Calona 2010 Opal Sovereign

I'm not a huge fan of white wines.  I love big bold red's, but there are times when I feel like a nice white sipping wine and one of those times is when I go out for Indian food.  You would think that a red would be the wine of choice for Indian food, but I prefer a white.

The first time I had Sovereign Opal was about a month ago, I had never heard of this wine before.  We were out for Indian food and I ordered a white, which was unavailable so the waiter recommended the Sovereign Opal, a VQA wine from the Calona Vineyards in the Okanagan Valley and is a hybrid grape.
The minute you smell this wine you just know it is going to be amazing.  I don't like my white wines to be tart and I don't like them to be too sweet either, and this wine was the perfect balance, medium-bodied with tropical fruits.  I fell in love with this wine so much, that when I got home I ordered 2 cases directly from the Vineyard.  At $12.99 a bottle,  this is a great buy and sure to improve with more time in the bottle.
I loved this wine so much I had to send Jim a bottle to get his opinion.

What did you think of this wine Jim?

Pairing: Indian food, cheese and crackers and is great as a lazy Sunday afternoon sitting on the porch sipping wine.

Recommendation: BUY

Coyote's Run 2004 Off-Dry Vidal

Carmela 2002 Dry Reisling

Carmela is no longer in business having sold out a few years ago. This Reisling is one of the reasons why it didnt do better. When we buy a Reisling, most of us expect crisp clean flavours. The Carmela Reislings were muddy and exhibited notes of barnyard and minerality.

Pairing: Chinese food, Pork (avoid pairing with delicate fish/seafood)

Recommendation: Pass

2011 Christmas Dinner Wine Suggestions

As Christmas approaches and we start to think about the menu for that fabulous turkey dinner, let us not forget a nice wine selection to enhance the feast. While the choices are mainly a matter of personal choice, there are some wines that typically pair well with turkey and the common accompaniments and side dishes.

I have chosen the following suggestions from the current offerings at the LCBO and/or wine retailers in Ontario.

1. Chardonnay - Most of your guests will prefer a white wine with their turkey. Probably your safest choice will be a dry, oaky Chardonnay. It will pair well with the bird and with the root vegetables.

White wine suggestion: Norman Hardie 2008 Country Chardonnay

2. Sauvignon Blanc - Also a good choice would be a Sauvignon Blanc. It is a little cleaner and lighter than the Chardonnay.

White wine suggestion: Colio 2009 CEV Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc

3. Reisling - A good Reisling or Gerwurztraminer would be another good choice. These are a typically a little sweeter and a little more acidic but favoured by folks who don't drink lots of wine.

White wine suggestion: Fielding 2009 Reisling

4. Pinot Noir - Some of your guests will prefer red wine and the Pinot Noir is a perfect selection. It is light enough not to overpower, yet fruity enough to enhance and not be overwhelmed.

Red wine suggestion: Quail's Gate 2008 Pinot Noir

5. Sparkling wine - A common assumption is that Sparkling wine goes with anything. This may or may not be true, but I have yet to find a food that sparkling wine doesn't agree with. Remember this is the season of celebration and nothing says celebration like a Champagne, Cava or Sparkling wine. They can be served as an aperitif, with the meal and/or with the dessert course.

Sparkling wine suggestion: Peller Ice Cuvee Rose

6. Dessert - a dessert wine is typically sweeter to enhance the sweetness of the dessert. An ice wine is an excellent choice as it can be sipped with or even poured over sweets.

Dessert wine suggestion: Inniskillin Vidal Icewine

Happy Holidays

Rose Hill 2009 Private Edition Chardonnay

A very decent albeit rather pale unoaked offering from a relatively new winery. Nicely balanced although I found it leaning towards the sweet side rather than the tart. Nice body and a generous finish. Available at the LCBO

Pairing: Chicken or fatty fish (monkfish, salmon)

Recommendation: Buy