Brock University toasts gift of 2,500 historically significant wines

Posted on September 28, 2021 by tonyaspler

Renowned wine expert Michael Vaughan has selected Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) as the new home of his impeccably preserved collection of award-winning Canadian wines.

The Michael Vaughan Wine Collection contains 2,500 bottles of historical wines from across the country, including a number of extremely rare bottles that date back decades. The collection has been personally curated and preserved by Vaughan and contains some of the last- remaining bottles of their kind that are still in mint condition and drinkable.

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 813: First Flight Since Covid Struck

Posted on September 23, 2021 by tonyaspler

Pigeons are big out west

Friday, September 17th: A 7:30 am Swoop flight from Hamilton to Abbotsford in BC – to visit our daughter Annabel and grandson Declan. In the seat behind us was a toddler who screamed like a wounded animal the entire five-hour flight. Annabel picked us up for the drive into Vancouver. Our friends Pam and Pat dropped by with a couple of bottles – Checkmate Chardonnay and Merlot. I had picked up a bottle of my friend Rhys Pender’s Little Farm Cabernet Franc Merlot Rosé 2020 (from Similkameen), which we opened with our friends. Ordered in pizza for dinner. Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 812: Flat Rock Cellars New Releases

Posted on September 13, 2021 by tonyaspler

Flat Rock Cellars new releases

Flat Rock Cellars Good Karma Chardonnay 2020 (Niagara Peninsula, $16.95 LCBO #56873, to be released Sept. 18th)
Bright, straw colour; apple bouquet with a thread of minerality; medium-bodied, dry, apple and lemon flavours caried on lively acidity. (88)

Flat Rock Cellars Unplugged Chardonnay 2020 (Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, $17.95, LCBO #68015, to be released Oct. 16th)
Straw colour; leesy, apple nose; light to medium-bodied, crab apple flavour with citrus acidity; nicely balanced and long in the mouth. (89)

Flat Rock Cellars Sparkling Twisted 2020 (Ontario, $19.95, LCBO #14421, to be released December 11th)
Riesling with a hint of Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer. Pale straw in colour with an apple nose; fresh and lively on the palate with apple and pear flavours and a note of orange. (89) Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 811: Eight Wines to Savour

Posted on September 6, 2021 by tonyaspler

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Cave Mystère Merlot 2018 (Cadillac, Bordeaux, $19.95, Vintages #17232, to be released Nov. 13th)
Opaque purple-ruby in colour; cedary, plum and blueberry nose with vanilla oak notes; medium-bodied, dry, firmly structured, blueberry flavour with a floral note. (89)

Speck Brothers Family Tree “The Goat Lady” Chardonnay 2020 (Niagara Peninsula, $16.95 at the winery, CSPC #16794)

Speck Brothers Family Tree “The Padré” Cabernet-Merlot 2019 (Niagara Peninsula, $19.95, Vintages #18667, to be released Sept. 18th)
Ruby in colour; cedary, blueberry bouquet with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, red plum and blueberry flavours with mellow tannins; well-structured, with a fine mouth-feel, (90)

Cusumano Noà 2016 (Sicily, $31.95, Vintages #109512, to be released on Sept. 18th)
A blend of 40% Nero d’Avola, 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Opaque purple-black in colour; rich plum bouquet with vanilla and oriental spices on the nose; full-bodied, savoury, mouth-filling plum and prune and licorice flavours, with ripe tannins. (91)

Dievole Novecento Chianti Classico Riserva 2016 (Tuscany, $34.95, Vintages #213936, to be released Oct. 16th)
95% Sangiovese, 3% Canaiolo, 2% Colorino. Deep ruby colour; cedary, cherry with oak spice on the nose; medium-bodied, dry, savoury, cherry flavour with ripe tannins; well-structured with fresh acidity and a saline note on the finish. (90)

Château Vrai Caillou 2017 (Bordeaux Supèrieur, $16.95, Vintages #348292, to be released Nov. 13th)
Dense purple-ruby in colour; cedary, spicy, blueberry and blackcurrant bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, savoury, firmly structured, sweet plum fruit in mid-palate. (88.5)

Quinta de Curvos Loureiro 2020 (Vinho Verde, $13.95, Vintages #471284, to be released Oct. 30th)
Pale straw colour; minerally, lemon-grass nose with a light floral note; medium-bodied, dry, spicy, lemon and white peach with fresh, zesty acidity. (90)

Malivoire Mottiar Chardonnay 2019 (Beamsville Bench, $14.95)
Bright, light gold colour with a greenish tint; toasty, spicy, apple nose; apple, pear and lemon flavours; long in the mouth; great mouth-feel. (90)

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 810: Seven Wines

Posted on August 30, 2021 by tonyaspler

Malivoire Mottiar Chardonnay 2019

Malivoire Mottiar Chardonnay 2019 (Beamsville Bench, $34.95, winery only)
Bright straw colour; toasty, spicy, melon and pear bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, lemon, melon and apple flavours with well-integrated oak; wonderfully fresh on the palate. (90) Continue reading →

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