HAPPY-MAKER - Kir-Yianni 2022 Akakies Sparkling (Greece)

 

Sometimes you taste a wine with absolutely no preconceptions and sip after sip you find you are blown away by what it has to offer. This was the case when I tried today's wine:

Kitma Kir-Yianni 2022 Akakies Sparkling

NEAR PERFECT - Hidden Bench 2020 Terroir Cache (Ontario)

 

Back to Ontario we go. And this time I'm showcasing a red blend from a vintage that will be remembered for decades to come from a relatively young winery known for taking their time, creating buzz, and making iconic wines - but in their own camouflaged? No. Disguised? No, again. Masked kinda way? Anyway, today, it's the Hidden Bench 2020 Terroir Cache

STARTLING - Divergence Wines 2020 Brut Nature (Ontario, Canada)

 

Sparkling wine is one of the wines I like to believe I specialize in, I drink enough of it anyway (rose would be in that category too). Here we have a little known virtual winery making some first class bubbles that needs to be tasted to be believed - it's awesome. Today, it's the ... 

Divergence Wines 2020 Brut Nature

WOWSER - Hester Creek 2023 Viognier (British Columbia)

 

Not too long ago, I mentioned a Viognier from Ontario, and once again Viognier raises its beautiful face, but this time from the other coast. Are we looking at a new darling-grape in Canadian whites ... or are some wineries just getting lucky? Today, it's the Hester Creek 2023 Viognier

SURPRISING - Chateau des Charmes 2017 Sparkling Rose (Ontario)

 

According to my rough count, this is video 950 and so it is time to celebrate this milestone with a little bubbly. Today, it's the Chateau des Charmes 2017 Sparkling Rose, a sparkling wine with a surprise under the caged-cork.

 

TREMENDOUS - 13th Street Winery 2022 Viognier Reserve (Ontario)

 

For those of you looking for an alternative grape to Chardonnay in Ontario, maybe, just maybe, I have one for you - will it be a continuous thing or a one off, remains to be seen? 

Today, it's the 13th Street Winery 2022 Viognier Reserve

WONDERFUL - Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino 2019 Vigna Montaperto - Gran S...

 

There are plenty of reasons to love wines derived from a single vineyard. Let me tell you about just one : 

Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino 2019 Vigna Montaperto 

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

MARVELLOUS - Icario 2019 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

 

Next weekend, I will be learning about some new wines coming from Montepulciano in Tuscany - they will be special, single plot, single vineyard wines and I will tell you all about them in an upcoming video or article (or both) - but for now let's look at what they have been doing (and really well) up till now : 

Icario 2019 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

 

WONDERFUL - Bleasdale 2021 Bremerview Shiraz (Australia)

 

They've been here before and if the past is prologue, they'll be here again ... so it shall be written, so it shall be done. I look again at another wine from this winery in Australia : 

Bleasdale 2021 Bremerview Shiraz

 

WOW - Castello di Volpaia 2020 Il Puro Casanova (Italy)

 

Tuscany's Anteprima is just around the corner (in February), thought it would be a good time to check out one of last year's best wines - Castello di Volpaia 2020 Il Puro Casanova - Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

HAPPY 2025 - 13th Street Winery 2021 Gamay - Blanc de Noir (Ontario, Can...

Ringing in the New Year with this awesome, yet rare, for Ontario, take on Gamay : 

13th Street Winery 2021 Gamay

988 Trius NV Showcase Blancs de Noirs

 

Bring in the New Year with this amazing awe-inspiring bubble from Ontario, Canada  : 

Trius NV Showcase Blanc de Noirs

AMAZING - Kacaba 2020 Reserve Syrah (Ontario, Canada)

 

Ontario, Canada seems an odd place to find Syrah; but there are pockets where the grape grows exceptionally well. Today, I'm looking at one of those places and one of those wines

Kacaba Vineyards 2020 Reserve Syrah

SUPERB - Chateau La Nerthe 2020 Les Cassagnes (France)

 

For those looking for 'Neuf-du-Pape quality, without paying 'Neuf-du-Pape prices, might I suggest this alternative by one of their great producers : 

Chateau La Nerthe 2020 Les Cassagnes, Cotes-du-Rhone Villages

OUTSTANDING No. 2 - Ca di Sopra 2019 Vigna Montale - Marzeno Riserva (It...

When I was at Ca' Di Sopra, 

I did not find just one stunning bottle of single vineyard Romagna Sangiovese, 

I found two. This is the second : 

Ca'Di Sopra 2019 Vigna Montale - Marzeno Romagna Riserva