Not quite, but it is a “Ripasso” which referments Valpolicella Classico on dried Amarone grapes. The result deeper colour, bigger body, more intense flavour! Our Wine Pick, the Remo Farina Ripasso 2009 Valpolicella Classico Superiore. Look for cherries and spice on the nose, good length,full flavour. Really enjoyed with our pork loin and grilled veggies. Lots going on in the glass, great value for $16.95 (Ontario) @TheWineLadies
This 2011 Viognier reminds us how much we love luxurious, full bodied, aromatic and seductive wines, particularly when the nose presents itself with a summer blend of peach and melon and fresh flowers. Swirl and sniff, then delight in a mouth filling delectable flavor suggestive of fresh apricot, more peach, hint of grapefruit backed up with freshness and bright acidity ending with a lingering finish.
Stags’ Leap Winery is one of California’s earliest wine estates, dating back to 1893. It is seven miles north of Napa on the valley’s eastern side and has 90 acres of vineyards planted. Long established as a winery true to its terroir Stags’ Leap is known for its elegant wines and intensity.
For years the winery included a small amount of Viognier in their Petite Syrah and only produced a tiny amount of Viognier for family and friends. We are so glad they decided to share with the rest of us, and have now been releasing this deliciously fresh and fragrant wine for over ten years. Locally available in Ontario $34.95 @thewineladies @Wine_Ambassador www.stagsleapwinery.com
We hope you all had a fabulous celebration with friends, family, fine food and wine, in honor of our nation’s 145th birthday! We sure did, and totally enjoyed with our dessert sipping on Colio Estate Winery’s Late Harvest Vidal, Ultra Premium VQA.
Move over Grange, make room for a new Penfolds flagship wine… the release of the most expensive bottle of wine, the 2004 Kalimna Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon. Only a dozen available, at $168,000 per bottle. This special wine is made from grapes of a rare, single 10-acre vineyard, planted in the mid 1880’s. The vines, according to Penfolds are thought to be the oldest continuously producing Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the world! The 2004 Block 42 is only released in the best vintages.
The packaging, the story and the wine itself, extraordinary! The wine encased in a specially designed hand-blown glass “ampoule”, suspended inside a bespoke glass container. All of which sits inside a wooden cabinet. This wine can only be opened by a trained expert as there is no cork, no screw cap. Not to worry, included in the price, a senior member of Penfolds’ winemaking team will be dispatched to you. At the location of your choice, anywhere in the world. To open and decant the ampoule in a special ceremony, complete with the sampling of the wine using a specially crafted sterling silver tastevin.
For those with a limited budget, we can enjoy Penfolds with the recent release here in Ontario of the BIN 389 Shiraz 2008. This wine referred to as the “Poor Man’s Grange” or “Baby Grange”. For many wine lovers, their preferred Penfolds wine, BIN 389. $39.95
Deep garnet-purple in colour, with an aroma offering up notes of mocha, cloves and chocolate over a core of blueberries and cherries, nuances of tobacco and leather. Full bodied, with lively acidity, good structure and tannins.
The Wine Ladies Salmon fishing with Penfolds wine. The Penfolds BIN 389 Cabernet Shiraz
Experience and enjoy, Penfolds’, with our intimate group on the water, eating, enjoying fine wine, laughing and salmon fishing!
Chile is still hot when it comes to great value wines and this Syrah from the Limari Valley is one you can bank on! Maycas del Limari Reserva Especial Syrah 2008 owned by the legendary Concha y Toro.
We had the pleasure to interview Chief Winemaker Marcelo Papa on our TV show not too long ago, on which Marcello explained some of the reasons behind the great success Chile is enjoying as a wine producing country, and also how they are able to over some of the best value wines. (Click here to view the show)
How do you enter?
Winners to be picked form all entries at random on Canada Day July 1st,2012 from all entries. The winners to be posted at noon that same day on The Wine Ladies Fan Page.
Good luck everyone!Georgia and Susanne
Not all barbeques or barbeque “cooks” are created equal. There are lots of tricks of the trade that can make a big difference, from the bbq itself , to the recipes that you choose, and how it is cooked on the BBQ. Joining us this week on the show in anticipation of Canada Day and the launch of the BBQ season we welcome to the show award winning chef, food entertainer known for his pyrotechnic charm and fearless culinary spirit, author , the kingpin of the BBQ, often referred to as the Pied Piper, Ted Reader www.tedreader.com .
We discuss two of Ted’s passions beer and BBQ and his new book BEERLICIOUS, The Art of Grillin’ & Chillin’. The book is a delicious journey with over 100 recipes made with 100 different beers. Now, Ted has taken the idea of paring drink with food to a whole new level by hand picking beers that act not only as the perfect accompaniment to grilled foods, but also as an ingredient in the recipes. What makes this, or any of Ted’s books standout is how much Ted loves what he does and it shows in how he approaches recipes, cooking, and writing. Congrats Ted on another outstanding must have book!
Watch Ted Reader, the Kingpin of BBQ with The Wine Ladies here.
The Wine Ladies Wine Pick: Wednesday, June 20th, 2012
Take a summer shift from the old stand-bys Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc and opt for a Viognier, opulent and rich! With a perfect aromatic combo… think a garden of flowers and a tropical fruit bowl!
Viognier’s home is France, especially in the Northern Rhone and from the region of #Condrieu, where it produces fabulously fragrant, rich and voluptuous wines. But we found, we too produce fabulously rich and opulent Viogniers particularly from B.C. and the Southern Okanagan Valley… where we’ve got the heat too baby!
Our discovery is the 2010 Sandhill #Viognier, which is part of their “Small Lots Program, producing only 658 cases. From the #Osprey Ridge Vineyard, located in the Southern Okanagan, ideally suited for this grape to ripen well, it needs the heat, this wine is beautifully aromatic with a nose of perfumey floral and peach notes, luscious with a rich texture, and intense flavours of tropical fruit, it is well balanced with a lingering finish.
Enjoy on its own or with most anything on the grill, from rich lobster, scallops, grilled chicken, pork to savory dishes. @TheWineLadies #Sandhill $26.75 LCBO
