Tag Archives: mystery case

Gently, Please

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Restrained?  What the hell!  Am I supposed to tie up the grapes and whip them instead of stomping on them to get out the juice?


Where do some of these wine reviewers get their terminology?


Another reviewer of this Sauv Blanc went on to say that the Vineyard is a story of passion.  Now we’re getting kinky.  Next thing you know we’re going to have to put a Restricted rating on the wine.


Villa Maria was also the first wine company in New Zealand to declare the winery a “cork-free zone,” sealing all wines from the 2001 vintage onwards with a screw cap to ensure quality in every bottle.  They have used sustainable viticulture and wine making since the1990s. And they have been NZ’s most Admired Wine Brand from 2015-2019 for consistently outstanding focus on quality.


Southern Clays is a sub-region of the Wairau Valley in the eastern foothills of Marlborough New Zealand.


Definitely a fruit driven style with natural acidity.  


Very much enjoyed with quick seared scallops (lightly seasoned with salt, pepper and paprika) and the house Special couscous made with the usual bad boys of cumin, cardamon, and turmeric.

SAUVIGNON BLANC – VILLA MARIA SOUTHERN CLAYS MARLBOROUGH 18

$24.97 regularly $33.99

13% Alcohol

UPC: 09414416105470

Great Value Organic

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The vines vary in age from 30 to more than 60 years and the sun exposure is north- south in the warm and dry Mediterranean vineyards.

The wine is fermented in steel, aged in oak.  The vineyard is sustainable with organic practices. Castaño makes all types of wines but their calling card is their vibrant and juicy version of the variety called, simply, Monastrell.


At first glance, a rather Cherry look to it.  Intense nose and great expression to the taste.  Hard to believe that the price is less than $12. Almost is too good to be that price.  Definitely a 90+ pointer that is full bodied and robust.
.

YECLA MONASTRELL – CASTANO

14% alcohol

$11.49 regularly $12.49

UPC: 00805109112247

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

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

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

I grew up with Barbera

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She was tall, and leggy, gorgeous and a skiing buddy.


Ooops.  We’re supposed to be talking about wine, not girlfriends of my misspent youth!


In my defence, I did grow up with that grape too.  It was the grape of choice for home growing of the Italians in Trail.


But, I digress.


1858 was when these properties started producing wine and they have constantly worked to increase the quality of their wines and to ensure sustainability.  By bringing together grapes grown in two different soil types (heavy clay in one and chalky limestone in the other), they bring out the rich fragrant tones from one and deep body from the other. They have a zero chemical program and only use natural methods for fertilization and pest control.


 This Fontanafredda has lots of spicy tones with very nice fruits characteristics. It’s crisp and has a beautiful finish.


Drink in the next year or two to enjoy the juicy fruit.

This is our second bottle from the 4th Mystery Case. I’m going back for more to enjoy with a cheese and charcuterie plate. It would work well with something spicy to start dinner too.

Skål to Barb-er-a where ever she might be all these 55 years later.

PIEMONTE BARBERA – FONTANAFREDDA BRICCOTONDO 2018


UPC: 08000174004127


13% Alcohol


$15.99, regularly $18.99

Pitsa would be impressed

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the Hummingbirds fly in a Figure 8 formation in their vineyards. 


The founders of Burrowing Owl Winery in Oliver are behind the new venture of Calliope Wines.


Calliope in Greek means ‘beautiful Voice’.  Calliope Amagolapitsa would be happy that they’ve chosen her name for the wine.  They market the wine for casual get togethers. Pitsa’s all for that!


Not a wine your’e going to put down for a few years – it’s meant to be enjoyed now. So we are.


Each year the blend is a bit different – this year’s varietal is Gewürztraminer and Viognier. It’s crisp with lovely fruit flavours and a really fresh finish.


Keeping it light, we served shrimp and scallops in a tomato/onion broth with freshly baked bread and an orange salad.


It would also go well with something like homemade pizza or chicken cordon bleu. If it’s still available in the summer, it would be great to take on a picnic or to enjoy on the deck.


This is a marvellous start to Mystery Case #4

Calliope – Figure 8 White 2019
UPC: 00688229105197
Alcohol: 13%
$15.99 regularly $16.99