Welcome to bottle2glass a blog about what I love.....WINE
There are many ways to look at Highs and Lows. First let's look at Low's this can be a low season in the winery from a poor production to poor weather which can go hand in hand to produce a not so stellar wine. Take for example the 2011 vintage for Australia. Very rainy in many parts that did not make for the best vintage. Then we have the high's that can range from great weather and great production which could help create a great wine or great a vintage or both. Highs and Lows can also be related to prices of wine. In this blog I sampled some low (below $20) wines and some high (above $30) wines. High's and Low's can also be part of life. I know when I am feeling a little low a glass or two of red wine will bring me to a higher place.
Let's start with the Low's (price). Low price does not always mean a poor quality wine. Here are three we tried that were below $20. I will start with the wines we liked best and work down to our least favourite.
Campo Viejo Rioja Crianza 2008
I first tried this wine at a restaurant called Bin 4 Burger Lounge in Victoria. The burgers were fantastic! This Campo Viejo from Spain has Tempranillo, Garnacha and Mazuelo. It is a Crianza (kree-AHN-zah) which means the wine has spent one year in oak barrels and 12 months in the bottle before release. Alcohol - 13.5%; Nose - Ripe cherry, earth and a hint of smoke; Palate - Cherry, toasted wood, vanilla. (note from my junior taster, blueberry and chocolate). This wine had a nice smooth finish with soft tannins. For $16.99 I would look for it at your local BC Liquor Store.
Let's start with the Low's (price). Low price does not always mean a poor quality wine. Here are three we tried that were below $20. I will start with the wines we liked best and work down to our least favourite.
Campo Viejo Rioja Crianza 2008
I first tried this wine at a restaurant called Bin 4 Burger Lounge in Victoria. The burgers were fantastic! This Campo Viejo from Spain has Tempranillo, Garnacha and Mazuelo. It is a Crianza (kree-AHN-zah) which means the wine has spent one year in oak barrels and 12 months in the bottle before release. Alcohol - 13.5%; Nose - Ripe cherry, earth and a hint of smoke; Palate - Cherry, toasted wood, vanilla. (note from my junior taster, blueberry and chocolate). This wine had a nice smooth finish with soft tannins. For $16.99 I would look for it at your local BC Liquor Store.
MezzoMondo Negroamaro Puglia (IGT) 2011
A good everyday wine for $9.95 to be enjoyed with food. This wine is IGT (Indicazone Geografiea Tipica) which is the second of four classifications of Italian wines. Alcohol 13%; Nose - Red Cherry, some earthiness; Palate - Cherry, spice with medium tannins. It was an okay wine, what else can I say it was $9.95. If you want to give it a try look for it in a local BC Liquor Store
Wynns Coonawarra Shiraz 2011
Of the three wines we tried under $20 this 2011 Shiraz was not our favourite. Must of been the rains in this region. I have had the Wynns Coonawarra Shiraz from other vintages which we enjoyed. Alcohol 13.5%; Nose - Red Fruit with a hint of spice; Palate - Cherry, spice (black pepper) low tannins with a short finish. A wine that screams "decant me".
Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2011
When we poured this wine it had a great aroma that I wanted to enjoy for a long time. Then, the first sip was one to savour and enjoy. If the first sip was not enough the long finish made you want to take another sip. This wine had a lot going on, all good. Alcohol - 14.1%; Nose - Melon, lemon grass, citrus
Palate - Melon, Lemon, minerality, great acidity and a long finish. If you want to splurge on a great bottle of wine this is one of them. This can be found in select BC Liquor Stores.
Burrowing Owl Merlot 2008
I had planned to open this wine over the weekend. But a friend brought over a nice bottle of Pinot Noir from Byron Estate which I could not resist opening. SO the Burrowing Owl will have to wait for another time. Just for the record I have had this wine at RAUDZ in Kamloops. Raudz has a great wine menu that has around 90% BC wines on the wine list. I enjoyed the Burrowing Owl Merlot so much I had three glasses. Nose - big red fruit, earth; Palate - Same big red fruit, mocha, and oak. The tannins were smooth with a nice long finish. I remember saying I cannot wait to get home to open my bottle. Along with this wine we have had many other Burrowing Owl wines in the past and we were not disappointed. So, if you can find any Burrowing Owl purchase it. On a sad note the Burrowing Owl Merlot 2008 cannot be found in a BC Liquor Store or Speciality Wine Store. And it has also sold out at Burrowing Owl Winery.
Hope you Enjoy the wines above and Ciao for now!
