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Tag Archives: mystery case

Aux Oxys

Posted on February 27, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

 DNA research tells us that it is a cross between Gouais blanc and Pinot, the same ancestry as Chardonnay. The name Auxerrois blanc has actually been used as a synonym for Chardonnay in the Moselle region in France, which explains why there is also a longer name (Auxerrois Blanc de Laquenexy) for the grape variety.


Auxerrois grows well on Vancouver Island, but it’s hard to find it in reasonable quantities at the local dairies.  You have to go to the winery – such as Unsworth or the Duncan Project.  It’s like Ortega – an Island secret that only we shall know.


Most agree that the origins of the grape in BC dates back to the early 1970s when  Grey Monk brought vines here from the Alsace.


Our mini tasting consisted of Gehringer Brothers Auxerrois, and Grey Monk Pinot Auxerrois.  


The similarities and contrasts were more striking that when the Goddess paired two Chardonnays in the last Mystery Case.


Grey Monk’s varietal is a little softer, and longer in flavour.  Extremely well defined.

The Brothers G is a little fuller, a little more mellow.  Excellent Structure.


Bone-in Skin-on chicken breasts.  Lemon rind grated, squeezed lemon juice, BC Honey, tarragon, small clove of crushed garlic and baked.  The side was the house Spinach/orzo, pine nuts, currents with chunks of Feta.

And for the second night, we did our version of Mediterranean style home made pizza.


Maintaining the flow was “Guitars for Small Rooms”, playing in the big room. Second night featured blues and Jazz.


GRAY MONK – PINOT AUXERROIS 2019

$16.99

11.6% alcohol

UPC: 00778829111183

GEHRINGER – AUXERROIS OLD VINES GOLDEN MILE BENCH 2019

Regularly $14.49, on sale for $13.49

12.4% alcohol

UPC: 00623871010031

Auxerrois Gehringer Brothers Grey Monk mystery case

A pair of C’s

Posted on February 27, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Not often that we get to compare two of the same grape back to back.


Just because Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular wines, it doesn’t mean it is the most prominent in our wine rack. The Goddess makes sure that we try a lot of different grapes.


These two choices are great – but quite different in flavour and texture.  

The Tom Gore had a longer finish whilst the Villa Maria highlighted what’s important as it works it’s way through the range of your taste buds.


Both are full, with creamy textures and have slight suggestions of oak.


The Tom Gore grapes are sourced from North and Central California Coast vineyards and have a 2% addition of Sauvignon Blanc.


Villa Maria has a blend of Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough and Waipara fruit.


We kept the food light with both.  Next time, I think I’d try both with soft and mild cheeses or a light lunch just to let the winesspeak louder than the meal.

Tom Gore Chardonnay

$19.99

13.5%

AlcoholUPC:  00086003248014

Villa Maria East Chardonnay

$15.99

13.0% Alcohol

UPC: 09414416501876

California Chardonnay mystery case New Zealand Tom Gore Villa Maria

Saintly? I don’t think so

Posted on February 20, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Not us! (Well me in particular).


This is a very nice, crisp, and lively Rose.  It has a very nice lingering after finish.


We paired it with baked prawns and scallops, and of course, our usual couscous.  An orange salada round out the main course.


Remember this one for the summer, when you want to just sit out on the deck or patio and relax.


SAINTLY – THE GOOD ROSE 2019

BC VQA 2019

12.5% Alcohol

$15.99 regularly $17.99

UPC: 00063657041536

BC VQA mystery case Rose

Is it the 5%?

Posted on February 20, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

We have two favourite Vintners in the ‘reasonable’ price range.  The Wineries of Famille Perrin and Meffre.


Saint Mapalis is patron saint of the village of Jonquières, located at the heart of the “Plan de Dieu” vineyards. The quality of this vintage is wonderful.  Intense. Ripe and rounded.


Grenache 65 %, Syrah 30 %, Mourvèdre 5 %


At first I thought maybe it was the 5% Mourvedre that was the differentiating factor.  After the second sip we came to the conclusion that it was a glorious combination of true terroir.  Climate, Soil, full fruit and wine crafting experience.


Pleasure is taken in more than one glass.

COTES DU RHONE VILLAGES PLAN DE DIEU – MEFFRE ST MAPALIS

$17.99

14% Alcohol

UPC: 03142920024401

Grenache Meffre Mourvedre mystery case syrah

Huge on Flavour. Big Value

Posted on February 13, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

They’ve been making wine for centuries on Sicily, and certainly get it right with this one.


It has a fresh and inviting bouquet, a definite full body flavour and lasting finish. I bet you’ll take a second sip quickly after your first.


Located near Trapani – Firriato produces about 4.5 million bottles from 380 hectares, so there will be some for us next time you want to stock up (assuming our locals keep it in stock).


Nero d’Avola 80% and Petit Verdot 20% – sometimes with a little Merlot added to the mix.  Nero d’Avola is also known as Calabrese.

Kefta (meat balls) Moroccan style.  Lamb this time.  With grilled asparagus, and carrots with a little honey drizzled on top.  It would also go very well with a baked tenderloin and roasted veggies.

NART

SICILIA ROSSO – FIRRIATO NARI

$12.99

13.5% Alcohol

UPC: 08002815405706

Calabrese Firriato Nari mystery case NART Nero d'Avola Petit Verdot Sicily

Why we do Mystery Cases

Posted on February 13, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

This wouldn’t normally be on our radar, or in our case – but thankfully the Goddess of Wine picks both low and high above the average price for our mystery items.


The central California Coast around Monterey has an extended growing season which allows for full ripening of the grapes and as a result we have smooth textures to the wine.  

Round Bouquet, slightly lemony flavours and a nice honey-like smooth finish.


This is a BIG Chardonnay with all the trimmings.


Roasted chickie with fruit stuffing (pomegranate seeds, figs, raisins, prunes, apricots, dates) made a great match for the wine.

CHARDONNAY – MER SOLEIL RESERVE SANTA LUCIA

$31.99 regularly $32.99

14.4% Alcohol

UPC:  00710909710107

California Chardonnay Mer Soleil mystery case

Stand UP and stand alone

Posted on February 6, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir 1 Comment

On it’s own or with food, this works very well.


The higher up the mountain, the greener grows the grass, and deeper the colour of the grapes, and the richer the texture of wines.The dry, hot climate of Argentina is really great for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes ripen very easily, so these Cabs are almost always filled with a lot of fruit flavours.


Argentina is famous for it’s Malbecs, but I think the Cabernets should be on that list too.  They are very affordable and it’s hard to pick a mediocre one these days.  We find them richer and fuller than the Cabs in the Bordeaux, and almost as big as some of the ones from the Napa Valley andalso Australia.


I could make it a very long dinner and keep drinking this. Hamburger Patties. veggie mix and mashed yam/baking potato made ittoo short a supper.

When I go back looking for ‘long’ ribs, I’ll pick up another bottle of this to go with them.

93 Pointer by James Suckling

Uko Cabernet Sauvignon

$17.99, but we got it on sale at $14.99

13.5% Alcohol

UPC: 07798284570175

Argentina Cabernet Savignon mystery case Uko

Bold Taste from Broad Horizons

Posted on February 6, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir 2 Comments

Very well structured. A lovely wake-up call when you take your first taste.  It’s medium bodied and the flavours continuethrough a lovely finish.

Boneless lamb shoulder roast. Slow baked for over 2 hours, along with roasted Veggies. The wine brought out the best in everything.

The Nk’Mip band has built a great Driver Enthusiasts Experience too.  Area 27. Designed by Jacques Villeneuve.Go for a ride  https://area27.ca/circuit/

Nk’mip Merlot

$21.99

14.5% Alcohol

UPC: 00836909000021

BC VQA Merlot mystery case Nk'Mip

Mind in neutral. Open to adventure.

Posted on January 30, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

This was Great Fun .. appeasing the Goddess.


Sake is NOT wine, but it does go with food and can be enjoyed by itself.

We’re told: To start, sake is a fermented rice beverage that originated in Japan. In Japanese, sake is known as nihonshu (nihon means Japan, and -shu means alcohol) and is the country’s national alcoholic beverage. As hard as it may be to choose a sake from a list full of beverage options, every single sake on the market today consists of four basic ingredients—“rice, water, yeast, and koji,”

It has a stronger after taste than most wines.  


We weren’t even sure what to serve it in: and decided on white wine glasses.  Next day we tried shot glasses. Third night, South African Glasses with Tree House Pasta


For dinner, we did Italian egg Pasta Noodles in a stir fry. Garlic (lots of it), pea pods, zucchini slices, red pepper, cherry tomatoes, red onion, mushrooms, chicken strips. Fresh Parsley and Basil to top it off with some fresh parmesan. Belgian olive country style loaf.


Sake also also works well just to sip for several nights whilst preparing the next delectable delight.


Get your head outside wine with dinner, and embace something outside your comfort zone.


The name tells everything about this sake. This is the sake that sake brewmasters want to drink on regular basis themselves. Crafted using local “Gohyaku-man-goku” sake rice, this can be enjoyed chilled or heated.

It is smooth with a clean finish.
YOSHI NO GAWA – BREWMASTER’S CHOICE PREMIUM HONJOZO SAKE

15% alcohol

UPC: 04979656001968

$23.49

mystery case sake

Wanna go wild?

Posted on January 30, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment


2nd time we’ve had something from this vineyard.  It was much better than our recollections of the first offering.


Couldn’t resist doing a roast chicken with wild rice.


This Pinot Gris shows varietal character and sources from their Penticton and Summerland vineyards. 


It fills your mouth with fruit forward flavours and finishes with a slight spicy hint. 


Certainly makes it to the “will buy again” list

WILD GOOSE – PINOT GRIS 2019

$16.99 regularly $18.99

13.3% alcohol

UPC: 00626990007418

Sweetness: 01 – Semi Dry

BC VQA mystery case Pinot Grigio Wild Goose
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