Tasting - Gabbiano Chianti

Name: Gabbiano Chianti
Variety: 90% Sangiovese, 10% red berry vines
Region: Chianti
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $8

Winery Review: A very natural wine making process, in which the alcoholic fermentation is followed naturally by malolactic fermentation in steel casks.  The ageing period of the wine before the bottling is brief, without passage in wood: in this way, the wine maintains and displays all the organoleptic characteristics of the grape, along with great freshness. It is a young, enjoyable wine that does not require ageing, which should be drunk in the first two years of life.

My Review: This was my first venture into Tuscany and the Chianti region of winemaking. The wine was a ruby red color. The nose was fairly aromatic with red fruit, raspberries, and spice. The taste had notes of red and black fruit with a slight oakiness coming through (despite not touching oak in the winemaking process). Nothing about this wine really stood out. It had a medium body with a short finish. It was unoffending and slightly acidic. I paired this with Chicken Piccata. It was a nice pairing but a better wine would’ve been a better choice. Not a bad wine but not for me. 

Tasting - Peller Estates Ice Wine Vidal

Name: Peller Estates Ice Wine Vidal
Variety: 100% Vidal Blanc
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Country: Canada
Year: 2005
Price: $60 for 375 mL

Winery Review: An exceptionally well-balanced Icewine exhibiting sophistication and elegance. The clean fruit flavours of peach, pear juice, tangerine and a drizzle of honey excite the palate. Lemon drops, apricot and candied citrus peel linger through on the finish. Best enjoyed through 2018.   Serve chilled at 8 to 10°C in small white wine glasses, 1 to 2 oz per person. Enjoy before a meal, chilled with your favourite vodka and a couple of frozen grapes for an amazing Icewine Martini. During a meal with pâté or with foie gras for a mouth sensation. Also a wonderful companion to Indian curry dishes and spicy Asian cuisine. Serve with the cheese course which may include Saint Andre, 3 year old Canadian cheddar or creamy blue cheeses. After a meal with fruit based desserts of mango, pear, quince, sweet citrus and tropical fruits; crème caramel; crème brûlée; custards; and syllabubs.

My Review: This was a wonderfully splendid wine, one of the best I’ve ever had. I was able to try this because my aunt had forgotten she had it in her fridge and let me have it. It was an unopened 50 mL individual (half of a half) tasting but wow did it leave an impression. The wine had a goldish, possibly pinkish hue to it. The nose was very aromatic. It had a dominant peach or stone fruit smell. It seemed to me that this could be a fruit liqueur; it had that kind of nose to it. As for the taste, my palate detected peach, apricot, and honey. It was super silky smooth. I couldn’t taste any alcohol really. It finished short. Boy, was this a delight. I’ve grown to like Vidal Blanc as my white wine variety of choice (along with few select others) as I’ve haven’t had a bad one yet in my limited experience. This was my first Ice Wine though and I was impressed by it. While the product is certainly worth the price, this wine is out of my range. Bottom line, fantastic wine and would love to drink again.

Tasting - Liebe Winemaker's Collection Riesling

Name: Liebe Winemaker's Collection Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: Rheinhessen
Country: Germany
Year: 2011
Price: $7

Winery Review: A sweet wine that also gave me a nice and crisp feel. The flavors of citrus and pear finished off in a slightly dry finish. I paired this wine with salmon in coconut curry sauce over cauliflower, and it was the perfect match. The sweetness of the wine cooled off, and mellowed the spiciness of the curry sauce.

My Review: Not a bad value wine. This wine was made specifically for Wegman’s. The nose was fruity with some floral notes coming though. I smelled apple and apricots presenting too. The taste was of apricot and honey with a light peachiness. It had a silky mouthfeel. It was slightly acidic on the back end. It had a medium length finish. An unoffending wine that isn’t bad if you just want anything. The flavors are almost too subtle to really pick out. I’ve had better Rieslings at near the same price point.

Tasting - Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel

Name: Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $8

Winery Review: Vibrant, ripe notes of summer raspberry intoxicate the senses, enticing you to take a sip of this lively red zinfandel. Once on the palate, plush and round flavors of pomegranates meld with fresh cracked peppercorn, juniper and anise. Playful and serious at the same time, the mouth-coating tannins relax into a smooth and supple finish: long, lingering and full of enjoyment.

My Review: This was a big wine and a varietal I was excited to try. The nose was hot and very fruity, very jammy. There were hints of raspberries and cherries and a slight oakiness. The taste was also hot and jammy but bold. There were a lot of red fruits noticeably cherry on the palate. It has a hot, long finish. At 14.5% alcohol the heat is to be expected. Very good wine though. It was thoroughly enjoyable. I also tried this with Manchego cheese and it cut through the heat and brought out more raspberry taste.

Tasting - Hogue Late Harvest Riesling

Name: Hogue Late Harvest Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: Washington
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $8

Winery Review: Eastern Washington’s low annual rainfall and cool nights during the growing season make it the perfect area for producing consistently great late harvest wines. The Hogue Cellars has developed a style of late harvest Riesling that is crisp yet moderately sweet. The wine was produced from select Riesling vineyards where the fruit can ripen to the required 24°+ Brix. At that level of ripeness, the wine develops its trademark tangerine/apricot flavor. Zesty aromas of orange, lemon-lime and peach are followed by flavors of tangerine, apricot and a trace of mineral. Serve with poached pears, apple pie or a cheese platter of Stilton, smoked Gouda and fresh goat cheese. It’s also excellent served well chilled as an aperitif.

My Review: Not a bad wine. There is pear and apricot with a bit of honey on the nose. A light floral component comes through too. The taste is of peach and pear with a spritzer quality to it almost like Sprite. It is a bit zesty. It has a silky mouthfeel and a smooth finish. It is sweet but not overpowering considering its 5.3 g of residual sugar. But something is a tad off about it that I could not drink it as a dessert alone. I would grab something else if I want a true dessert wine.

Tasting - Vincent’s Vineyard Cabernet Franc

Name: Vincent’s Vineyard Cabernet Franc
Variety: Cabernet Franc
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $13

Winery Review: A slightly oaked dry red wine. The beautiful ruby red wine has rich flavors of black cherry and plum, complimented by elegant aromas of toasted oak. This wine leaves an impressive finish.

My Review: Back to my favorite, the Cabernet Franc. This wasn’t the best I’ve had but it was pretty good. Cherry and plum tickle the nose. From there, black cherry and a slight oakiness with some spice dance on the tongue. This was a nice effort and well-crafted. It was enjoyable and had a nice finish that kept me wanting more.

Tasting - Vincent’s Vineyard Ambrosia

Name: Vincent’s Vineyard Ambrosia
Variety: Steuben
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $14

Winery Review: Made from the Steuben Grape, this crisp sweet red wine with hints of honey and has a sweet and spicy flavor. Makes a great porch or hot tub wine.  This wine is appropriately named because in ancient Greek mythology, Ambrosia was known as a food or drink of the Greek gods.

My Review: I think this was my favorite wine from Vincent’s Vineyard. The nose was pungent with hints of cherry, raspberries and honey. The taste was similar but included a subtle spice component. It was also pretty sweet. It was very smooth and the sweetness really masks any alcohol taste. This is a great wine to pair with dessert or if you just want something sweet.