Category Archives: Blog

Lake Breeze Pinot Blanc set the mood at Finding Vino

Blog, White Wine October 6, 2016 Leave a comment

lakebreezeName – Lake Breeze Pinot Blanc

Region – Okanagan Valley; Naramata Bench District

Description – Wine is intensely fruity and aromatic with great complexity and balance consistently clean, crisp and fresh

Aroma – Mineral, pear, ripe apple, and floral aromas

Body – medium-bodied

Taste – Crisp and clean with a smooth texture and notes of peach and green apple infused with a flinty-smoky essence

Attack – Open with pear and apple skin notes followed by mouth-watering tropical fruit and pear notes

Finish – Zesty

Food Pairing – This Pino Blanc wine goes well with a lighter type cheese, swiss, goat or fontina cheese on a light cracker. Quiche Lorraine or asparagus quiches make a great pairing also.

 

 

Relax Cool Red makes for a chill evening at Finding Vino Toastmasters

Blog, Red Wine August 23, 2016 Leave a comment

Relax-Cool-Red.jpgName of Winery – Unknown

Name of Wine – Relax Cool Red

Region produced in – Rheinhessen Region, Germany
Types of grapes in wine – Dornfelder
Characteristics of wine – Sweet, simple
Look – deep and rich red
Smell – fruity, black cherries and plums
Taste –  not too sweet, not too dry, lively acidity, fruity but not too grapey
Finish – smooth

Food Pairing – The wine pairs well with appetizers and cheesy food.

Why not try a food that is more popular with Canadians than with any other nationality – Kraft Noodles! It fit the theme of the meeting which was ‘Remember When’. Several attendees agreed that it reminded them of their youth when they were at college or university and Kraft was convenient, although few said they are fans of it nowadays. We experimented by serving half the people a version made the traditional way with milk and margarine, the other half received Kraft made with mayonnaise. The traditional version was voted the best by a large majority.

Cava Mas Fi Brut Serves Up Winners At Finding Vino Toastmasters

Blog, Sparkling Wine, White Wine, Wine July 21, 2016 Leave a comment

mas_fi_cava_brutName: Cava Mas Fi Brut

Region: Vilafranca del Penedes Estate, Catalan country of El Penedes; municipality of Torrelles de foix40 km south of Barcelona, Spain

Grapes: Macabeo 35%, Xarel.lo 40%, Parellada 25%

Colour – straw yellow color with green tones

Appearance – bright; elegant & balanced Spanish sparkling with fine bubbles,

Aroma – soft aging aroma with signs of flower, ripe fruit & citric; white flower & citrus scents dominate the nose

Body– shows good weight & mouth feel

Taste – palate offers fresh stone fruits & pleasant creamy flavors

Attack – a complex, structured palate

Mid-Palate – extremely vivacious in mouth compensated with a pleasant elegance & equilibrium; with papaya, thyme & baked apple flavors

Finnish – medium long & smooth on the finish

Food Pairing — Pairs with salads containing fruits (especially apples, grapes, and pears) or nuts, pasta and rice dishes, fish, spicy foods, poultry and white meats. Also pairs well with lamb, stews, and carpaccio. This wine also goes with desserts or enjoyed as an aperitif.

Meiomi Pinot Noir Rules The Day At Finding Vino Toastmasters

Blog, Red Wine, Wine July 4, 2016 1 Comment
cq5dam.web.1280.1280Name of Winery – Meiomi
Name of Wine – Meiomi Pinot Noir 2014
Region produced in – California Sonoma County, Santa Barbara County, Montery County
Types of grapes in wine – don’t know
Characteristics of wine – flavorful, full of berries, chocolate, vanilla, a bit of oak.
Look – dark garnet, velvety
Smell – berry and earthy
Taste –  expressive boysenberry, vanilla, dark cherry
Finish – smooth
Food Pairing – goes with just about anything, delicious with salmon, smoked salmon, cheese, fish or pork.

The Grape Grinder Pinotage Showcased At Finding Vino

Blog, Red Wine May 5, 2016 Leave a comment

207540-the-grinder-pinotage-2013-bottle-1427884215Name of Winery – The Grape Grinder

Name of Wine – The 2014 Grinder Pinotage

Region produced in – Swartland, South Africa

Types of grapes in wine – 100% Pinotage – (a unique South African crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsault)

Characteristics of wine – Medium bodied with well-integrated medium tannins and red fruit. Great structure.  Awarded silver medal at 2015 International Wine and Spirits Challenge.

Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 89-90 points

Look – Ruby Red

Smell – Coffee, chocolate, dark fruit, vanilla, hickory and toasted oak character.

Taste – Cherry, Blackberry and carob on the palate. Big flavor.

Finish – long

Food Pairing – Pinotage never has the elegance of a fine burgundy, but it will go with the same sort of dishes as a more robust, rustic Pinot Noir.  Suggested pairings are:  grilled meats, smoked or pulled pork, French Bistro selections as in baked pasta or pizza, strong cheddar or blue cheese, fruits as in figs or blueberries, vegetables as in peppers, portabella mushrooms and dark chocolate.

Served at our meeting on May 3:

1)      Small slice of meaty pizza, which brings in the flavors of meat, cheese and has a French Bistro feel

2)      A piece of strong cheddar cheese; Balderson – Vintners Cheddar Cheese, extra old

3)      Fruit selection of grapes and dried figs

4)      A treat of a piece of Coffee Crisp Chocolate bar, thereby complimenting the coffee and the chocolate of the wine.