Our wine reviews
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
Honey, honey, honey… Name: Trimbach Pinot Gris Réserve Vintage: 2012 Producer: Trimbach Estate Region/Country: Alsace, France Grape Varietal(s): Pinot Gris Consumed: Atelier Restaurant in Ottawa Recommended By: The restaurant sommelier, Gabriel Cost: Unknown Bottle Presentation: Classic, easy to read label Appearance: Pale gold Nose: Citrus, honey Taste: Citrus, honey, melon Finish: Long honey notes Overall … Read more
Big, bold, BBQ-ready… Name: Prestige Malbec Vintage: 2010 Producer: Château Crose de Pys Region/Country: Cahors, France Grape Varietal(s): Malbec Consumed: At home Recommended By: LCBO Cost: $17.95 CAD Bottle Presentation: Classic, easy to read label. Appearance: Dark ruby. Nose: Cherries, leather, earth, ash, black currant. Taste: Tannic, cherries, leather, green coffee espresso beans, black pepper. … Read more
A nice old-world wine from a fantastic region… Name: Bosco Nestore Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva Vintage: 2010 Producer: Bosco Nestore & C. S.n.c. Region/Country: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 85%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Consumed: At home with a colleague from Innsbruck, Austria Recommended By: LCBO Cost: $19.95 CAD Bottle Presentation: Interesting though the label … Read more
Another nice offering from an outstanding winery… Name: Fumé Blanc, Rosomel Vineyard Vintage: 2013 Producer: Hidden Bench Region/Country: Beamsville Bench, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Sauvignon Blanc Consumed: At home Recommended By: Meg, Marketing Manager at Hidden Bench Cost: $27.95 Bottle Presentation: Distinctive and easy to read. The fonts hold well together. Appearance: Pale gold Nose: Citrus, … Read more
A decent red blend definitely worth a try… Name: Mas Janeil Vintage: 2009 Producer: François Lurton SA Region/Country: Côtes du Roussillon-Village, Languedoc-Roussillon, France Grape Varietal(s): 60% Grenache, 30% Carignan, 10% Syrah Consumed: At home on a Friday night (date night) Recommended By: The LCBO and Decanter (world wine awards commendation) Cost: $17.75 Bottle Presentation: Distinctive, … Read more
Surprisingly herbaceous, yet good with steak… Name: The Silver Line Epic Vintage: 2010 Producer: G. Marquis Vineyards Region/Country: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc Consumed: At home Recommended By: LCBO Cost: $29.75 Bottle Presentation: Classic, classy, clean, and distinctive Appearance: Medium ruby red Nose: Herbs, cedar, and leather Taste: Wood, … Read more
I stand corrected! I actually found an Australian Shiraz I love… Name: 2012 Eight Songs Shiraz Vintage: 2012 Producer: Peter Lehmann Wines Region/Country: Barossa Valley, Australia Grape Varietal(s): Shiraz Consumed: At a tasting with the Chief Winemaker, Ian Hongell, at Sidedoor Restaurant in Ottawa Recommended By: The Chief Winemaker himself Cost: $39.95 at Vintages (LCBO) … Read more