Frank's Wine Tips

 
     
 
Under development and in need of designer help
 
 
my friends simply couldn't wait, so here it is anyway
 
     
  Wine is likely one the most diverse and hedonistic pleasures. With its myriad of varietals and origins you'll find it hardly predictable and often surprising. If you like exploring new wines, this personal wine page is for you. By sharing this information I hope to inspire and make it a bit easier to find some of those great surprises out there.  
     
  There's a wine for every occasion. You can pick your wine depending on the mood you're in, the company you keep, what's left in the fridge, illustrious wine buffs you hang out with, or that party you're off to.  
     
  Best buys  
  Here are some everyday wines under $20 that offer great value and pleasure. Off course I've only listed the ones that impressed me.  
     
  White  
 
Date Varietal Winery Price Region, Country
Jul 2004 Viognier Hugue Le Juste, 2003 $12 Pays D'oc, France
One of the neatest white grapes, ripe, flamboyant, and French. While 2002 was better, this one is great to start the evening with. A steal, so run and get some quick. Drink at room temperature to enjoy it to the full. Try it with some goat cheese.
Sep 2004 Pinot Blanc Lake Breeze, 2002 $15 Naramata, Okanagan, Canada
Simply a great Pinot Blanc that you have to try, because it is rare to find such a great example. Excellent with shellfish or anti-pasto.
Sep 2004 Riesling Lang $13 Naramata, Okanagan, Canada
The last time I had a BC Riesling this fun was St Hubertus 1998. It's tropical fruit nose will wow you, so succulent it will make you drule.
         
 
 
     
  Red  
 
Tasted
Varietal
Winery
Price
Region, Country
Dec 2004 Merlot Jackson Triggs, 2001
$16
Okanagan, Canada
Dec 2004 Cabernet Carmenere Trivento, 2002
$13
Argentina
Dec 2004 Syrah Trivento, 2002
$12
Argentina
Syrah that beats the %@*& out of Australian Shiraz at a better price. Go get some and don't tell anybody what you paid for it. They won't believe you anyway.
Nov 2004 Carmenere Cremachi Furlotti, 2002
$17
Chile
An amazingly elegant with great nose and concentration, not your typical Carmenere so don't miss it, it's hard to top this one and its price.
Nov 2004 Cabernet Merlot Mission Hill Five Vineyards, 2002
$16
Okanagan, Canada
I have been disppointed by the quality of their wines for a while, but this one is outstanding and great value.
Sep 2004 Cabernet Franc Sumac Ridge, 2002
$16
Summerland , Okanagan, Canada
Cab Franc is one of my favorite grapes. Elegant, fragrant, fresh acidity, cedar box, elegant yet young tanins, will mellow, but is great now.
Sep 2004 Merlot Township 7
$18
Naramata, Okanagan, Canada
 
Sep 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Township 7
$18
Naramata, Okanagan, Canada
 
Sep 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Trio
$16
Chile
Jul 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Caseliero del Diablo
$13
Chile
Aug 2004 Pinot Noir Gehringer Brothers
$14
Osoyoos, Okanagan, Canada
Sep 2004 Pinot Noir Cartlidge & Browne, 2003
$18
California
I have only seen the 2002 in BC, forget about that and wait till 2003 comes in, lots of fun, very elegant
Jul 2004 Gamay Domaine Chaberton
$16
Langley, Canada
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
     
     
  Best of the Bench - Naramata, Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada, September 2004  
Back from a little outing to the Okanagan. Stayed at a Naramata B&B to for some R&R and just found enough time to visit the local wineries and get a taste for what's new.

Hillside
Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc, are great buys. Muscat Ottonel is enjoyable and well made and a must try. Mosaic is a nice meritage, but an investment at $30.

Lang
Riesling is simply amazing, lots of fun and a real steal.

La Frenz
Always great, but timing is everything here. Too early or too late and you'll miss the chance to taste an other great varietal. Alexandria is a great blend of Muscat. The Montage is a very pleasant play on a meritage blend with Pinot Noir in the place of Cabernet Franc.

Township 7
Consistently delivers well made wines. They just released the 2002 Merlot and Cabernet, as well as Semillon. Ready to drink now, but may worth a bottle age experiment.

Lake Breeze
Known for their excellent Pinot Blanc
     
     
  Old Wine Tasting Events  
  Sherry Seminar 2003 Gismondi's article on Sherry  
  Sherry Seminar 2002 Tasting Review by Tim Pawsey  
     
 
Links of interest
Other Tips  
Gismondi Looking for a book on wine, try the Book Warehouse and get it half price.  
South World Wine Society  
Sherry  
   
  (c) Crush Marketing 2004  
  http://www.phlocreative.com/H264_test/