Tag Archive for: Georgia’s wine pick

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!

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.

Clos Pegase Chardonnay

Clos Pegase Chardonnay 2013, Georgia’s Wine Pick

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Clos Pegase Chardonnay

Clos Pegase Chardonnay

This week Susanne and I visited the annual California Wine Fair that took place here in Toronto. Over 150 producers were represented at the Fair. We thought it would be fun to each select our favourites from the show for this week’s wine pick. There was a lot to choose from, we didn’t try everything but we found some lovely wines.

My pick this week is the Clos Pegase Chardonnay 2013, represented here in Toronto through Azureau Wines & Spirits, and available by special order. Not only is it a beautiful wine but there is a beautiful story behind the winery. In fact Susanne and I visited this winery several years ago while in Napa, California.

Close Pegasus Renaissance Fountain

Close Pegasus Renaissance Fountain

 Its a stunning spot with 20,000 square feet of caves dug into the volcanic knoll, a spectacular heritage garden and incredible architecture, in fact  according to House and Garden Magazine, Clos Pegase Napa Valley “has raised two ancient arts – architecture and winemaking- to a height that resonates with echoes of the ages”!  A must see when in Napa!

Its also a beautiful love story. So the story goes that Jan Shrem one day gave his wife Mitsuki a tiffany box and inside was only dirt and soil. She loved him so much she didn’t care what it was he gave her. He told her that he had just bought a vineyard that was 365 acres, and each acre representing everyday of the year that he would show his love for her.

Georgia at the California Wine Fair, Toronto, May 2016 tastes the Clos Pegasus Chardonnay 2013 with Mike Gilroy, SVP Sales & Marketing Vintage Wine Estates.

EPISODE 45

   Listen to my review at 4:09 minutes into the radio show 

This 100% Chardonnay wine is made from grapes located in the cool Carneros region from the Mitsuki Vineyard and is a beautiful balance of opulence and minerality, delicious pineapple and tangerine fruit with some subtle oak… I fell in love from the 1st sip! Available through Azureau Wine & Spirits for $37.95 per bottle. 

On this week’s radio show… Celebrate Sauvignon Blanc Day! Get Sauvignon Blanc savvy with three unique styles from three different continents.

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, grown in many wine regions around the globe and growing in popularity day by day.

Sauvignon Blanc

How would you describe me, this grape and the wine that I make? Well, you are zesty, fresh and crisp. I smell like citrus, grapefruit, tropical fruit and sometimes gooseberries and even cats pee! But that’s  a good thing!

And you originated in France but as you are planted prolifically in many different regions. You could only be one grape and that is Sauvignon Blanc.

Celebrate #SAUVBLANCDAY

Celebrate #SAUVBLANCDAY

This special day, International Sauvignon Blanc Day, the 7th annual, is celebrated on May 6th, as well as April 24th, as National Sauvignon Blanc Day.

There will be loads of tastings and events going on all honouring this diverse, very expressive, and delicious grape so why not join in!

And we are so on board, 100% ready to celebrate, to educate and introduce you guys to three very distinct Sauvignon Blancs all coming from diverse regions around the world, in fact from 3 different continents, all with their own unique style… France, California and New Zealand.

 

Domaine Lafage Cuvee Centenaire 2014 

Domaine Lafage Cuvee Centenaire 2014, Georgia’s Wine Pick

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Domaine Lafage Cuvee Centenaire 2014 

OMG, I really like this white wine. A departure from the more common varietals, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris. All that I enjoy as well, this wine is a blend of Grenache Blanc, majority about 80% I think it is, and the remaining being Roussanne.

 It comes from southern France, the wine is the Domaine LAFAGE, Centenaire, from the Cotes du Roussillon, as in Longuedoc-Roussillon. I have gone back and bought this wine at least four times now. It sells for $19.95 in our market locally in Ontario and worth every penny.

It is elegant, it is fresh and crisp,  with an inviting aroma of  peach and floral hints and the flavour was full, it was clean, had citrus notes and a grassy hint, refreshing, satisfying, really yummy.

Domaine Lafage Cuvee Centenaire 2014 

Domaine Lafage Cuvee Centenaire 2014

Domaine LAFAGE, Centenaire,

Listen to my review at 3:35 minutes into the show  

Episode 43

On this week’s radio show…Celebrities and their love of wine.

We have a great show for you today, and our topic “Celebrity Wines.”
Whether owning their own wineries or hooking up with an existing winery, famous directors, actors, musicians, around the world are getting involved in this business.
And why not?  Who wouldn’t want to own a winery?  We do! So we’ve got three special guests joining us here today, from celebrity wineries, you know them all, the wines and the celebrities.