Everything is coming up ROSÉ

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

The first day of summer has come and gone. But there is always time to enjoy Rosé!

With the first signs of summer you will notice  wine stores starting to bloom with Rosé!

Yes Rosé is the perfect wine for the summer season, but I enjoy it year round and so can you. Rosé can be enjoyed with all types of food all season. From Salads with seafood to grilled chicken or grilled sausages to that Thanksgiving Turkey. The list is endless!

Many people think Rosé is a blend of red and white wines. This one of three methods of making Rosé. I briefly mention the three different ways to make make still Rosé below.

1) Maceration -

In the maceration method the red grapes are lightly crushed and left with their red skins to macerate for a while.  (The colour comes from contact with the grape skins). This process can last from 2 – 20 hours or 1 to 2 days (depending on the winemaker). Once the colour the winemaker wants is achieved he/she will stop the process. This is the time the winemaker will remove the must (skins, pulp, stems and pips).

2) Saignée (San-yay)

First few hours of making red wine, some of the juice is bled off and then put into a vat to make Rosé. Saignée wines are not as common as the Maceration method and may be harder to find.  This method makes a richer bolder rosé.

3) Blending Method

This method is not very common with still Rosé.  This method is illegal in parts of France. With the blending method the winemaker uses a little bit of red wine and adds it to the white wine to make the rosé. It does not take much red wine to colour the white wine. The only place I researched that use this method is in Champagne for some of there sparkling wines.

Here is a small sample of some varietals used in making rosé. Each varietal gives the wine a unique style of wine: Dry – Grenache, Syrah and Pinot Noir; Fruity – Sangiovese; Savory – Cabernet Sauvignon; Sweet – Zinfandel. There are many other varietals that are used to make Rosé wine.

Some terms to help you to describe Rosé: strawberry, pink grapefruit, raspberry, sweet cherry, sour cherry, wild strawberry, and cranberry are only a few.

Below you will find my list of Rosé’s we enjoyed recently. Hope you enjoy them as much as we have.

Cristia Collection - Cótes de Provence - 2015
A nice rosé from Cótes de Provence this wine is made with 60% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 5% Cinsault. It has a nice light pink colour with aromas of melon, and ripe strawberries. On the palate I found citrus, watermelon with some tropical fruit and nice acidity. This wine can be enjoyed with seafood or light pasta. You may be able to find this one at a BC Liquor store for $25.99 plus taxes and deposit. If you find this one you may want to grab a bottle or two. 

2015 Clos du Soleil Rosé
This is our go to rosé all season. This rosé is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. I found aromas of vanilla bean, raspberry and cranberry. On the palate there was raspberry, rhubarb and a hint of cherry. This wants to be paired with food like  roasted pork or with a charcuterie board. A specialty wine store like Everything Wine or Overwaitea Foods carries this wine. YES Overwaitea Foods is now selling BC VQA Wines. I have found the three Overwaitea locations that are selling BC VQA wines. They are located in South Surrey, East Maple Ridge and Kelowna. I understand there will be more that will be carrying BC VQA wines.

2015 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Blanc - Oeil De Perdrix
A new wine from the producers of some very good Pinot Noir. This is a limited offering Rosé produced from Pinot Noir. This Rosé has aromas of citrus, strawberry and a hint of raspberry. These carry on to the palate with pink grapefruit, and lemon zest. Finishes with great acidity and a long finish. Get this one while it last! Can be found at a BC Liquor Store for $28.99 plus taxes and deposit. This fine Rosé can be enjoyed on its own or enjoy it with grilled vegetables or grilled pork chops.

2015 NK'MIP Rosé  
This Rosé from the Okanagan Valley is made using the saignée method. It has a deep pink hue with aromas of strawberry, and grapefruit. On the palate I got pink grapefruit, and tart cranberry. This wine was tart and sharp which will suit a hot day on the patio.  You can find this one in the BC Liquor Stores for $17.99 plus taxes and deposit.

Enjoy these wines and remember to leave me your comments.

Ciao for now!!

Wines to Celebrate Valentine's Day or Evening

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

It is that time of year again! You either love February 14th or you hate it. Many couples will be out celebrating Valentine's over an elegant dinner or staying home sharing a romantic dinner with a glass or  bottle of wine. Depending on the mood!  Or you will be "popping the question" and then popping the cork to celebrate OR you may be saying I hate this day give me wine!

In either case let me help you make it easier on what wine you will want to un-cork or un-twist on the 14th. 

Are you Game - Shiraz
For the couple that want to try something different on February 14th. To quote a part of the back label "...keep it real and go wild..." Now that speaks to Valentine's Day! On the nose cherry, and chocolate. This carries through on the palate with some oak and a nice finish.  A good wine for $19.99 (plus taxes and deposit). Look for it at your  BC Liquor for Store.

Rocland - Chocolate Box Shiraz
Why give a box of chocolates when you can give your loved one a Chocolate Box. On the nose aromas of blueberry, vanilla and licorice. On the palate coffee, blueberry and chocolate. This wine would be great with a grilled steak. Look for this one at your local BC Liquor Store for $23.49 (plus deposit and taxes)

Jacob's Creek Double Barrel Shiraz
Here is a wine to enjoy with a non romantic novel curled up on the sofa. Aromas of sweet red fruits, vanilla and dark chocolate. On the palate the chocolate carries through with liquorice and a hint of toasty notes. Check this one out at a BC Liquor Store for $17.99 (plus deposit and taxes).

Gotin Del Risc - Bierzo Mencia
Why give flowers on Valentine's day when you can share a wine with flowers on the label. 
"Gotin" is a word used in Bierzo to decribe a glass of wine shared between friends. "Risco" was the name of a well-known vigneron and Mencia lover from the region- SAQ.  Now with that said this seem to be a wine for Valentine's Day. The nose has fruity aromas with some floral. On the palate it is full body with red fruit and cedar. New to BC Liquor Store for $17.99 (plus taxes and deposit)

Midnight by Menage à Trois 

This wine is bold, lush and a bit Risqué. With a blend of four grapes, Merlot, Cabernet, Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot. On the nose you will get sweet blackberry and plum with hints of mocha. Take a risk on this blend and see where it may take you. Can be found at a local BC Liqour Store for $17.99 (plus taxes and deposit)

Enjoy these wines and remember to leave me your comments.

Ciao for now!! 

Wines of the World for under $30 - Wine Tasting

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

This blog is about our 2nd wine tasting that was held in our neighbourhood. What a great way to meet your neighbours!! If you missed my first posting on wine tasting please click on this link "Wine tasting party"

Wines I selected for this tasting were under $30.00 and these wines were paired with various cheese selections. The evening ended with a nice Medium Sweet Sherry that was paired with dark chocolate, Brazilian nuts and Blue Cheese. 

Here are a couple photos of the cheese boards that were avaiable for the evening.

You cannot have a tasting without tasting cards to record your thoughts on the wines from the evening. See pictures below of what we provided for the evening.  

Credit to my lovely spouse on her talents on making the cards.

Below I have listed the selection from the evening with my tasting notes for each wine. If you find yourself in a BC Liquor Store click on the highlighted area to get details on the wine. (codes). Remember to add taxes and deposit to the price listed.

Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore – Marca Oro 

This wine is from Valdobbiadene region in North-East Italy. Expect a lively fizz, a zesty zing of lemons and oranges, and a light, refreshing finish. All round a sensible choice and great value of $18.29 at a BC Liquor Store 

La Vieille Ferme Rose

A pretty, refreshing and dry rosé with notes of field strawberry and raspberry. Perfect as an aperitif, try it wirh grilled tuna. Excellent price for this rosé which can be found at a BC Liquor for $11.49 plus taxes and deposit

Tantalus Riesling 2014

One of my favourite Rieslings. I found aromas of lime peel, stone fruit and orange blossom. This carried through to a juicy, palate with mandarin orange and white peach with a nice citrus acidity. Unfortunately the 2014 is sold out. I was lucky and found 8 bottles at a private wine store. Keep checking Tantalus Winery for the next vintage.  It will be worth the wait

Robert Mondavi Fume’ Blanc 

A friend introduced me to this Napa Valley classic - a barrel-fermented Sauvignon. On the nose it displays red-apple and melon and a hint of toastiness. On the palate it has zesty citrus, with a little of the herbal character of Sauvignon Blancs. This is one of my go to whites! Give this gem a try. You may find it at your local BC Liquor Store for $18.79. (plus taxes and deposit)

Leyda Reserva Syrah 2012   


A cold climate style Syrah, you will find some spiciness, white pepper, and a hint of floral notes on the nose. The Palate you will get raspberries, leather and peppery spice. Try it with roast lamb. This is a good Syrah that can be found at the BC Liquor for $13.99 plus taxes and deposit

Crasto - Douro D.O.C .


“Superb-value red with fruitcake richness made from a blend of different port grapes – tinta roriz, tinta barroca, touriga naçional and touriga franca. Only a small fraction (five per cent) of the wine is aged in oak but the grapes naturally have a slightly spicy character. This is all blueberries, brambles and cloves.” International Wine Challenge Winner 2015". Great value for $19.99 look for it in your BC Liquor Store

Stellar Organics Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon/Pinotage 

You will find blackberry jam, forest and cigar box on the nose of this organic and fair trade wine. The dark fruit continues on the palate with cherry and a hint of dark chocolate on the finish. This wine is asking to be invited to a BBQ.  Check this one out at the BC Liquor Store $13.99 (plus taxes and deposit)

Gonzalez Bypass Oloroso Nutty Solera 

Here is a wine made for our winters. Nice notes of toffee, caramel, raisin and a hint of coffee. On the palate it is medium sweet, and full bodied. You will find raisin, zest of orange and some toasted almond. Bring out some cheese and dried nuts and enjoy a glass with a good book by the fire. This wine can be found at the BC Liquor Store for $15.99 

Enjoy these wines and remember to leave me your comments.

Ciao for now!!