UNEXPECTED Montonale 2021 Orestilla Lugana DOC (Italy)

 

For those white wine drinkers looking for something different, unique and totally unexpected; might I point you in the direction of today's wine, the Montonale 2021 Orestilla Lugana DOC

AMAZING Meldville Wines 2022 Chardonnay (Canada)

 

Chardonnay because of what you tried at Lailey, you have Derek to blame. Derek has moved on to create his own label, and for a guy who has made some memorable Chardonnays in his day - this one might be one of his best (or at least up there). 

Today, it's the Meldville Wines 2022 Chardonnay

IMPRESSIVE - Perez Cruz 2021 Piedra Seca Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile)

 

Sure you've had Cabernet Sauvignon before, but this is a different kind of Cab. This is not just a single vineyard, it's a designer, and designed, single vineyard; but at a price that's affordable for all. 

Today, it's the Perez Cruz 2021 Piedra Seca Cabernet Sauvignon

A BIG DEAL - Volcanic Hills 2020 Gidda Family Estate Zweigelt (Canada)

 

Zweigelt? Really? For those of you who have tried Zweigelt, you know there is so much potential in this grape, and yet ... If you have tried a good one, you are already salivating at the thought of what I am about to say. For the rest of you, let me tell you about a wine, made from a grape that gets very little respect, for good reason - but deserves so much more, from both the winemakers that use it and the consumers to try it. 

Today, it's the Volcanic Hills 2020 Gidda Family Estate Zweigelt

GOBSMACKED - Tsiakkas Winery 2021 Vamvakada

 

 

Recently I posted about my trip to Cyprus in February 2024; I'll link it below at the bottom of the first half. This is one of the wines I tasted while there and it totally blew me away ... if you have access to Cyprus wines, or can find a way to get to Cyprus and take a wine tour - do it; you will not be disappointed. Grape varieties are unique, not all, but many and today we look at one of those indigenous varieties: 

 

it's the Tsiakkas Winery 2021 Vamvakada

 

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