December 14 2006

Cover Story (Happy Holidays)
Holiday Cheer (Wines for Gift Giving and Party Bargains)
Oregon Part 1 (Wine Diva's secret Crush)
Taste Bites (Cheese-A fine Selection for your Holiday Platter)
Wine Diva-isms (Wine Diva's favorite "Pink" Things for 2006)

Wines for Holiday Cheer!
                             

                           Gift Giving...



Please don't give wine trinkets-give wine!
At least I can drink it!
Trinkets have plastic and metallic aromatics and are a tad chewy.
Wine is exceedingly more quaffable.






How did you know...


Van Westen Vivacious, Naramata BC, 2005-
This is the second vintage for them although the Van Westen family have been growing fruit on the Naramata Bench for over 50 years.
Primarily Pinot Blanc with 4% Pinot Gris this wine is fresh with ripe orchard fruit, mineral aromas and juicy citrus with just a hint of smoky spices. Lovely structure and weight with good balance between the sweetness of the orchard fruit and the sourness of citrus. Crisp with a long clean finish. Well done!
$17.90 BC Private wine stores (only 175 cases)
Wine Diva tasted-October 27 2006



 

Mont Tauch Les Douze, Fitou France 2004
Les Douze is a combined effort wine from twelve vignerons from the villages of Tuchan, Paziols and Villeneuve des Corbieres. This is a lovely wine combining lush fruit with rustic elegance. Cherry liqueur, earth, dark flowers, pepper and a hint of iodine. Mixed red and black fruit flavours on the tongue, this full bodied and boldly spiced wine is made for strong food flavours.
$19.99 (+384479) UPC #03288841029016
Wine Diva tasted - November 21st, 2006

Van Westen Viognier, Naramata BC, 2005-
Run, don't walk to grab this wine. Wine Diva has been waiting for this release since trying the foggy barrel sample last spring.
Just released with under 50 cases made this Viognier is another work of love from Robert Van Westen. Typical viognier perfume, peach pit and apricots  touched with orange blossoms and honeycomb and sprinkled with baking spices. Med-full bodied on the palate,  with  crisp citrus, mineral, licorice and rose petals. The finish is warm and reserved perfect for spiced dishes and shellfish.
$24.90 Select private wine stores  JUST RELEASED!
Wine Diva tasted-December 2 2006

Z-52 Old Vines Zinfandel, Agnes Vineyard, Lodi California, 2003-
The Harrison Ford of the wine world (or Pierce Brosnan?)
Rich, suave and profound. Fresh dark berries, raspberry, dried plums and intriguing aromas of tea leaves. Blueberries dipped in dark chocolate fondue-liquid velvet in the mouth that glides along leaving in its wake traces of sweet tobacco, spiced mocha and earth. Sinful!
$26.76 BC (+195594) UPC #00831822003470
Wine Diva tasted-August 10 2006

Peller Estates Ice Cuvée Classic, Sparkling Wine Niagara Ontario, NV-Traditional sparkling wine sweetened with a kiss of Icewine!
Citrus rind, candied ginger, orange blossoms and honeycomb, mineral, Bosc pears on the nose with grapefruit and light toasted hazelnuts on the palate with a crisp biscuit-y finish. A gift the hostess who likes to serve an aperitif sparkler or impress you with a lovely Pavlova & fruit dessert!  Wine Diva has been a  fan for years of this bubbly-formerly known as 'Cristalle'!
$29.95 ON (+081986)
Wine Diva tasted-December 11 2006

Pfaffenheim 'Steinert' Grand Cru Gewurztraminer, Alsace France, 2002- This gorgeous Gewurztraminer is voluptuous and aromatic with pretty rose oil aromas, orange blossom, figs and nuts drizzled with honey. A decadent cocktail of sweet spices, mandarin orange and mango-lush, oily texture and a long clean finish. Great for holiday turkey dinners!
$31.88 BC (+615898) UPC #03185139087560
Wine Diva tasted-September 19 2006



Emmolo Merlot, Napa Valley California, 2003- Never heard of Emmolo? Well the family has been growing vines in Napa for nearly a century.  Cheryl Emmolo-founder and owner started the winery in 1994 and runs it with her three children from (perhaps more well known) ex-husband Charles Wagner of Caymus.
This is a gorgeous, voluptuous Merlot is fragrant with ripe cherries and black berries tossed with fresh mint and dark flowers and earth. Sweet vanilla and chocolate covered plummy flavours, velvety smooth on the tongue with soft tannins. A very worthy gift!
$34.99 BC (+493759) UPC #00831526000348
Wine Diva tasted-August 3 2006


Bolla Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, DOC, Veneto Italy, 2003-A big sexy beast of a wine-oozing masculine aromas of dried fruit and nuts, red cherry, bitter chocolate, leather and tobacco. Silky and spiced on the tongue with a long hot finish. Amarone is a perfect gift option for any wine cellaring cork dork on your list. Just remind them to invite you back when they open it in a decade!
Amazing with chocolate or hard cheeses.
$47.99 BC (+352757) UPC #08008960146068
$35.80 ON (+352757)
Wine Diva tasted-September 19 2006




DePonte Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Oregon, 2004-
A new product to BC the Deponte will be a welcome addition to the pinot-philes on your gift list. Sour cherry, earth, mushroom-y aromas and herbs with tart rhubarb, dusty cocoa and spice. Medium bodied on the palate-a bold and sexy pinot made in an old world style-to be sipped with good food! Arrive with this baby and you'll be invited back!
$49.95 BC (+785989)
Wine Diva tasted-September 11 2006





You shouldn't have...
                                  Dessert Wines-better than an after dinner mint!

Sumac Ridge 25th Anniversary 'Pipe', Okanagan BC
A BC made fortified red wine (meaning made in a similar style to Port) that spent three years in oak barrels before being bottled last summer just in time for all the Sumac Ridge's 25th Anniversary Celebrations.
Sun ripened berries and dried fruit aromas, tobacco, cedarbox and nuts mixed in with a swirl of velvety dark chocolate and caramel that glides over your tongue...dessert-in-a-glass!
Or if you aren't sweet enough a dark chocolate fondue would be a lovely addition.
(Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc)
$25.00 BC (+985481) 750ml-Winery
Wine Diva tasted-July 2006


Antinori Vin Santo Del Chianti Classico, Italy, 2002 -
This intriguing classic Tuscan wine-intensely flavoured from the dried grapes used to make it-is smooth like cognac with parallel aromas.
Rich, slightly sherried and nutty with hints of spice and earth. Not too sweet but warm and elegant. Great with nutty chocolates-dark chocolate covered almonds, milk chocolate peanut clusters, dark chocolate macadamia nuts and cashews.
$38.00 Mark Anthony Wine Stores
Wine Diva tasted-November 7 2006
 

Cocchi Barolo Chinato, Piedmont Italy NV
The Chinoto is made from DOCG Barolo, flavoured with quinine bark, rhubarb stems and root ginger as well as aromatic spices like cardamom. Intriguing-yes, but wait until you taste it. The colour is like a dark reddish sherry with rich aromas of coffee liqueur, spices and fragrant outdoor woodsy nuances, of pine needles, cedar wood and warm sweet spices (I'd love a men's cologne made of this stuff). Layered masculine flavours-somewhat Port-like with tobacco, coffee beans and a long velvety bitter-sweet chocolate finish.  Perfect with Chocolate!
$50.00 + BC (+575597) Broadway Wine Shop, Liberty Stores, Dundarave and Kitsilano Wine Cellar.
Wine Diva tasted-November 25 2006

 

Peller Estates Pinot Noir Icewine, Okanagan BC, 2004-
Icewine made from red grapes is still a surprise to many people. The one thing Wine Diva finds is that they tend to have  bolder structure and a hint less sweetness (actual or perceived?). The Peller Estates Pinot Noir Icewine is a gorgeous amber colour smartly housed in a clear bottle. It has warm and earthy aromas of dried berries and figs, smoky wildflower honey, warm spices and a hint of cedar. Smoky, toasted nut flavours with lovely sweet tobacco, clove studded oranges and cinnamon sticks. The finish is captivating-evolving and like the energizer bunny, it just keeps on going.
$79.99 (+725325) Private wine stores and Kelowna winery
Wine Diva Tasted-November 29 2006


Gifts of Sunshine...
                                              Spain

Cuatro Pasos, Bierzo Spain, 2003- Sweet supple and smooth loaded with smoked cherries and red berries lounging in spices and sweet oak. Easy drinking  and potentially addictive this wine deserves some bold hard cheeses or richly flavoured dishes.
$17.99 BC (+410225) UPC #08414825337364
Wine Diva tasted-December 7 2006

Dominio de Tares, Cepas Viejas, Bierzo Spain, 2004-The recent Spanish Splash wine event made converts out of those not already believers. The importance of regional wines emerging on local shelves  means we get to try more wonderful varieties and wines from smaller producers.
Marquis is without doubt the best independent store in BC sourcing international wines rarely available elsewhere.
The Cepas Viejas is 100% Menzia (classic grape variety)  and is oozing with ripe black cherries, sweet spices and rich dark earth. Lush, inky and sweet in the mouth with a hint of fresh acidity and toasty oak on the finish.
Drinking well now but also a wonderful cellar gift.
$32.90 Limited at Marquis Wine Cellars-Vancouver
Wine Diva tasted-December 6 2006

Bodegas , Tres Picos Borsao, Campo De Borja  Spain, 2004-The Tres Picos is made from 35-40 year old Garnacha vines and shows what Wine Diva loves about the feminine Grenache grape. Sweet berry and black cherry aromas liberally aromatized with dark floral fragrance. The supporting cast  hints of leather, dried fruit, tobacco and sweet spiced before finishing sweet, lush and smooth.
$32.90 Limited at Marquis Wine Cellars-Vancouver
Wine Diva tasted-December 6 2006

Pink Alert Just Released!


Super Tuscans=Super Gifts


Tenuta Dell' Ornellaia LeVolte, Tuscany Italy 2004-
Making a quick side trip to Vancouver (via New York) winemaker Axel Heinz's December 11th stop coincided with the release of some of the world's most famous Super Tuscan's from this famous Bolgheri house.
Fortunate doesn't describe being able to taste theses phenomenal wines side by side. The Le Volte is an amazing bargain! Sweet and smoky fruit aromas, plums and dried cherries, sweaty leather, iodine,  rose petals, earth and sweet tobacco. Lush and ripe chewy but not overly tannic. Smooth!
$29.99 BC (+431155)
$24.95 ON (+964221)
Wine Diva tasted-December 11 2006

Tenuta Dell' Ornellaia Ornellaia, Tuscany Italy 2003-Rich and intense with aromas of dried fruit, spice and ripe blackberries dipped in chocolate. Warm and silky on the tongue, port-like and grape-y with dried fruit, tobacco and cedar on the palate. Generous and truly superb!
$131.99 BC (+359687) very limited
$139.95 ON (+722470)
Wine Diva tasted-December 11 2006

Tenuta Dell' Ornellaia Masseto, Tuscany Italy 2003-
The Masseto is 100% Merlot  and 100% attitude! Potent and perfumed with black fruit swimming in liqueur, minty and meaty with dark earth, violets and roses. Velvet covered steel on the palate oozing dark chocolate, dried fruits, leather, vanilla and sweet spices. Devastatingly scrumptious-
the stuff that dreams are made of!
Released December 11th 6x6pks available at 39th & Cambie
$225.00 BC (+070912)
$ 289.00 ON (+730655)
Wine Diva tasted-December 11 2006

Wines for Holiday Cheer!

Serving the masses...



In-laws in from out of town?
Parties to prepare for?
Budget conscious during the holidays and need solid, crowd pleasing wines at cheeky prices while maintaining your status as hostess  with the mostess...?



Bubbles
Yellowglen "Pink" Sparkling Wine, Australia, NV-
Well a Wine Diva can't go wrong with anything that's called "Pink" can she? This is a bottle that will impress your guests visually and taste-fully while keeping you within your party budget. Delicate pinky hue, medium bubbles and aromas of strawberries, soft orchard fruit, subtle floral nuances and citrus rind. Fun, bright and zippy with crisp citrus and mineral flavours.
Wine Diva's "Wine of the month" December 2006!
$12.99 BC (+89268)
$13.95 ON (+683183)
Wine Diva tasted-November 15th 2006





Jacob's Creek Chardonnay/Pinot Noir Brut Cuvee, SE Australia, NV-Sweet orchard fruit, soft berry, sweet spices, rich chalky minerals and light toasted nut aromas backstroking in light bubbles. Clean and crisp in the  mouth with a light mousse  and white grapefruit on the finish.
$15.99 BC(+562991) UPC #09300727839244
Wine Diva tasted-December 11 2006



whites
XOXO Sauvignon Blanc/Chenin Blanc, N/V
If you've been in the liquor stores lately you'll notice this addition of these snazzy wines XOXO bottles. This XOXO family contains four wines-two reds and two whites-all blends, a kiss of one grape a hug of another. The XOXO is made by Roundpetal Wines, here in Canada from grapes sourced from around the world. This particular XOXO is fresh and clean with slate, grass, minerals, peaches, soft tropical fruit, white flowers and lemon/lime rind. It's crisp and dry will be great as a sipper or with appetizers, cheese or shellfish.
Wine Diva approved pretty packaging!
$10.99 BC (+867051) UPC #00048162010864
$10.95 ON (+16592)
*available across Canada
Wine Diva tasted-September 6 2006



Hardy's Nottage Hill Chardonnay, SE Australia, 2005-
What you want a lush Chardonnay to be, full of ripe tropical fruit, vanilla and sweet oak. Buttery and spiced on the tongue with a lush texture, herbs and baking spices like cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. A warm and fuzzy Chard that reaches out and lays a Chiquita banana kiss on you.
$10.99 BC (+283457)
$10.50 On (+283457)
Wine Diva tasted-November 24 2006

Peller Estates Heritage Series Riesling, Okanagan BC, 2005-Peaches, green apple and bright citrus fruits on the nose with just a hint of Riesling petrol aromas. The flavours are quite pristine on the palate more orchard fruit, honeycomb and just a brush stroke of orange blossoms. The finish is warm, long and just off-dry with a sprinkle of spice.
Cheese plates, sushi or turkey-a perfect holiday option!
$11.99 BC $11.99 AB/ $11.59 SK/ $11.29 MB (+582817)
Wine Diva tasted-December 10 2006

Valdivieso Sauvignon Blanc, Chile, 2005-Fresh! Brilliantly yellow hued with snappy orchard fruit-apples and pears, grass, herbs, vanilla and sweet spice aromas. Smooth and quite lush on the palate with crisp acidity and hint of  toastiness on the finish. Great bargain!
$11.99 BC (+412890) UPC #00626990001119
Wine Diva tasted-November 25 2006

Reds
Tormaresca Paiara Rosso, Puglia Italy 2003-
This wine is one of those secrets you hate to give away (in case everyone actually reads this and buys it all). It has all the rustic elegance of Italian wine-sour cherry, dark flowers, sweaty leather, red berry and earth, a sweet velvety mouth-feel, tobacco and spice with soft tannins-all at a price point that will make you giggle with glee. Negroamaro and Cabernet Sauvignon.
$10.99 BC (+378182) UPC #08026530000336
Wine Diva tasted-September 19 2006



Domaine Listel Saint Jean de la Pinede, Vin de Pays D’Oc, 2003-This Cabernet/Merlot blend has all the rich rustic charm I have come to expect from the wines of the South of France. Aromas of luxuriant dark fruit-plums and sweet berries-topped with shaved dark chocolate and pretty violets. Rich, minerally earth and tobacco fill your mouth lifted by vibrant red berry flavours and finishing with chewy leather and just a hint of sour cherry. Besides the amazing price, when I revisited this wine the next day-it was even better!
 $11.99 (+342212) UPC #03244086403509
Wine Diva tasted-December 2 2006

 

Taja Monastrell, Jumilla Spain, 2003- Rich smoked black cherry and leathery aromas lifted with bright red berry. Rustic and earthy on the palate with chewy tobacco  and spice-a hint of acidity pops the red fruit back onto your palate before finishing dry with soft dusty tannins. Tapas and Manchego anyone? Yummy Spanish food wine at an entry level price!
$13.99 BC (+243329) UPC #03432780010011
Wine Diva tasted-December 6 2006

Peller Estates Heritage Series Merlot, Okanagan BC, 2005-
Plummy aromas, dusty earth, grilled game meat and bitter chocolate. Medium-full bodied in the mouth with smoked flavours, savoury herbs and spices.  Not a jam bomb style of Merlot but a Merlot made for heartier dishes, roasted or grilled foods or Christmas meatloaf.
$13.99 BC, $13.99AB, $13.29 SK, $13.29 MB  (+617654)
Wine Diva tasted-December 6 2006

Rock Rabbit Syrah, Central Coast California, 2003-
Savoury! Spiced game meat aromas, black plums, leather, pepper and  herbs. Serious depth-chocolate, cocoa, hearty spices and smoked flavours. Serving grilled foods? BBQ or rich meaty dishes? This is the wine for you!
$16.99+BC (+165571) Private wine stores
$16.55 ON (+673830)
Wine Diva tasted-December 11 2006





Peller Estates Private Reserve Pinot Noir, Okanagan BC, 2005-
Wine Diva's wine of the month for November-Rated 4 Stars by readers.
The Peller Pinot Noir is widely available and the price is more than palatable too! This is a delicious wine full of  juicy red cherry and raspberry jam, fresh earth, pepper and leathery hints. Mouthwatering sweet red fruit and cedar wood, fresh acidity and good depth, easy drinking, bright and clean with a long spiced tobacco finish.
Wine Diva tasted-October 29 2006
$16.99 BC (+618314) UPC #00048162005563

Go To Next Section

December 14 2006

Cover Story (Happy Holidays)
Holiday Cheer (Wines for Gift Giving and Party Bargains)
Oregon Part 1  (Wine Diva's secret Crush)
Taste Bites (Cheese-A fine Selection for your Holiday Platter)
Wine Diva-isms (Wine Diva's favorite "Pink" Things for 2006)