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Twelve Important “New” Canadian Wineries 2023 By David Lawrason Dobbin Estate, Twenty Mile Bench, Ont. This super-premium Niagara winery has an impressive tasting room in a tower that models its lofty aspirations. The Dobbin family purchased the unique vineyard in 2018. With south- and north-facing slopes sloping into a very large pond, the site was geologically varied enough to ping the radar of Niagara consultants Peter Gamble and Ann Sperling. They started with a replanting to Niagara’s core varieties like riesling, chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet franc. But it is not as simple as replanting. They are deep into rootstocks, clones and other viticultural minutiae that build options that can respond to Niagara’s becoming infamous vintage variation and create complexity and texture. And likewise, that is what these wines are all about. Whether masterful riesling, luxe chardonnay, energized pinot noir or the delicious soon-to-be-replaced cabernet blend, the wines are all subtlety, depth, textural grace, richness and elegance. With my scores in the mid-90s for complexity and finesse, registering their success. Tastings in the tower tasting room — set amid classical European gardens overlooking the pond — are by appointment.Website: dobbinestate.com https://lnkd.in/gXRB8V7Z

Incredible, Old-Vine Cabernet Franc from Loire Valley 🇫🇷 Laurent writes, "Without question, Loire is one of the most interesting wine regions in the world. I say "most interesting" because the wines of Loire Valley express character unlike any other place on earth. Immediately, the Sauvignon Blancs of Sancerre or the Chenin Blancs of Vouvray may come to mind, but I find the most unique character is revealed in the Cabernet Franc wines of Saumur, Chinon, Bourgueil and in particular, St. Nicolas de Bourgueil. While the individuality of all these regions is impressive, it is the pure expression and subtle distinction shown in St. Nicolas de Bourgueil that is, for me, one of the most fascinating aspects of the Cabernet Franc from Loire. With the increasingly warm temperatures in the Loire Valley, Cab Franc is experiencing a renaissance, reaching consistent levels of ripeness that ensure an explosion of concentrated fruit flavors, soft tannins and textural richness that are coupled with a refreshing acidity, complex minerality and impeccable balance. Today’s wine, l’Éclosion — an old-vine Cabernet Franc from Cave Bruneau-Dupuy — is a textbook example of St Nicolas de Bourgueil… The wine is elegant, pure and complex, a sure sign that winemaker Sylvain Bruneau has mastered all the intricacies of Cabernet Franc and the region — in both the vineyard and the cellar — perfectly encapsulating all the nuances of the varietal and its terroir." On special this week: 2021 Cave Bruneau-Dupuy l'Éclosion St. Nicolas de Bourgueil Usually $30, take advantage of 10% off 1-5 bottles ($27/BTL) and 15% off 6+ bottles ($25.50/BTL) for this week only (2/23/24 through 2/29/24). Shop here: https://lnkd.in/eFHMx3tu

A #WineCoValue if there ever was one: Bodegas Muga Reserva! ACCOLADES: Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: 94 Points The 2019 Reserva, comes from a dry and warm year with low yields and concentrated wines. The grapes from the Haro zone, the four from Rioja, Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo and Graciano fermented destemmed and lightly crushed in oak vats with indigenous yeasts, and 80% of the volume matured in French oak and the rest in Centro European and American oak, 20% of them new, for 22 months, during which time the wine was racked every eight to nine months. This is serious and young but balanced, nuanced and complex. They are shortening the time in oak, as they feel they have better and younger barrels and think the wines need less time in oak and more time in bottle. This is very Muga, very Rioja and very good. James Suckling: 94 Points This is a structured and linear Muga Reserva with a creamy and fine-tannined backbone and graphite, cherry, plum and black-truffle character. Medium-bodied, racy and beautiful. #WineCoDrinks #Sustainable #SustainableRioja #BodegasMuga #Muga #ReservaRioja #MakingEveryDayAnEarthDay #WineCoValues

Seen some terms used to discuss champagne but aren’t really sure what they mean? Here’s a quick guide! 🖊 Terroir: Identical grapes grown in different places, even if vinified the same way, make different wines—this is because of differing terroirs. It is the influence of soil, climate, elevation, terrain, vineyard management and the surrounding flora, fauna and micro-organisms, among other factors. Terroir can be understood as the identity of a place (and time). 🖊 Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC): Formalised in 1936, the Champagne AOC is the legally defined area from which champagne can be produced. The appellation system strictly regulates almost every part of winemaking: from the planting and management of vines to the bottling and labelling of wines. In doing so, both the terroir expressions and traditions unique to the appellation can be preserved and ensured. The AOC label (a legal certification) guarantees authenticity, and you’ll find AOCs for other products like cheese, meats and spirits. 🖊 Cru: The Échelle des Crus system historically designated the percentage of a set price to be paid for grapes from particular villages. In modern times, this is only a rough guide, since improvements in viticultural knowledge have improved quality across the board. The last change to the designations was in 1985, when several villages were promoted to Grand Cru, and the classification system was finally abolished in 2010. The terms ‘Grand Cru’ and ‘Premier Cru’ can still appear on champagne labels; however, they are no longer considered an indicator of price or quality—rather, they remain as a nod to Champagne’s history. 🖊 Lieu-dit (plural: lieux-dits): Roughly translating to ‘named place’, a lieu-dit is named according to historical or topographical specificities. Houses occasionally make lieu-dit (aka mono-parcellaire or single-vineyard) wines to highlight the terroir of a single vineyard or parcel of vines. Are there any words you want to learn more about? Follow me for more! Santé! 🥂 🔗 SallyHillman.com.au #champagne #wine #wineeducation #winelover #lifestyleandleisure

🍇 Highlighting a Masterpiece: 1945 Le Dominicain Banyuls from Roussillon 🌟 [Image: A single bottle of the magnificent 1945 Le Dominicain Banyuls, with its label and capsule in pristine condition, displayed against a backdrop of the terraced vineyards where it originated.] 🏔️ In the Heart of Tradition: Nestled in the eastern Pyrenees, on the Côte Vermeille's steep slopes overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, lies the origin of this exceptional Banyuls wine. Produced in the historic towns of Collioure, Port-Vendres, Banyuls-sur-Mer, and Cerbères, it's a true embodiment of tradition and terroir. 🍷 1945 Vintage - A Year of Excellence: Recognized for its extraordinary quality, the 1945 vintage stands out for its extreme power and incredible aging potential. This Le Dominicain Banyuls is a testament to that exceptional year. 🔍 Wine Details: Type: Sweet Wine Vintage: 1945 Producer: Le Dominicain Region: Roussillon, France Bottle Size: 0.75L 👁️ Pristine Condition: The bottle comes with a fully intact, readable label and a fully intact metal capsule, ensuring its authenticity and excellent preservation. 🌍 A Connoisseur's Choice: This Banyuls is not just a wine; it's a journey through history, offering a taste that has been nurtured by time and nature. 📈 Investment and Enjoyment: A rare find for collectors, investors, and wine enthusiasts alike, this bottle represents both a remarkable investment opportunity and a chance to experience a slice of wine history. 📩 Contact Us: For inquiries about this exquisite wine or to explore our extensive collection of fine wines, please reach out to us. 🔞 Responsible Enjoyment: At Rue Pinard, we advocate for the responsible consumption of alcohol. You must be of legal drinking age to purchase and enjoy. #RuePinard #VintageWine #Banyuls #LeDominicain #1945Vintage #FrenchWine #WineCollectors #RoussillonWines #WineInvestment #LuxuryWines

Markus Molitor, owner and founder of Weingut Markus Molitor known for his single plot Rieslings from prime sites across the Mosel, is taking a different approach from many of the international producers that are present on the Place de Bordeaux - choosing to entrust it with the sole distribution of his new monopole estate Domaine Serrig. This Grosse Lage (Grand Cru) monopole is the first winery in Germany to be exclusive to the Place, and the first white wine - meaning its two Riesling wines will distributed by négociants for every market globally except for direct to consumers from the property. 'Currently I make around 25 wines from a range of single vineyards across the Mosel, reflecting the entire range of the Prädikat system,' Molitor told me when we met in Bordeaux a few weeks ago. 'Some have a production as low as a few hundred cases, and many are distributed only to specific markets. This new property, Domaine Serrig, is the opposite of that. We are making just two wines, at a large scale, following more closely the Bordeaux method of production. It makes sense therefore that we use the Bordeaux distribution method to ensure it can reach many different markets'. We taste the wines and speak to Markus about his plans, this #newcontentthursday #germanwine #placedebordeaux #septemberreleases #newcontentthursday #winecritic #subscribercontent #beyondbordeaux

#faces The second life of Jean-Christophe Coubris The civilisation of wine is often presented as a closed, coded and sometimes cryptic world. But that is forgetting that, for centuries, it has always welcomed newcomers into its fold, that these newcomers have sometimes raised the vineyard or vineyards they were responsible for to the highest standards in their region and that, most of the time, these novices in the vineyard have made a major contribution to changing the face of their industry. Since the beginning of this decade, Jean-Christophe Coubris has divided his professional life into two very distinct worlds, but with equally deep roots. Son of a lawyer, he himself became one of the leading figures in the field of personal injury law, from medical malpractice to road or industrial accidents. The same family roots led the Coubris family to take charge of Château La Mouline, a classic Moulis wine (now classified as an exceptional Cru Bourgeois). In 2022, Jean-Christophe took over from his brother, bringing with him as many ideas as inspiration. The La Moulinette cuvée, bottled in bourguignonne, marketed as a Vin de France rather than a Medoc appellation, and vinified without sulphur, opens the ball by responding to the Bordeaux bashing with a strong argument: pleasure. This is a highly original entry in a range that continues with Château La Mouline, a more classic appearance, but still vinified without sulphur and with a maturity of fruit that is well enhanced by ambitiously controlled ageing. Prolix like any good lawyer, Jean-Christophe Coubris lets loose with a third cuvée combining Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon, matured for up to two years in new barrels and in 'Eggonum', an egg-shaped vat combining stainless steel and wood. This parallel life is off to a good start, and we'll be following it with interest. Thierry Desseauve photo Mathieu Garçon #bettanedesseauve #hochiminhcity #winecritic #winelover #winetasting #tastingnotes #wine #vin #葡萄酒 #ワイン #와인 #winelife #winetime #winestagram #wineblog #instawine #drinkresponsibly #bettanedesseauveasia

#Kelter, one of the latest products released by the Trentino winery Cavit Group, is an enveloping pure Lagrein, Trentino Doc, in the Reserve version, characterized by its intense ruby red color and a bouquet of wild berries with a slight note of vanilla and cocoa. The name reveals the essence of this quality wine: in German, Kelter means a wine press, the traditional tool used for pressing grapes.   Break Design has created Kelter’s #visualidentity, developing a highly impactful and elegant #image through different #fonts and spacings with strong personalities. A stylized dark silver wine press in relief refers to the meaning of the name, and the overall effect is a #Premium wine that encapsulates the best expression of grape varieties linked to the tradition and history of the territory. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eNQK2sfH #Breakdesign #beveragepackaging #packagingdesign

This year, the Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect, celebrated wines from Marlborough’s subregions and Pinot Noir came out on top for the Southern Valleys. Ara Resolute Pinot Noir 2021 was awarded the Fruitfed Supplies Champion Southern Valleys trophy, further solidifying Marlborough’s reputation for quality Pinot Noir. Encompassing Omaka, Fairhall, Brancott, Ben Morvan and Waihopai Valleys, the Southern Valleys are known for having varied soils and an ability to produce particularly good Pinot Noir and aromatics. Ara Winemaker Jeremy Tod shared a little about the winning wine and how it felt to have it recognised among some high quality competition… Can you tell us a bit about the Ara Resolute Pinot Noir and what makes it special? Was there anything particularly standout about the 2021 vintage? This is a great example of New World Pinot Noir, made in a way that respects the land where it was grown. The Ara Resolute Pinot Noir is grown and produced organically, which really seems to add an increased dimension of complexity and richness to the wine. 2021 was a low yielding vintage, and one with a high degree of ripeness variability. Through painstaking fruit sorting, and then careful delicate extraction during fermentation, the team have crafted a wonderful rich, ripe Pinot Noir with fine grained tannin and subtle floral notes that are quite typical of the Southern Valleys. What is it about the Southern Valleys that contributes to producing beautiful Pinot Noir? Soil, aspect, and diurnal temperature fluctuation! The Southern Valleys subregion has quite variable soil, based on clay and iron rich gravel. This lends itself to Pinot Noir fruit that develops rich, fine grained tannin. The Southern Valleys have several north facing slopes that are usually 80-150m higher in altitude than the valley floor, and this leads to warm daytime temperatures, and cooler night temperatures. This higher diurnal temperature fluctuation allows great anthocyanin development, and this gives Southern Valleys Pinot Noir their beautiful dark colour. Read more:⁠ ⁠ https://lnkd.in/diU2GGar ⁠ #marlboroughwinenz⁠ #marlboroughwineshow⁠ #nzwine #marlboroughnz⁠

Wednesday Wines – Episode 161 – Château Figeac, Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A   Blandine de Brier Manoncourt Figeac is a remarkable wine estate, and the 2022 vintage (which you8 can read about in my 2022 Bordeaux En Primeur Report) marks the 130th year in which the Manoncourt family has owned this noble Château.  Figeac is close to the Saint-Emilion / Pomerol border and has a curious mix of terroirs.  Unusual in Saint-Emilion, this property has gravel hills and vineyards full of flint and quartz as well as clay and sandy ironstone.  There is only 6ha of gravel soil in the 5400ha in greater Saint-Emilion, which explains why the Cabernet Sauvignon grape features so prominently in Figeac’s wines.  As a rule of thumb, Figeac sports a 1/3s blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.  This means that no matter what happens during the growing season, these wines always have an enviable degree of inbuilt complexity. Figeac is a reasonably large https://bit.ly/450Vruh