Welcome to our first Vintages Release blog post!  This release is a popular one as it contains wines rated at 90+ from around the world.  Although the ratings may give an indication of quality, the method to my madness is where does it come from (is it a region I loves), what is it going to smell/taste like (what's the aroma/flavor profile) and what's it going to cost me (if possible, $20 and under).  So, here are the Tasty Wines that made it home:

1. 2012 Castaño Solanera Viñas Viejas ($17): From Yecla, Spain.  An area I wasn't familiar with (thank you Interscape), but Wine Folly (LOVE Wine Folly!) tells me it's a town South of Valencia, located in Spain's Mediterranean Coast wine region.  This region grows Monastrelle (aka: Mourvèdre) and Garnacha (Grenache), among other varietals, and this is a blend of these two, plus some Cab Sauv.  I fell in love with Spanish reds when we were in Southern Spain in 2012, so the descriptors of berries and pencil shavings combine with the 10 months in combined French & American oak sold me.
2. 2011 Sister's Run Cow's Corner Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro ($17): From the Barossa Valley in South Australia.  As above, a blend made with Grenache although this varietal is front and center (85%).  10% Shiraz and 5% of Matarro (aka: Mourvèdre.  I know, too many different iterations).  I think it would be great to do a side-by-side with the Spanish blend above.  Although different vintages, and different blends, seeing similarities and/or difference could make for interesting convos.  This one will have more earthy, pepperyness thanks to the Shiraz but still plenty of red fruit. Yum.
3. 2011 De Buxy Buissonnier Montagny 1er Cru ($20): The only white to make it home, I'll buy almost anything from this Region.  It's a Chardonnay.  It's from Burgundy.  It's $20.  'nuf said.  Should have bought 2 bottles...
4. 2012 Maipe Reserve Malbec ($15): From the Mendoza region in Argentina, the grapes were all hand-picked for this one, which should mean the best grapes ended up in the tanks.  Berries and chocolate notes: Yum!  
5. 2011 Cantina del Dolcetto di Dogliani Dolcetto di Dogliani Superiore ($20):  Italy doesn't currently take up much room in the cellar, but I'm making an effort to test the waters and try more varietals from here.  Piedmont region is becoming a favorite for whites (hello, Moscato d'Asti!), so why give the reds a try.  Piedmont is on my "must visit" list.  I've never tried Dolcetto and the tasting notes intrigued me, so why not?  

Well, that's it folks.  I had two others on my list (the Blue Mountain Chardonnay from B.C., as well as a Tempranillo from Spain), but sadly my local LCBO couldn't not find them in their store. 

Wishing you all a wonderful end of Summer long-weekend filled with tasty wines!  

Last Monday, I was invited by my lovely friend Eva (@sitsipsavor) to join her and her fellow wineaux for a white wine tasting.  Delicious wines spanning the globe were tasted, and below you'll find my tasting notes and thoughts:

Sophora Sparkling Cuvée (available at the LCBO): A blend of 52% Chardonnay and 48% Pinot Noir New Zealand grapes, comes in at 12% alcohol.  Lovely golden yellow with a slight tinge of pink.  On the nose, candy apple, grapefruit pith, roses, yeasty/biscuit goodness.  Website lists at $17, but I paid $20 in store (I bought 2 bottles in the days following the tasting).  Worth purchasing multiple bottles to pop open just because.  Drink now and all by itself (or with some tasty deep-fried apps). 

2011 Diprofio Riesling (wines can be purchased via the winery):  Lemon yellow in the glass, the nose hit all the Riesling notes (petrol, lemon pith, citrus) as did on the palate.  Nice Riesling from Niagara, ON.

2012 Tommassi Adorato Appassionata (available at the LCBO): Pale yellow in color, smells of orange blossom, nectarine, honey.  Taste was more floral than fruit.  Listed as a Garganega blend (Garganega grapes comes from the Veneto wine region), it likely includes some Chard and Trebbiano.  Definitely a food wine.  Good value at $16.

2011 Yamhill Valley Pinot Gris (available at the LCBO):  I brought this Oregon Pinot and really wanted to enjoy it, as it is one of my favorite grapes.  However the style just wasn't my thing.  I found it more floral and the alcohol (at 13.1%) seemed elevated on the nose and palate.   There were notes of apple, pears, wildflower honey and thyme, which made the nose interesting, but the taste said something different to me.

2012 Greco di Tufo (available at the LCBO): Another standout from Italy.  At 13.5% alcohol, it packed a punch, but the flavors were so damn good:  notes of oak (caramel), stone fruit (peaches), and floral; on the palate, baking spice, some smokey notes and a lovely sweetness.  Yum.

2009 Citation Chardonnay (not currently available at the LCBO, but available through the winery's website):  Oh Chardonnay, how I love thee.  Had it not said on the bottle that this was from Oregon, I honestly would have guessed California.  The best of why I love this grape so much: apples, buttery popcorn, coconut and pineapple on the nose.  Repeat of all on the palate.  Crisp with medium acidity.  At $40, this isn't an every day wine, but it sure would be nice if it could be!

Parting thoughts:  I need to make an effort to delve into Italian whites of all kinds. After the two tasted during this wine tasting (and 2 others I've tried at restaurants in the past month), I've discovered some new loves.  Must get out of my current white wine comfort zone of Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay and explore new terroir and new grapes!