A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 759: Austrian Wine Webinar

Posted on May 11, 2020 by

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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)

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Murder in Moscow: The Oblast Court Trial

Posted on April 28, 2020 by

This isn’t about wine – it’s about something to read… while drinking wine.

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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.

FIRST REVIEWS

“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.

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 758: The Foreign Affair (Vineland Station, Ontario)

Posted on April 18, 2020 by

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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 →

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Wine of the Week for April 13, 2020

Posted on April 13, 2020 by

IMG_7524Escudo 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.

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 757: Tasting with Thomas

Posted on April 9, 2020 by
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Bachelder’s Gamays

Monday, April 6th: Thomas Bachelder arranged for me to have a virtual tasting via Zoom of his Spring release.

Here’s his initial email:

A note on the “Niagara Chardonnay 3-Terroirs Project:” Making these wines was a thrill for me, and was my way of learning about how these Classic far-flung terroirs differ*… These are all 4- barrel lots (roughly 1150 bottles each after lees loss), and there is no new oak in any of these 3 wines (the barrels are 1yr-old; 2y and the last two are 4y in all lots).

The suggested order of the wines: Continue reading →

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