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Well here it is, my Top 100!
These are
Wine Diva's Top 100 picks under $20 based
upon reviews I've made on WineDiva.ca and
WineScores.ca between the time period of November
1 2007 to November 1 2008.
These are wines
from far and near that I think offer good value and are
tasty too.
For more than three years I have
published
my 'Bargain Bottles' on WineDiva.ca under Sure
Bets, but now that I've been rating wines for
WineScores.ca over the past year I'm now able to
combine these 'bargain bottles' into a score-based
package of previously reviewed wines.
The
TOP
100 link will be on my front page (as well as
below) so feel free to
pass it
on to friends or print off the list for free, wrap it around
a bottle of
one of my Top 100 wines and give it as a gift. Just for
the cost of the wine and a little ink...
What
else is new?
You'll notice on each review
there are
two new options: "reviews from this winery"
and "reviews from this agency" making your vinous
pursuits much easier.
What's next?
Wine Diva's TOP 50 wines $20-$50 (all with a
minimum of 91/100 points)
and, I'll be taking you
along with me, discovering the delicious wines and
beautiful countryside of Portugal.
all in my
November 20th
newsletter
cheers,
Daenna
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Hot off my palate
some on-the-fly picks from recent tastings
This week Mission Hill Family Estate pulled
one out of
their hats (er, barrels). Two secret siblings to the
mighty Oculus aptly named Quatrain and Perpetua
were launched during four simultaneous media
luncheons around Vancouver. Chief winemaker John
Simes took time out of a stressful harvest to fly down
to Vancouver to introduce his new babies at Yew in the
Four Seasons downtown.
Perpetua
Chardonnay, 2006 represents the pinnacle of
winemaking. This single vineyard Chardonnay was
barrel fermented in new French oak - aged 7.5
months with lees stirring every 14 days. Its a bit
closed on the nose - give it time to open up or better
yet, cellar it. Similar in style to a white Burgundy its
creamy with toasted nutty aromas, minerals, brown
butter and subtle
pear, apple and citrus - elegant with its pewter label
and priced at $32.99.
The Quatrain, 2005
is a blend of Merlot (57%), Syrah (28%), the rest is
Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon. Opposite of big
brother Oculus, this wine is drinking well now due to
the Merlot and Syrah components. Its fresh and juicy
with loads of cassis and plums, coffee and spices
and pairs very well with creamy mushroom pasta or
beef short ribs. The Quatrain was fermented (varietal
separate) in small French oak fermenters then aged
for 15 months before a one year rest in bottle.
$47.99
These wines are being released right now
at the winery, VQA wine stores, private wine stores
and Everything Wine...
photo: John
Simes
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Coming up next:
Wine Diva's TOP 50 -
$20-$50
the delicious wines of
Portugal
and
Don't
forget to visit
winescores.ca
and winediva.ca for new wine reviews every
day!
Pink and Cheeky...
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