You would not go wrong making this blend your house white… Name: 2014 Twisted Vintage: 2014 Producer: Flat Rock Cellars Region/Country: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Chardonnay Consumed: At home on a gorgeous summer’s evening Recommended By: LCBO rack Cost: $16.95 Bottle Presentation: Distinctive, clean, modern, and, to some degree, artistic … Read more
An intriguing IGT with a beautiful bottle that divulges its secrets over time… Name: Diadema Vintage: 2009 Producer: Diadema Wine & Champagne, SRL Region/Country: Tuscany, Italy Grape Varietal(s): 75% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet, 10% Merlot, 5% Syrah Consumed: June 24, 2016 at home Recommended By: A good friend (we received it as a wedding gift) Cost: … Read more
Reminiscent of Port, but a little more subdued… Name: Banyuls Reserva Vintage: N.V. Producer: NV Domaine La Tour Vieille Region/Country: Roussillon, France Grape Varietal(s): Grenache Noir, Grenache Gris, and Carignan Consumed: Atelier Restaurant in Ottawa Recommended By: The restaurant sommelier, Gabriel Cost: Unknown Bottle Presentation: Traditional, easy to read, but nothing distinctive Appearance: Dark ruby … Read more
A lovely dessert wine… Name: Ca’ del Baio 101 Moscato D’Asti Vintage: 2012 Producer: Domaine Mathieu Region/Country: Treiso, Italy Grape Varietal(s): White Moscato Consumed: Atelier Restaurant in Ottawa Recommended By: The restaurant sommelier, Gabriel Cost: Unknown Bottle Presentation: Modern with a hint of the traditional Appearance: Light gold Nose: Peaches Taste: Sweet Peaches, with tiny, … Read more
13 varietals all in one Châteauneuf-du-Pape… Name: Domaine Mathieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vintage: 2012 Producer: Domaine Mathieu Region/Country: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France Grape Varietal(s): To the best of our knowledge, the varietals consist of Grenache (85%), Mourvèdre (5%), Syrah (3%), and 10 others (7%) Consumed: Atelier Restaurant in Ottawa Recommended By: The restaurant sommelier, Gabriel Cost: Unknown Bottle Presentation: … Read more
Somewhere between a Syrah and a Cabernet Franc… Name: J&J Eger Winery Eged Hegy Kékfrankos Vintage: 2011 Producer: J&J Eger Winery Region/Country: Eger, Hungary Grape Varietal(s): Kékfrankos Consumed: Atelier Restaurant in Ottawa Recommended By: The restaurant sommelier, Gabriel Cost: Unknown Bottle Presentation: Classy modern Appearance: Dark ruby red Nose: Cigar box, vanilla, and leather Taste: … Read more
A light yet flavourful Pinot Noir that goes well with many dishes… Name: Mark West Pinot Noir Vintage 2013 Vintage: 2013 Producer: Mark West Region/Country: California, USA Grape Varietal(s): Pinot Noir Consumed At: Milestone’s Restaurant, Cambie Stree, Vancouver, BC Recommended By: Restaurant wine list choice Cost: $46 (restaurant list price) Bottle Presentation: Classic, but nothing … Read more
If you enjoy cranberries… Name: Domaine Bernard Defaix Bourgogne Rouge Vintage: 2014 Producer: Domaine Bernard Defaix Region/Country: Chablis, Bourgogne, France Grape Varietal(s): Pinot Noir Consumed: Atelier Restaurant in Ottawa Recommended By: The restaurant sommelier, Gabriel Cost: Unknown Bottle Presentation: Simple and classy, although it could prove challenging to distinguish the label from many other offerings … Read more
Not sweet, but still easy to drink… Name: Picone Vineyard Riesling Vintage: 2012 Producer: Charles Baker Region/Country: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Riesling Consumed: Atelier Restaurant in Ottawa Recommended By: The restaurant sommelier, Gabriel Cost: Unknown Bottle Presentation: Simple, yet distinctive and classy Appearance: Pale gold Nose: Petrol, minerals, citrus Taste: Evolving from … Read more
Not your typical cider… Name: Barkaiztegi Sidra Natural Vintage: 2015 Producer: Barkaiztegi Region/Country: Basque Country, Spain Grape Varietal(s): Apple varieties! Consumed: Atelier Restaurant in Ottawa Recommended By: The restaurant sommelier, Gabriel Cost: Unknown Bottle Presentation: Plain, simple label Appearance: Cloudy, a mix of pale green and pale yellow Nose: Green apples, yeast/hops Taste: Green apples … Read more