Portugal is Knocking - 2
 The South - Alentejo and Terras do Sado

Alentejo was my greatest surprise and my biggest crush during a recent trip to Portugal.
The wide open spaces, gently rolling landscape, the arid, savannah-like geography. The oak cork trees dotting the roadside constantly drew my attention, as the sun warmed me during that end of October excursion. The sunsets in Alentejo are stunning - ranging from burnt orange to brilliant fuchsia while the wines are bold and sometimes as untamed as the Alentejo terrain. This is a region that is seeing resurgence. Youth, enthusiasm and modernism is returning to this modest land. Once young people left the small villages here to find work in Lisbon. Now they return to create a new life for themselves...


continued...

Read more about Southern Portugal... 

 Holiday Suggestions
 Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino, DOCG Toscana, 2003

Wonderful smoky/sweet cherry aromas, tar and saddle leather, coffee and sunbaked earth, dried flowers, forest floor and cocoa. The palate is full- bodied and typically earthy - leather, espresso, tobacco and pepper, cedar box and fresh spiced, red fruit.
A great gift idea or special occasion bottle that already has some age!
$69.99 BC

91 points winescores.ca

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 Holiday Suggestions
 Saxenburg Guinea Fowl 'White', Coastal Region, South Africa, 2006

A blend of Chenin Blanc and Viognier this interesting white is appealingly aromatic with peachy/pear and floral aromas, citrus and spiced butter with mineral undertones. Softly rounded and ripe on the palate with buttery flavours, oak spice and citric fruits with just a hint of peach skin. Great minerality and acidity with a slightly weighted texture.
Would pair nicely with sweet, creamy yams spiced up a bit.
$19.00+ BC private stores

89 points winescores.ca

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 Holiday Suggestions
 Chanson Le Bourgogne 'Pinot Noir', Burgundy France, 2005

Sweet raspberry and pomegranate, licorice and mild spices with undertones of cherry. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity on the palate featuring spiced red fruits and cedar. Delicate in the mouth, soft, with fine tannins that linger.
Pair with holiday dinners of duck or salmon.
$27.99 BC private stores

89 points winescores.ca

more holiday wine suggestions... 

 Holiday Suggestions
 Road 13 'Old Vines' Chenin Blanc, Okanagan Valley BC, 2007

Fragrant!
Peaches and honeysuckly, crisp apple and mandarin peel supported by loads of minerality and a pinch of white pepper. Fresh and creamy on the palate with buckets of vibrant stone fruit and citric flavours - clean, crisp and very well balanced.
Lovely!
$19.00+ BC private stores and at the winery

90 points winescores.ca

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 Holiday Suggestions
 Gemtree 'Uncut' Shiraz, McLaren Vale Australia, 2006

Intense. Dried fruits, plums and chocolate covered blackberries, pepper and smoke, leather and a hint of blueberry. The palate bursts with fresh summer berries and is supported with earthy flavours - leather, smoke and allspice. Great acidity. A solidly built wine that is tasty to the last drop.
$24.99+ BC

91 points winescores.ca

more holiday wine suggestions... 

 Holiday Suggestions
 more reviews on WineScores.ca from...

• Wolf Blass - Australia
• Chateau des Aveylans - France
• St. Urbans-hof - Germany
• Sumac Ridge - BC
• Road 13 - BC
• Pentage - BC
• and more...

link to more reviews on WineScores.ca... 

 Top 100
 Looking for tasty, affordable wines for your holiday party?











Look no further - click below for Wine Diva's Top 100 wines - as reviewed over the past 12 months!

And they are all under $20!

Click here for 100 wines under $20... 

 The Tasting Room
 



"...The Tasting Room is the radio version of an audio blend, a Meritage for the soul."
Terry David Mulligan and his guests discuss food, wine, viticulture...

Listen across Canada each Saturday to hear Wine Diva's weekly wine reviews.

The Tasting Room - is on Saturday...
10am - noon am 1150 in the Okanagan or listen on www.thetastingroomradio.com
and now...
Vancouver 5-7pm on "The Buzz" am 1410 (formerly CFUN)
and Sundays in Toronto at 7:30 am on the "Best of the Best" am 740
Saturdays in Edmonton on the "TEAM" am 1260

This week - December 5 I talk about my recent trip to Chile the wonderful wines and warm hospitality and December 13 - its more about Chile and then some great holiday wine suggestions!..

Link to The Tasting Room Radio... 

 Taste this!
 




Taste this:

Early Bird tickets are now on sale for the 2009 Playhouse International Wine Festival - For details click here

Some event details on WineDiva's events page...