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DeWayne's Picks


DOMAINE HOUCHART  France

Tasting Notes: As Spring begins to bloom, I find we spend more and more time around the yard, in the garden and on the deck. A nicely chilled bottle of Domaine Houchart Rosé can be the perfect end to a day of gardening or, the beginning of a bbq and deck time. Back Story: This domaine was bought in 1890 by Aurélien Houchart, and the family estate has been farmed since Roman times. Aurélien Houchart created one of the largest estates in Provence. The Domaine was later divided amongst his five children and Geneviève Quiot inherited 50 hectares of vines from her grandfather. She runs the Domaine today. Located about 25km east of Aix-En-Provence, the vines are old, between 30 and 50 years, and the grape varieties grown are typical to Provence; With 50 hectares under vine, there is a variety of soil types; sandy, chalky, clay and silt which ensures that the vines have proper drainage and produce and grapes that can develop a variety of interesting characteristics. Tasting notes: Houchart Rosé has strawberry and citrus aromas that carry onto the palate and develop into strong, yet delicate flavours of summer berry and orchard fruits. This vegan friendly wine of Provence, France is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, and is salmon pink in colour. A wine truly to be enjoyed all year long! And, this Rosé pairs amazingly with seafood, chicken dishes, zesty salads, or as an aperitif.

Price: $22.99

 

DeWayne's Picks


Segura Viudas Heredad Reserva Brut Cava  Spain

Tasting Notes: This Spanish sparkling gem is a great way to bring in Springtime, Easter, the Toronto Blue Jays 2023 season, and the NHL Playoffs! There is terrific value in this well-made, toasty and refreshing bubbly from Spain that's a third of the price of Champagne. Segura is one of the most respected producers of Cava, the Spanish name for sparkling wine. Terrific earthy aromas mingle with toasted almond and some green apple. Macabeo is the dominant variety in Reserva Heredad and provides acidity and freshness. It also makes it easier for the wine to age well during the more than 24 months that it will rest in contact with the lees. The Reserva Heredad coupage is made with 9 different wines, each of them vinified in separate tanks. The magic of the blend consists in ensuring that each wine contributes its characteristic touch to the whole. First and second fermentation carried out with their own selected yeasts. These yeasts provide structure, softness on the palate, more complex aromas (honey, nuts, flowers) and an elegant and persistent bubble. Grape varieties; Macabeo 67 %, Parellada 33 % ABV: 12%

Price: $A great value at $36.99

 

DeWayne's Picks


Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rosé 2021  Germany (Pfalz)

Tasting Notes: Alcohol 11.5% Grape Type Pinot Noir. Sweetness Dry. Wine Style Medium and Fruity. Food suggestions: Shellfish, chicken nachos, charcuterie. If you ask what is one of the most enjoyable things in this world, I would say that it is being surprised suddenly and in an extraordinary way! I poured this Rose for a group of friends with a toast about Spring being around the corner and a perfect time for a Rosé. The response following the taste was immediate. Delicious, fruity, sparkly, and a few “wows” thrown in. The Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rosé is a frizzante loaded with notes of strawberry, watermelon, and raspberry. This dry wine is made with fruit from vineyards farmed expressly for the purpose of producing a true Rosé, called Weissherbst in German. Only perfectly ripe, healthy grapes are selected. Upon harvest the fruit is given a brief maceration to extract a lovely salmon colour from the Pinot Noir grapes. They call this their “Jolly Rancher Rose” as it exudes explosive aromas and flavours of Jolly Rancher Strawberry and Jolly Rancher Watermelon Founded in 1756, the Villa Wolf winery was a successful and highly regarded wine estate for more than two centuries. Ernst Loosen, one of the Pfalz regions most prominent winemakers, took over the winery in 1996, launching a dramatic revival of the estate’s quality and reputation. Since 2011, the estate has been managed by a talented and dedicated young team that previously worked at Dr. Loosen.

Price: $19.99

 

DeWayne's Picks


ADREOLA AKELUM Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Italy  Italy

Tasting Notes: Sparkling Wine from Veneto, Italy by Andreola. Varietal; 100% Glera. ABV: 11.5 Drinking window: Now through 2024. Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG "Akelum" is a Veneto wine produced by the Andreola winery, which is part of the line of sparkling wines dedicated to the DOCG of Asolo Prosecco Superiore, the area surrounding the ancient village of Asolo, a few dozen kilometres east of Valdobbiadene. Asolo Prosecco DOCG was created in 2009, and also officially known as Colli Asolani until 2014. It is one of a growing raft of DOCG titles to grace the wine portfolio of the Veneto wine region in northeastern Italy. All Spumante (fully sparkling) wines automatically gain the Superiore designation, as long as they reach 11 percent alcohol by volume. They can be made in a range sweetness levels. According to Italian production regulations for Prosecco, Prosecco Spumante and Prosecco Frizzante, these wines must consist of a minimum of 85 percent Glera. The remaining 15 percent can be made up of any combination of Verdiso, Bianchetta Trevigiana, Perera, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio and/or Pinot Noir (vinified as a white wine). TASTING NOTES: The sip is fresh and fruity and elegant, perfect with aperitifs and appetizers of land and sea. The nose is characterised by aromas of fresh green apple, pear, peach and citrus notes. Crisp acidity, well paced fruit expression and concentration. Very pleasant and easy to drink.

Price: $26.99

 

DeWayne's Picks


COTO DE IMAZ GRAN RESERVA 2015  Spain

Tasting Notes: Tempranillo 90 %, Graciano 10 % “Gran reserva” means that it was aged at least five years, with a minimum of 2 years in oak. In addition, gran reserva wines are typically made in only outstanding vintages. The backbone of some of the best Spanish wines, Tempranillo is a red grape variety grown throughout Spain and Portugal. Generally speaking, Tempranillo produces red wines with red fruit and leather aromas, high tannins, moderate to low acidity, and moderate alcohol. In 2020, Tempranillo was the third most-planted grape variety in the world, with the majority of plantings in the Iberian peninsula. El Coto was founded in 1970 and released its first vintage in 1975. It found success relatively quickly and worked to expand facilities and upgrade equipment. Between 1990 and 1997 the winery doubled in size and became the first Spanish winery to be listed on the national stock exchange. The cellar grew to over 70,000 barrels, with an average age of around three years to meet the various aging requirements of Rioja wines. El Coto now exports its wines to more than 50 countries making it one of the most accessible Spanish wines in the world. El Coto is part of the Baron de Ley group that includes the eponymous Baron de Ley winery. El Coto de Rioja has a small range of wines indicative of the region, including entry-level red, rosé and white wines, as well as Reserva and Gran Reserva wines under the name Coto de Imaz. Tempranillo is the most significant variety here, although Graciano, Grenache, and Carignan all appear frequently in the wines. Winemaker Notes Intense cherry color with garnet edge. Mature and elegant, its aromatic richness is changing and subtle, becoming more apparent as the wine breathes. On the nose, powerful aroma, complex, ripe fruit and fine cocoa. Fleshy on the palate, powerful, velvety, with ripe tannins and good acidity with notes of toast and coconut followed by tertiary aromas (leather, wet earth), and red fruit and dried fruit. Round, silky tannins, persistent and complex aftertaste. A good choice to accompany game, red meat and beef. Drink now through 2030.

Price: $39.99

 

DeWayne's Picks


NIKKA SINGLE MALT YOICHI  JAPAN

Tasting Notes: The Yoichi distillery (formerly known as the Hokkaido distillery) was the first of Nikka’s distilleries, founded by the great Masataka Taketsuru back in 1934. Following his studies of whisky making techniques in Scotland, Taketsuru built his distillery in the town of Yoichi on the islands of Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s main islands, as he thought it most matched the environment of Scotland. “Yoichi (Yo-e-chee) Single Malt is a range of single malt expressions from the Yoichi Distillery which produces their full-bodied, peaty whiskies using their six stills, which are lit by coal fire - a technique that Scottish distilleries have all but stopped practising these days. Yoichi released their first single malt in 1982, and in recent years has greatly influenced the popularity of Japanese whisky around the world. At the 2008 World Whiskies Awards, a 20 year old Yoichi claimed the title of World’s Best Single Malt - an impressive feat. Yoichi malts are described as bold and strong with refined peaty notes and smokiness brought by the traditional direct coal-fired distillation. Sea breeze from the Ishikari Bay delivers a briny hint to the whisky during maturation.” It’s a bright, vibrant, and fruity single malt wrapped in a sheet of peat. A fantastic Christmas gift for the Whisky adventurist.

Price: $95.99

 

DeWayne's Picks


NIKKA - FROM THE BARREL  JAPAN

Tasting Notes: Nikka ‘From The Barrel’ is a blended whisky which was released in 1985. The development of this expression started with an aim to deliver full flavors and richness of whisky like "from the barrel", which only blenders can sniff and taste. The secret behind its gorgeous flavor is the unique combination of complex blending, higher ABV 51.4% and "marriage" process. The iconic square bottle reflects its concept "a small block of whisky" and embodies the intense and rich flavors of the whisky inside. Long after its launch, this bottle is still timeless and recognized for its ultimate simplicity. The blend combines both single malt and grain whisky from the Miyagikyo and Yoichi distilleries, which are then married in a huge variety of casks, including bourbon barrels, sherry butts and refill hogsheads. A huge depth of flavour in this stunning Japanese whisky*. I can't recommend this enough. If you have yet to try Japanese Whisky*, let this be your grand introduction! . A real star, winning top prize in its category at the World Whisky Awards in 2007 and 2010. Japanese whisky producer Nikka was founded in 1934 and has become Japan's second largest distiller, producing a large range of single malts and blended whiskies between its two distilleries - Yoichi and Miyagikyo. NOSE Spicy and peppery, but there’s a richness behind it, with spicy oak and soft orange fruitiness, and soft vanilla notes from the bourbon cask. PALATE Grainy sweetness and candied orange peel, quite rich, accompanied by rich cinnamon and clove. FINISH Great balance, very dry finish with some winter spice, a little caramel vanilla and a cocoa smokiness. SUMMARY Tried it as a mizuwari (served with water and ice) and it was gentle, but with a surprisingly complex array of flavours from brioche to cherries to chocolatey smoke. *This product does not meet all the criteria of “Japanese whisky “ defined by the Japan Spirits & Liqueur Makers Association as of April 1, 2021 https://www.vice.com/en/article/xgznpn/japan-whisky-labeling-rules

Price: $64.99

 

DeWayne's Picks


DOS MADERAS (Two Woods)  Spain

Tasting Notes: Rich, ripe and Smooth! Dark amber in color, this intriguing rum offers fig and raisin notes at first, leading to rich, ripe fruit on the palate. This is seasoned by some tropical spice and wrapped in sherry notes, with wisps of smoky oak and a touch of tobacco leaf. The Dos Maderas journey begins with sugar cane, best grown in the tropical climates of Barbados and Guyana. Harvest is between February and June, when the plants are at their best. Each country ages the rum for 5 years, and then they are transported to Jerez, Spain. These unique rums are aged using the region’s criadera and solera system. Through the use of this traditional ageing process, not only do the rums gain the flavors and complexity of Palo Cortado and Pedro Ximénez sherries, but are infused with the rich history of Jerez, and the knowledge passed down over generations of the Medina family. This rum (in my humble opinion) is best appreciated neat, and is beautifully paired with cigars and chocolate.

Price: $66.99

 

DeWayne's Picks


KILCHOMAN (Sanaig)  SCOTLAND (ISLAY)

Tasting Notes: KILCHOMAN (kil –cHO–man) Founded in 2005, Kilchoman is not only the first distillery to be built on the Isle of Islay in 124 years, but it is also one of the few to handle the entire whisky production process in-house. Sanaig (saah-NIG) Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery Bottling ABV: 46% CASK TYPE: Bourbon & Sherry ( 30/70%) PEATING LEVEL: 50 Parts per Million Non Age Statement (NAS) Non-Chilled Filtered and Natural Color 100% ISLAY 11TH EDITION RELEASE The 100% Islay 11th Edition was distilled from our 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011 barley harvests before being matured in 26 bourbon barrels and 7 oloroso sherry butts for a minimum of 9 years. The intense floral sweetness gives way to layers of rich spices, plums, dates and leather then grilled fruit, malt and vanilla with waves of clean fresh peat smoke and citrus sweetness on the finish. The Barley comes from the mainland to Diageo’s Port Ellen Maltings where it is malted then peated. It is then sent to the Kilchoman Distillery. Named after an inlet on Islay’s rugged Atlantic coast, Sanaig is a vatting of both sherry and bourbon casks. The high proportion of Oloroso sherry influence adding a balance of dried fruits and spices to classic Kilchoman citrus sweetness and peat smoke character. A fantastic balance of peat smoke, fruit and sweetness.

Price: $102.99

 

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