I tasted my way through 18 wines from Mission Hill in the Okanagan: Continue reading
Thursday, May 7th: The Austrian Wine On-Line Round Table, ably chaired by John Szabo, featured four Toronto sommeliers discussing six wines (one of which didn’t show up in my package, unfortunately).
Here are my notes:
Tement Sauvignon Blanc Ehrenhausen Muschelkalk 2017 (Styria, $39.95)
Bright, straw colour; grassy, minerally nose of green fruit; medium-bodied, crisply dry, fresh and lively on the palate with flavours of green plum and grapefruit with a long minerally finish. (91)
Weszeli Terrafactum Grüner Veltliner Langenlois 2018 (Kamptal)
Straw colour; minerally, white pepper and green peach bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, elegant, beautifully balanced with vivid acidity and a note of mint on the finish. (92)
Pittnauer Perfect Day 2017 (Burgenland, $37.95)
A blend of Grúner Veltliner, Muscat Ottonel, Chardonnay and Traminer. Light gold in colour; aromatic, spicy, light floral nose; medium-bodied, dry, perfumed and elegant, melon and citrus flavours; beautifully balanced with great length and vivid acidity. (90)
Hajszan Neumann Natural Zweigelt 2018 (Vienna, $41.95)
Dense ruby in colour; reductive nose showing some volatile acidity; plum bouquet with a touch of oak spice; medium-bodied dry, sour cherry flavour, fruity but firmly structured. Easy drinking. (89)
Heinrich Blaufränkisch Leithaberg 2016 (Burgenland, $45.95)
Dense purple-ruby in colour; lifted, flora; nose with barnyard notes; funky, redcurrant and plum flavours; great mouth-feel and firmly structured. (89)
This isn’t about wine – it’s about something to read… while drinking wine.
An accidental shooting, a teenager’s death, and the resulting trial lead to some astounding results. Alexandr Bazenov only wanted to protect his property from thieves. Instead, his murder trial raises questions from Russian law students on the bias of the judge, laws concerning private property, and the realization that there might be a deeper agenda – one that concerns all citizens.
You can get a copy of this deeply absorbing book for free. Go to Frank Daley’s website to find out more.
“Fabulous and enthralling from start to finish! Alexandr Bazenov only wanted to protect his property from thieves. Instead, his murder trial raises questions on the bias of the judge, private property, and a deeper agenda.” —International Review of Books
“I liked this novel a lot. Truly shocking! The author did a good job writing it with a cold (dispassionate) tone. It felt almost as if he was reporting it. The story was fascinating. Excellent for book clubs or anyone interested in law!” —International Review of Books
“Great writing! A really great story wonderfully put together. Intense!” —J. Langstaff
“Will leave you shocked and chilled by the verdict! A growing horror. (As Churchill said of Russia: ‘A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.’)” —REM
“A tightly written courtroom drama that pits the rights of the individual against the Russian legal system. Bravo!” —Tony Aspler
Frank Daley writes fiction and nonfiction (Self-Knowledge) in Southern Ontario.
The folks at The Foreign Affair sent over bunch of wines for me to taste – which was most appreciated – especially in this locked-down time. Continue reading
Escudo Rojo Carmenere Reserva 2018 (Chile – $17 at Vintages, #14058)
Dense purple colour that stains the glass; cedary, toasty, blackcurrant bouquet; medium to full-bodied, juicy and fruity blackcurrant and black plum flavours with well-integrated oak and ripe tannins. Great value.
 | Bob Josefchak on A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 749… |
 | Michael Scott on Wine of the Week for January 2… |
 | Cynthia & David… on A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 749… |
 | Dale on A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 746… |
 | Dominic Rivard on Wine of the Week for July 30,… |
