The other white grape variety, Aligote in Burgundy. Ask The Wine Ladies.

Aligote

Aligote

Dear Wine Ladies,

I was told in Burgundy, the white wines are made with Chardonnay grapes that also go by the name Aligote. Are they both the same?

Alex
Houston,Texas

Ask The Wine Ladies

Ask The Wine Ladies- Please submit your questions to info@thewineladies.com

Dear Alex,

No, they are not the same grape. Aligote is the “other” grape variety planted in Burgundy and is definitely the less significant to say the least.

Having said that, in a very good year – meaning lots of warmth and sunshine, with grapes planted in the best locations and ideal soils – This grape variety can make an excellent wine in Burgundy representing good value.

Ask The Wine Ladies. Is there such a wine as a white Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

What’s he on about? There’s no bits of cork in the wine!

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Last weekend, at one of our favorite restaurants, we ordered a bottle of wine with which we were very familiar.

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Choosing wine for Thanksgiving feast

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It’s our turn to host this year’s family Thanksgiving dinner with over twenty or so guests expected, each bringing a dish of some shape or form, or taste!
We’re in charge of wine selection and are wondering: What pairs well with turkey?

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Let’s Talk Turkey! To decant or not to decante that is the question!

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We have been invited to my month-in-laws for Thanksgiving dinner, and I would like to surprise her with a decanter as a gift. She is just getting into wine and I thought she might enjoy this surprise instead of flowers or chocolates.

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Fires not a big problem for B.C.’s vineyards

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What effect, if any have the fires in British Columbia had on the vineyards?

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Perpetua Chardonnay

Bring on the Okanagan wines please! Ask The Wine Ladies.

Perpetua Chardonnay

Perpetua Chardonnay

Dear Wine Ladies,

I am a fairly recent transplant from the west coast via a brief stint in Calgary and Saskatoon. And I am dismayed by the lack of Okanagan wines found here on the shelves and across Canada. I recently discovered a stunner of a Chardonnay. Although a little pricey, well worth it from what was in the bottle to the exquisite and innovative packaging. It was called Perpetual. The wine was luscious and creamy with an aroma of lemon, absolutely delicious. With the fall coming, I am wondering if this company makes any equally impressive red wines, and if so how would I go about finding them.

Derek

Dear Derek,

We too were impressed with the Perpetual Chardonnay. You are referring to which is one of the Legacy Series wines produced by Mission Hill Family Estate Winery. Indeed delicious! This is a single vineyard Chardonnay from Osoyoos that premiered with the 2006 vintage.

The Legacy Series represents Mission Hill’s top tier wines, a blend of art and science, with the fruit being sourced from specific blocks within select vineyards via GIS mapping, weather stations within the vineyards monitoring climactic conditions, and winemaker John Simes practicing his personal art of winemaking . The wines have received multiple awards and recognition from wine writers and experts both at home and internationally.

Mission Hill produces two Legacy Series red wines, with “Oculus” their Bordeaux- inspired signature wine being the first, and Quatrain, a blend of four grape varieties, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon being the second. Quatrain, by the way means a poem or a stanza that is always composed of four lines. Both of these red wines, admittedly pricey, particularly Oculus at $70.00, are also well worth the top dollar they fetch. Visit Mission Hill  ordering in Ontario.

Throw out the old-use fresh wine for cooking

Dear Wine Ladies,

I usually use my left over, over the hill wine for cooking. Not exactly a gastronomic I’ve never noticed any ill affects of this, but my significant other feels differently. What’s wrong with using an old wine for cooking? It’s not like you can tell the difference.

Rick

Calgary, Alberta

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Granny will feel alive with a hit of Madeira

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Our grandmother often enjoys a glass of sherry or port after dinner. Her 75th birthday is coming up and we’d like to surprise her with something a little different. Someone suggested we buy her a bottle of Madeira, which we have done but really know nothing about. Could you give us an idea of what Madeira is so we can sound a little more informed when she opens her gift? Thanks and much appreciated.

Julie

Halifax, Nova Scotia

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Send back the wine.the protocol. Ask The Wine Ladies

Dear Wine Ladies,

This is a question about wine and proper etiquette. I am currently dating a gentleman who continuously, while dining out, sends the wine he orders back, declaring the wine is faulty. This happens all the time and is very embarrassing! What is the proper protocol when it comes to this?

Andrea

Philadelphia, PA

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Pairing Wine with Summer BBQ Dishes

Halleluiah! Barbeque season is finally here. Since we’re not ones to barbeque all year long, eschewing below-freezing temperatures, we anxiously await the perfect blend of warmth, sunshine, and languorous relaxing days before taking to the grill.

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