Monthly Archives: June 2021
If the attitude fits … wear it
Summertime Summertime. Out on the Deck
Animus Venho “Verde” refers to the fact these are young wines meant to be drunk early. The wine is light, fresh, and delicious.
Get ready to be surprised. And she was! She, who doesn’t like bubbles, got by the slightly fizziness on the side of the glass very quickly.
This is a wine that is going to make you smile, even before you taste it. Look closely at the label. Great Artwork. The green ‘i’ in the name gives you a hint at what’s coming.
The grapes are pressed at low pressure, and then fermented with low temperature. 90% Louriero (one of the major grapes in the region) and 10% Arinto grapes. The Faria family has been making wine in Vinho Verde for over 200 years. Beginning just a decade ago, growers like Vicente Faria decided to make their own, estate Vinho Verde and take control of the finished wine.
After all, Vicente is a 7th generation winemaker, so he has a long family history to his advantage. He also studied oenology in Bordeaux and Portugal to give him a broader slate on which to draw ideas and concepts. Up to five grapes can be used for Vinho Verde, but he only used the best two, resulting in a great wine.
This is going to be great with salad and nibblies.
Vinho Verde Animus 2019
$11.99 regularly 13.99
10.5% alcohol
UPC: 05601815411514
Great Education
It’s bold, medium soft, dry, and very smooth. There is a lot of complexity here. Supple and well balanced.
Some of the reviews think that this is still pretty young. That may be the case, but I wasn’t about to stow it away in the dungeon for 10 years. I just may go back and grab one to put down. I need to come back to this when I have a much more experienced palate to really understand and appreciate what’s going on with this wine.
We had it with dinner, but I suspect that it would be better appreciated if you are enjoying by itself with friends.
This is made predominantly from Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Saint-Émilion wines tend to have a rich, mouth-drying tannic structure, but in this case we have small amounts of Carménère, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot balancing out the blend.
An under the radar Estate that should be snapped up before it gathers more attention and the price starts to rise.
Vieux Chateau des Combes 2015
$36.99
14.5% Alcohol
You’ve been park’d
Damn Straight we liked it
It’s a wine with a historic name “Teodosio”: this wine is named after a famous emperor; from a historic winery, Basilico.
The taste is not huge, but it certainly is big. It’s balanced, smooth and has nice fruity notes. Full Bodied with great tannins. Close, but not quite spicy on the palate.
This is a very pleasant, presentable red at a good price that would go with any meal.
Basilisco is made entirely of the Aglianico grape.
AGLIANICO DEL VULTURE – BASILISCO TEODOSIO 2016
$19.99 regularly $21.99
13.5% Alcohol
UPC: 08027919112015
Wine de-complicated
Welcome Home
As relevant today as when it was written 20+ years ago.
Welcome Home: Travels in Smalltown Canada, Stuart McLean.
Many will remember him for the Vinyl Cafe, and later CBC Sunday Morning.
This is just one of the more than 35 books that he wrote. There are 10 Vinyl Cafe books including the Vinyl Cafe Diaries.
Night Moves
Can you see what you’re picking – when the harvest is done at night to take advantage of the cool air to give a crisp freshness. The Cinsault and Syrah grapes make a delicious rose. A great aperitif or accompaniment to seafood or fruit salads.
Maybe we should be playing a little Bob Seger “Night Moves”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mRFWQoXq4c
If you like Provence rose then you’ll love this. Don’t be fooled by the delicate pink colour as this is a delicate but robust wine that will go with almost everything. We enjoyed ours with scallops (quick sear – s/p paprika one side, ground pistachio nuts on the other) and couscous and a grape/cucumber mixed green salad and it was delicious. Brought back memories of cooking school with Anthony Sedlak and using a spoon with scallops.
Lovely flavours and dry on the palette. This is a great value Rose wine.
Languedoc Laurent Miguel 2019 Vendanges Nocturnes Classic
$12.49
12.5 % alcohol
