Category Archives: Terroir

Twice Blessed

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Forethought in planting the vines in the early 90s has today produced a lovely series of Merlots.

 Peppery, black cherry tones and a hint of plum and blackberry.  B called it warming.  That’s probably because of the 18 months in French and American oak.


We had it  with pork chops cheese sauce on cauliflower and local baby potatoes.


This is one of the first BC wines we’ve had this year that we consider really good value for the money.  An excellent legacy to Harry McWatters.


This is REAL terroir.  The right location, the right soil, and the right grape planted that will drive the roots deep into the almost desert like soil.


Not once, but twice we have been blessed with out introduction to Black Sage. First by the Goddess of Wine for including it in our last mystery case – a 2018 offering. And then again by visiting friends who brought a 2017 version.


It was great to compare the two vintages.  The 2017 is slightly bolder and the finishwas a little longer.


Black Sage Vineyard – Merlot 2017


13.% Alcohol

UPC: 00063657031506

$23.99 regularly $26.99

Great Explanations

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Home Sweet Neighbourhood, Transforming Cities one block at a time

Michelle Mulder, 978-1-4598-1691-6

What I thought was going to be a lark is actually a VERY good book

Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun, Wess Roberts, PhD, 0-593-01686-6


Mongols, Huns, and Vikings, Hugh Kennedy, 1-552-788281-6

Extra Extra

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There is an extra glass cause it’s a 1 L bottle.


East of Valpairso, in the Bio-Bio valley, is where they make this tasty sipper.


Full of red fruits and a slight citrus. Mild tannins and moderate acidity.


Someone might be tempted to put this in a water bottle on a winter hike.

PINOT NOIR ROSE – CONO SUR BICICLETA

Regularly $12.99 on sale for $10.99

12.5 % alcohol

UPC:  07804320729244

A realization

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We very much like wines produced with  ‘low intervention’ by the vintner.  Even better when it’s organic.


The Goddess of Wine is again pushing the envelope with a new white grape – Melon de Bourgogne.  Loire Valley, from the Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC Appellation.  

Domaine Bonnet-Huteau has been producing Muscadet for over 150 years. They have been certified organic since 2005, and biodynamic since 2010.


Lovely fruit characteristics…slightly peppery.  


Wine Enthusiast calls it a 91 pointer – and we agree.


It will be easy to spot with it’s signature bottle.

MUSCADET SEVRE ET MAINE LA TARCIERE – DOM BONNET HUTEAU 2018

$22.99 regularly $24.99

12% Alcohol

UPC: 03497850009029

Doing it Right

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The AOC includes some 1400 hectares of vineyard just inland from the Thau Lagoon: around the village of Pinet – the largest white wine producing area in the Languedoc / Roussillon region. It is a limestone plateau basking in the rising sun covered in highly perfumed garrigue, rows of vines, and scattered pine groves.


One of the oldest Languedoc grapes, the Piquepoul has been growing near the Thau Lagoon for centuries. White is the most common, though both blush and black grapes are to be found. As early as 1618, the botanist J.B. Maniol cited Piquepoul as one of the best known Languedoc grapes in his work “Sylve plantarium”.

It grows in a dry climate, so the end-of-season humidity helps grapes fill out and finish ripening. The grapes grow in loose bunches, are oval shaped and come off easily. That is why, in the olden days, trays were often placed beneath the vines to catch falling grapes !

The wine is remarkably fresh and quenching.  It’s dry and lively.  Works very well with seafood, cheese and charcuterie. (We had a cheese board and then seafood with it.)  

This is our first adventure with the grape, but it won’t be our last.  Not by a long shot.

The bottle is unique with its individual embossing so it will be easy to spot when you go back for more.  I will be.

LANGUEDOC PICPOUL DE PINET – ORMARINE

12.5% Alcohol

UPC: 03186127768690

$17.99

11th Hour, 11th Day, 11th Month

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THE FINAL INSPECTION –

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       MAY THE SUN SHINE DOWN ON YOU ON REMEMRANCE DAY THE  FINAL  INSPECTIONThe soldier stood and faced God, 

Which must always come to pass. 

  He hoped his shoes were shining, 

Just as brightly as his brass. 



  “Step forward now, you soldier, 

How shall I deal with you? 

  Have you always turned the other cheek? 

  To My Church have you been true?” 



  The soldier squared his shoulders and said, 

“No, Lord, I guess I ain’t. 

  Because those of us who carry guns, 

Can’t always be a saint. 



  I’ve had to work most Sundays, 

And at times my talk was tough. 

  And sometimes I’ve been violent, 

Because the world is awfully rough. 



  But, I never took a penny, 

That wasn’t mine to keep… 

  Though I worked a lot of overtime, 

When the bills got just too steep. 



  And I never passed a cry for help, 

Though at times I shook with fear. 

  And sometimes, God, forgive me, 

I’ve wept unmanly tears. 



  I know I don’t deserve a place, 

Among the people here. 

  They never wanted me around, 

Except to calm their fears. 



  If you’ve a place for me here, Lord, 

It needn’t be so grand. 

  I never expected or had too much, 

But if you don’t, I’ll understand. 



  There was a silence all around the throne, 

Where the saints had often trod. 

  As the soldier waited quietly, 

For the judgment of his God. 



  “Step forward now, you soldier, 

You’ve borne your burdens well. 

  Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets; 

You’ve done your time in Hell.” 


  ~Author Unknown~ 




    It’s the Soldier, not the reporter WHO has given us the freedom of the press. 

  It’s the Soldier, not the poet, WHO has given us the freedom of speech. 

  It’s the Soldier  WHO  ensures our right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness,Not the politicians. 

  It’s the Soldier who salutes the flag, WHO serves beneath the flag, AND whose coffin is draped by the flag. 

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    If you care to offer the smallest token of recognition and appreciation for the Military,PLEASE pray for our men and womenWHO have served and are currently serving our countryAND pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. 


 God bless our soldiers, sailors and airmen, past and present. 
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Chilli and Apple Crisp

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Most righteous Chilli with an apple crisp for dessert.


Also thinking it would also be great with kale/feta/turkey kefta.


The Wine is from the Almansa Region in  LaMancha.  It’s Not the Impossible Dream.


We really enjoyed how well balanced it is with a nice long finish. It would be really nice to just sit and sip with friends.


A blend of 25% Tempranillo, 25% Monastrell and 25% Garnacha Tintorea and 25% Syrah. The Tempranillo grapes are harvested in the second week of September, Garnacha Tintorera and Syrah grapes at the end of September and Monastrell in the third week of October. 


Cold Winters (-6 C), hot summers (38 C). 


65-90-year-old dry-farmed pre-Phylloxera Monastrell, Garnacha Tintorera and Tempranillo bush vines from their oldest vineyard plots and trellised Syrah vines.

Oorganic farming methods, nutrient-poor and limestone-rich soil, scarce rainfall.


ALMANSA RESERVA – PIQUERAS CASTILLO DE ALMANSA 2016

2019 Concours Mondial Bruxelles Gold Medal Winner 

$15.99
14% Alcohol
SKU: 08414837010118

Delight for Carnivores and Vegans alike

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Just as households vary in what they eat, the Beaujolais region is an appellation blend. Granite soils, limestone escarpments, and everything in between.  But there isn’t much in common with the rest of the region in terms of grape varieties either.


Drink it young. Have fun with it (responsibly) and enjoy it for what it is … a good accompaniment to whatever you’re eating.


It’s smooth on the palate and there’s enough complexity to add to the mystery of the enjoyment.  This is going to be anenjoyable vintage.

BEAUJOLAIS VILLAGES – JADOT COMBE AUX JACQUES 2018


Regularly $22.99, on sale for $20.99

13%  alcohol