Tag Archives: mystery case

Dems Fightin’ Words

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She said she was awfully suspicious about those tiny bubbles on the side of the glass – even though The Goddess had said it wouldn’t be fizzy.


Then, at first sniff, she said, smiling,  “Apple Cider” ..


Can’t fool da gurl – it’s a Riesling!


Even though she was a bit too sweet for herself, it’s certainly the best Riesling yet that we’ve tried; and it’s one from close to home – Washington State.


Medium lightness, dry (slighly off dry) and leans a little to the acidic side. Casual is a term that fits well.


Supposedly, eating Chinese take out one night and watching a fight scene from a notorious martial arts film, he had an idea: a dry white wine that can be paired with Oriental cuisine. It pairs well with just about anything.


RIESLING – CHARLES SMITH KUNG FU GIRL 2018

$13.97 regularly $16.99

12.5% Alcohol

UPC: 00086003253001

The Roasted Veggies did it

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Bergerac is a wine region and appellation in South West France, covering an area along the Dordogne River. The wines are close in style to those of Bordeaux, around 100km (60 miles) to the west. Wine has been made in this region since the Romans – and all thanks to the monasteries which established vineyards on the banks of the Dordogne.


This Grand Cuvee is a blend of the classics: Cabernet and Merlot –  It is a most savoury red that works its way around your mouth – full of flavour.  It has length and depth and structure and balance – all in check.  A little softer than most Bordeaux and probably won’t age as well – Not to worry, we’ll be drinking them as soon as we buy more.


We generally have a white with Roast Chicken, but with the mess of roasted veggies around it we decided to have a red blend. Glad we did, the wine beautifully accompanied the meal. 

BERGERAC – CHATEAU LA BESAGE GRANDE CUVEE 2017

$20.99 regularly $21.99

13.5% alcohol

UPC: 03700898210594

Balanced between North and South

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North-South Organic.  South Okanagan delivers rich and round.  North yields fresh.  From the Winery’s Simes Vineyard -2019 delivers a great balance and flavour with a distinctive character.  There is nice acidity – better than in previous years – which makes it a little more balanced.

Everything or Nothing – pick your pairing. This will be most enjoyable on a hot West Coast Summer’s day.

Cedar Creek 2019 Pinot Gris

$18.99

13.4 % Alcohol

Definitely Distinctive

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It’s fresh.  It’s light. It’s Fragrant.  Nice, but not offensively fruit driven.  Pinot Noir with a touch of Chardonnay.
This one is ideal as an aperitif or, as we did,  with an omelette with parboiled, then grilled, potato slices.
it was recently awarded a Gold Medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition.

ROSE – OYSTER BAY MARLBOROUGH 2020

$17.99 regularly $19.99

13% alcohol

UPC: 09415549805602

Outside Mystery Case #8, making it a baker’s dozen

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Even though it’s from Baron Philippe de Rothschild, I wouldn’t consider it specifically special or really noteworthy. Nice. Yes. Exceptional. Not.  I’m gonna be brutal, and say it’s not quite up to Pays d’Oc high quality standards.


It does have the typical aromas of Sauvignon Blanc and there is a nice concentration of citrus fruits.  It is very fresh and went well with scallops and couscous and a grape/cucumber salad.


It’s nice low price gave The Goddess an opportunity to pick a couple of others at the top end of our budget.

PAYS D’OC SAUVIGNON – ROTHSCHILD

$10.97 regularly $12.99

12.5% Alcohol

UPC: 00083960707714

They thought they could trick us

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Didn’t work. The daughter will get the Blood Orange Gin that was packaged with the Sauv Blanc.

Pioneers in process and varietals – The Brancott Winery was one of the first to plan Sauvignon Blanc in the Marlborough region in 1973., and have been instrumental in developing the region as one of the foremost regions in the world for this grape.


We liked it for it’s uniqueness in flavour. It would be instantly recognizable in a taste test grouping.  Well balanced with a very full fruit set of flavours and a fresh acidity.


It goes very well with Eastern Mediterranean dishes, particularly if serving just mezes (appetizers).

Easy to spot, just look for the upside down A on the label.

SAUVIGNON BLANC – BRANCOTT ESTATE MARLBOROUGH

$13.99 regularly $15.99

12% Alcohol

UPC: 09414024524366

What gets imported where?

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Rather than import salmon into Croatia, it’s better to import their wine to BC and enjoy locally caught salmon.  The combination made for a great dinner.


Over a year ago we had their red.  And loved it, so were very much looking forward to sampling the white.


We certainly were not disappointed.  New varietals – Pošip 70%, Vugava 20%, Chardonnay 10%. Posip and Vugava bring freshness, with just a touch of chardonnay to round it out.. A most enjoyable wine.


This is an elegant, wonderfully balanced, white blend from Croatia’s Brac island. Jako Vino’s Stina range.

Stina refers to the white stone of the island. 


CUVEE WHITE – STINA 2018

$23.99

12.5% Alcohol

UPC: 03859892605742

80 make 4 Million

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A most memorable blend and about 4 million bottles have been produced of this blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre.  

Guigal brings together grapes from 80+ growers in the northern and southern Rhone.


We very much enjoyed the underlying acidity and minerality.  Long on stone fruit flavours, big on pleasing the palate.


This one will be remembered for a long time.


Cotes du Rhone – Guigal 2017

$22.99

14% Alcohol

UPC: 03536650501002

The 25% uplift

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This is from one of our favourite groups. he name Masi is derived from Vaio dei Masi, the small valley, in the Valpolicella vineyard in Veneto, which acquired at the end of the 18th century by the Boscaini family, which still owns it to this day.

Since 1973, the Boscaini family and the Conti Serego Alighieri, descendants of the famous poet Dante Alighieri and owners since 1353, have combined to produce world-renowned wines on the prestigious vineyards of the Serego Alighieri, in Valpolicella in Veneto.

This Sauvignon Blanc 75 %, Garganega 25 % blend brings the aromas of a Sauvignon, paired with elegance in Garganega.  Long aftertaste and a lovely finish.

Dinner was decidedly Italian in flavours and structure.

Masi Possessioni Bianco

$16.99

12.5% Alcohol

Successful Blends

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Syrah (74%) and Grenache (26%) blend from South Western France in the Languedoc / Roussillon Region. Aged in concrete andthen French Oak.


This is mouthwatering with minerality-  to give a full body, silky, almost seamless bouquet of aroma and flavours.I suspect this will age well for the next 4 or 5 years.


We think it overdelivers at the price.

COTES CATALANES SYRAH GRENACHE – LAFAGE BASTIDE MIRAFLORS 17

$22.97 on sale from $26.99 regularly

14.5 % alcohol

UPC 03760031472913