Thursday afternoon, this is our swan song in Florida, as we are leaving bright and early tomorrow morning to drive back north to Michigan (where my fiancee Erica lives) and then me back to Toronto. The family has come over for a goodbye drink and then we are going out to dinner - down here they eat early, must be all the retirees. It is raining like cats and dogs, so we are watching and listening to the rain as it comes down. This is one of those wines I brought from home, it's a Riesling I have been saving for a special occasion and this seems to be one of those occasions. Slight petrol, peach and some rusty apple smells on the nose, there's also the sweet trace of honey. Palate shows the honey off more generously, keeping the petrol at bay, while delivering green apple and peach pit notes. Delicious, and perfect for the afternoon at only 9% alcohol. Goodbye Florida, what a send off, you should see this rain.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Rocland Estates 2007 “Ass Kisser” Shiraz (Australia)
Tonight, it’s 70F and it’s burger night here in Fruitland. Yesterday I popped over to a place called Wine World where I picked up half-a-dozen interesting bottles. One was this easy drinking Aussie Shiraz for $9.99 – I asked the guy at the store about it before I bought it and he said, “It’s good for a ten dollar bottle of wine.” And he was right; lots of red and black fruit with peppery spice and dark chocolate notes. I would have to say that it’s a typical-Australian-fruit-bomb-with-pepper-notes Shiraz, nothing I haven’t had a thousand times before, the only difference is that it’s new to me and has a cool name, especially when you’re trying to make amends for taking off to a liquor store midday. But I’m in Florida, can you blame me.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Villa Rose NV Moscato D’Asti (Italy)
Tonight we are sitting out with Erica’s parents’ friends before heading off for some Mexican food (which was delicious by the way). I pulled out my Schott Zwiesel glasses and a bottle of Moscato, which I had purchased this afternoon for just this occasion. Most people in the circle had never heard of Moscato and others had no idea that wine went into proper glassware – as usual I get chuckles when I pull out my own stemware. This pseudo-bubbly was just the right sweetness needed for end of the day heat here in Florida (68F), and the 5.5% alcohol was far from oppressively heavy. Ginger ale, peach and grapey smells and flavours. A good treat for those who tried it.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Meridian 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
Oscar night and I needed a wine that would allow me to watch the show and not concentrate on the wine. I find myself in Florida at a Publix grocery store looking in the wine section (hey Ontario, imagine looking for wine in the grocery store) … I find a bottle of Meridian 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon – a wine I had tried back in Toronto at a Foster’s tasting, I knew the wine, and it was cheap here in FLA ($6.99). Nose full of black fruit, chocolate and black pepper, with a palate of black pepper, cassis and dark cocoa … I enjoyed the wine and, as I do every year, I enjoyed the show – after all I’m not just a wine buff, I’m a movie buff too.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Pillitteri 2008 Sparkling Icewine Cabernet (Ontario)
After two days of driving we’ve arrived in Florida, had dinner with Erica’s (my fiancée) parents and I finally met Grandma. Seemed only right to toast the occasion with something special – good thing I brought along this Pillitteri Sparkler from home (Ontario). Not your usual icewine, this one’s got bubbles and it’s red (made with Cabernet Franc); sweet raspberries and strawberries with just enough fizz to keep smiles on faces. Nothing like welcoming new family with something sweet – the bubbly part was a bonus.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Flat Rock Cellars 2005 Riesling (Ontario)
I'm on my way down to Florida, at a stop over in Calhoun,Georgia I popped open a bottle of Flat Rock Riesling - check it out here on the Taste it Again blog ...
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Thirty Bench Winemakers 2005 Riesling
Tonight it was a Riesling from the Ontario producer Thirty Bench Winemakers. I have been holding onto this one for a bit and I thought it high time to drink it ... this was a re-taste so I have linked the main review here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)