Wines for Winter

Welcome to bottle2glass a blog of what I love.... WINE!!

It is that time of year again! The days are getting shorter, the temperature outside is dropping and the fire place is ready!  It is time to start thinking about cold weather wines. Wines that will warm you up from the inside. 

During the summer months we enjoyed wines that were light in body and low in alcohol. With the colder temperatures it is time to change it up to a full body wine with higher alcohol but one that is  balanced. These can be enjoyed in both White and Red wines.

Find below some wines that you can enjoy with a hearty stew, heavy cream sauce dishes or while enjoying your favorite book curled up with a warm blanket in front of a roaring fire. So all I can say is let it snow,  let it snow. Well,  it depends where you live for the snow part.

Here are some wines you can enjoy during those cold winter evenings or afternoons.

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2014 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley
This is a good valve Chardonnay from a good Washington State producer. On the nose green apple, some pear and a hint of butterscotch. The same profile I found on the palate with a nice finish. This wine would be good with a heavy cream sauce or cuddled up with your loved one catching a movie and enjoying some popcorn. You may find this wine at your local BC Liquor Store for $19.79 (plus taxes and deposit)

Edmeades Menocino - Zinfandel 2012
This wine will surely warm you up during those cold evening! A well balanced wine with alcohol of 14.5%. A blend of Zinfandel (76%), Petite Sirah (18%) and Syrah (6%).  On the nose ripe raspberry, black cherry, earth and black pepper. On the palate roasted coffee, smoke, vanilla bean with a long finish. Try this wine with a hearty stew after a day of enjoying the crisp outdoors. I found this gem at the BC Liquor Store for $22.49 (plus taxes and deposit)

Chakalaka Spice Route 2012
Interesting name but a great wine. This wine comes from South Africa from the region of Swartland. This wine is made with Shiraz, Carignan, Morrvedre, Grenache, Tannat, and Petite Sirah. On the nose there was smoke, black cherry, leather; On the palate there was chocolate, cassis, earth with light tannins and a nice finish. You may find this one in the BC Liquor Store for $29.49 (plus taxes and deposit). Try this wine with a Pot Roast with onions and Potatoes on a cold evening.

Zenato Soave Classico 2014
This blend of Garganega and Chardonnay from Italy would be a nice addition to a roasted Chicken Dinner. On the nose citrus, pear, and honey; The palate had the same with citrus, mineral and a nice finish. You may be able to find this one in your BC Liqour store (#783324) for $16.49 (plus taxes and deposit)

Enjoy these wines and remember to leave me your comments.

Ciao for now!!

Pinot....

Welcome to bottle2glass a blog of what I love.... WINE!!

We all heard of Pinot Noir unless you were living under a rock. If you would like more information on Pinot Noir I suggest you read my post from October 2014 Pinot Noir. If Pinot Noir is old hat to you please continue.

This post is about the grapes that derive from Pinot Noir. These grapes are Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Bianco and Pinotage.

Lets start with Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio. These are the same grape with different names (French and Italian). The Pinot Gris grape is a mutant clone of Pinot Noir. The grapes range from a grayish blue to a brownish pink to black. Pinot Gris is derived from Pinot meaning "pine cone" in French, which is the shape of the grape bunch and "Gris" meaning gray in French from the colour of the grape. Pinot Grigio is merely the alternative, Italian name for Pinot Gris.

Pinot Blanc and Pinot Bianco are also the same grape but with different names. One is French and the other one is…Yes you guest it Italian! Both are a mutation of Pinot Noir. Pinot Blanc is grown in Alsace France, Germany and in the New World. Pinot Bianco is grown in many areas, although it is heavily concentrated in the northeastern region of Alto Adige in Italy

Pinotage is the signature grape of South Africa.  This grape is a cross from Cinsault (was known as “Hermitage” in South Africa) and Pinot Noir.  Pinotage is also grown in Canada, the United States and Australia.

Here is a list of Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Bianco I have tried.

Liquidity 2014 Pinot Gris - Okanagan Falls, BC

This is a great wine for summer from Okanagan Falls, fresh and fruity. Aromas of citrus, pear and some tropical notes. On the palate I found grapefruit, and green apple with great acidity. This wine should be enjoyed on the patio with seafood. This wine can be found in a Specialty wine store.

Santa Cristina Pinot Grigio 2013

This is a refreshing wine for when friends come to visit. Aromas of golden delicious apples, and lemon rind; the palate has some citrus, apple and a hint of tropical fruit. This is an easy drinking wine. You will find this wine at the BCLS for around $15.00.

Lake Breeze Pinot Blanc 2013

A nice Pinot Blanc from the Okanagan Valley’s Naramata Bench area. On the nose I get peach and green apple. The nose follows through onto the palate with a hint of citrus. This is a wine to pair with roasted chicken. You can find this wine in select BC Liquor Stores for $18.00

Sirmian Pinot Bianco 2012

Great structure and depth in this Pinot Bianco from Alto Adige.  Aromas of exotic fruit and ripe apples. On the palate pear, apples with a hint of cloves and great acidity. A great wine with some complexly. This wine can be found at the BCLS for around $28.00

The Grinder Pinotage 2013

The first thing I thought when I opened this wine was Coffee. On the nose I found mocha, dark fruit and espresso. The palate had dark chocolate, leather and dark fruit. Throw a steak on the BBQ, open a bottle and Enjoy! Can be found at the BCLS for around $16.00

Ciao for now!! 

Wine Tasting Party

Welcome to bottle2glass a blog about what I love... Wine!!

Have you ever wanted to host a wine tasting party but did not know where to start? 

You may be asking yourself the following questions -  HOW  do I start; WHAT is the theme;  HOW much wine do I need? No worries! Read on.....

A wine tasting party is a great way to do something fun with family, friends and bring your neighbours together. All you need is some wines, a little bit of knowledge and the will to try something different and of course FUN. 

Here are some steps to help you prepare for the evening.

Theme – There are many themes. Everything from the country, type of grape or will it be just red or just white. Our tasting was close to the holiday season so I made it “wines for the holiday season”. The type of wines ranged from Sparkling to Port. Then we threw in a game with each wine. The guest was to “guess the price point” of each wine poured. 

Food – Should you provide food or snacks? We were having our tasting later in the evening, so we provided cheese and crackers.  The wine was paired with cheese at which point we put a picture of the wine label with the cheese. The pictures were the same as the photos that accompany my tasting notes below.  We simply cut out the photo and we taped it back to back on a tooth pick. I recommend light snacks, bread and coffee for the end of the evening. 

Wine Pairing Labels for Cheese

Some Cheese on offer

Having Tasting Cards - These cards should have type of wine, vineyard, the year and a brief description of the wine (here is a hint   - check out the back of the wine bottle). Have space for your guest to record appearance, aroma, flavor, and record there own notes. Don't forget a pen for each guest.

Tasting Cards we made for tasting

Inside of Tasting Card

How much wine - you can base this on 1/2 a bottle per person. Remember to drink responsiblitiy. Provide a key bucket at the front door for your guest plus a number to a reliable cab company.

Other items to consider-

• Wine Glasses - one to two wine glasses per guest (I like to have one for white wine and one for red wine)
• Pitcher of Water - rinsing glasses or to cleanse the palate
• Dump bucket - your guest may not like all the wines
• Invitations - can be done by e-vite or drop off an invitation in the mail or email
• Have lots of fun

Tasting Notes from wines at my tasting: 

Cava Segura Viudas Brut Reserva BCLS -158493
On the nose - yeast, toast, Citrus; On the palate - biscuits, some pineapple flavour, Citrus, dry, rich,  medium body with a long creamy finish. Pop open a bottle with friends. This Cava is well priced at $16.99

Devils Rock Riesling – BCLS - 149559

Produced in the Pfalz Region of Germany. This Riesling is off dry making it fresh and crisp. Nose has some sweet peach, and apple. Palate has a hint of sweetness with lemon and grapefruit. Enjoy with your turkey dinner or Asian Take out. A good everyday wine for $13.00. (Note label on wine has changed since this photo)

La Pierrelee Chablis – BCLS 359844 
A nice example of a Chardonnay from Chablis. On the nose - green apple, lemon and spice.  Palate – butter, citrus, white peach and some minerality, medium body with a nice finish. Chili a bottle to share with friends. A well priced Chablis for $28.00

Undurraga Sibaris Reserva Pinot Noir - BCLS -761205
This Chilean Pinot Noir was Voted best light and medium red for 2014 by Vanmag. On the Nose - red fruit, cherry with a hint of leather. Palate - Cherry, cedar and some herb with a nice finish. Have this wine with your Christmas lamb or on a Saturday night with Mushroom Risotto. A great everyday wine for $15.99

McWatters Collection - Meritage - BCLS - 303024
“Harry McWatters namesake collection Meritage is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon 44% (from 3 different clones), Merlot 32% (from 2 different clones) and 24% Cabernet Franc all from the Sundial Vineyard on Black Sage Bench in Oliver.”- Wine Scores

This wine has  a great aroma – Black cherries, leather, and earth; On the palate – coffee, chocolate, and cassis with a long finish. This wine  should be served with steak or firm cheese. This wine is limited and if you find it at your favour wine store pick up a couple.

Amarone Classico – BCLS - 44784 

Amarone is made from grapes that are dried before fermentation (100 days losing around 40% of original weight). This creates an intense flavoured wine. Amarone is produced in the Vento region of Italy. Made from grapes of the region – Corvina, Rondinella and on occasion Molinara

On the nose – Dark Cherry, Chocolate, oregano, and a hint of smoke; Palate – Cherries, bittersweet chocolate, and sweet raisin. This wine is very good on its own or with a nice Italian meal of Osso Bucco. This Amarone is priced at $40.00 

Taylor Fladgate Late Bottle Vintage Port - BCLS - 289603
Once the wine is produced it is fortified by adding neutral grape spirit known as “aquardente” to stop the fermentation, which leaves residual sugar and boost the alcohol content.

On the nose – caramel, ripe fruit, and dried nut; Palate – Honey, figs , raisins and burnt toffee with a rich smooth sweet finish. Grab a glass and your partner then curl up in front of a big roaring fire. You should be able to find this gem in your local BCLS for $26.00

Have fun organizing your wine tasting event!
I would like to know how it went! Send me a quick note at bottle2glass@gmail.com or reply on this post.

Ciao for now!!