It's coy label may belie what seriousness is housed inside...
The Alibi is a 80/20 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon that has followed in big brother Nota Bene's iconic footsteps. Primary aromas of guava, nectarine and melon with floral accents and undertones of herbs, cut grass and minerals. The palate shows a different side, hints of caramel and toast, spice and citrus zest...very good intensity and a substantial, mouth-watering finish.
©copyright 2009 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - June 25th, 2009

The Blasted Church Gewurztraminer is visually appealing and refreshing as heck.
Bright aromas of orange blossoms, spiced grapefruit, honey, rose oil and crisp orchard fruits. Vibrant on the palate, showing warm spices and peppery/gingery flavours, sweet tropical fruit and lingering grapefruit zest on the finish.
Pair with all your exoticly flavoured and spicy dishes.
©copyright 2008 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - June 13th, 2008

The aromatics in this wine are subdued and quite earthy - hints of cherries, spice, cedar dust and tobacco. The palate shows predominantly red berry fruit flavours and spices, it is medium-bodied and smooth with fine tannins lingering on the finish,
©copyright 2009 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - April 13th, 2009

The "Road 13 White" smells of tangerine rind, honeysuckle and key lime with a suggestion of the honeyed-muskiness of the Muscat grape. Zippy and refreshing on the palate it shows mouth-watering white grapefruit and a clean minerality with a long zesty finish.
38%Ehrenfelser, 30% Gewurztraminer, 23% Chenin Blanc, 6% Viognier, 2% Chardonnay, 1% Orange Muscat
As reviewed on CityFood.com August 13 2007
©copyright 2007 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - August 8th, 2007

I am stupidly in love with this stuff.
Thank goodness I can only drink a shot on ice in one sitting or the bottle would be gone. Perhaps its the pure essence of Madagascar vanilla in a sweet cognac base that appeals but I wouldn't turn down the Grand Marnier Cuvee Louis-Alexandre scented with exotic oranges either.
Straight-up on ice is usually good for me but the range of martinis you can mix it up with will get your creative juices flowing.
My favorite concoction is 1/2 oz. of Navan and 1/2 oz of raspberry liquer topped with Champagne and a single raspberry lolling about in the flute.
Christmas option - add an ounze of Navan to your eggnog!
©copyright 2007 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - October 25th, 2007

Very appealing aromas - bright and fruity- cherry vanilla, allspice with creamy blackberry notes. Smooth and ripe with dense layers of briary fruit and spice, a full texture with nice acidity to balance and a delicious linger...
©copyright 2008 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - September 16th, 2008

Welcome Spring!
I tasted the newly renamed JoieFarm Rose on the first full day of spring - what better way to celebrate the sunshine than with a toast to the approaching warmer months. The aroma of watermelon juice aptly matches the brilliant hue but strawberries, pink grapefruit and mineral notes also waft upward out of the glass...
I think I actually like it better than last years model - it's mouth-watering but suitably off-dry with flavours of blood orange, citrus zest, a suggestion of banana with cedar, tobacco and fine spices.
A blend of almost equal parts Gamay and Pinot Noir with a good dose of Pinot Meunier and a final addition of Pinot Gris
©copyright 2009 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - March 22nd, 2009

The Rigamarole Red label asks..."Why is it such a RIGAMAROLE to find such a great drinking red?"
Answer..."It isn't if you read Wine Diva regularly!"
But I like their tongue-in-cheekiness and quirky labels.
A dusty red colour with spiced aromas and flavours to match-cherry, white pepper, cocoa, earth, rhubarb, lether and a hint of meatiness on the nose. Medium bodied and quite smooth on the palate showing dried cherry and spice and a bit of acidity followed with a dusty finish.
©copyright 2007 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - June 17th, 2007

From the first swirl this wine is fragrant. Chock-a-block full of dark floral notes followed by cassis, cedar chips and cocoa. Hailing from Australia's new darling Cabernet region it shows typical Margaret River restrained power and elegance. It will charm you with juicy flavours of cassis, enhanced by fine, sweet spice and a smooth, bright finish.
©copyright 2009 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - July 9th, 2009

A new name and new packaging, the (formerly known as) Golden Mile Cellars has hit the jackpot with their new style. Simple, clean labels in red/white/black and some new proprietary names as well.
Honest John's is a refreshing blend of Ehrenfelser (love it), Sauvignon Blanc and a hint of Viogner. This wine is peachy, peachy, peachy in both flavour and aromatics.
Primarily peach nectar on the nose underscored by warm spices, lime zest and grapefruit juice, honeysuckle, minerals and - typical BC - wild herbal tones. Peaches drip all over your palate as well, followed with more spice and snappy grapefruit. Crisp, fresh and tasty as heck!
©copyright 2008 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - October 8th, 2008

Poached pears in vanilla, spiced undertones and notes of cream caramels. On the palate it's rich - the aromas return on the palate showing us similar flavours of pear compote, caramels, vanilla, roasted nuts and sweet spices.
©copyright 2008 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - August 1st, 2008

A glassful of mixed dark briary berries and red summer fruit, chocolate and sweet spices - vanilla and cloves. Very easy quaffing - supple and tasty with lingering spice.
Yellow Tail is always a crowd pleaser!
©copyright 2009 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - May 15th, 2009

A brand new label here in Canada the Bird in Hand will be a winery to watch! This is a glorious sparkler, just a hint off-dry with a nice round body and lovely elegance, red berry aromas and crisp clean finish. Yummy!
©copyright 2006 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - October 18th, 2006

If you have yet to step up to the Champagne shelf and grab a bottle of
de Venoge
I think it's time you did.
It features brilliant gold-yellow glints with crisp apple, stone fruit, toast with honey and citrus blossom aromas. Creamy and fresh on the palate with mouth-filling mousse and zippy citrus flavours.
Simply lovely!
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier.
©copyright 2007 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - October 9th, 2007

Persistant ribbons of bubbles with a delicate mousse and soft aromas of crisp orchard fruit, minerals, citrus, white blossoms, tea leaves and a hint of toast. Smooth, with a suggestion of sweetness and flavours of fresh green apples, creamy lemon and honey with a gentle, clean finish.
Very nice!
©copyright 2007 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - April 16th, 2007

Expect an affordable bubbly with toasted hints with plenty of fruity notes - apple and apricot hints with some honey and citrus blossoms. The palate is smooth and mousse-y, it is unapologetically off-dry and bright with plenty of apricot jam and citrus with some chalky or talc flavours and a long, pleasant finish.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - December 12th, 2010

A delicious salmony-pink colour with delicate bubbles. On the nose, the Feuillatte Rose shows a medley of mixed berries, peachy hints, dried flowers and loads of toast and spice notes. It has crisp citrus and creamy berries on the palate with toasted spice, cinnamon stick and a lingering zesty finish.
Elegant and daring, a bubbly that can be sipped with hors d'oeuvres or paired with goats cheese souffle.
©copyright 2007 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - November 28th, 2007

Bright and toasty with citrus, crisp tree fruit, delicate blossoms and honey aromas with a hint of chalky minerality. Smooth and creamy on the palate with flavours of apple peel, a hint of ginger and citrus zest. Plenty of happy beads and fresh but with nice complexity - a classic vibrant Champers.
©copyright 2008 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - December 12th, 2008

A very feminine Cava - aptly titled, with alluring aromas of peach, pear, honeysuckle and talc. Secondary aromas are quite tropical and ripe - banana and exotic citrus with minerals and leesy notes to round it out. Fresh and bright on the palate - a kiss of sweetness with a full mousse and a vibrant fruity, crisp finish.
Very pretty.
©copyright 2008 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - December 15th, 2008

Candied berry and citrus rind aromas with a brilliant berry colour to match. A delicious bubbly with a hint of brioche, creamy, berry flavours in the mouth, a fine seam of tannins and spiced tobacco on the finish. A blend of Tenat and Pinot Noir Pair this sparkler with starters or seafood.
Good value!
©copyright 2007 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - December 1st, 2007