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Chile's best kept secrets tasting - February 3, 2015

Posted on February 22, 2015

There are still so many misconceptions about the wines from Chile.  Most don’t even think about Chile when considering their wine purchases, and even when they do, it’s simply for the cheap stuff.  But what if I told you Chile’s starting to hit its stride?  What if I told you that you should forget about your association with Chile and Cabernet Sauvignon (or Merlot), and that grapes like Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Syrah are producing the country’s most exciting wines.  And what if I told you it’s getting easier to find organic, or biodynamic producers in the market.  And what if all those things were true, and that the value we all associate with Chile was still present.  Would you then consider a bottle of Chilean for your next bottle?

We had a great night here at the shop exploring what’s exciting in Chile - biodynamic wines under $20, new varieties aged in clay amphorae, and single vineyard wines from new appellations.  The wines showed well, and when the votes were counted, here were the winners: Gold - 2011 Montes Syrah “Folly;” Silver - 2012 Mayu Malbec Reserva; Bronze - 2011 Concha Y Toro Carmenere Peumo Vineyard Block 27 “Entre Cordilleras.”  My favourite?  The Ventolera Pinot - amazing for $30.  They grow 180 hectares of Pinot, and bottle on 20 hectares of their best stuff.  Awesome.  Thanks for all who came out, and made it a great night.

1.    2011 Matetic Sauvignon Blanc “Corralillo” (San Antonio) - $18.99
The 2011 Corralillo Sauvignon Blanc comes from biodynamically grown fruit, and from the 242, Davis 1 and 107 clones of Sauvignon Blanc. It has a fresh gooseberry and nettle bouquet with attractive lift and vigor. The palate is fresh and crisp with a spicy core of passion fruit, lime and grapefruit. It displays good length and composure. Drink now.

2.    2011 Ventolera Pinot Noir (Leyda Valley) - $31.99
The 2011 Ventolera Pinot Noir, their premier cru from red granite soils, displays lots of raspberries, earthy hints of truffles, a sinewy palate, velvety tannins, and great length. Drink now-2019.

3.    De Martino Cinsault “Viejas Tinajas” (Secano Interior/Coelemu) - $30.99
The 2011 Cinsault Viejas Tinajas (whole berries with no punching down or sulfur) has a lovely fresh nose of red currant jam, iodine and violets that is well defined, imbued with a sense of energy. The palate is medium-bodied with a crisp red currant and dark cherry entry with touches of fig and marmalade. Drink now.

4.    2012 Mayu Malbec Reserva (Elq...

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Old Vine Wine tasting - January 27, 2015

Posted on February 4, 2015

So, what’s the deal with old vines?  We see the phrase on some of the wines we buy, but why are old vines a good thing?  And are they always a good thing?

This night was all about exploring the reasons why older vines can positively affect the quality of the wines we drink.  It was a great night of delicious wine, and fantastic company - thank you for those who attended.  Below is a list of the wines that were tasted – the group voted on their favourites, with the Burgos Porta Priorat “Mas Sinen Coster” being the runaway favourite.  The Kay Brothers Shiraz “Block 6” was the runner-up, with the Jelly Jar Old Vine Zinfandel finishing in the bronze medal position.



 

2012 Clos des Rocs Macon-Loche “Les Mures” (Burgundy, France) - $37. From 60-year-old vines and is raised in oak barrels and stainless steel in equal measure. It has a lifted, flinty, smoky bouquet with light touches of apple blossom and Cornice pear. The palate is fresh on the entry with orange zest and lemon rind.  Lovely!
 
2012 Carlisle “The Derivative” (Sonoma, USA) - $45.   From vines planted in the late 19th century, only 300 cases of this cuvee were made. A Semillon/Muscadelle blend, the The Derivative is super-refined and elegant from the very first taste. Melon, pears, white flowers and mint are all woven together in this classy, textured white.
 
2012 Jelly Jar Zinfandel Old Vine (Lake County, USA) - $33.  From the organically farmed Nova Vineyard.  For over 40 years, these dry-farmed, head-trained Zinfandel vines have produced wines of exceptional concentration, and character.  Our best selling Zinfandel!
 
2010 Domaine Sainte Croix Corbieres “Le Fournas” (Corbieres, France) - $23. From vines averaging 100 years old, the 2010 Corbieres Le Fournas offers pretty Carignan-styled fruit (the wine is 45% Carignan, 28% Grenache and the balance Syrah and Mourvedre) with notions of black cherry, plum pit, crushed flower and hints of leather in its medium-bodied, pure and elegant personality.
 
2009 Bodegas Burgos Porta Priorat “Mas Sinen Coster” (Priorat, Spain) - $62. The 2009 Mas Sinen Coster is a blend of 45% Carinena, 45% Garnacha and 10% “other grapes” from 80- to 100-year-old vines and raised mostly in French oak for 12 months. It has a rich, opulent but well-defined bouquet with dark cherries, raspberry and violets that blossom from the glass. The palate is full-bodied with juicy, saturated tannins and a fleshy mouthfeel. Succulent raspberry, cassis and strawberry vie for attention towards the voluminous, sensual f...

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Silky Sultry Stouts - January 20, 2015

Posted on February 4, 2015

On a cold winter's night, there is only one thing on my mind. Stouts! So I gathered 18 or so beer lovers, and took the opportunity to introduce them all to some of the best this wonderfully abundant province (beer wise) has to offer. It's hard to ignore how perfect a thick, warming stout is in the dead of winter, except for one thing... Our January was not nearly as cold as it normally is! Am I complaining? No no no, I'm really not. I've always been of the opinion that a good stout goes with any time of the year, so this is more of an opportunity to share that opinion, and see if I can sway anyone else to my side of the fence. so let's see what happened!

Janice Beaton Fine Cheeses provided some yummy snacks for us to experiment with pairing. I brought stouts of all variants: Milk stout, oatmeal stout, Russian imperial, barrel aged, chili pepper aged, coffee. The sheer variety and quality of the line-up was borderline crazy. I knew this was going to be a memorable tasting.



The tasting menu was as follows:

Old Engine Oil from Harviestoun Brewing

This porter hailing from Scottland was placed in the tasting in order to demonstrate the blurry lines between stouts and porters stylistically. This brew is soft and velvety, with aromas of chocolate and earth (almost mushroomy), medium-dry maltiness and chocolate all throughout. At 6% abv, it's suitable for any time, but fits so well on a cold evening. ($4.09 for 330 mL bottle)

Dragonstooth Oatmeal Stout by Elysian Brewing

Hailing from Seattle Washington, this stout was given generous late hop additions that give a piney, citrusy nose, along with the roasted malt. An americanized stout through and through. The healthy dose of oats combines with the roasted malts to give a protein heavy, full bodied stout with moderate alcohol content. Toasty flavors along with notes of sweet vanilla, cocoa, and a hoppy, bitter finish. A brilliant example of what hops can do to a stout. (7.5abv, $8.49 for 650 mL bottle)

Vache Folle Milk Stout from MicroBrasserie Cherlevoix

Many have already come to love this Quebecois example of a classic style. Lactose (an unfermentable sugar) is added to this stout to give it a silky, creamy body, and increase the sweetness. Creamy coffee and chocolate dominate the palate, with roasted grain roughness dancing throughout. I touch of bitterness and acidity mellow everything out at the end, and keep your tongue waiting for the next sip. (9%abv, $6.99 for 500 mL bottle)

Prairie Bomb! from Prairie Artisan Ales

One of the first real rock stars of the evening, Prairie Bomb! was a surprising arrival in the province. This beast of an imperial stout is aged on vanilla beans, cocoa nibs, coffee and ancho chili peppers. The cocoa and coffee come together to add a dry, fudgy character, with vanilla rounding out each taste. The chili added...

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Tightwad Oenophile tasting - January 15th 2015

Posted on January 16, 2015

Welcome back to the first wine tasting of 2015!

Tightwad Oenophile was a great way to kick off the year! It was all about the tips and tricks on how to pick out wallet friendly weekday wines! The favourite by a long shot was Australia’s sparkling brut reserve from Hardys! This sparkler is great with Chinese take-out, mac & cheese and mimosas – and is only $14.99 – which makes it a steal! The second favourite was the 2012 Chateau de Puicheric Minervois, France for $11.99! From the Languedoc-Roussillon, this wine showed fabulously with red and black fruit, floral notes, and spice! The next time you try perogies and sausage, hearty stew or steak and mushrooms, take this wine home, its amazing value for a Tuesday night! The third ranked favourite was the Spanish Wrongo Dongo Monastrell for $15.99! Its big, plush, plummy-cherry fruit flavours makes a great wine for BBQ, beef short ribs and grilled smokies! We finished with the 2006 Dexheimer Siegrrebe Beerneauslese that married perfectly with the blue cheese from Peasant Cheese Shop from right next door! It was an amazing way to finish off a fun evening! You can pair this with sharp cheeses, like blue, or dessert and fresh fruit. The cost was only $16.99, so it makes it a very affordable alternative to Sauternes or Icewine! Check out the lineup of the night below and don’t forget to check out our biggest sale of the year (Jan. 23-25) where you can’t afford not to pick up quality wines for a great price!

Please do not hesitate to contact us for questions or requests online, over the phone or in-store. We are always happy to help! The next Tightwad Oenophile class will be offered on March 24, 2015! Buy your tickets now because there are only a few spots left!  Cheers to a great and prosperous 2015!

 

NV Hardys Brut Reserve, Australia - $14.99

2013 Tedeschi Soave, Italy - $17.99

2013 Mayu Sauvignon Blanc, Chile - $15.99

2011 CARM Douro Tinto, Portugal - $19.99

2010 Chateau de Puicheric Minervois, France - $11.99

2013 Wrongo Dongo Monastell, Spain - $15.99

2012 Lamadrid Cabernet Sauvignon, Argentina - $20.99

2006 Dexheimer Siegerrebe Beerenauslese, Germany - $16.99

 ...

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MS Calgary Whisky Festival 2015

Posted on January 14, 2015

The 4th Annual MS Calgary Whisky Festival is coming up on Thursday the 15th of January, in support of the MS Society of Calgary. Funds from the event will towards research and supporting those afflicted by the disease.  This year's event is going to be the best yet. We've added the capacity for more presenters, and therefore more whisky as well as more guests. Last year we sold out all 400 tickets, this year we've increased capacity to 500. There are still a few tickets left, but not many!



We are looking at our biggest turnout of brand ambassadors, with at least 13 scheduled to attend, possibly more. We have some first timers  like Simon Brooking of Laphroaig, Dan Tullio of Canadian Club, Chris Maybin of Compass Box, Stewart Buchanan of BenRiach/Glendronach and Clare Gavin of Jameson. Graeme Eunson of Tomatin Distillery has been with us for a few years. We also have some brand ambassadors who've made it too all four events, like Iain McCallum of Morrison Bowmore, Ranald Watson of Springbank, James Robertson of Tullibardine, Dan Volway of Highland Park/Macallan and Michael Urquhart of Gordon & MacPhail/Benromach.



We've added a VIP package for this year's event, and it must have been a good idea, the VIP tickets sold out in just a couple of days. VIP ticket holders will get a bit of an early start on the Festival  floor, and the tasting includes a very special Macallan tasting with Brand Ambasssador Dan Volway. This Macallan Range tasting will feature two new premium releases: Reflexion ($1450.00 ) and No. 6 ($3900.00 ). But those aren't the only Master Classes on offer. We've just added Master Classes with Simon Brooking of Laphroaig and Michael Urquhart of Gordon &MacPhail/Benromach. The Master Classes will feature some whiskies not otherwise available on the Festival floor, and are a bargain at just $25 each. Master Class tickets are only available online from KWM (No physical ticket will be issued, your name will be on a guest. No refunds, exchanges or returns.):

Laphroaig Master Class with Simon Brooking - 6:40PM - If you've never enjoyed the pleasure of one of Simon Brooking's Master Classes, this is a must attend event. Simon will regale you with stories, poetry and song whist you sample Scotland's most unique whisky. You may think you know Laphroaig, but you still owe it to yourself to view it through Simon's eyes! The tasting will sample a range of Laphroaigs up to the 25 Year!"  - $25

Michael Urquhart Farewell Master Class - 8:00PM - "Michael Urquhart is the recently retired Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail, one of Scotland's oldest and most respected independent bottlers, and a family firm. Michael is the one of the fourth generation of Urquharts to work for the company, and this tasting will be a bit of a farewall for this gentleman who's been visiting the Calgary market to do tastings ...

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