Monthly Archives: May 2021

Place a warning on the label

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You might wish to drink the whole bottle at one sitting. It’s silky and smooth, but intense.  This is one of Argentina’s tastiest Cab Francs.

 
And, it’s Great Value !!

Lamb chops were the flavours on the plate, fruit forward were the flavours in the mouth.  Terrific balance and complexity.

The vineyards cover 100 hectares of land, 97 of which are implanted with grapes. The main varieties produced are Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Shiraz among the reds; and Chardonnay among the whites. The oldest wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon lot which was planted 41 years ago. The average age of the vineyards is 30 years, ranging from the 5 year-old new blocks to the oldest ones planted in the 70’s.

CABERNET FRANC – SANTA ANA LA MASCOTA 2018
$14.99
14% Alcohol
UPC: 07790762052838

Once upon a time

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A Hungarian and a Spanish descendant had a discussion about the virtues and pitfalls of Aniseed based alcohol.The Spaniard should, but probably won’t, bow to the wisdom of the Hungarian – and avoid these mischief inducing drinks. 

Talking about furlongs after reporter assignments in peace keeping countries lead to the story of a Liverpudlian and an Irishman, trying to make homemade ouzo with a rotted out hot water tank.  The tank didn’t survive.

For those of you that haven’t fallen off the fence yet, here is a little ed-u-ma-ka-shun on these temptations:

  • Aquavit, from Scandinavia
  • Absinthe,  popular throughout Europe
  • Arak, or Araq, the traditional in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Turkey and Syria.  This is what got the Hungarian in such trouble
  • Aguardiente from Columbia
  • Mastika, a drink in the Balans
  • Ouzo,  or Tshipiro is favoured by the Greeks – what gets the Spaniard dancing on tables
  • Pastis, a drink in France
  • Rakı, a Turkish drink
  • Sambuca, a drink in Italy
  • Xtabentún, a liqueur from Mexico
  • Anis, popular in Spain. Two varieties: “seco” or dry and “dulce” which is more sweet.

The clouding they exhibit on addition of water is called louching.  It’s also a fast way to tell if the bartender has already watered down your drink.  Watch the expression on his face as you slowly add drops of water to the glass. Either he will pour you a new one from a different bottle, or, he’ll cut your bill in half.

And, That reminds me: Where is Amagolapitsa’s pasta flora recipe? – the one made with lots of Ouzo

Such a Fall

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It has been such a fall from this


Being reduced to chops for Orthodox Easter dinner, from the entire lamb! Mind You: I only had to cook for two, not 100!


For this, we saved a wine specially chosen by the Goddess. It was a gift to us from friends.


The first wine made by family-owned CVNE (founded in 1879) was named after the winery’s initials, but a mistake – the ‘V’ was written as a ‘U’ – led to the creation of the Cune label. 


A Tempranillo blend  Blend: 85% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo. Aged in Oak.


This is a great wine for food. Silky and smooth, but you certainly pay attention to the flavours between bites of dinner.  It’s not complex, but it just blends in and is VERY enjoyable.


Thank you Ladies!

Mountain Fresh

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Fresh, Fresh, Fruit flavours with a softer palate.  


The vineyards start at about 5500 feet above sea level and rise to over 6,600.

The Calchaqui valley is bordered by 2 mountain ranges – the Quilmes to the west and the Aconquija to the east, creating a natural barrier and microclimate. Temperatures in the valley have a wide, thermal amplitude with hot days and cool nights. Plentiful sunshine, more than 330 days a year and limited rainfall, less than 8 inches a year, help to create wines with deep colour, rich fruit and crisp acidity. 

Cuma Torrontes is NOP certified organic. 

TORRONTES – MICHEL TORINO CUMA ORGANIC

$13.99

13.5% Alcohol

UPC: 07790189040074