2007 Tinhorn Creek Merlot – Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

I served Tinhorn Creek’s ’07 South Okanagan Valley Merlot with our grilled hamburgers, homemade rosemary-and-olive-oil tossed chips and coleslaw. On the nose the wine was floral and fruity, with a dusty undertone. On the palate, flavors of berries, dark cherries, and a little cocoa worked well with the smoky goodness of the burgers and savory potatoes. While not terribly complex, this wine is juicy, bright and well balanced. To read more about the wines Kathleen drinks, visit her blog Between the Vines

NV Sumac Ridge Sparkling Rosé – Okanagan Valley, BC

A blend of 51% Pinot Noir, 30% Gamay Noir, and 19% Ehrenfelser—is a fresh and sassy sparkler, with lots of citrus and berry flavours and a frothy mousse that shouts fun! Each sip left my palate clean and ready for more smoked salmon, cheeses and crunchy fresh veggies with dip. While there certainly was a lot of fruitiness, I didn’t get a sense of sweetness with this wine. To read more about this wine, visit Kathleen’s blog post on Between the Vines.

NV Sumac Ridge Sparking Gewürztraminer – Okanagan Valley, BC

When first poured, the wine shared aromas of citrus and tropical fruits, along with floral and honey notes and an exotic spiciness. The palate, however, didn’t produce what my nose told me to expect. At all. I got some floral, spice, and citrus on the palate, but the elements didn’t come together. I found its sweetness cloying, not in harmony with its acidity and fruit. To read more about this wine, visit Kathleen’s blog post on Between the Vines.

2007 Rollingdale La Droite – Okanagan Valley, BC

This wine is a red-wine blend made up of 94% Merlot, with the balance comprised of Cabernet sauvignon (3.8%), Malbec (2%), and Cabernet franc (0.2%). As soon as I brought this wine to my nose, I started enjoying it: aromas of red fruit, wet stones and spice. On the palate I found juicy berries, ripe cherries, plums and spice. The wine filled my mouth with a roundness that wasn’t the least bit “mushy”—the acidity made the wine bright and the gentle tannins gave it structure. And boy did it go well with the chicken pot pie. Just one caution: drink it when you pour it. To read more about this wine, visit Kathleen’s blog post on Between the Vines.

2008 Strut Red Over Heels, Okanagan, British Columbia

I found plums, blackberries, black olives, and spice on the nose, with plums and ripe cherries on the palate. This simple, pleasant wine is value priced and ready to drink now. It worked just fine with tonight’s meat loaf and would probably match up with any meat dish that wasn’t too rare or rich. Read Kathleen’s full review on her blog Between the Vines

2008 Strut Risqué Rosé, Okanagan, British Columbia

The strawberry and banana penny candy on the nose is a sure give away of the Gamay component of this wine. The rest of it—aromas and flavours of strawberries, sour cherries, and rhubarb—work together for an enjoyable value-priced BC rosé. Juicy and nicely balanced, I’d buy this one again. Read Kathleen’s full review on her blog Between the Vines

2008 Strut Well-Heeled White, Okanagan, British Columbia

Lots of tropical fruit and citrus on both the nose and the palate with this entry-level white wine. For the price, it will serve perfectly as that Tuesday-after-work patio wine. And, when someone wants to add ice cubes in the glass or mix it with soda, you won’t flip out. Read Kathleen’s full review on her blog Between the Vines

2008 Masi Modello Rosso Delle Venezie

I found a dusty minerality, ripe red fruits and berries, and a little sweet spice on the nose. On the palate were juicy red fruits, berries and cherries, vanilla and spice, with soft tannins. A great Italian food wine that will go well with meats and tomato sauces. This wine promises to please a crowd without breaking the bank. For Kathleen’s full review visit her blog Between the Vines

2008 Tenuta Villanova Pinot Grigio Friuli DOC

This wine had salt-water taffy and flowers, with white and green fruits on the nose. On the palate were fresh fruits and steely notes, finishing with a burnt-caramel taste that was really quite yummy. It had more body and depth than many Pinot Grigios I’ve tasted. This is another great Italian food wine that will go especially well with soft cheeses and creamy pastas. The bonus is this wine’s as kind to the palate as it is to the pocket book. For Kathleen’s full review visit her blog Between the Vines

2006 Bodegas y Vinedos del Mediterraneo Lujuria

Lujuria hails from Yecla, a lesser-known region than its immediate neighbors, Jumilla, Almansa and Alicante. This wine is considerably more complex on the nose than expected, with aromas of jammy dark red and black fruits, dill, licorice, coffee and a dusty component. Although a bit simpler on the palate, the red and black fruits, coffee and herbaceous elements come through and tie in nicely with its acid and tannins. Easily a Tuesday-night-with-leftovers wine that I’d buy again.

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