New Favs!

RED:

Shiraz Viognier has become a go-to for me lately. Australia seems to have it down to an art.

The Black Chook $20/btl

Discovered this while lunching at Jules. 

 Definitely my new favourite Pinot Gris. Perhaps for Christmas Day afternoon?

Garry Oaks  $20/btl

Road 13 Cab Sav

This was opened to celebrate a friend's birthday. Cab Savs are always a safe bet and you can buy great ones for much cheaper, but we love supporting BC wineries and we have yet to have a bad wine from Road 13.

$26/bottle

More Gray Monk Goodness

My dear friend Julie introduced me to Gray Monk Pinot Gris a couple of summers ago and now I've discovered another Gray Monk white. I'm loving their Pinot Auxerrois. This was brought over as a gift awhile back and I finally had a chance to try it. So refreshing!

$17/bottle

Fuzion

To celebrate Krissy's departure to Buenos Aires...a little Argentine goodness. Actually, it was Jenni who introduced me to this wine. A fantastic find and, at $9/bottle, you can't go wrong picking a couple up "just to have".

Cedar Creek does it again

**please excuse the empty bottle of Tapestry in the background. No judging!**

I am normally not a fan of Gewurztraminer, but Cedar Creek's is divine. I would buy it again and again. In fact, my bro will be getting some of this under the Christmas tree. (a HUGE Gewurztraminer fan)

$18/bottle

Osoyoos Larose

For a 60th Birthday, you have to step-up the wine selection.

I chose this Osoyoos Larose 2006 Le Grand Vin (hint: 2006 was a VERY hot year in the Okanagan so there were lots of good wines produced).

This is a "staple" in that you're safe giving it to a red-wine drinker - they'll love it!

$45/bottle

Burrowing Owl Pinot Gris

One word: buttery

$20/bottle

 

Slightly Obsessed...

The Stump Jump Red.

Delicious and cheap. 

Oh, and from Australia.

$14/bottle

Moving Forward....

As the weather gets a bit crisper and we get cozy in boots and sweaters, my wine selection becomes full-bodied. A friend recommended Stag's Hollow Cab Sav. I recommend for a red meat dish or a rainy night.


Opened for Thanksgiving dinner:

 Johnny Q Shiraz Viognier
$15/bottle
**has won a lot of awards - worth it, especially for a cheap price**

Red Rooster Reserve Merlot 2007
$30/bottle
**this was fabulous after it decanted for an hour**

Sunny day means another White

My brother & sister in-law served this for a pre-dinner wine. Nine by Intrigue is a blend of Riesling, Gewürztraminer and a touch of Semillon. Sweet and delicious. $15/bottle

Fall MishMash

Little Straw Vineyards

2009 Tapestry

This vintage sold out at the winery, but I've located a nearby VQA store that has some left :)

Inniskillin Marsanne Rousanne

$20/bottle

I discovered a couple of wines from Tinhorn Creek that I'm a fan of:

Tinhorn Creek Cab Franc

$18/bottle

Tinhorn Creek Pinot Gris

$17/bottle

Black Hills Nota Bene

My dad feels any occasion is a special occasion, so he did not hesitate to open this baby up when I gave it to him for Father's Day. I did not complain. Black Hills Nota Bene is a fantastic Bordeaux blend straight from the Okanagan. Worth the price. (Thanks to Marquis for providing me with a couple of bottles. I also noticed they have Laughing Stock Portfolio so I'll definitely be heading back!)

$57/bottle

Cassini

As much as I've been loving Pinot Gris this summer, lobster (see below) called for a nice Chardonnay. 

While in Osoyoos, a quick taste test of Cassini Cellars' Pinot Gris left me wanting more so I decided to try their Chard out. It suited the meal well!

$18/bottle

FYI, 5 lbs of lobster is a lot. Unless you're into lobster grill cheese and lobster omelets for days on end, I suggest a smaller size...

What goes well with pork tenderloin?

Why, a pinot noir, of course! In particular, a Road 13 Jackpot Pinot Noir...

$35/bottle

Wine of the Weekend!

And here I was thinking I'd be drinking Pinot Gris all summer!

At Hester Creek this weekend, I indulged in their Pinot Blanc. I immediately tasted hints of green apple, which won my heart!

$16.00/bottle (available in BC only)

Okanagan Vineyards

Wineries Visited:

Road 13:
**Had to pay $5 for tasting**

Had to buy - Jackpot Syrah, Jackpot Pinot Noir

Inniskillin:

**currently being renovated**

Glad I tried: Marsanne Roussanne; Tempranillo

Hester Creek:

**Gorgeous; newly reno'd**

Had to buy: Reserve Cabernet Franc; Pinot Blanc Late Harvest

Gehringer Brothers:

So cheap, Had to buy: Desert Sun x2; Gewurztraminer; Merlot; Cabernet Franc Late Harvest

Blasted Church:

Had to buy: Pinot Gris; Nothing Sacred

Poplar Grove:

Had to buy: Pinot Gris

Wanted to buy: The Legacy

Nk'Mip (pronounced Inkameep):

*A must-visit to check out the amazing restaurant, patio and facilities*

Had to buy: Q Merlot

Burrowing Owl:

*Gorgeous; a must-see; restaurant is extremely popular*

Had to buy: Merlot

STONEBRIDGE (pic missing)

*boutique winery*

Had to buy: Pinot Gris Reserve, Pinot Noir

Oliver Twist:

Had to buy: Syrah

Not a fan: their whites - too sweet

Twisted Tree:

Had to buy: Everything

Actually bought: Marsanne Roussane, Tempranillo, Syrah, Voignier

Lack of Words

Hester Creek Cab/Merlot

meh.

2nd Crossing Sav Blanc

Mmmm.

Mouton Cadet Bordeaux 2007

I won a bottle of this as a door prize at work and was told it should be a staple in anyone's wine rack. Okaaaay. Last night, we opened it while cooking dinner (I was an observer) and fell in love with it. A smooth finish, great flavour. I'll be honest, I don't drink a lot of French vino *gasp* but, recently, I've had a few that I really like!

$15/bottle

On a Mission

To find the tastiest Pinot Grigio this summer. It seems to be my white of choice this year.

Mission Hill's Pinot Grigio  is on my list. I loved the taste, the finish and the price!

"This wine begins with aromas of orange blossoms and tropical fruits. On the palate, it is fresh and fruity, with flavours of citrus and pears. The wine manages to be full on the palate at the same time as having a light elegance."

$16/bottle

Starmont Cab Sav

We had Merryvale Starmont Cab Sav at dinner in Whistler. A decent dinner wine. "...aromas of black cherry, cassis, raspberry, vanilla and cedar. The mouthfeel is dense and focused with a long finish." I don't think this is worth the price - I've had better for less money.

$39/bottle

Birthday Dinner Vino

Chateau De Courteillac Cab Franc Cab Sauvignon

Light, smooth taste with a bit of bite at the end.
$11.99/btl

Bouchard Aine Chardonnay
"Warm with a note of citrus fruits, then complex with amber accents of honey and toasted bread"
$11.99/btl

Both of these wines were delicious. The red was a bit light for me, but great for those who don't like a lot of spice in their wine. Also great with food. For the price, I will put both of these wines in my collection.

What Have I Been Drinking?

Jacob's Creek Sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot Noir

My go-to sparkling used to be Yellow Tail Bubbles, but I've been turned into a Jacob's Creek fan. I love the combination of Chard/Pinot Noir!

$16.99/btl

Dirty Laundry 2007 Chardonnay (unoaked)

"Exotic, fruity and the me at the party..."

$18.99

Brunello Di Montalcino - Banfi Poggio Alle Mura 2003

Full-bodied, dark fruit, sweet toasted oak

$90/bottle

**I didn't like this enough to recommend you buy it - esp at this price!

Cedar Creek Pinot Gris 2008

medium bodied, peaches and guava...a touch of oak for spiciness

$17/bottle

**If I can find it, this will be my go-to white this summer

Castano Monastrell 2007

Earthy, dry, black current...

$11.99/btl

**at this price, I stocked up.