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

Red cherries and red plums, white pepper, cocoa, vegetal notes and a suggestion of coffee. Medium-bodied on the palate with juicy plum-berry flavours, vanilla and spice on the finish.
Incredible price!
©copyright 2008 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - January 14th, 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

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

An excellent value weekday dinner wine made from Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah.
Warm cherry and raspberry aromas, lifted dark floral supported by earthy, leathery undertones and a seam of iodine. Polished on the palate, spicy and leathery with wild blueberry flavours. Integrated tannins and bright balanced acidity with a price that says buy two!
©copyright 2008 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - October 31st, 2008

Sweet dark berries and plums, oak char, vanilla, menthol and vegetal notes. Slightly chewy on the palate with earthy flavours - mixed fruit, leather, smoked meat and hints of pepper on the finish.
©copyright 2008 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - January 9th, 2008

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

A trio of White Bear wines are being launched on Earth Day 2009. From the Artisan Wine Company these crisp quaffers are donating 15% of their sales in an honorable effort to support the habitat preservation of BC's Great Bear Rainforest for the Kermode Bear also known as "Spirit Bear".
The trio will include this Pinot Blanc, a Sauvignon Blanc and upcoming Riesling.
The aromas are of fresh orchard fruits, citrus zest, minerals and a sprig of spring blossoms. It's an easy drinking white, crisp, refreshing and light-bodied with mouth-watering acidity and lingering flavours of grapefruit on the finish.
©copyright 2009 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - April 8th, 2009

Here kitty, kitty...
We know about cats and cream, but who knew you could get the cream spiked?
A dangerously delicious, creamy concoction with nutty, vanilla undertones. Pour it straight up on ice and I bet you'll be licking the glass clean.
©copyright 2008 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - August 18th, 2008

Wine Diva couldn't decide what was the most appealing facet of this bottle of wine; the stunning label, peel away rubber cork or the name-Woop Woop!
The back label explains that in Oz vernacular, Woop Woop means "...not nearby, remote even." and goes on to explain how grapes were sourced from distant regions and combined to make the best possible wine.
The Woop Woop is a bodacious, expressive wine that flaunts sweet aromas of blueberry jam, sun warmed blackberries, fragrant smoky spices and chocolate-coated orange rind. Lush yet juicy on the palate, silky smooth with intense fruit, cocoa and vanilla.
Woop Woop!
©copyright 2007 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - March 22nd, 2007

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

At only 7% alcohol this could be considered a bit of a breakfast wine.
I love this job!
Its uber pinky-red and pretty!! Okay it tastes like sweet tarts-but not nearly as sweet as I expected not not nearly as mouss-y either. Smells like candied strawberries and candied rockets (rolled Hallowe'en chalk candy). Tastes light clean and sweetish, like a valentines kiss (except I'm drinking it in October) with sporadic bubbles and a long strawberry cinnamon-y finish.
Highly underrated and good clean fun!
©copyright 2006 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - November 2nd, 2006

An affordable sparkling wine perfect for sparkling cocktails, mimosa's or quaffing. Crisp and dry with citrus rind, smoke and mineral aromas. Fresh green apple on the palate with a creamy yet zippy mouth-feel and a puckery finish.
©copyright 2006 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - November 2nd, 2006

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

Always a very good value, this German bubbly is bright and mousse-y with aromas of marmalade and green apple, peaches and spring blossoms, a hint of talc and slate. The palate is vibrant and juicy with mouth-filling bubbles and sweet fruit and citrus peel. It is off-dry with a decently long and crisp finish.
Great as an aperitif or in coctails.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - January 25th, 2010

A rich golden shade with an lively mousse and bubbles set for party mode! Toast, berries and hazelnuts with lemon meringue pie aromas. Bright and full in the mouth with a creamy texture showing spiced citrus, fresh minerals, crisp white fruit and zesty flavours.
Great California sparkler made in the Champagne style.
©copyright 2000 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - January 1st, 2000

Pale in colour this recognizable Prosecco bottle with it's string tied cork has aromas of soft white orchard fruit, minerals and citrus with star anise spice and faint toasty aromas. The flavours are clean and dry with stone fruit and citrus and fresh mountain stream. Lovely long soft finish and a soft mousse perfect for those that prefer less (hiccup) bubble.
©copyright 2006 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - November 26th, 2006

Our home grown hero from BC's favourite wine father Harry McWatters who obligingly loves his bubbles. Cheers, Harry! The Steller's Jay is richly golden-apricot with upfront aromas of toast, Bosc pears and fresh-from-the-orchard apples. On the palate the Jay is valiant, loaded with citrus and mineral flavours. Always a solid and tasty sparkler! The 2002 is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir-which assists in that glorious hue.
©copyright 2006 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - November 26th, 2006

One of the few Riesling based sparkling wines available in our market. The Pyramid-aged Cipes Brut (named for owner Stephen Cipes) is just a splash sweeter than a classic Brut but has great Riesling balance and acidity. Fresh and fruity with a creamy mousse that releases the perfume of sweet apple blossoms, orchard pears and nutty aromas. Crisp, but with a pleasingly lush mouth-feel and persistent bead of bubbles. Sushi, chevre or chicken salad anyone?.
©copyright 2006 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - November 26th, 2006

Pink bubbles are not just for Valentine's Day and this one is affordable enough to sip every day.
It is a vibrant colour with exuberant black current and strawberry aromas. You can expect a soft mousse and a kiss of sweetness with flavours of cassis and wild berries, juicy citrus, a hint of cigarbox. Bright, crisp and refreshing.
Very good value.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - February 5th, 2010