Our wine reviews
A pleasant rosé, and a great value… Name: Buti Nages Vintage: 2015 Producer: Michel Gassier Region/Country: Costières de Nîmes, Vallée du Rhône, France Grape Varietal(s): Grenache and Syrah Consumed: At home Recommended By: Chosen from the Selection at the SAQ Cost: $15.95 (SAQ) Bottle Presentation: Girly/feminine, simple. Appearance: Light salmon. Nose: Peaches and strawberries, with … Read more
Pleasantly surprised by this lighter Italian red… Name: Matto Barolo Vintage: 2011 Producer: Matto Wines Region/Country: Piedmont, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Nebbiolo Consumed: At Vittoria Trattoria Restaurant Recommended By: Chosen from the wine list Cost: $75 Bottle Presentation: Modern and distinct. Part of the label reminded us of an inkblot. Appearance: Light garnet, which is surprising … Read more
Bring on the pizza and pasta… Name: Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore Vintage: 2014 Producer: Folonari Region/Country: Veneto, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara Consumed: Le Vieux Four Manago, Saint-Sauveur Recommended By: Restaurant server Cost: $38 at the restaurant (apparently $19.95 at SAQ) Bottle Presentation: Classic, rich look Appearance: Medium-dark ruby Nose: Sour cherries, leather, … Read more
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