Tag Archives: mystery case

The Colour of Summer

Posted on by Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

The South Okanagan a couple of years ago was full of a cool, wet May and June that slowed the grape growth but things really  blossomed when summer got underway.  Healthy canopies gave the vines a chance to respond to the great growing weather.

It’s a beautiful blend of  65% Gamay Noir, 35% Merlot 

Don’t bother grilling veggies. But, Start making the potato salad when you crack the bottle, the salmon will only take 12 minutes at 400 F.

It would go great with kalameri too.

Sandhill Rose 2021

$20.99

12% Alcohol

UPC: 00058976501212

Can’t spell, but make nice wine

Posted on by Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

It’s a second label for Laughing Stock Vineyards, that was purchased by Arterra Wines Canada in 2017.

One of the first wineries on the Naramata Bench, Laughing Stock was founded in 2003 by David and Cynthia Enns. The couple, who worked in financial services in Vancouver, produced 500 cases of a red blend called Portfolio, which quickly became one of the Okanagan’s most coveted labels. At the time, Cynthia explained the winery name showed an effort to mix a “serious enterprise with a light-hearted attitude.”


This medium bodied wine offers excellent balance and a slight sweetness on the finish. Aged in 100% stainless steel.
100% sourced from Thomas Ranch Vineyards slopes located on the east side of the valley provides the perfect late afternoon sun exposure. 

The funky and catchy name makes it easy to remember that you should pick up a bottle.  We heartily enjoy our’s.

IMBZZL – DOUBLE CROSS PINOT GRIS

$19.99

13.9% alcohol

UPC: 00063657043172

Become a frequent purchaser

Posted on by Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Beira Interior is a rather disparate region covering a vast swathe of inland Portugal south of the Douro and east of Dão. Vineyards are grown at altitude on granite soils. In the north, grapes are similar to those of the Douro while the south has a whole mix of varieties. 


A wet and fertile area, the grapes ripen with moderate sugar levels and refreshing acidity, meaning that the wines are usually lowish in alcohol at about 10-11%. Astringent, low alcohol red Vinho Verde is also produced. 


Despite the challengingly arid climate here, this is a dynamic region, referred to sometimes as Portugal’s ‘new world’.


60% Loureiro, 20% Alvarinho and 20% Avesso. These grape varieties tend to produce more complex and structured wines than some of the other Vinho Verde varieties. 


The nose is fragrant, crisp flavours and a very good acidity. The mouthfeel is pleasant. It finishes long, with salty lemon flavours.


Write it on the back of your hand.  Take the picture with you.  This is a selection you want to make at your next visit to the ‘dairy’  Be Brave and adventuresome, and you’ll be rewarded with it becoming your next favourite.

VINHO VERDE – BICO AMARELO

$13.99 regularly $15.99

11.5% alcohol

UPC: 05604882810105

Masi never disappoints

Posted on by Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

This blend of Pinot Grigio and Verduzzo grapes is a pale yellow colour with aromas of ripe tropical fruit and flowers. The mouth is full of ripe fruit and mineral flavours that lead to a refreshing finish.


Verduzzo grapes for the Masianco mature after harvest on straw mats (plateau). This increases the fruit concentration. You can already feel this in the fragrance. In the bouquet of Masianco Pinot Grigio. Made using a unique blend of freshly-picked and semi-dried grapes.


Great with any ‘light’ dish and a wonderful way to ‘encourage’ the coming the summer dayz on the deck.

Masi Pinot Grigio

$16.99 regularly $19.99

13% Alcohol

UPC: 03049062001652

Flower Power

Posted on by Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

The inspiration behind the name of the brand is South Africa’s national flower, Protea. It got its name from the shape-shifting Greek god Proteus because it comes in a dizzying diversity, as each blossom is somehow more exotic and special than the last one.


Protea Chenin Blanc is produced by Protea Wines, a company that belongs to Johann Rupert, owner of luxury brands like Cartier and Mont Blanc. 


Very appealing.  Tangy and crisp flavours get your attention, and holds it through a lovely fullness towards the end. 

The preceding winter was cold and wet, resulting in good dormancy and healthy dam levels prior to the growing season. The cool weather continued into spring which in turn resulted in delayed but relatively even bud break, flowering and fruit set. The moderate summer temperatures slowed the ripening period and resulted in harvest starting about two weeks later than normal. The usually hot month of February was uncharacteristically cool, allowing for the gradual ripening of fruit with good flavours and acidity. An exceptional vintage which promises to deliver outstanding wines.


Protea has a remarkably aromatic nose for a Chenin Blanc.  It’s very palatable and quite distinctive.

CHENIN BLANC – RUPERT WINES PROTEA

$13.99 regularly $14.99

13.5% Alcohol

UPC: 00086891081144

Approaching Perfection

Posted on by Posted in Terroir 1 Comment

Consistently this is one of Argentina’s tastiest wines.  
A very well balanced wine with lots of freshness and plenty of black fruit. It has a nice transition from the beginning to end.  Long finish.


Approaching the best Cab Franc we’ve ever had.


Go buy a bunch of this. Some to drink now.  Some for the next get together and some to hold for awhile.


CABERNET FRANC – SANTA ANA LA MASCOTA 2018

$18.49

14% Alcohol

UPC: 07790762052838

Get A Grip

Posted on by Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Medium ruby in colour, medium bodied, but well balanced and soft. And then, after the 3rd or 4th sip Ichanged my mind and decided that it’s somewhat bold.


Very nice on it’s own, and we certainly enjoyed it with Spaghetti one night and beef kefta the other.


You’re not going to drop this bottle, with its nobbly finger grips on the neck of the bottle.


It is always a highly rated vineyard, so look for other varietals from them when you go to pick up a second bottle of this.


PUGLIA SANGIOVESE – FARNESE FANTINI

$14.99

12.5% alcohol

UPC: 00653149111269

Identical Twins they are not

Posted on by Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Attitude comes with altitude. The vines grow at between 200 and 500 metres altitude, where the winters are harsh and the summers extremely hot, with cooler nights.This alternation of temperatures allows the grapes to ripen slowly and gently, preserving all their aromas.

By looking at it, you wouldn’t know it was a Rose.  A lovely blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. You’ll easily remember this one because of its presentation in a satin finish bottle.


Beef barley and Lentil soup the first night and mac and cheese the second night.

The 2021 BC vintage from Quals Gate makes it easy.  If you can’t make up your mind what to serve, just go with a rosé. On the palate, this wine is light, fruity and satisfying from the approachable entry to the refreshing, crisp finish. It is made using a combination of Gamay and Pinot Noir grapes. After harvest, the grapes received four hours of skin contact for colour and flavour before being pressed off. Each varietal was fermented separately in stainless steel at cool temperatures before being expertly blended by our winemaking team. 

 Bring on the summer heat, so we can revisit both of these roses and enjoy them on the deck.

VAROIS EN PROVENCE ROSE – DOM ST FERREOL LES VAUNIERES 2020

$22.99

12.5% Alcohol

UPC: 03330620008634

Quails’ Gate Rose
$19.99
13% Alcohol
UPC: 00778856121247

You’ll pay attention to this one

Posted on by Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

If you like ‘em big and bold … this is the valley for you. It’s sandwiched between the Andes and the Coastal Mountain Range, with an arid climate which is too much for the delicate skin of white grapes – but is perfect to slowly ripen red grapes, intensifying the flavours.


This is an earthy, bold, well structured modern red. Intense, but subtle.


Our version of a burger night – Mediterranean kefta (meatballs), raw veggies, and thin pita with tzatziki 


MERLOT – OLD MERELO COLCHAGUA 2019

$16.99 regularly $21.99

13.5% Alcohol

UPC 07804426008090

The nearness

Posted on by Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

It brings back memories of Sandra Oldfield at Tinhorn Creek (the first carbon neutral winery in Canada) introducing us to Cab Franc. It was a wild and wolly visit, but the wine tasting was calming.  

Since then, the vines has matured and so has the acceptance of BC Cab Franc viticulture.


Bordertown Vineyards and Estate Winery from Osoyoos presents its flagship red wine. This Cabernet Franc has dark berry flavours, dark spice and herbal notes. 


This is an ideal barbecue wine!  It’s well balanced and Bright.

BORDERTOWN – CABERNET FRANC 2019

$25.99

14.9% alcohol

UPC: 00626990282433