hut Chardonnay

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

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

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

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

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

Food Pairing:

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

CSPC:     711222
Price:

$10.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

Wally’s Hut Cabernet Shiraz

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

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

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

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

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

Food Pairing:

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

CSPC:     711220
Price:

$10.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

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

[2] www.nuganestate.com

[3] www.epicurious.com

Winery: Rosedale
Vintage: 2007
Location: Australia
Alcohol: 14%
Blend: Shiraz - 100% from Barossa Valley
Tasting: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

This wine had such a cool name, that it was hard to resist.  Cat Amongst the Pigeons.  You have to give it to the Aussies for coming up with the neatest names for wines.  You can almost picture a stealth like cat just waiting for a pigeon to make the wrong move.

The Rosedale Winery, located in the Barossa Valley in Australia has been lauded for a number of their wines.  In particular Nine Lives Shiraz for 2006 and 2007 was given a whopping 92 points and 91 points respectively by Robert Parker, Wine Advocate.  At the 2009 Sydney International Wine Competition the 2007 Nine Lives received the ‘Blue-Gold Award /Top 100.

The Barossa Valley and Shiraz.  They just go hand in hand.  Some of the top Shiraz out of Australia has come from this area.  The big spicy fruit forward shiraz that we have all associated with this beautiful country.  Barossa Valley is located just 1 hour north-east of Adelaide in South Australia.  The countryside is scattered with old vineyards, churches and stone cottages.  If you want to go there for a visit, there are many hotels and B&B’s that would welcome you with open arms.  This area is Australia’s most visited tourist designation.   At Rosedale Wines we believe that “Great Wines start in the Vineyard” and the Barossa Valley sets the stage for some of the best Shiraz grapes in the world. With its rich soils and Mediterranean style climate, the result is red wines with rich character and white wines with crisp and revitalizing finishes.”

With high ratings from the internationally acclaimed Wine Advocate, Robert Parker Jr, Rosedale Wines is attracting attention from all over the world and currently exports to the USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Germany, New Zealand and Asia.

“Rosedale Wines have allowed winemakers scope to experiment and develop new styles, tastes and blends. This has encouraged the development of approachable and affordable wine styles which have been instrumental in the growth of such brands like Cat Amongst the Pigeons.”

As mentioned, the Barossa Valley is best known for its Shiraz.  Due to strict quarantine restrictions in the 1800s, the vineyards did not suffer from phylloxera or the many other diseases that have caused horrendous damage.  There are vines in the Barossa Valley that are ancient and produce highly concentrated and full-bodied wines that are full a big juicy flavours.

The name was given to the area by explorer Colonel Light based on the supposed similarity of the Barossa Range to a similar range in Spain. The region is most notable for its red wines, particularly those made from Shiraz. But there are other grape varieties, both red and white that play an important role in the wine industry of Barossa.

The region generally about three hundred metres above sea level, but the altitude of many of the vineyards is much higher. In the lower and warmer areas, red wine predominates while on the cooler higher slopes Riesling is common. In fact the Barossa abuts the Eden Valley wine region which is regarded as one of the premier regions for Riesling.

The history of the region is linked to the influence of the German immigrants who were encouraged to settle in the region by local landowner George Angas. Many of these migrants were Lutherans from Silesia, who were suffering persecution in their homeland. By the 1850s viticulture was well established in the valley. Among these migrants were Johann Gramp who planted the first vineyard of the region at Jacobs Creek in 1847 and Joseph Seppelt, whose name lives on in a famous Australian wine brand name.

Now let’s open this wonderful wine.  The colour… dark rich purple/red.  I would positively decant this wine for at least 45 - 60 minutes and let that wonderful jam and spice come to the forefront.  What you will notice with this wine is how well is goes with so many types of food.  Not just beef and barbequed food, but also cheeses and lamb.

Food Pairing:

Beef (roasted, BBq’d, braised), strong cheeses; lamb; bison (roasted, BBQ’d)  bison/beef burgers.

CSPC:     58073
Price:

$23.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

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

Winery: Wayne Thomas
Vintage: 2002
Location: McLaren Vale, Australia
Alcohol: 14%
Blend: Shiraz
Tasting: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Now I know you are looking at this and thinking ‘what the heck?’  I thought she said she was going to Germany.  Well as luck would have it, when I got to the airport and passed through security didn’t I go to the wrong gate and end up on a flight to Australia!!  You don’t believe me?  Well, I don’t blame you.  It sounds a little far fetched even for me!  We had planned to sample a German wine, as you know, but something came up at the last minute and we had to make a change.  Hence this blog is being posted so late.  We will visit Germany soon.  To make up for it, we have a special treat for you…Wayne Thomas American Oak Shiraz 2002.  I was speaking with the wine agency this morning and they told me that the Wayne Thomas wines are only available in Alberta, so this truly is a treat.

Richard and I had the opportunity to try this wine just after we were engaged in October 2007.  We were given a bottle as a congratulations present by Jim at Sherbrooke Liquor.  When Jim first told us about this wine, we were completely intrigued.  Of course, I immediately went to Google Wayne Thomas.  There was not a lot of information to be found at the time

Wayne Thomas was a veteran in South Eastern Australia.  He started his winemaking career in 1961.  He studied at the Roseworthy Agricultural College in South Australia.  (In 1991, Roseworthy became a part of the University of Adelaide).

In years to come, Wayne worked for Stonyfell Winery just outside Adelaide, Ryecroft Winery in McLaren Vale and Saltram Winery in Barossa Valley before establishing Fern Hill Winery in 1975 with his wife Pat.  Wayne and Pat sold Fern Hill in April 1994.  They were not leaving the wine industry, however.  They started a new label called, you guessed it, Wayne Thomas Wines.   The winery itself was located in the old Maxwell Winery in McLaren Vale.  Their approach this time was to use contract-grown grapes sourced from vineyards throughout the McLaren Vale region.  They had amazing success with their wines.  Sherbrooke carries both the Shiraz and the Petit Verdot in the store.  You shouldn’t miss the Petit Verdot, either.

Wayne’s wife passed away in 2001 and she did not get to see him win the “Bushing King” title in 2004 and 2006.  This is a time honoured title that goes back to days of old in Great Britain.  Vines/bushes were hung on doorways to announce the arrival of the new vintages of wine.  The McLaren Vale Bushing Festival started in 1973. The winemaker who wins the best wine of the year is bestowed the title of “Bushing King/Queen”.  In April 2007, Cancer took Wayne’s life.  He had just finished supervising the harvest and crushing of the 2007 vintage.  Wayne’s talented son Andrew agreed to finish the 2007 vintage in honour of his dad.  Like so many… Wayne was gone too soon.

The wine is a bright ruby colour.  There are the wonderful notes of the blackberry, black raspberry and that wonderful Shiraz peppery spice is on the nose too.  If you dig a little deeper, there is even a wee touch of vanilla from the 432 days that this wine spent in the oak barrels.

There is a very special offer for our customers today.  If you buy a single bottle of the Wayne Thomas Shiraz you will for sure get your ‘Winesday 10% discount’.  If, however, you buy 6 bottles of the Wayne Thomas Shiraz today, you will get a whopping 20% off the price.  This is the first time that this has been offered, so it is a great time to take advantage.

Come by and enjoy this wine with us.

Food Pairing:

BBQ beef, BBQ chicken, BBQ Salmon, Duck, Osso Bucco

CSPC:     711825
Price: 

$34.99 (Minus Winesday discount.  See the extra special noted above.)

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

We are going to be back on Canadian soil next week.  In particular… Ontario.  See you there!