A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 1042: Ultimate Wine Competition and a Great Dinner Party!

Posted on October 26, 2026 by tonyaspler

André Proulx and Michael Pinkus

Sunday, October 18th: Michael Pinkus and André Proulx (of the podcast “Two Guys Talking Wine”) invited me to be the tie-breaker in their second “Ontario’s Ultimate Wine” competition – a blind tasting of the 19 entries. The format is unique – based on the FIFA World Cup draw. Each winery was invited to submit their best wine. The order of the wines in each flight of three wines was selected randomly by drawing numbered ping pong balls (which meant white wines could be tasted against reds, and the lone sparkling entry, irrespective of varietal or blend). Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 1041: Le Vieux Pin and LaStella

Posted on October 19, 2026 by tonyaspler

Le Vieux Pin wines

Monday, October 12th: Tasted the following wines from Le Vieux Pin and LaStella in the Okanagan.

Le Vieux Pin Sauvignon Blanc 2025
Pale straw in colour; grassy, gooseberry nose with lively acidity; medium-bodied, crisply dry; lemony, grapefruit and green plum flavours. Well-balanced and lingering. (91)

Le Vieux Pin Sauvignon Blanc 2025

Le Vieux Pin Roussanne 2025
Light gold colour; honeyed peach bouquet with a light floral note; full-bodied (14.6% alcohol), dry; peach and apricot flavours; richly extracted, well-balanced with a long, fresh finish. Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 1040: Interlude with Liebling and Some Great Big Head

Posted on October 13, 2026 by tonyaspler

Destined for Hong Kong

Monday, October 5th: Tasted a wine that will be presented at the dinner in Hong Kong:

Southbrook Estate Sol & Luna Merlot 2021
Deep purple in colour, holding to the rim; cedary, black plum bouquet with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted plum and black cherry flavours carried on lively acidity; well-balanced, well-integrated oak and a lovely mouth-feel. (93)

Tuesday, October 6th: Deborah and I dined at Bolete. We had a dozen oysters and shared a burrata salad with grilled peach. A glass of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Blanc respectively. Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 1039: Hong Kong Dinner

Posted on October 5, 2026 by tonyaspler

Hong Kong Tourism Board sign

Monday, September 28th: Dinner grilled salmon with The Long Way Home Riesling 2024 (produced at Crush on King, Niagara Custom Crush Studio).
Straw colour with a hint of lime; grapefruit bouquet with a thread of minerality; medium-bodied, crisple dry, green apple and grapefruit flavours. Beautifully balanced and great length. (91)

The Long Way Home Riesling 2024

Tuesday, September 29th: No wine!

Wednesday, September 30th: Jill Troyer drove me to On Seven to taste the newly released 2023 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with winemaker Peter Gamble and the winery’s proprietor, Vittorio De Stefano. Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 1038: Crush Wines, “Streisand” Concert, and Lunch with an Old Friend

Posted on September 28, 2026 by tonyaspler

Barbra Streisand tribute concert poster

Monday, September 21st: Tasted through a bunch of wine made at The Crush on King:

Enoteka Niagara Bellevue Red Non Vintage
Deep ruby in colour; high-toned nose of plum and oak spice; medium-bodied,dry, raspberry and plum flavours with a touch of volatile acidity. (87)

The Long Way Home Chardonnay 2023
Straw colour; toasty, leesy apple nose; medium-bodied, crisply dry, Chablis-esque crabapple flavour. (89)

The Long Way Home Pinot Noir 2024
Medium ruby colour; lifted raspberry bouquet with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, savoury, raspberry flavour with a mineral note. (89) Continue reading →

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