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Ken's Picks


Gehringer Brothers Private Reserve Pinot Gris VQA 2023 13.1% abv.  Okanagan Valley, B.C.

Tasting Notes: Pinot Gris is a pink skinned mutation of Pinot Noir. Another great wine from the Gehringer Brothers, it expresses just a hint of the pink tones found in the skin, showing a beautiful, light copper color. The aroma displays full pears, apples, and quince notes. The medium full, round palate echoes the nose, but layers it with notes of cantaloupe, washed gravel, and golden delicious apple. There is a lovely roundness and the wine is slightly off-dry. In my books, this is a very well done Pinot Gris, reminiscent of wines found in Alsace. Pair with dishes with cream sauces, chicken, seafood. I paired it with home made potato and cheese pyrohys, with a dollop of sour cream. Comfort and a bit of elegance! Drink now.

Price: $22.99 750 ml

 

Ken's Picks


Gehringer Brothers Ehrenfelser 2022 VQA 13% abv  Okanagan Valley, B.C.

Tasting Notes: Ehrenfelser is a Riesling Silvaner cross; an early ripener, it is ideally suited to the climate in B.C.'s Okanagan Valley, where it has had great success. The grape variety, although well established, is still untried by many in Canada, which is a shame. It is an ideal summer patio sipper. Appearance: golden delicious apple skin, pale gold. Nose: cooked pear, marmalade, ginger, wintergreen. Palate: off-dry, candied lemon peel, Mcintosh apple sauce, white peach, bitter orange. Medium -full body. Medium short finish. This would be excellent with fruit salads, light poultry dishes. I paired it with chicken schnitzel and mashed potatoes: very nice! Drink now. Serve chilled.

Price: $22.49 750 ml

 

Ken's Picks


Corto Di Passo Nero D'Avola Appasimento DOC 2022 14% abv  Sicilia, Itlay

Tasting Notes: Translated, Nero d'Avola means "Black of Avola", a reference to the grape's distinctive dark coloring, It's one of Siciliy's success stories, and has been compared to Syrah (it likes a hot, Mediterranean environment). The 'appasimento' refers to the process of drying grapes after harvest, to concentrate sugars and flavors. Medium opaque, with dark plum tones. Aromas of coffee, tarragon, kirsch, Dr. Pepper, black cherry. The palate is very plush and juicy, with black cherry jam, currants, vanilla, plums, and dried cherries. Tannins are subtle. Medium length finish. Drink now - 2027. Pairs with pizzas, burgers, pork roasts, grilled beef, savory salads. If you've not tried wine from Sicily, this would be an excellent intro! Tasted twice with consistent notes.

Price: $25.99 750 ml

 

Ken's Picks


Hillebrand Trius Red The Icon 2022 VQA 13.1% abv  Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Tasting Notes: Trius Red The Icon, a Bordeaux blend-inspired wine produced by Hillebrand Winery, burst onto the wine scene with great international acclaim over 23 years ago. Recipe: Cabernet Sauvignon / Cabernet Franc / Merlot. The wine is very much in the Bordeaux tradition: medium red/garnet, on the nose it shows ripe plums, figs, dates, forest floor, slight toasted oak, a bit of chocolate and coffee. On the medium full palate, we find raspberry reduction, saskatoon compote, chokecherry jam, currants, and a very nice bitter orange backdrop. Tannins medium fine. Pair with roast pork, lamb, hard cheeses. The wine is still quite young and will benefit with some time in the bottle. Tasted twice with confirmed notes. Drink now - 2030.

Price: $26.99 750 ml

 

Ken's Picks


Galassi Sangiovese Passito Appassimento 2022 DOC 14.5% abv.  Romagna, Italy

Tasting Notes: Sangiovese (blood of Jupiter) is the staple of Tuscany, underpinning well known Chianti and Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano. Here, in Romagna, north and east of Tuscany, this wine is made 'appassimento' meaning the harvested grapes are dried indoors in lofts with open windows for ventilation (some winemakers, though, still sun-dry their grapes). The grapes dry for three weeks to six months, losing 10 to 60 percent of their moisture content, depending on the grape variety and desired style of wine. The desired style for this wine is, well, desirable! Medium deep scarlet, almost impenetrable, the wine exudes aromas of sage, fennel, plum skin, black cherry, vanilla, red licorice, loam, and a touch of toasty oak. The smooth, full palate brims with good, ripe fruit: black currants, plums, dark cherries. Tannins are soft, finish is medium long. Very nicely done!! Pair with rich pastas, grilled meats, savory risottos, hard cheeses, and good friends! I paired it with grilled franks, excellent! Drink now - 2028.

Price: $31.99 750 ml

 

Ken's Picks


Zenato Valpolicella 'Ripassa' Ripasso Superiore 2020 DOC 14% abv  Lombardy-Veneto Lugana, Italy

Tasting Notes: The venerable Zenato team has another winner! Showing a deep scarlet ruby, this wine is packed with aromas of plum, kirsch, black currant jam, loam, and black licorice. Medium full in body, with medium grained, integrated tannins, the palate shows off polished notes of sultanas, currants, chokecherry reduction, and licorice confirmed. Sturdy, with good depth. Medium length finish. An extremely versatile wine; pair with pasta in red sauce, lasagna, roasts, lamb, risotto, game. Drink now-2028. Vegan Friendly.

Price: $31.99 750 ml

 

Ken's Picks


Freixenet Primitivo IGP 14% abv  Puglia, Italy

Tasting Notes: Freixenet is known to almost anyone who drinks wine as an established producer of Cava. This venture sees them in Italy where they are carving out a name for themselves producing table wines. This savory expression shows a deep ruby/red tea color. On the nose, loam, savory herbs such as sage and tarragon, and cherry reduction. The palate is medium full, round and fleshy. Plums, dates, black cherries dominate, with smooth tannins. Very good depth. Drink now-2027ish. Pairs with pasta in marinara sauce, pizza, panini. Vegan Friendly.

Price: $18.99 750 ml

 

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