Contino is an estate-based winery, which is unusual in Rioja. It’s based on a 62 hectare vineyard that is at the beginning of Rioja Alavesa, not far from Logroño. The…
In the Okanagan, BC, Canada: Le Vieux Pin, La Stella, Black Hills and Tinhorn Creek
Severine Pinte is the winemaker behind two high-end Okanagan properties: Le Vieux Pin and La Stella. The former is a Rhône specialist and is currently making some of Canada’s top…
In the Okanagan, BC, Canada: Meyer Family Vineyards, Culmina and CheckMate
Jak and Janice Meyer bought a small vineyard in the Naramata Bench back in 2006. Originally, this was just a hobby vineyard, but in 2008 when Jak started selling the…
In the Okanagan, BC, Canada: Mission Hill, Cedar Creek, Gray Monk and Tantalus
The second day of this trip was spent immersed in the beauty of the northern and central Okanagan. As a wine region, the Okanagan is simply too diverse to make…
In the Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada, day 1: Quails’ Gate
It’s never much fun when you have a tight connecting flight and then get delayed. Yesterday I arrived in Vancouver after a nice flight (6000 words written, a sleep and…
Alsace Riesling, some more highlights
A few days ago I picked out some of my Riesling highlights from Millesimes Alsace. Here are some more. Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile 2009 Alsace Taut and focused showing…
Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Sous Eguisons 2014
Caroline Lestimé, winemaker at Jean-Noël Gagnard, decided to plant Chardonnay vines on this plot of the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune, back in 2007. It’s in Rochepot, opposite Saint Aubin, and it…
Sylvaner, Alsace’s unsung hero
Last week, in Germany, I tasted a couple of Sylvaners. And there was something distinctive about them, to the point that yesterday when I was poured one blind, I recognised…
Alsace Riesling, some highlights
Alsace Riesling can be very special indeed. Here are some highlights from the Millesimes Alsace tasting yesterday here in Colmar. Some more to follow tomorrow. Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg Grand Cru…