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

2006 Domaine William Fèvre Bougros Grand Cru Chablis

Fresh fields of flowers in the aroma, almost sauvignon blanc-like. A big wine, big flavors with both light fruit and maturity in the body. Light acid in a finish that ends buttery and lemony. 13% alcohol.

2006 Domaine Billaud-Simon Vaudesir Grand Cru Chablis

Almost deceptively light at first in its aromas and flavors. Very elegant wine, benefits from being opened for a while to round out the flavors. Moderate alcohol (13.5%). Later, it remains ethereal: a suggestion of smoke in the aroma, then a hint of a memory of tropical fruit wafts by your palate.

2006 Olivier Leflaive Première Cru Montee de Tonnerre Chablis

An aroma of fresh fields, herbs and wildflowers. A light-medium body, smooth on the tongue, with a touch of spice. Nicely balanced with a sizeable finish. And only 13% alcohol.

2007 Domaine le Verger Chablis

Having visited Burgundy in the summer of this “difficult year”–rainy and cold; wore all my sweaters plus raincoat every day–I was curious to see what had been produced in Chablis. This wine has a sweet, fruity nose with a hint of tropical fruits, barely ripened. A light but pleasant body, and medium lemony acid in the finish. It took some time to settle down in the glass; better the next day. Bonus: only 12:5% alcohol.

2008 Domaine Bernard Defaix Petit Chablis

A lightly earthy aroma, more grape than tropical fruit. On the tongue, a touch of sweet fruit, with fruit in the finish too, along with some light, citric acidity. Pleasantly easy to drink. Asks for smoked seafood! Low alcohol at 12.5%!

2007 Donnafugata Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria DOC

When people who don’t love sweet wines ask for more, you know this is a particularly great vintage – and I’ve had this wine several times before. A floral hint wafts up at first. Early sips are orange, apricot and raisin, deepening to raisin and fig as it opens in the glass. Acidity and sugars are beautifully balanced. The apricot finish is just long enough.

2008 Cowhorn Vineyard Spiral 36, Applegate Valley

Blend of Viognier 35%, Marsanne 30%, Roussanne 35% grapes. This wine is made at the certified biodynamic Cowhorn winery with natural yeasts and no malolactic fermentation. Light golden color with great clarity. Apple and pear flavors with some delicious honeysuckle on the nose. Refreshing acids make it a solid choice for roast chicken.

The Single Wino

On the last day of December I sat and made a to-do list for 2010: eat more greens, go to yoga regularly, and find good wine packaged in single serving bottles.

Sumac Ridge Tribute “Silver” Sparkling Wine

One can be content with the silver, in this case. It is a pleasant, crisp traditional method sparkling wine, made from 100% chardonnay. Lemon and citrus aromas, with a touch of toasted bread, on the nose, and apple and a touch of pear on the palate, with plenty of lively bubbles to give it a true sense of celebration. Not terribly complex, but neat and well-made enough to keep you smiling through the final hockey game – where silver, however, will not keep Canadians content.

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