After tasting through 5 Prince Edward County Wines (Ontario, Canada) by this evening it was time to get out of the County (as it is referred to) and get into something a little different, hence the California Red. I am told this is a blend of Merlot and Zinfandel from Sonoma - and a quick check of the website confirmed that to be true - aged 17 months in barrels. This was a really good match to the beef ribs that were the main course of tonight's dinner - and I think that is exactly what the winemakers had in mind for this wine. The nose has raspbery, spice, plum, vanilla and a heap of other red fruit, while the palate is smooth and coated in red berries with a touch of spice and some sweet vanilla and plum - quite a nice pairing. Now it's back to packing up the old house and readying it for the new ... my long holiday weekend will be spent painting and mowing: I hope you have a good one and remember to drink something Canadian tomorrow - it's Canada Day afterall.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Bolla 2009 Valpolicella Classico (Italy)
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity of trying the 2008 version of this wine at a Bolla relaunch dinner (http://ontheroadwithgrapeguy.blogspot.com/2010/06/report-from-bolla-relaunch-dinner-june.html). Tonight, I opened the 2009 version and started packing up some of my wine to take to my new house. What a fabulous sipping wine this is (although it does have good acidity and would pair nicely with a plate of pasta - that reminds me I have to start thinking about dinner ...). The nose has cranberry, sour cherry and hints of floral and spice. The palate is fresh and lively in the mouth with ripe, fresh, tart cherries and a hint of white pepper. Sippable and very easy drinking, this wine made packing up wine so much easier than one would believe. Had I thought of it beforehand I probably would have chilled this one just a little to really bring out that fruit.
Monday, June 28, 2010
J.P. Vinhos 2001 Tinto da Anfora (Portugal)
Sorry for being out of touch for awhile, for all those who have emailed let me answer your questions thusly: yes I have been drinking and tasting but I have been away from an internet connection, so it makes it hard to make public notes on the wines. Now, no more excuses, on to this wine. This is a blend of four indigenous Portuguese grapes and one international (Cabernet Sauvignon) ... as for why this was tonight's wine - the red end of the capsule caught my eye (I know real scientific reasoning here). From first sip to last swallow there was always sediment in my glass - in fact the inside of the bottle was covered in it, I could have made a sand castle with what was in the bottom of my glass. The nose was a bit pruny with hints of stewed prunes and chocolate (I know it sounds odd but some how it worked). Palate was a touch on the sweet dried black fruit and spice side, this wasn't fresh fruit - it was dried and chewy. This wine has held up pretty well although I'm glad I didn't wait any longer to drink it.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Three Whites ... Two for the Dogs (Ontario)
Ever have one of those nights where you think "it's not my night"? This was that night. I started by putting a bottle of 2004 Pelee Island Late Autumn Riesling in the fridge - a few hours later, before I started making dinner, I popped the cork on this wine and ... that smell was unmistakable, cork. 'Too bad,' I thought to myself, 'it happens, I know I have a back up bottle in here somewhere just for such an occasion. So into the fridge I go and ... Ah yes, a bottle of Calamus 2006 White. It's under screwcap so I should have no problems with the wine being corked. I twist the cap and the signature crack-of-the-cap is nowhere to be heard. I pour the wine into my glass and, yup, Houston, we have a problem, oxidized. I inspect the bottle a little more carefully and see that indeed it was a full bottle and not one I had previously opened and forgot about. Thank goodness for chicken and risotto, they take some time to prepare and cook, so I ran down into the basement and grabbed a bottle of Huff 2006 Riesling Reserve - Wismer Vineyard (I was determined to go Ontario tonight, even if it kills me), plus two other bottles (just in case). Two bottles went into the fridge, the Huff saw the freezer for twenty minutes. Success, this wine hit the spot (and was not faulted in any way). Dry and delicious - some apple notes but mostly lime with the merest hint of petrol starting to slide in, there was also some very good acidity.
Twin Pines Orchard Hammer Bent Hard Cider (Ontario)
I'm at it again - another hot day in Michigan and it's time for another taste of home ... I have a bottle of Hard Cider from the folks at Twin Pines and man does it ever hit the spot. A blend of four apples: Ida Red, Jona Gold, Russett and another that escapes my brain at this time. Crisp, clean and oh so refreshing. A little later I'll be opening up a Riesling with dinner.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Twin Pines Orchard Hammer Bent Perry (Ontario)
86 degrees in Michigan (that's 28 Celsius) and it was time for something to drink. We decided on a Perry from Twin Pines Orchard. Perry is a cider made from pears and this one is one of the best I have ever tried, small batch from a small Ontario cidery. No surprise as to what it tasted like (fizzy pears) - bottom line it was delicious and really hit the spot.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Mission Hill 2002 Five Vineyards Pinot Noir (British Columbia)
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