Saturday’s steak
Monday, January 5th: With dinner (lamb chops) tasted Cave de Lugny Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2023 (LCBO #33667, $24.95). Ruby colour; cedary, raspberry bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, raspberry flavour with well-integrated oak and evident but supple tannins. (90) Continue reading
Holland Marsh whites
Thursday, January 1st: Started the new year off with a couple of tastings. Holland March Wineries describes itself on its website this way:
Nestled in Canada’s premier historical farming community, The Holland Marsh – The Nersisyan Family strives to harmoniously infuse the Tradition of Old World winemaking with some New World flare. The Winery was established in 2008, which encompasses 22 acres of sandy, clay and loamy-type soil. This unique soil composition and bowl-shaped micro-climate gives the estate grown grapes an unparalleled distinction from that of any other region in Ontario. Paired with many centuries worth of knowledge and countless years of experience, we are pioneering the way for emerging wine regions in Ontario.
Holland Marsh Wineries Ephemere Pinot Grigio 2022
Pale straw in colour with a lime tint; peach pit nose with a citrus note; medium-bodied, crisp, green peach flavour with good length. (88) Continue reading
The space left behind
Christmas Day: Drove up to Waterloo to see the grandchildren and deliver their presents. For lunch I brought along a bottle of Big Head Big Bang Sparkling Rosé. Quiet dinner at home – chicken stir-fry with a bottle of On Seven Pursuit Chardonnay 2021. Continue reading
Monday, December 15th: Tasted Hester Creek Undici 2022, an Okanagan Valley salute to Super-Tuscan blends: 61% Sangiovese, 19% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec. Dense purple-ruby in colour; toasty, vanilla and blackberry bouquet; full-bodied, dry, richly extracted, spicy and savoury plum and currant flavours carried on lively acidity. (Undici is Italian for “eleven.” I asked Susan Burns at the winery what was the significance of the wine’s name. She emailed me back: “The 11 is significant as it represents Vineyard 11. It is our furthest south vineyard at the north end of Osoyoos. It’s known for its hot, dry location, and we source our big reds from here. The sandy soil absorbs the heat very well. With that being said, it cools off very quickly as well. The Sangiovese loves it down there! We call it Vineyard 11 because that vineyard consistently produces fruit that is 11 out of 10.”) Continue reading
For more than 20 years (since September 20, 2004), I have been writing this weekly wine diary, and for more than 20 years my friend and technical director, James Harbeck, has been editing and posting it.
So I’m dedicating this column to you, James. Take a bow.
And this is the wine I’m celebrating with: a new release from Big Head – a sparkling rosé, a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blend. A beautiful balance dry with flavours of raspberry and red apple. (91)
Big Head sparkling rosé
Tuesday, December 9th: Tasted the following Hester Creek wines: Continue reading
 | Vaughan Bowser on A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 952… |
 | Andras Borbely on A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 934… |
| A Wine Lover’s Diary… on A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 882… | |
 | John Stuart on A Wine-Hosted River Cruise wit… |
 | Bernie McCarthy on The World’s Top Winemakers of… |
