Red Wines for Wintry Weather...and Romance!

Calgary received its first snowstorm of the season earlier this month. Although our fair city is well known for its extreme weather patterns and long winters, this bout of winter arrived way too early. This local photo went viral almost as soon as it was tweeted out:

Those three days of heavy wet snow that plagued our city inspired me to curl up in front of the fireplace with my husband, enjoy some wine and try not to look out the window. We focused on reds from Northeast Italy, specifically from the Valpolicella and Trentino DOCs. The two exceptions here are the bottle of Rioja I decided to sneak into the mix, and my husband's choice of a Super Tuscan. Price points for all bottles range from under $20 to $60 CDN. Here is what warmed up our souls, and ignited some romance as well!

1. Folonari Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso 2012

Young and fruit-forward, with flavours of raspberries, blueberries and mocha lingering on the palate. Silky tannins and fresh acidity add to the smooth mouthfeel. A great accompaniment to pork ribs, and will warm you up on wintry nights! Decant for 30-45 minutes before serving so the fruit flavours can really shine.

2. Intaglio Trentino Rosso 2009

Notes of red cherry, earth and a wild animal whisper combine with soft tannins to create an alluring mouthfeel. Medium bodied and juicy, this wine paired well with smoked Gouda cheese and a cold weeknight.

3. Corallo Ripasso 2010

Another ideal weeknight wine, showing a flavour profile of dark cherries, raspberries and chocolate with a surprising earthiness mid-palate and a raisin finish. The high alcohol content makes this Ripasso very food friendly, and beef and pork dishes really brighten up the fruit.

4. Tommasi Maremma Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo 2011

A lively, approachable Super Tuscan, which is composed of 60% Sangiovese and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Notes of fresh cherries, blackberries and black pepper combined with soft, focused tannins and mouthwatering acidity round out the palate. This wine is very food friendly and pairs well with everything from pizza to roast beef. Drink now or age for a maximum of 5 years in cellar.

5. Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva 2008

Full-bodied and powerful, with edgy acidity and grippy tannins. Aromas of red currants, plums, vanilla and musk lead into the palate, with cedar notes on the finish to reflect the oak aging of the wine. Pair with lamb roasts, game meats and hard, strong cheeses. Decant 2 hours before serving. Drink now or age in cellar up to 7 years.

6. Tommasi Amarone Della Valpolicella 2010

This wine will seduce you with racy acidity and silky tannins well integrated to it's voluptuous, full body. Notes of black cherries and savoury chocolate lead into a caramel finish. Curl up with your significant other, this wine and a blanket in front of a roaring fire and romance is surely in the cards!


Winter will hopefully still be awhile before it settles in here, but when it does, I'll be ready and well-armed with wines to keep my mind off the weather, and on my sweetie :) Whatever beverages light your fire, enjoy!

Wine for the Soul

"If you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain" - Dolly Parton originally, but I first heard it in The Fault in Our Stars.

Normally, quotes don't hit that hard with me. But this line triggered a fountain of emotions, making me sob like a baby. that was not the part of the movie I expected to cry at.

I am currently experiencing my second major loss this year. Emotional wounds that I thought were healing are now open again, bringing a rainfall of tears on my cheeks, a flood of emotions in my heart as I grieve, and a downpour of physical side effects. In times like these, it's hard to remember that this too shall pass, and at some point this will all become a distant memory.  

Last night I sat down with a bottle of Viognier for a future blog post. I took my first few sips to begin my tasting notes, and all of a sudden a fleeting moment of calm and relief came over me as I was swishing the wine in my mouth. Because I was so caught up in my own negative emotions, I had somehow forgotten how happy wine makes me, no matter how bad I feel.

"Wine cheers the sad, revives the old, inspires the young, makes weariness forget his toil." - Lord Byron

Wine is there for you. Think of all those lonely bottles on store shelves, wanting to make you happy. How many of you have thought "I can't wait to get home, put my feet up and drink a bottle of wine" after a bad day? Or made an impromptu side trip to your local liquor store or pub because you wanted to be cheered up? One of my favourite ecards refers to wine as a life coach at the end of a hard day:

Wine is a hug for the soul and a blanket for sorrow. Same thing for those who prefer beer or other spirits. The key is to enjoy them all in moderation. Unfortunately, there are some people out there who drink alcohol in excess to deal with the really tough stuff, but addiction is a whole other story. How many times has a glass or 2 of wine made you smile through your tears, even for a moment? How many of you have taken that first sip and thought "Wow, I'm really enjoying this"?

Case in point: My father. He was diagnosed with tonsil cancer back in 2008. Thirty-five radiation treatments destroyed his sense of taste for 4 months. Once he was finished treatment and beginning to heal, he found that wine confirmed his tastebuds were returning, helping with the emotional healing process. Fast forward to today: he is currently 5 years cancer-free, and also has a healthy collection of red wines including Amarone and Chateauneuf-du-Pape that he tucks into regularly.

This also happens in the movie (spoiler alert!): the star-crossed lovers are treated to a romantic dinner, which includes a bottle of Dom Perignon. Check out the video clip here. This becomes the pinnacle happy moment in their relationship, and the couple enjoys another bottle of sparkling wine on one of their last good days together.

Multiple studies have been performed on this subject, and if you google "studies that wine makes you happy" or something similar, you'll get pages of hits. How much fun would it be to participate in those studies?!

We all have a journey to take in life. There will be happy times intertwined with challenges. The sun won't shine every day, and we are all guaranteed to be caught in the downpour of life at some point. But while we are stuck in the rain, why not try and find shelter, whatever it may be, and reach for a good bottle of wine to enjoy while we wait for our rainbows? Or you could also dance in the rain: 

That's what I'm going to do. And I know as I continue along my healing journey, my wine journey will help me get back to being okay.

My Favourite New World Cabernets

I love Cabernet Sauvignon. So in honour of #CabernetDay on Twitter, I decided to put a list together of my favourite Cabs, both single varietal bottles and blends. Prices range from inexpensive to premium. Here they are sorted by region: 

Chile

1. Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 or 2012. $20 CDN

A pronounced and perfumed bouquet of red fruit, roses and black pepper will seduce you. Fresh flavours of red currant, musk and green pepper will leave you wanting more. Ripe, grippy tannins are well integrated to the concentrated mouthfeel. Pair with grilled red meats or pot roast.

2. Concha y Toro Terrunyo Block Las Terrazas DO Pirque 2008 $33 CDN

The Maipo subregion in Chile is known to show hints of menthol in their Cabernet Sauvignons, and this wine reflects this with a flavour profile of dark cherries, eucalyptus and a hint of mint. The wine is unfiltered, but adds powerful tannins that don't overpower the palate. This has been my go-to bottle for #CabernetDay the past 2 years in a row.

3. Vina Casa Silva Dona Dominga Cabernet Carmenere 2011 $15 CDN 

The 2011 Dona Dominga Cabernet Carmenere is a fun, juicy and fruity red with aromas of blackberries, spices and coffee. The ripe tannins are well integrated to the body and structure of the wine. This wine pairs well with more casual foods like pizza and burgers, as well as with meats like venison and prime rib. An easy drinking, mouth-pleasing red wine. 

4. Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 $20 CDN

A full-bodied, intense wine with a flavour profile of blackberries, coffee & tobacco leaf. Vegetal notes mid-palate that intertwine well with the ripe tannins. Very food friendly, great with lamb and can handle a heavier cut of beef.

Australia

1. Majella Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 $40 CDN

Deep ruby in colour, with notes of red cherries, green bell pepper and a lovely medicinal hint. The full body boasts racy acidity and well-integrated tannins. Complex and shows its terroir well.

2. Wynn's Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2010 $20 CDN

Coonawarra Cabernets tend to carry a menthol note in the wine, and this one does not disappoint in that regard! Each varietal in the blend is well represented in this full-bodied beauty, with plum, blackberry, spice and coffee notes. The soft, silky tannins last well into the long finish. This wine pairs well with roasted lamb and gamey meats, and can also be enjoyed on it's own. 

United States

1. Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2009 $120+ CDN

This is the big splurge of the list, but it is well worth it! The bouquet is an intoxicating blend of red currant, blackberries and a hint of mocha. Elegant, well-structured tannins and a smooth, full body on the palate leave you wanting more! The smoky finish adds to the appeal of this premium wine. Consumable now, but also has an aging potential of 10 years.

2. Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 $15-$20 CDN

This wine is perfect for a BBQ or a casual weeknight dinner, and is excellent value for the money. A fruit-forward, fun wine with notes of currants, blackberries and a hint of asparagus. Ripe tannins and mouth-watering acidity make this wine an excellent accompaniment to steak and burgers. 

Canada

1. Laughing Stock Vineyards Portfolio - Any Vintage $40-$50 CDN

Ok, this one isn't much of a value. But it is my favourite Canadian Cabernet blend, consisting of 61% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. A powerful red wine with notes of red cherries, eucalyptus and black olives on the palate. There is a subtly beautiful hint of oak that doesn't overpower the flavour profile. The tannins are supple but strong, and this wine could still benefit from a few more years in the cellar although it is drinking well now. Decant for 1-2 hours before drinking. 

2. Mission Hill Five Vineyards Cabernet Merlot 2011 $20 CDN

Notes of fresh strawberries, blackcurrant leaves and green beans are intertwined with mouthwatering acidity and grippy tannins. This lively, easy drinking wine would be great to bring to a BBQ and pairs well with burgers and grilled pork.

3. Sumac Ridge Estate Winery Cabernet Merlot 2011 $15-$20 CDN

This wine has the approachable charm of a Merlot combined with the body and structure of a cool climate Cabernet Sauvignon. Notes of plum, blackberry and green bell pepper with a smooth finish. Excellent on it's own or paired with grilled pork and roasted chicken. A fun wine to share with good company!

Hopefully you find a wine here you'd like to try, also like some of these wines, or find this helpful when shopping. If you do have luck here, I'd love to hear about it! 

Cheers, and if you made it this far, thanks for reading!