Calamus Starstruck Sparkling, Georgia’s Wine Pick

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We had the pleasure of being invited to the Grand Opening Weekend Party May 18th and 19th, 2019 on the stunning 3 tier deck at the newly renovated Calamus Estate Winery! What a great afternoon it was where we were treated like Queens! We also were joined by our winner of the Mother’s Day Instagram contest for a VIP experience at the winery!

The day included a selection of beautiful wines, lunch on the deck, a barrel room tasting and tour of the grounds by Peter himself.

Our Mother’s Day Instagram contest winner.

Nothing tastes as good as a glass or two of sparkling wine on a bright sunny day overlooking vineyards. My favourite this afternoon was the Calamus Crackle. A bubbly blend of 75% Vidal and 25% Chardonnay made in the same method as Italian Prosecco. Floral and frothy with notions of fresh apple and pear, lemon, peach, banana and honey, this sparkler is a true treat. Available at the LCBO and the winery too.

This traditional method sparkling wine, is crisp with flavours of apple, lemon-lime and brioche.

This wine was delicious paired with the stone oven baked margarita pizza and beautiful chacuterie board.

Peter and some of his team in the tasting room.

Beautiful 2-level patio overlooking Balls Falls and the vineyards make for a special afternoon.

Overlooking the 42-acre property and Balls Falls is the place to gather your ultimate Niagara Winery experience. Bring your pet and ask for the winery staff for a walking tour guide over one of our 3 bridges over 18-mile creek throughout the vineyards.Whats truly unique is that this winery never charges a corkage fee for any of their bottled wines on the patio or special events.

The Wine Ladies on deck!!
This beautiful waterfall and garden in tribute to Peter’s parents that started the catering business back in 1971 that started it all.
Listen to Peter at 14:40 minutes in the audio podcast.

On this week’s audio podcast… Calamus Estate Winery and fashions by Joan Kelley Walker

Georgia's Wine Pick. Viticcio Morellino di Scansano 2015

New Vintages Release… Feb 2, 2019…Viticcio Morellino di Scansano – Georgia’s Wine Pick

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So for my wine pick I have selected a stunning wine just released the week in Vintages here in Ontario. It is the Viticcio Morellino di Scansano. I love it so much I already have picked up 8 bottles for my personal cellar. In keeping with the romantic theme during the month of February and Valentine’s Day, this wine is perfect for that. After all, the wine hails from the romantic region of Tuscany in which Florence is the capital. The beautiful bottle is even appointed with a black lace filagree to complete the romantic look.

This Tuscan beauty of a wine is a blend, made with the finest Sangiovese grapes, 85%, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. It is aged in small French oak barrels for 10-12 months and and in stainless steel for an additional 3-5 months.

Truly a beautiful wine, drinking amazing right now with potential to age for upwards of 5 – 8 years.  An intense ruby red colour with seductive aroma of blackberries, and dark cherries, notes of dark chocolate with a velvety texture and good acidity, plenty to please your eyes and your palate! Perfect for Valentines Day and many more to come! Pick up a bottle or even better a few.  Enjoy today, cellar a couple and experience and enjoy again as it evolves over time!

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!!! You aced it here to be sure with this wine.
Founded in 1960 by Lucio and Franca Landini, the Viticcio Estate still stands above the picturesque town of Greve, in the heart of the Chianti Classico region. Their focus is to produce high-quality wines worthy of an international clientele while at the same time respecting the traditions and viticulture of the region. This focus remains the same today under the direction of the second generation, Alessandro Landini.
Founded in 1960 by Lucio and Franca Landini, the Viticcio Estate still stands above the picturesque town of Greve, in the heart of the Chianti Classico region. Their focus is to produce high-quality wines worthy of an international clientele while at the same time respecting the traditions and viticulture of the region. This focus remains the same today under the direction of the second generation, Alessandro Landini.
The estate comprises more than 30 hectares of vines, all of which are farmed organically
The estate comprises more than 30 hectares of vines, all of which are farmed organically. Additionally, seven of those hectares are farmed biodynamically. Alessandro strongly believes that in order to produce high-quality wines you must first respect the land in which the vines are planted. To this end he uses no pesticides in his vineyards and fertilizes by planting things such as fava beans and barley between the rows of vines, allowing them to flower, and then plowing them back into the soil to add important nutrients. A handful of wines see some time in the smaller barriques, but the large majority is aged in large botti. The wines of Viticcio represent an important combination of traditional, time-honored techniques with modern-day technology and respect for the environment.

Viticcio Morellino di Scansano 2015
Viticcio Morellino di Scansano 2015 c
Duccio Dogi, Export Director FATTORIA VITICCIO
Duccio Dogi, Export Director FATTORIA VITICCIO

On the show today,  a tribute to the most romantic day of the year, that is of course Valentine’s Day.Up next, our much anticipated wine segment which most fittingly comes from one of the most romantic regions of the world, that can only be Italy!!!

We’d now like to welcome from the glorious romantic region of Tuscany,  Senore Duccio Dogi, Senore Duccio is the Sales manager for the producer Fattorio Viticcio. They have been producing wine for over 45 years among the rolling green hills of Tuscan wine country in Greve in Chianti between the historic and enchanting cities of Florence and Siena

Today Fattorio Viticcio boasts 120 hectares of estate owned vineyards among the hills in Chianti Classico and Maremma. Senore Duccio is here to tell us more about this stunning region, and the beautiful wines Viticcio produces  including a very special release for Valentines Day!

Click here to listen to the audio podcast.
Click here to listen to the audio podcast.

Two Hands Sexy Beast 2017

Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Georgia’s Wine Pick

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Two Hands Sexy Beast 2017 Georgia's Wine Pick

Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 Georgia’s Wine Pick

LISTEN TO MY REVIEW AT 3:20 MINUTES IN THE SHOW

Limoncello Audio Podcast Mix cloud

 Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

So my wine pick today comes from TWO HANDS WINES , founded in 1999 by two guys at a friends engagement party. That actually is when they decided it was time to make their own wine and market it to the world.

Fast forward, they are in the Barosaa Valley and have done extremely well. In November 2012, Two Hands was named in the Wine Spectator’s annual Top 100 for the 10th year in a row. An achievement apparently that no other winery can boast.

Kind of liked the name of this wine, Sexy Beast. I figured when I tasted this Cabernet Sauvignon from McLaren Vale, South Australia, maybe the name came from the way in which the  oak and tannins in this wine are being tamed. Or wrestled down by the intense deep purplish colour, abundant red  fruit, cassis and notes of chocolate…and minty spice. Mouth filling, a beast of a wine, coming in at 16% alcohol, wow… yummy! Sexy Beast is part of the Picture Series of Two Hands Wines.

Two Hands Sexy Beast Cab Sauv 2017 LCBO

Episode 77: When Life Gives You Lemons! Make Limoncello!

Episode 77: When Life Gives You Lemons! Make Limoncello!

La Crema,Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2015, Georgia’s Wine Pick.

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La Crema,Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2015

La Crema,Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2015

So my wine pick comes from sunny California, which is where we were around this time a couple of years ago,in Sonoma County.

Georgia's Wine Pick

Georgia’s Wine Pick

Strolling through the LCBO at the latest vintages releases, which I always love to do, like a kid in a candy shop, I came across what was one of our favorite wines and tastings rooms we visited in Healdsburg, and that was La Crema.

It was ruby  red in colour, seductive aroma with red cherry, strawberry and raspberry, fruit balm, lovely and hints of spice, a little earth and touch of well integrated oak plus a long finish! I really enjoyed this Pinot Noir

Listen to Georgia’s wine review at 4:47 minutes in the show.

La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2015  $34.95

La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2015

La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2015

On this week’s Audio Podcast…Celebrate International Sauvignon Blanc Day May 4th, 2018.

EPISODE 68

Coming up on today’s show we are going to be celebrating a very special day in the world of wine. Saluting one of our favorite grape varietals. It is grown in many wine regions around the globe and growing in popularity day by day.

How would you describe me this grape???

I am zesty, fresh and crisp. I smell like citrus, grapefruit, tropical fruit and sometimes goosesberries and even cats pee!!  But that’s  a good thing.  And I originated in France but am planted prolifically in many different regions.

I could only be one grape  and that is Sauvignon Blanc!

And the special day is International Sauvignon Blanc Day, coming up on May 4th. There are lots of tastings, events going on all honouring this diverse, very expressive, and delicious grape!

And we are so on board,100% ready to celebrate, to educate and introduce you to two very distinct Sauvignon Blancs. which  come from two different wine growing regions.

#SAUVBLANCDAY

Thymiopoulos Vineyards

ATMA White 2015 – “The Cinderella of Greek grapes”. Georgia’s Wine Pick.

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ATMA White 2015

ATMA White 2015

Latest wine find from the region of Naoussa in the hills of Macedonia in Northern Greece. In fact Naoussa became the first wine region in Greece to be given its own official appellation title.  It was used as the basis for the entire Greek appellation system. The classic Naoussa wine is made from Macedonia’s flagship red-wine grape xyinomavro. Although my wine pick is a white wine, albeit made with this red grape along with the Malagousia white variety.

ATMA White 2015

Described as ‘the Cinderella of Greek grapes’ by some, nearly an extinct variety, it was revived in the 1970’s and is now used extensively in many of the best selling white wines. Beautiful brightish golden in colour, it has a vibrant and seductive nose with light floral notes and those of peach and exotic fruit. On first swirl reminded us of a Torrontes grape or briefly of Viognier, both aromatic varietals as well.On the palate fresh and long and quite full of expression with a lingering aftertaste.

Atma White 2015

$17.40 On line at LCBO

Producer: Thymiopoulos Vineyards

Agent:

Playground of the Gods Showcases Ancient Greece and Thalia Wines. We invite you to join us.

Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay, Georgia’s Wine Pick.

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Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay

Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay

 This week The Wine Ladies explore one of California’s iconic wineries, one of the most successful family owned wineries in California,  and producer of the #1 selling Chardonnay in North America for over 25 years, the Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay produced by Kendall-Jackson Vineyard Estates.

Georgia's Wine Pick

Georgia’s Wine Pick

Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay  is one hundred percent barrel-fermented Chardonnay with the richness one wants from California. Plenty of sunny fruit and lively freshness. Creamy and round with notes of buttered toast and tropical fruits. Try with char-grilled corn on the cob, or with grilled chicken.

With winemaker Randy Ullom

With winemaker Randy Ullom

Join us every Wednesday for Women, Wine, Wednesday’s with Jazz at the Anchor Bar for 1/2 price wines by the glass and the bottle as selected by us, all night jazz and prizes.

Perfect for Easter Dinner. Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay

Georgia’s Wine Pick Negrar Ripasso Val Classico Superiore Doc,Georgia’s Wine Pick

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Negrar Ripasso Val Classico Superiore Doc

Negrar Ripasso Val Classico Superiore Doc

Valpolicella is a wine that comes from the region of Veneto, located in the north-east of Italy, home of the “big gun” Amarone and of Romeo and Juliet! When a Valpolicella is classified as a Classico and done in the ripasso method. The methodology of “ripasso” greatly concentrates the bouquet, flavours and texture. How? “Ripasso” literally means “re-passed”.

Georgia's Wine Pick

Georgia’s Wine Pick

After the fermentation process when producing an Amarone, the unpressed skins of the dried grapes are then used for the production of Valpolicella. These dried grape skins add body, character, complexity and a boost of alcohol strength.

Our Negrar Ripasso Valpolicella Classico is dark ruby red in colour, is seductive in the nose with lush blackberry and black liquorice notes and a hint of mint. Full bodied with a touh of vanilla the texture is rich and with a good finish.

 

For Georgia’s Wine Picks

Join us every Wednesday for Women, Wine, Wednesday’s with Jazz at the Anchor Bar for 1/2 price wines by the glass and the bottle as selected by us, all night jazz and prizes.  

Laroche Viognier De La Chevaliere, Ogier Heritages Cotes Du Rhone AOC,The Wine Ladies Wine Picks

Laroche Viognier De La Chevaliere, Ogier Heritages Cotes Du Rhone AOC,The Wine Ladies Wine Picks.

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Montgras Antu Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Montgras Antu Cabernet Sauvignon 2013. Georgia’s Wine Pick

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In Chile at Mont Gras with the winemaker Santiago Margozzini

In Chile at Mont Gras with the winemaker Santiago Margozzini. Montgras Antu Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Georgia's Wine Pick

Georgia’s Wine Pick

My wine pick today MontGras Antu Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 hails from the Maipo Valley, Chile, it is a Cab Sauv, sells for $17.95 and is worth every penny and then some.


Montgras Antu Cabernet Sauvignon 2013.

Listen to my wine review on the radio show at 3:02 minutes.

Produced by the winery Mont Gras, they make great wines over there, also super value for the price points, I’m sure this is not my first time that one of their wines have come up for me… but here is a winner!

Deep ruby red, Juicy, powerful, yet elegant, blackberry and blueberry and hints of black pepper on the nose, mouth filling, with more black berry, cherry, touch of oak, soft tannins, so delicious, with a long finish.. just got my bbq repaired, and Antu Cab coming back with my up-coming steak on the grill!

On this week’s radio show…A salute to the glorious grape and beyond, from the table, to the fortified spirit, to the jewel of Spain, Rioja

EPISODE 47

We’ll start with our salute to the glorious grape, but beyond the grape as a table wine rather the role it plays in a variety of spirits of which there are many. Examples such as Pisco from Peru, Cognac from Cognac, Grappa traditionally from Italy…or as a  fortified wine like Port from Portugal and of one of the jewels of Spain, Sherry.

Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Georgia's Wine Pick

Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Georgia’s Wine Pick

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 Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

 Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

So my wine pick today comes from TWO HANDS WINES , founded in 1999 by two guys at a friends engagement party. That actually is when they decided it was time to make their own wine and market it to the world.

Fast forward, they are in the Barosaa Valley and have done extremely well.In November 2012, Two Hands was named in the Wine Spectator’s annual Top 100 for the 10th year in a row, an achievement apparently that no other winery can boast.

My pick is the Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

 ($27.95 – VINTAGES #219469)

Listen to my review at 3:40 minutes in the radio show.

Episode 46


Kind of liked the name of this wine… Sexy Beast…I figured when I tasted this Cabernet Sauvignon from McLaren Vale, South Australia, maybe the name came from the way in which the  oak and tannins in this wine are being tamed…. Or wrestled down by the intense deep purplish colour, abundant red  fruit, cassis and notes of chocolate…and minty spice. Mouth filling, a beast of a wine, coming in at 16% alcohol, wow… yummy! Sexy Beast is part of the Picture Series of Two Hands Wines.

Georgia's Wine Pick

Georgia’s Wine Pick

For Other Georgia’s Wine Picks Click Here.

On this week’s radio show…

Lavish lifestyle with prize Pitars Prosecco, Preferred Magazine and Executive Chef from OVEST.

Coming up on our show today, one of Italy’s many claims to fame, is of course their very own sparkling wine, growing in popularity day by day. Not only is it a wine, but it is a place, and it is a grape and there is a bit of confusion out there about this delightful and delicious bubbly and that is Prosecco.

Episode 46: Pitars Prosecco;Nicola Pittaro, Danylo Mielnik, Carlo Greco

There is much more to this bubbly, with an interesting history, than many might know. So in our first segment we are excited to share with everyone today a very special winery, located in the Friuli region in northeastern Italy, the wine Castel Pitars winery.

Pitars Winery

Here is a wine producer that dates back to 1510, steeped in tradition, now run by four brothers producing an exciting array of wines, along with their Prosecco, wines of indigenous grapes, international varietals and unique blends.

Pitars family

Pitars Wines imported and distributed exclusively by VDF Importers of Fine Wines.

Order onlines, or contact us to setup a wine tasting at your home, restaurant or business establishment. info@vdfwines.com or 905-995-2542

Follow us on Twitter @VDFWines