Spain’s Yecla region is delivering some mighty fine wines at attractive prices. This is a beauty with a bold nose of raspberry and violets; lightly spiced and a touch of blueberry. It’s rich and complex on the palate with bountiful fruit and subtle spices. Pairs beautifully with Don Heliodoro Romarin Queso sheep’s milk cheese.
This rendition captures the exotic notes found in a Condrieu, but it is definitely Canadian in its cool-climate mouthfeel. Aromas of banana, peach juice, papaya, white flowers, yogurt and hints of blueberry flow into an elegant texture, with fresh acidity and a lengthy aftertaste.
A wonderful perfume of dark chocolate, plum, dark cherry, violets, leather, tobacco smoke and spice beguile the senses. It is full-ish with ample persistency and Nebbiolo tannins rounding out the experience. Braised lamb shank required. Time frame: 15 years of cellaring.
Bold, ripe and rich, with loads of wild berry and blackberry; hints of liquorice, vanilla and spice. Bold, fruit-packed tannins, but still quite drinkable and polished for its bigness.
Aligoté is a grape grown in Burgundy but it’s overshadowed by its more glamourous sister — the ubiquitous Chardonnay. The only winery in Canada that grows Aligoté to my knowledge is Château des Charmes in Niagara. And what a great job they do with it year after year! Their 2017 vintage is pale straw in colour with minerally, lemon and apple flavours. Light-bodied and dry, it’s fresh and lively on the palate, reminiscent of a Chablis with a green pear finish.
Made using flaked wheat and local honey as well as malt and hops, this bright blond ale has a fragrant light malt aroma with a distinct honeyed scent. Mild though nonetheless flavourful citrus, nutty and honeyed character in the mouth, culminates with a gentle touch of bitterness. Likeable and easy to drink.
Shows cherry fruit, chocolate and spice on the nose. Rich dark cherry and chocolate flavours reprise on the palate with lightly firm tannins, good acidity and lingering fruit, spice and chocolate on the finish. Leans towards the New-World style.