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Robert's Wine Blog


Great Wine Adventures

1/9/2018

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This guest post is by Lysa Allman-Baldwin, a seasoned travel writer and the Publisher and Editor of Amazing Escapades: Adventures for the Mind, Body and Belly. ​
From Maine to California, Washington State to Florida, and almost everywhere in between, while traversing along many of the country’s major highways and petite country roads you can find wonderful vineyards, wineries, wine trails (and wine related events) nearly year-round.
So whether you are a true wine aficionado, choose your wines based on how pretty the bottle looks, or fall somewhere in between, anyone can get out and enjoy tasting and learning about wines.

 
Here are a few places to get you started.
​
The New York “Vines”

​You may not realize this, but New York State is one of the country’s oldest commercial wine regions, and is said to produce the greatest diversity of wine from any one wine region in the world.

 
Statewide you will find close to 150 wonderful, flavorful and historic wineries, with vines originating from the French, Dutch and English who brought them from Europe when they settled here several hundred years ago. ​
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Consider doing a little wine exploration through Long Island, where wineries can be found in The Hamptons as well as in Northeast and Southeast Suffolk. In the Hudson River Valley, some 500 acres of vineyards blanket both the west and east sides of the Hudson River. 

​The New York Wine & Grape Foundation, 
www.newyorkwines.org 
Long Island Wine Council, 631.369.5887, www.liwines.com
New York Wine Cork, 877.302.WINE, 518.632.9260, www.nywinecork.com
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Wines in the Heartland

​Blessed by fertile ground and a long growing season, winemakers have successfully produced exceptional grapes and nationally and internationally 
recognized wines in the state of Missouri for over 150 years. In fact, by 1870 Missouri was the second-largest wine-producing state in the country, and legend has it that at one time “American wine” usually meant Missouri wine
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Today there are more than 40 wineries dotted around the state, many situated closely together which allows for exploration of several different styles and varieties within the same day. One of the more well-known winery areas is known as the Missouri Weinstrasse. German for “Wine Road,” the Weinstrasse is a tribute to the German immigrants from the Rhine River Valley. Stretching from St. Charles to Hermann (about midway between Kansas City and St. Louis), this two-lane road encompasses numerous wineries and is a wonderful way to spend a weekend

Missouri Weinstrasse
, www.moweinstrasse.com
Missouri Winemaking Society, www.mowinemakers.org
Wonderful Wines of Missouri, 800.392.WINE, www.missouriwine.org


California Wine Country

About an hour and a half north of San Francisco is Sonoma County, world-renown for its thriving vineyards that consistently produce quality award-winning wines and Northern California’s first wine producing region. Excellent wineries dot the area, each completely different from the next and offering a divergent experiences and exposures to the many facets of wine and winemaking.
 

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Some of the biggest names and oldest wineries can be found in the Alexander Valley and Russian River Valley regions, which encompass literally thousands of vineyard acreage, and hundreds of grape varieties.
 
Wine Zone, www.winezone.com
Sonoma County Wineries Association, 707.586.3795, www.sonomawine.com
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Texas Hill Country

​Most people don’t know that the Texas Hill Country is one of the fastest-growing wine destinations in the country, encompassing three viticulture areas with 14 wineries located in and around the city and county, and offering numerous self-guided and guided wine tours and events year-round.

 
One way to explore them is along Wine Road 290 Fredericksburg, a 45 mile stretch of US Highway 290 and “the second most visited wine region in the United States second only to Napa Valley according to Orbitz Travel,” or, check out Texas Hill Country Wineries with more than 35 unique and visually stunning wineries throughout the Hill Country and a little further afield.
 
Texas Hill Country Wineries, 872.216.9463, www.texaswinetrail.com 
Wine Road 290 Fredericksburg, 872.216.9463, www.wineroad290.com.
 
 Get to Sippin!
Touring a winery and the grounds is as much a part of the wine tasting experience as tasting the wine itself. But no matter where you travel, be sure to stop and smell the grapes and enjoy all that wine tasting has to offer.


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About the Author
Lysa Allman-Baldwin is the Publisher and Editor of Amazing Escapades: Adventures for the Mind, Body and Belly. For over 20 years she has fed her wanderlust for "everything the world has to offer" by passionately writing feature articles and reviews covering a wide variety of topics including travel and tourism, cuisine/restaurants, events and festivals, just to name a few, for numerous print and online publications. ​​
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INNOVATION: 'The New Chile'

11/9/2017

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​Trade seminar - Toronto -ROM -November 7,2017

Seminar Host, Patricio Tapia, Wine Writer & Author of Descorchados

The objective of the seminar was to present the 
new generation of Chilean winemakers who are creating innovative wines using new methods and blends. Tasted a selection of ten (10) new wine styles selected by Patricio Tapia and learned why Chile should occupy a top spot in the commercial cellar.

"Regionality is the key to Chile's stylistic development, and winemakers are striving to reflect the different terroirs that the country can offer,especially in the cooler coastal areas and those in the Andeam foothills " - said
Mario Pablo Silva ,President, Vinos de Chile


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Here are a few of my notes and recommendations about the wines tasted :

The host provided a good overview of the history of wines in Chile which started about 450 years ago, the grape varietal , the terroir,the appellations. The wine selection for tasting allowed to learn and understand the potential of Chilean wines as top producers in the world. 



White wines


1. Winery -Emiliana  from Casablanca valley
2016 Signos de origen la vanilla
72% Chardonnay  12% Viognier, 10%Marsanne,6% Roussane
Dry,fruity,white peaches, fresh 

2. Winery -Carmen from Colchagua
2016 do quijada #1 Semillon
95% Semillon, 5% Sauvignon Blanc
Creamy,fresh,nice on palate

Red wines

1.Winery -Santa Rita from Maipo
2012 Bougainville
90% Petit Syrah,10% Syrah   Can $54.95
Concentrated, ripe ,full body, excellent wine

2.Winery -Errazuriz from Aconcagua Costa
2016 Las Pizaras Pinot Noir  Can $129.99
Very limited quantity -Not available in Canada
Nice Pinot Noir but pricy

3. Winery -Santa Carolina 
2012 Luis Perera
​90% Cabernet Sauvignon,55 Cabernet Franc,2% other
Easy to drink,light,gentle ,delicate

​

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Guided winery Tour at domaines schlumberger  alsace, france

10/16/2017

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Visited Domaines Schlumberger in Guebwiller, Alsace ,France  on September 20,2017 during my Alsace Wine Route tour to find the best wine tours to recommend to my followers and list on Wine Region Rentals website. We pre-booked the guided tour with Esther Lelievre who also conducted the 2 hours tour.
We were Welcomed by  Severine Schlumberger ,one of estate  owners and Esther Lelievre our knowledgeable tour guide.
​The entire experience from contacting Esther, arranging the tour and taking the tour was excellent !   
The  tour was conducted highly professional, very informative , educational and tasty.
It consists of general presentation of the over 200 years history , passion of their family estate , the entire process of wine making from growing the grapes in the vineyards to bottling , shipping and ending with a lovely wine tasting. 

​Domaines Schlumberger is one of the largest Producers in Alsace with 120 hectares of vineyards with 50% of its area planted with Grands Crus. The winery is going through a major renovation/expansion of the Reception and Tasting Room scheduled for completion in 2018.

If you follow the  pictures, you will see the grapes pressing tanks, the grape juice fermentation with yeast in 120 temperature controlled barrels (you see also the picture of the biggest barrel that can hold 17,500 litres) when they allow all the sediments to go to the bottom of the barrel, then the wine is collected and transferred in the stainless steel vats, followed by automated bottling, then stored until orders when the bottles are getting labeled and shipped

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Now to my favourite part : We tasted  7 wines from different grapes  Riesling , Pinot Gris ,Muscat ,Gewurtztraminer from Princess Abes and Grand Crus range. Although I enjoyed most of the wine tasted my favourite was the Pinot Gris Grand Cru  Spiegel  well balanced,fruity ,fresh not to sweet,not too dry with a finish with beautiful length.I bought couple of bottles to enjoy them when I am back home in Toronto.
Want to visit the beautiful Domaines Schlumberger ?
Domaines Schlumberger kindly ask you to book your tour with Esther Lelievre by phone 03 89 74 27 00 or their contact form you can find at this  link 

Recommended place to stay
  During our Alsace Wine Route trip we stayed at La Maison d'Emilie in Pfaffenheim ,a charming bed and breakfast in an authentic village house from 17th century​. The B&B location is about 20 minutes easy drive to Domain Schlumberger.  
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Union Forté 2012 - an amazing value  port-like fortified wine at lcbo

11/30/2016

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The FORTÉ is now available in LCBO stores ​
$17.95 
VINTAGES#: 361758   |   500 mL bottle

​Background

Union is the brainchild of Canadian winemaking legend Dr. Allan Jackson and sommelier Andrew von Teichman.

Port-style fortified 100% VQA certified from amazing Ontario premium grown grapes 

It is a perfect blend of Merlot,Cabernet and a hint of Shiraz fortified with 18%alc./vol ,aged in oak barrels for 3 years

Tasting notes

Dark purple,  oak character ,sweet in the palate 104g/L but not too sweet for a dessert wine, smooth, pleasant blackberry and cherry aroma on the nose,medium length.It has nice complexity with a balance of fruits/alcohol/tannins and acid.
​

I have tasted last night November 29,2016 with :

Dark chocolate - perfect on the palate, like sipping black cherries wine
Alexis de Portneuf-Brie De Saint-Raymond Double creme - the FORTÉ is smooth, blending well, excellent Brie cheese complement  
​Dessert wine - Great for sipping after dinner .Same amazing taste as described in Tasting notes 

Recommendation


Grab a bottle or two for Holidays before they disappear from the shelfs ! At this price is an amazing value dessert wine !

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An Afternoon Tasting at Peller Wine Estates

4/18/2016

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Written by Amanda Mejia
PicturePeller Wine Estates
This weekend was the perfect weather to enjoy Niagara-on-the-Lake. During our adventure to the Niagara Food & Wine Expo 2016, we stopped by the much buzzed about Peller Wine Estates .  Upon arrival, the majestic entrance alone affirms the fact that this is somewhere you want to be. Driving down further reveals an elegant building with a cream hue that compliments the sun perfectly.  After entering the building, we are guided to the tasting room bustling with friends and families laughing and exchanging stories with their personal Tasting Attendant.
 
Now for my favourite part: tasting of the wine! Our Tasting Attendant recommends the 
Ice Cuvée Rosé, a sparkling wine that is unique because 100ml of Vidal Icewine is added to it, enhancing the delicious wild raspberry and cherry notes.  Our Tasting Attendant tells us that Sparkling Wine is often called Champagne however, the word Champagne is only allotted to Sparkling Wines created in the region of Champagne, France.  Nonetheless, this one is a winner!

A few more excellent wines were savoured but of notable mention is the 
_Cabernet Franc Icewine ​_.Peller Wines is no stranger to awards and accolades in Icewine production. ​

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Peller Wine Tasting Attendant
PictureShowdown: The Vidal Icewine vs the Cabernet Franc Icewine
 

Although the Vidal Icewine  was a sweet citrus delight, the Cabernet Franc Icewine had me wanting more and more. With a burst of red berry and rhubarb flavours, this was a clear winner for me. Now all I needed was the perfect dessert pairing: dark chocolate.
 
Want to visit the beautiful Peller Estates? Contact us   now for a customized Niagara-on-the-Lake wine tour.
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Traveling to Peru: A Majestic Adventure

3/21/2016

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Written by Amanda Mejia
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Travel Peru and savour the delicious seafood dishes and explore majestic cities when you embark on this tour of a lifetime. Thinking of booking  your flight but still need convincing? Take a look at our personal account of traveling the historical land of Peru.

Our journey has brought us to the beautiful Peru. Peru can be described in one word: mystical. Ask anyone who visits; there is an energy that emulates out of the ground and walls. In fact, stories float around about people who have experience some eerie things. The battery of phones, cameras and laptops of everyone in our group would drain suddenly in certain areas. It is said that this is a result of a lot of magnetic activity under the ground in Peru. This 8-day tour  of Peru is an excellent adventure that will have you experiencing new dishes, enjoying views like no other, and exploring ancient civilizations.
Top 3 Things to Do in Peru:
  1. Visit the Nazca Lines. Remember when I said this land is eerie? Well, here is a great example. These are lines in the earth that create unusual shapes and creatures. These lines have an interesting history and are said to be created by the Incas, however many legends exist about their origin. As of today, they remain intact.  
  2. Explore Cuzco, Peru. Take some time to get to know the city of Cuzco.  Be sure to shop the markets and bring home authentic, handmade alpaca scarfs. Added bonus? At night, the local kids gather to play volleyball. Join a game but beware, they are really good!
  3. Visit the Chinchero District. Known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas, this place gives you a sense of calm and serenity. It is as surreal as Machu Picchu (which is another must!) It is not crowded with tourist and it features a breathtaking view of enormous mountains. All things come together to make this a truly inspiring day trip.

3 Things You Must Eat in Peru:
  1. Ceviche. This is a classic dish in many South American cultures but it is well known that Peru makes it the best. (I'm Colombian so don't tell anyone I said that!) It is a shrimp & fish cocktail made with lime and spices. It's a personal fav!
  2. Arroz Con Mariscos. More seafood! Rice and shrimp cooked to perfection.
  3. Pisco Sour. Pair this with every meal, but don't ask what's in it. Just know it's delicious. During this 8-day tour  you’ll have the opportunity to visit the town of Pisco, tour a pisco factory, and sample the unique flavour of the famous Pisco sour.
 


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Traveling to Spain: An Unforgettable Adventure.

3/21/2016

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Written by Amanda Mejia 
Travel Spain and savour the delicious food and wine the land has to offer when you embark on this tour of a lifetime. Thinking of booking your flight but still need convincing? Take a look at our personal account of traveling the breathtaking land of Spain.

I have had the opportunity to travel to a few countries but I have yet to love a country as much as I loved Spain. If I had the chance, I would go back over and over again. Over the course of one week, I visited Madrid and Barcelona. Here's why Spain is so epic:

​3 Things To Do in Barcelona, Spain.

1. Take a Train to Sitges.

​This city is a few kilometers from 
​Barcelona and is accessible by a short (and cheap!) train ride. I suggest staying the night if you can as it has a great nightlife. If you cannot stay the night, the beaches during the day are enough to leave you in awe; white sandy beaches with clear blue waves. For dinner, walk the small strip of restaurants and choose one of the charming restaurants. TIP: If they bring you olives, they will charge you 4 Euros for it. Politely say no if you do not what to pay this. If you stay the night, TRY THIS: buy fresh bread and salami for breakfast and spend the morning sitting on the rocks and enjoying the view as the waves crash around you. I did this with my significant other and it is, till this day, my favourite moment. Ever.

2. Visit Park Güell. Also known as the Gaudi Gardens, this is a MUST DO in Barcelona. Imagine you could step into the whimsical world of Alice and Wonderland. How cool would that be? Well, imagine no more because this park is just as trippy. The park is a piece of art filled with funky shapes and colours. It's worth it!

3. Wine & Olive Tastings. Spain is home to some of the finest wines. This 6 Day tour will have you sipping award-winning wines, tasting locally-produced olive oil, and travelling 13th century villages!
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The City of Sitges, near Barcelona.  
Source: ​
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 Park Guell in Barcelona, Spain.
Source:
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Paella!
​Source: Amanda Mejia

3 Things to Eat in Spain:
  1. Paella! If you haven’t heard of this dish you must be living under a clam shell (get it!) Paella is a famous Spaniard dish consisting of shrimp, calamari, mussels and rice. It is cooked in a delicious broth and a few spices so the rice is left a little wet.
  2. Sangria. I know I don’t have to remind you to taste as many versions of Sangria as you can! For those who don’t know, Sangria is a wine cocktail that adds juices and a variety of fruit to create a cup of delightfulness. There are so many delicious versions of Sangria, so experiment.
  3. Tapas. This is staple in Spain and has been popularized around the world. Tapas are not one specific dish but rather a concept. Ever been to a restaurant and said, “I want to try everything!” Well, tapas are your answer to that. It is an experience where you order many different dishes and they come in sample sizes so you get to taste and array of gourmet flavours.
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ontario brave new wines@stratus

3/14/2016

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Visited Stratus Vineyards on Saturday March 5th with a group of IWEG Drinks Academy participants in the Ontario's Brave New Wine series of Special Courses.
Stratus is a relatively new winery in Niagara-on-the Lake founded in 2005 by David Feldberg. The Stratus team is executing the winery vision to produce wines of outstanding quality right in their backyard in Niagara.
It is all about sustainability and  high quality. They produce the best possible wine ,only limited quantities from grapes grown on their 62-acre  estate. There are 17 varieties of grapes in their vineyard ,7 white and 10 red.
They provide the range they need to make distinctive "assemblage" wines ! 
We have tasted 3 whites , 3 reds and one Special Select Late Harvest Cabernet.
I have find of exceptional quality heir flagship white ,fruity and crispy, 2013 Stratus  Chardonnay ( Barrel Sample) Harvested October 2-3,2013, 307 days in French oak, 13.4% Alcohol  and their flagship red 2012 Stratus Red Bordeaux style ( Assemblage: 29%Cabernet Sauvignon,26% Cabernet Franc,26% Merlot,13% Petit Verdot,3% Malbec, 3% Tannat) 622 days in French oak, 13.8% alcohol as well as the 2013 Stratus Special Select Late Harvest Cabernet paired with dark chocolate from a local producer.
Visit Wine Region Rentals website and inquire about a customized tour to Stratus Winery 
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ontario's  brave new wines

12/18/2015

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Ontario wines have so much to offer! Have your visits to local Farmers Markets and tasting great Ontario wines peaked your interest in your own back yard? Curious to know more?
IWEG has involved a number of local, renowned wineries to develop a one of a kind Ontario wine course that will provide in-depth insight to our wonderful local wine industry.
In addition to Ontario wineries proud commitment to producing quality wines, they are also dedicated to the environment; with organic, biodynamic and sustainable wines shaking up old ideas and taking palates by surprise.
In collaboration with the Wine Marketing Association of Ontario, these 4 sessions of learning and tasting will celebrate local wines, growers and producers and give insight into the bold venture that is winemaking in Ontario. We encourage you to learn more about what is happening by visitingwww.winecountryontario.ca. 
Come and meet Ontario’s leading edge wine makers, enjoy their award-winning wares and learn how our daring industry:
  • Withstands the climate
  • Competes against powerful importers
  • Sustains a green economy
  • Incorporates cutting edge viticultural approaches
  • Wins the battle of public opinion


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Ontario's Brave New Wines 2016
January 30th - What is sustainable wine in Ontario? - Stratus / Suzanne Janke
February 6th - Roots and Regions - Cave Spring / Gabe DeMarco: Rosewood / Will Roman
Feb 20th -Alternative Approaches: Organic, Biodynamic and low intervention wines - Southbrook / Ann Sperling
Feb 27th - Ontario 2025 - Into the Future with Norman Hardie Winery / Norman Hardie, Hidden Bench / Harald Theil, Malivoire / Shiraz Mottiar
BE AN EARLY BIRD!  Classes purchased before Thursday December 24th for $300. (After Christmas the price will go back up to the regular $350)

​
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chile :leading the way in innovation

11/2/2015

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I have attended the Wines of Chile trade seminar and tasting on Tuesday October 27,2015 at Royal Ontario Museum as  part of annual chilean Wine Festival.

Topic:                CHILE: LEADING THE WAY IN INNOVATION
Moderator:    Christopher Waters, Editor, VINES Magazine

Lisa Ulrich, Ontario Project Manager
ANDROS COMMUNICATIONS

The following is a summary of my notes and photo's from this event.

1. Chile is a Viticultural Paradise with unique geography and climate which makes it ideal for wine growing
2. There is a New Vitivinicultural Zonification per map on the left
3.Evolution and innovation consist in :
3.1 measures to get closer to terroir ,make wines with more definition, grapes to come from single lot with pure expression of a place.

3.2 get the cycle shorter by delivering to market 45-60 days earlier than before
3.3 commitment to protecting the environment and social responsibility and as such has created an extensive Sustainability Program.
3.4 broaden the varieties of chilean grapes and wines from the well known reds Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere  to newer discovery cooler climate Pinot Noir and well known whites Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay to newer discovery cooler climate Riesling

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4. Nine (9) wines were selected for tasting: (2) Sauvignon Blanc,(2) Pinot Noir,(1) Carmenere and (4) Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines will be released at LCBO at various times starting November 2015 to June 2016. The price range is $14.95 to $27.95 for whites and $16.95 to $59.95 for reds.
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The following are the wines I have liked the most and I am recommending to buy at LCBO as good value for the price under $20 :

Whites

2015 MONTES SPRING HARVEST SAUVIGNON BLANC  $14.95 LCBO Code Not available

Fresh,fruity,dry ,you can hear Pacific Ocean, long finish, excellent nose   Rating :4/5

​Reds

2013 ARBOLEDA CABERNET SAUVIGNON  $19.95  LCBO 335174

90% Cab Sauv,10% Cab Franc, colder climate, nice and fresh,elegant style,long finish  Rating :5/5

2012 PEREZ CRUZ LIMITED EDITION CABERNET SAUVIGNON $19.95 LCBO 431015 Rating: 5/5
Family owned,45km SE of Santiago, 80% Cab Sauv,14 month aged in french barrels

​2013 CALITERRA TRIBUTO CARMENERE  $16.95 LCBO 56630  Rating :4/5
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Silky,grown on clay based soil,oaky,red pepper,floral,spicy personality, mostly carmenere and some malbec-LCBO release in a few months

After the seminar ended I have taken a few photo's from Walk about Tasting where trades could taste 150 wines and meet 20 winery principals.

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wine,tapas & cava- afternoon tour

10/6/2015

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Castlexperience -wine tours &activities
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I just returned from Barcelona, Spain and I want to share with you the  unforgettable experience I had with the Wine, Tapas & Cava Afternoon wine tour provided by our Partners at Castle Experience 
We met Lorenzo our tour guide and the small group of 9 people in Barcelona in Plaza Catalunya. We have departed   at 1:00 PM sharp and headed to Finca Ca n'Estella, a small boutique winery built in the late 18th century. Lorenzo explained in great detail the history of Barcelona and Catalonia while driving about 40 minutes to the first winery.

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Roser Rovira the Enoturisme Specialist of the winery pop out to greet our small group and gave us an overview of the winery long history. After that Lorenzo took over to show us how cava is produced and aged. 
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.We were offered to taste one rose cava and one white- one of the bottle is shown on the photo. 
I was specially delighted with the quality of the white cava. The best regional tapas were offered with the tasting on a beautiful terrace with breathtaking views of the vineyard as can be seen in the pictures to the right and below.

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After discovering the best cavas in Penedes, we were driven for about 45 minutes by the feet of Montserrat mountain towards second destination-Oller del Mas Cellar. Located in a former medieval castle , this winery is focused on producing red wines. Lorenzo once again guided us through the winery,the castle and the vines explaining how the red wine is produced with traditional and modern technology.  At the end we got a sit down formal wine tasting with 3 excellent red wines and an artisanal cheese platter. My favourite was the first one which was a Merlot but others liked the wine from the lost grape during the plague and now re-discovered : Picapoll Negre.
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This was an excellent way to put an end to an unforgettable wine experience in Barcelona. The drive back to Barcelona was about one hour and arrived in Barcelona around 7:30 p.m
I want to Thank again Lorenzo for his enthusiasm and knowledge and Castlexperience for organizing such  an incredible wine tour ! 
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Douro Valley Wine Experience by meet me at porto tours

5/11/2015

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This is a luxurious wine tour with spectacular views, a mixture of big houses and small family producers that lead you to get to know the people, gastronomy and culture of Porto and Douro Valley region.
Many wine regions lie along a famous river but the Douro in Portugal is one of the most spectacular in the world! The vines grow on break-neck slopes and landscape is unique and beautiful. In this experience you will enjoy two nights at a five star hotel in Porto and tree nights the in a charming wine hotel in the heart of the Douro Valley.
The new generation of winegrowers of Douro Valley has the reputation for making excellent Port wine and a world-class non-fortified “table” wines. It is difficult today to make a living only from Port wine and climate and soil is also perfect for table wines, both reds and whites that today reach world class. This mix of Port and high quality table wine makes the Douro Valley an exciting wine region to visit.
In Douro Valley many of the wines are made from genuine Portuguese grape varieties, rather than from international grapes that can be found anywhere in the world today. You will get to know wines made from touriga nacional, tinta roriz, touriga franca, sousa and others.

The tour starts in Porto (sometimes called Oporto). It is one of the biggest cities in Portugal although it does not count more than 220,000 inhabitants.
The city centre is a gem, very old and winding streets climb the hills with many architectural sights as well as a wealth of restaurant, bars and cafés
Side by side with an amazing historic, artistic, architectural and urban heritage there is a contemporary creation, expressed in several areas, from museums to architecture, theatre to cinema and music festivals. Porto is on the UNESCO list of Cultural World Heritage and is a must to visit. An evening walk and a glass of port while enjoying the view across the river over the sister city of Vila Nova de Gaia cannot be avoided. It is actually in Vila Nova, and not in Porto, where all the Port houses have their lodges.

You will spend the following three nights in Alto Douro, the heart of the Douro Valley.

Price : 3500 Euro/person double occupancy


Included
5  
hotel nights, in five star hotel double occupancy, including breakfast :
2   nights in five-star hotel in Porto
3   nights in wine hotel in the Douro Valley

 Meals as described in the program above
5   gastronomic multi-course lunches, including wines, at wineries or local restaurants
2   gastronomic multi-course dinners, including wines
Start and end point: Porto
Bus transport during the whole trip
All vineyard and winery visits
4    private, high quality tastings at wineries.
1    entrance at the Port Wine Museum
1    entrance and tastes at Gaia wine cellars
2    boat trips, in Porto and Douro Valley

 Visits will be in English or other language
Wine guiding and tutoring by an expert wine guide.

Not included:
Travel (flights) to the destination and back from your home location.
You organize your travel to the destination yourself. If you want assistance with organizing your flight tickets etc, please contact us.
We warmly recommend that you plan a few extra days here if you have the time! It is a very interesting place and well worth some “non-wine” tourism too! We can assist you with booking additional hotel nights if you want.






 

 

 

 





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Meet Me at Porto
www.meetmeatporto.com
Meet Me at Porto was founded by two friends with a passion for travel with the aim of providing exciting and unique experiences for passionate, demanding and sophisticated travelers.

We create authentic and tailor made architectural, cultural, gastronomic, wine, golf and surf tours and travel experiences, with the aim of showing the most authentic side of each places you visit.


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TRIALTO WINE TASTINGS (part 2 ) BY GUEST WINE CONSULTANT RAY PERCHALUK

1/27/2015

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The next 6 wines I tasted at the Trialto head office tasting in November 2014

Paso Robles, California                 

 Liberty School, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012

Smooth oaked black cassis, black cherry, some black raspberry, black plum hints, and some sandalwood. 
–Full bodied, smooth, spice, oak, heat. Long finish with big spice and heat. Wow, B -10 (consider 10 cases), Ray. Pair with beef (steak, veal, grilled, etc.), spiced pork, venison, solo sipping. Works well with pizzas, hot dogs, hamburgers.

MENDOZA, ARGENTINA 

LCBO: 
Always available
750 mL bottle
CSPC: 738823   
Sugar Content: D (dry) 
Price: $19.95
Alcohol: 13.5%
Catena, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012
 Always a big winner. Forward black fruits, black plums, black berries, cassis, vanilla, mocha and oak tones. Tastes very plush and mouth-filling of the described fruits, berries and oak. Spicy, heat, mineral on this full bodied, long finish wine. Wow, B – 10 (Consider 10 cases), Ray. Pair with game, lamb, beef, regional Argentinian dishes.  
Catena, Malbec, 2012

Black fruits. Plums, black berries, touch black licorice. Glycerin smooth feel on the palate. Full bodied. Plush. Mouth filling. Long finish with spice (pepper, clove) and heat.   Wow, B – 10 (consider 10 cases), Ray. Pair with the same as in wine above. Also consider pairing with other game such a moose, caribou, buffalo and muskox.

So far I covered three wines and they all have a Wow, B – 10, Ray. 3 wines in a row. This is the mark of a very careful distributor that brings to Canada fantastic wines. This why I urge people to get on the Trialto mailing list for tastings and when new wines are introduced to Ontario. Now I will continue with 3 more wines in this partial tasting list.

Niagara Peninsula, Ontario         

Southbrook, Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon VQA, 2012
I found this wine more medium plus than medium bodied. A palate and nose of sweet black/red berries, cassis, new leather hints. Touch cranberry. Finishes long, with heat and modest spice with some vanillin. Excellent/Wow, Ray. Consider 2 cases. Great for sipping. Pair with lamb, spiced pork, beef and venison. 

If you are visiting the St. Lawrence Market on Front Street in Toronto, try buying some Canadian meats including game meats to pair with this wine. This wine is organic and biodynamically grown. It contains besides Cabernet Sauvignon, 4 other red grapes to give nice complexity with a balance of fruits/alcohol/tannins and acid.

If you are not getting the flavour nuances I am talking about try chewing the wine. This is what I do when tasting wines as a taster. I suck in air while the wine I am tasting is in my mouth and then chew the wine so that all my mouth is completely saturated with the wine. This opens the wine much more extensively then passive tasting.

LCBO: 
Always available
750 mL bottle
CSPC: 985002    
Sugar Content: XD (Extra Dry) 
Price: $19.95
Alcohol: 13.9%

LCBO: 
Always available
750 mL bottle
CSPC:  478727      
Sugar Content: D ( Dry) 
Price: $19.95
Alcohol: 13.5%
LCBO: 
Always available
750 mL bottle
CSPC:  193573      
Sugar Content: D ( Dry) 
Price: $20.95
Alcohol: 12.8%

Bordeaux, France                            

Chateau Pipeau Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, 2011
Caramel, plums, black berries, hint dill. Touch licorice. Tight medium+ body. Spice and heat from alcohol and oak. Excellent, Ray. Potential Wow with proper breathing. Consider 2 cases. Pair with pork, stuffed turkey, veal sandwiches, spiced chicken. 

Mendoza, Argentina                     

La Posta Angel Paulucci Malbec, 2013
Black fruits and berries. Raspberries, florals, some vanillin toasty oak. Some herbaceousness. Medium bodied.
Amber, sandalwood hints on the finish. Excellent, Ray. Great price. Consider 2 cases. Pair with Argentinian dishes, hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, and veal sandwiches.


For signing up for future Trialto tastings go to their website, www.trialto.com.
Address: 219 Dufferin St. #3b (ground floor), Suite #3b Toronto, ON M6K 3J1. Skype phone: 416 – 532 – 8565.

LCBO: 
Always available
750 mL bottle
CSPC:  302018   
Sugar Content: XD ( Extra Dry) 
Price: $36.95
Alcohol: 13.0%
LCBO: 
Now :Limited quantities
750 mL bottle
CSPC:  : 075515    
Price: $15.95

Ray Perchaluk
Wine Consultant
Graphic Designer Wine Notes

Ray Perchaluk Associates
rayperchaluk_associates@outlook.com

Ray has 14 ½ years’ experience as a Product Consultant, higher certificate from the Wine Guild, and tasted over 14 thousand wines.

He is quite famous, especially when he worked at the First Canadian Place Liquor Store for using his wine ratings from okay (best to pass on this wine) all the way up to Wow, Buy All You Can. B-10(This means you should be buying at least 10 cases of this wine).

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trialto wine tastings by guest wine consultant Ray perchaluk

11/27/2014

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This is part of a tasting I had at the Trialto distributor’s office. Trialto the distributor only sells wine. No beer, spirits or coolers are in their portfolio. Their head office is in British Columbia but their Ontario staff works out of downtown Toronto. 


Usually people don’t really know the true value of a great distributor. Not only do they select great wines from around the world but reject wines that will not add value to their portfolio, hence value to you, the customer. You can buy directly from them. 


True, the sales transaction still goes through the LCBO, but Trialto will deliver to your house. Trialto wisely has a lot of tastings which you can get in on if you add your email address to their database.
Ray Perchaluk Associates - Wine Consultant and Graphic Designer
Ray Perchaluk

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Summer Sippers - Warm weather beverages  Recommended by sommelier Lesley Provost

7/23/2014

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Lesley Provost is a sommelier and wine consultant.
Certified by both the Canadian
Association
of Professional Sommeliers (on whose board she also serves) and the Court of
Master Sommeliers, she holds a Level 4 Diploma from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. 

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Austin Hope wine packs a powerful punch palate

7/19/2014

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Guest Blog by  Ray Perchaluk , Wine Consultant, Ray Perchaluk Associates
On June 11/14 I did a vertical tasting of the Austin Hope wines 2011, 2005 and the 2001. 

The Austin Hope Syrah 2011is made of 4 clonal variations of 100% syrah (clonal variations of 470, 383, Caldwell and Alban: Auston Hope Website). Craftsmen like blending to make a unique wine was used. This wine has a colour of a blackish purple red. A nose of mixed black fruits such as black currants, hints of black raspberries, notes of ripe plum skins. I also got a touch of vanillas, mint and my favorite, mixed black licorice and polish. 

Palate echoes nose with excellent plump mouth feel. 15% alcohol is nicely integrated. Long finish. You could still age this wine, but I would decant and drink it now. This wine is exciting and rates a Wow, buy 4 cases. Pairs perfectly with red meats, beef, spiced white meats, and game such as Buffalo, Venison, Muskox, etc. My favourite is just plain sipping. No food. It’s that good. 

The Austin Hope Syrah 2005 is a blackish/purple/ ruby red. Its meniscus is pink, with some amber flecks. The nose is spice box, black plums, black berries, amber, sandalwood hints with licorice tones. Full bodied with pronounced palate of the above aromas. Long finish with a bit of tannic edge. Excellent. Consider 1 case. It did score, 90 by a famous wine writer. 
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The Austin Hope Syrah 2001 is a 90% opaque ruby red. It has a thick meniscus of pink and fine amber. A nose of black fruits and berries, spice hints. pomegranate, grass and green tea. Full bodied. Very Good to Excellent. Consider 1/2 a case. Note:All the Austin Hope Syrah wines are 100 % Syrah. The craft, the magic besides science and taste make the Wine Maker’s role beyond an actual dollar value. These wines if still available are distributed by www.trialto.com. ©
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Here is that winner for summer sipping... a Chardonnay that’s always a classic

6/15/2014

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Guest Blog by  Ray Perchaluk , Wine Consultant, Ray Perchaluk Associates
On June 11/14 I got to taste a great lineup of wines from Paso Robles, California, the winery that makes Liberty School, Treana and Hope wines. In each Blog I will feature one wine and tell you the full scope of the tasting.

Today the wine I am featuring is none other than that famous Vintages , “Liberty School, Chardonnay 2012.” Always a winner and consistently produced in quality and palate. The winery that makes this wine is called the Hope Family Wines. The presenter at this tasting was the President and wine maker, Austin Hope. 

The wine is 90% Chardonnay, 5% Marsanne, 5% Viognier. The California Apellation is Central Coast. I suspect some clonal variations were used to get a consistency of aromas and palate.
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Liberty School Chardonnay 
Vintages  2012
CSPC 960120
Currently $18.95
Ray has 14 ½ years experience as a Product Consultant, higher certificate from  the Wine Guild, and tasted  over 14 thousand wines.  He is quite famous, especially when he worked at  the First Canadian Place  Liquor Store for using his  wine ratings from okay(best  to pass on this wine) all the  way up to Wow, Buy All  You Can. B-10(This means  you should be buying at  least 10 cases of this wine).

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Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha 2010

4/13/2014

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This is one of the excellent wines and values I had the pleasure to enjoy lately. I have pick-up a bottle from LCBO on a Friday evening in February 2013 to drink next day with my friends for my birthday. All my friends were amazed with this wine. I have picked-up a case so I can delight my family and friends which I did today again.
Read more reviews on WineAlign:
Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha 2010, Do Campo De Borja
Price: $20
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WineAlign’s First Wine Tour to the County: Terroir Wine Festival & More

4/5/2014

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WineAlign’s First Wine Tour to the County: Terroir Wine Festival & More:

Inaugural WineAlign Wine Tour

Saturday May 3rd, 2014, Prince Edward County

WineAlign have planned an excellent adventure to the County’s premier wine festival, Terroir and several other stops. Terroir is an annual showcase for new County wines.

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The 100 point rating scale for wine:                    5 things you need to know

3/31/2014

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I have noticed in the last few months at LCBO that wine rating has been pushed up and you can find now many wines with rating over 90!  The attached film raises concerns with the 100 point rating scale and the pressure to push-up ratings to 90 and above !   
The 100 point rating scale for wine: 5 things you need to know

The 100 point rating scale for wine: 5 things you need to know. A film with Jamie Goode of...
http://www.wineanorak.com/wineblog/videos/the-100-point-rating-scale-for-wine-5-things-you-need-to-know
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what's on in april in ontario

3/17/2014

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Save the date for the 2014 Good Food & Drink Festival! April 3 to 6 at the Direct Energy Centre. See you there. Click here for detailed information

California wineries  invite you to attend the 35th annual California Wine Fair Tour.
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This Canadian celebration of California's wine community touches down on seven cities coast to coast and showcases the state’s diverse growing regions, its passionate vintners and their outstanding wines. 




These tastings provide a wonderful opportunity to sample a wide range of styles and varietals from all of the major wine-growing regions of the Golden State.

This is the largest tasting tour of California wines in Canada!
Click here to get full details of the tour!

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lavinia's pinot noir 2009

3/14/2014

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I have the pleasure to introduce my wife's Lavinia Szasz vision of Pinot Noir 2009 ! I hope that visitor's to this website will like her art and will provide comments, feedback .
You can find more of her art and/or can order prints at www.imagekind.com

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what's on niagara falls, ontario   may2-4, 2014

3/10/2014

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FRIDAY 2PM - 10PM | SATURDAY 12PM - 10PM |SUNDAY 12PM - 6PM
SCOTIABANK CONVENTION CENTRE

The Niagara Food & Wine Expo
is a premier international tasting event featuring wines, beers and spirits from around the globe and stunning regional wines direct from neighbouring vineyards. These delectable samples will be served alongside fresh, local cuisine prepared by top area restaurants. You can find detailed information at http://www.niagarafoodandwine.ca/sitepages/

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Bodegas barco dE piedra 2011- spain       more than a wine review - the whole wine experience

2/27/2014

4 Comments

 
Going forward the  Wine Blog will be more than a wine review - it will include information about the wine region, the grape , the winery or producer, the travel destination ,the Lodging and Tours featured on this website and any other useful information to provide a true wine experience. 

Bodegas Barco de Piedra 2011  is an excellent value priced wine at Cdn $17 at LCBO. 
This bold red wine is from Ribera del Duero from Castilla y Leon region which generally produces high quality wines renowned all over the world and priced generally over Cdn $25.
Ribera del Duero sits on the elevated northern plateau of the Iberian Peninsula at 2800ft (800m) above sea level. It is divided by the Duero River (as its name would suggest – Ribera del Duero means 'bank of the Duero'), which provides the local vineyards with a much-needed water supply more...

You can book your wine tour in this region or other wine region of Spain with cellartours and byoubarcelona.com
You can also book wine tours in Rioja , Madrid and Barcelona region with one of our affiliates Viatour here :

Book your accommodation in this region with our affiliate HomeAway below or Bed and Breakfast to the right of the page:
HomeAway.com, Vacations with more room.

I have enjoyed this spanish Tempranillo medium body wine. It is dark ruby in colour with intense nose, quite oaky but pleasant and long length.

Read my full review on it :
Read Review on WineAlign.com
Find out more on about Tempranillo:
Read Information on WineAlign.com
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Niagara Icewine Festival 

1/17/2014

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Check out review of first weekend at Niagara Icewine Festival at below link:

http://countryurbanlife.com/country/review-niagara-icewine-festival/
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