IDDA Etna Rosso
Sicilians refer to Etna a generous, giving mother, a.k.a. IDDA , which means SHE in local dialect. The joint venture of two very well known Italian winemaking families, Gaja and Graci. They so aptly named their wine IDDA after the pure energy and ripe, generous fruit from the mountains southern slopes.Their holdings amount to 52 acres of vineyards, between 2,000 and 2,600 feet elevation, in the village of Belpasso & Biancavilla. IDDA Etna Rosso 2018 Like the lava from the volcano, this wine just GLOWS Radiant ruby in the glass this 100% Nerello Mascalese has sweet aromas of red berries, earthiness, violets and herbs. The flavors erupt with sweet and tart cherry, red plum & mulberry, violet, herbal tomato leaf, sage and oregano, juniper berries, marzipan and white pepper into a tar flinty mineral finish. The soft tannins are balanced with the fresh acidity of this medium bodied wine. It has elegance, it has complexity, it has purity of the terroir. All the nuances you would want in an Etna beauty. Pair with grilled eggplant & tomato skewers or roast chicken and wild mushrooms. Yummazing!
Champagne Napoleon Brut
The perfect setting for a apéro amongst the gorgeous garden at my good friend and professional landscaper, this Tradition Brut was full of freshness and elegance. Champagne Napoleon Cuvée Tradition Brut A blend of equal parts of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims, this 1825 maison’s tradition only releases vintage champagne in the best years and philosophy of ageing their champagne for a minimum of 3 years in the lees. Delicate persistent bubbles with ripe stone fruit and pastries on the nose. A delightful creamy mouthfeel with generous fruit – peaches, mirabelle plum, apricot and pear, almonds and brioche. It’s freshness is a pure pleasure to drink with @richeeses Sea Salt Feta sprinkled with Aleppo Pepper and Olive oil, smoked chicken and a Turkish Yogurt Herb dip.
Champagne Mangin Millesime 2017
Cool, skin tingling and immensely satisfying. Pour a glass of Champagne Mangin et Fils Millesime 2017 and feel the sensations. 🥂Irresistable toasty brioche hot out of the oven aromas and flavors along with citrus brilliance of lemon curd & candied grapefruit. Enter the smokey honey, white blossom and raspberry almond skin with a fresh mineral finish. A silky perlage keeps it soft and elegant with the tingling acidity freshness. A balanced, round, seductive champagne that distinctly identifies it’s varietal and the terroir of Vallée de la Marne. This bubbly hits ALL of the sexy bubbly buttons full stop. Bubbly makes everything better 🥂 Your seaside vacay (or any vacay for that matter) desperately needs a 100% Meunier champagne.
La Maldita Garnacha
Ready for an exceptional value that meets all of your summer grill needs and won’t break the bank? Here we go. 𝐋𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐚 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐚 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎 Don’t let the name fool you – La Maldita (aka the troubled one) has it all going on – instead of following the pack with Tempranillo in Rioja they decided to highlight the beauty of Garnacha at higher altitudes ranging from 450-700 meters in Tudelilla, Rioja Baja and Cental, Alberite in order to preserve its fresh fruity character. These average 40 year old vines are planted in gravel soils and most certainly at those high altitudes are hand harvested. The grapes then are cold soaked in stainless steel to preserve the varietal character followed by a mix of 70% ageing on the leees for 3 months in stainless steel and the remaining in a mix of French and American oak barrels This ruby red beauty has fresh aromas of red berries, sweet spice and a soft oak touch. The freshness continues on the palate with juicy red cherry and plum, blueberries, violets, sweet mint, licorice, chocolate and vanilla. The plush tannins are well integrated with the alcohol and bright acidity. You’ll be pouring the second glass before you know it. This is a $15 steal deal (at LCBO & SAQ for you Canadians) a fruity fun crowd pleasers. Enjoy on it’s own while you are waiting for those Turkey cheddar burgers or warm spiced beef kebabs to be grilled to perfection, your call. Just open it and enjoy.
Matthiasson Merlot
Matthiasson Phoenix Vineyard 2019 Merlot + Meat = Magic When it comes to pairing a wine with grilled pork, #merlot is a classic choice. It has bright red fruit-forward flavors and herbal notes, fresh acidity and supple, almost velvety textured tannins shine with this dish. Pour a glass and enjoy with #charcoalgrill spiced pork chops. I made a #spicemix of cumin, coriander, chili, aleppo pepper, brown sugar, kosher salt and pepper.
COS Frappato – Summer Red
COS doesn’t need any introductions, the name speaks for itself… Crafted Outstanding Sicily 😂 At least that’s what comes to mind when I think of COS. In all seriousness it is the abbreviation is the initials of the three friends and founders. COS’s home is located in the south eastern tip, Vittoria. They started making wine because a)they loved wine, b) it was fun which evolved into restoring Sicilian quality winemaking of native grape varietals through organic and biodynamic principles. Their influence has stretched throughout Sicily and beyond. Now note – I have enjoyed many of their wines, but decided to showcase their Vittoria as an introduction for those who may have never tasted their wines. Trust me they are not easy to come by, they sell out fast. COS Frappato di Vittoria 2021 Organic & biodynamic. Destemmed and spontaneously fermented in concrete vats with a further 9 months ageing in order to preserve it’s bright red fruit character. The color is just spectacular pale ruby red with a violet rim. Vibrant aromas of red berries are amplified with a cherry blossom and violet bouquet along with earthy forest floor and leather. The first sip and everything just bursts in your mouth all at once – the acidity, the flavors and the fresh I just can’t get enough of feeling. The juicy raspberry, cherry, strawberry and rhubarb, prunes, hay, licorice, cinnamon, pepper and smoke flavors are balanced with soft lighter spectrum tannins and the zesty acidity. This lighter styled wine has complexity, freshness and personality. This is a type of that I gravitate to in summer – it’s the mood, the temperature and the vibrancy. Its a wonderful red wine to drink with lightly chilled. Pair with a smoked duck breast crostini, a roasted red pepper, zucchini and eggplant salad or grilled sea bass.
HdV Le Début Chardonnay
“You set my soul alight” – Muse I have never met a Chardonnay that I didn’t like. Le Début stunner takes the first prize blue ribbon in my books because she set my senses alive. HdV Le Début (Hyde Vineyard) is a single block project that began in 2010 with no new oak influence to truly deliver the sites character. Aged for 13 months in 80% neutral French oak (founders and barrels) & 20% concrete egg. Unfiltered and unfined, Old world meets new world in the philosophy of the vineyard, winemaking and wine style. Golden goddess color pours into the glass. Sweet aromas of ripe pineapple, peach, citrus, green fruit perk up the bright floral, delicate oak and mineral accents. It has a stunning concentration, extremely layered and well integrated with a creamy mouthfeel and electric minerality. The long lasting notes of apple, quince, peach, lemon meringue pie, vanilla, ginger, smoke, honeysuckle, almond cream, straw and smokey minerality. Silky, creamy, classy, beautiful. My new love… Lobster ravioli or classic roast chicken would be sublime. However it disappeared rather quickly in its own 😉 I was asked many times if I had a second bottle.
Pianbello Orme Pas Dosé
Pianbello Orme Pas Dosé Alta Langa DOCG 2017 A Metodo Classico Blanc de Noirs (100% Pinot Nero), zero dosage, from 2 hectares of vines grown on rich clay sand soil full at 600m altitude. Aged for 30 months on the lees to create a fine balance between richness of ageing and freshness of fruit. Fun Fact: The Pianbello wolf logo has a number of meaning – it represents the family’s old farmhouse, the Laozzalo’s city crest meaning where the wolves run, the little river that flows through the estate called Rio des Lupi (River of Wolves) and also the four brothers of the founding family who scampered around as kids were nicknamed little wolves. It’s the family bond, their history and spirit. Pours into the glass a pale straw color with a delight of fresh green apple aromas and freshly cut lemons complimented by white blossom, pastry cream and brioche . First sip of pure freshness, the crisp acidity livens the palate as do the airy fine persistent bubbles. The aromas are present on the palate layered with minerals, smoke, hay, tart cherries and strawberries, almond skin into an inviting ginger finish. Perfect paring for a summer get together poolside, aperitif paired with an olive bacon cake or a decadent grilled langoustines with grapefruit beurre blanc
Provocativo Cava Brut
Whether it’s a Graduation party, an impromptu get together with friends and neighbors or a night out on the town, a magnum of bubbly is always a good idea. Provocativo Cava Brut will put a smile on everyone’s face and carry the night into the wee hours of the morning. Golden goodness in the glass with party dancing bubbles. Fresh acidity, creamy mouthfeel and refreshing flavors of citrus, green apple and pear, honeysuckle, fennel with a touch of biscuit and almond. It inspires fun and all around good times.
Castlewood Brut Nature
Castlewood Wine is a boutique winery Is located in East Devon, part of England’s extended sparkling wine country. They are dedicated to quality, terroir wines. Castlewood 2018 Brut Nature is clean, crystal purity of the terroir and this Chardonnay Bacchus blend is no exception. A Traditional Method that is Unfined, Unfiltered, it’s as good as it’s gets. Pours into the glass a pale green yellow color with excited perlage. Fragrant aromas of citrus, elderflower, pastry cream, brioche and wet stone. It has a verve to it, mouthwatering acidity that drives the bright flavors of green apple and pear, tart lemon and lime, grassland, gooseberry and minerals with a lengthy finish of freshly picked peach. It’s refreshing and bright that it’s easily enjoyed on a summers day or with food. As many of you know I am a huge oyster fan. This darling was made for sweet briney oysters, fried clams with garlic aioli or classic fish and chips with tartare sauce.