Wine Central

July features the wines of Chile – at a savings of 10% off these premium kits, ready to bottle in just 6 weeks.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon: red and black berries accented with black pepper carry through from start to finish.  Medium body with soft tannins.  Dry, medium oak, medium body.  Kit sale price:  $99.00, Kit made on premises:  $152.33

Chilean Carmenere: Deep crimson, with dark cherry aroma, red fruits and berry notes running to a smoky, spicy finish with notes of dark chocolate and tobacco.  Medium-full body, moderate tannins, dry and medium oak.  Kit sale price:  $99.00, Kit made on premises:  $152.33

Chilean Merlot: fruit forward with plenty of red berries and spice.  Soft, easy tannins.  Dry with medium oak.  Kit sale price:  $99.00, Kit made on premises:  $152.33

Chilean Pinot Noir: bright ruby colour with delicate aromas of red berry.  Light-medium bodied and supple, this is an elegant wine with soft tannins and a subtle oak finish.  Kit on sale:  $107.10, Kit made on premises:  $160.43

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc: a gorgeous nose of honeydew, peach and gooseberry is followed by a silky palate with white peach and mineral flavours.  Dry, no oak.  Kit on sale:  $99.00, Kit made on premises:  $152.33

This is a great time to stock your cellar for the holiday season ahead!

Australian Shiraz/Viognier originates in the Riverland region.  The grapes have a highly concentrated flavour, aroma and body.  Blending 90% red and 10% white grapes brings lush balance to this lively, deep ruby wine.  The wine has great structure but the overall impression is soft and velvety.  The long, gentle finish is ripe and appealing with surprising complexity.

Sweetness: 0 (dry)  Alcohol: 12.5-13%  Oak: 120g French  Body: Full

Pacifica White contains Semillon from Australia, Chardonnay from Black Sage Bench in the Okanagan Valley, and Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier from California’s north coast.  It showcases bright fruit, excellent structure and a long layered finish.  Delicious and ready to drink almost immediately this wine has the ability to change with time, evolving notes from one grape to the next.

Sweetness: 1 (off-dry – perfectly balanced and luscious)  Alcohol: 11.5-12%  Oak: none  Body: Medium-Full

I mentioned we blended three wines to keep my good friend Patti happy.  She loved the Limited Edition California Lake County Trio Blanca – but it’s no longer available.  We combined the Vintners Reserve Pinot Blanc, Selection Original Sauvignon Blanc and the Selection International South African Chenin Blanc.  Patti and I bottled the wine last Friday – and it tastes great!  I’ve put my share in the cellar, and will give it a couple of months, then compare it glass to glass with the Trio Blanca….because I have 2 cases of that in my cellar!  I wanted to name it Blankety Blanc, but Patti declared it was her inspiration, and therefore should be named “Inspired Trio”.  I’m good with that!

is how my friend Patti started the conversation – “I absolutely love the Limited Edition California Lake County Trio Blanca.  I want more!”

Unfortunately, there are no more kits available – which is one reason we encourage people to attend our Limited Edition Tasting Event and if they find a wine – or all 5 wines – they love, order more than one kit.  Now, you have to meet my friend Patti to know she wasn’t going to take no for an answer.  She just said – then make me a clone!

So – here’s my scoop…We’ve combined and blended three wines to see if we can come close to the Trio Blanca.  If you remember, it was a blend of Pinot Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc.  Right now, the blended wines are very happy sitting and waiting to finish.  The expected bottling date is August 23.  I’ll keep you posted and let you know how the wine turns out.  If it’s wonderful, we’re going to name it the Blankety Blanc wine!  Cheers!