Alanna McIntyre
Product Specialist
Vigneron Jean Foillard is an icon in Beaujolais. He has been in charge of his family’s domaine since 1980 and was mentored by the father of the French natural wine movement, Jules Chauvet. He tends to his vines organically, does a 3-4 week traditional whole-cluster ferment, ages his wine in neutral oak barrels and never chaptilizes, adds sulfur or filters his wines. The result is a wine that is truly an expression of place (what the French call terroir). So, if you are looking for a wine made with minimal intervention, that tastes pure and natural with concentrated red berry fruit, savoury notes and underlying minerality, this wine is for you. Gamay’s medium body and juicy acidity makes it an ideal wine to drink on its own or to enjoy with charcuterie, chicken, turkey and ham.
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Jason MacLeod
Assistant Retail Manager
Consider this a sneak preview of how great this vintage will be for those Brunellos you’ll be tucking away when the ’16s are released. The grapes that go into this bottle are organic, hand harvested and are the same that will eventually find their way into the 2016 Brunellos. Birba’s grapes are aged for about a year in smaller barriques, rather than the three years that the grapes have to age in order to become Brunello.
This vintage of the Birba is intense; huge cherry aromas. On the palate you’ll find a silky mouthfeel with red fruits and a backbone of measured acidity.
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Jason MacPhee
Wine Category Manager
Le Ballon winery located in the Languedoc region of France makes pure, organic, approachable wines at approachable price points.The Cabernet is the 4th wine which we have stocked in the line and all 4 have been staff and customer favourites.
Black Cherry, Blackberry with a hint of Bell Pepper on the nose is followed by pronounced fruit on the palate. Medium bodied with soft tannins and balanced acidity make for an easy going style of Cabernet Not a wine that needs analysis just pair it with simple fall foods and let yourself enjoy.
Make sure if you enjoyed Le Ballon White or Rose this summer to try the Cabernet this fall as the temperatures begin to cool down.
Jenny Gammon
Brand, Communications & Event Manager
I’m a sucker for a vibrant, fleshy Riesling and this gem from the Okanagan’s Tantalus is no exception. Ripe, juicy fruit and tons of zesty, refreshing acidity give this wine complex aromas and flavours.
Looking for my key to happiness this October? Eat dumplings and drink Riesling!
Kathryn Harding
Sommelier and Retail Manager
Fall nights require smooth rich reds and the Vina Santurnia Reserva works perfectly. Made predominantly of Tempranillo this organic wine from Rioja is aged in a combination of 70% American & 30% French oak for 24 months. Don’t be scared of the long oak aging the barrels are 5-8 years old so they make the wine smoother, not oakier. The nose is overflowing with cherry, dried fruit and soft vanilla, it kept on smelling it all the way to the last drop. The palate is full of red fruit, subtle spice with a finish that is smooth enough to enjoy without having to overthink it. Enjoy as the nights get darker and the Netflix shows get longer!
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Lucas Mader
Beer Category Manager
Are you ever in the mood for a 100% certified biodynamic, small lot, hand harvested Syrah from the foothills of Crozes-Hermitage that’s grown in clay and limestone soils, is fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in cement tanks and retails for $38!?! Well, then this just may fit the bill for you. David Reynaud has made quite the name for himself in making beautiful expressions of Syrah in the Crozes-Hermitage area. This wine is unfined and unfiltered, and showcases powerful dark fruit notes along with complex herbal and spicy undertones. Due to the winemaking utilized, this Syrah doesn’t drink quite as heavy-handed as some in it’s price range, but that’s alright with me. Enjoy with braised lamb shoulder with a date and mint sauce. Or just drink it.
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Martha Kelly
Retail Staff
This has been a favourite Pinot Noir of mine for quite some time, as it consistently delivers on both quality and value.
In the glass, clear, very reflective and bright. Aromas of ‘almost-in-the-oven’ Cherry Pie that include dominant red fruit and bread/pastry dough. Notes of leather, newer oak, and a pleasant amount of smokiness. The palate delivers what the nose has promised; generous bright red fruit and wonderful baking spice aromas to round everything out. Fine, integrated tannins make this suitable on its own or ready to pair with anything from a cheese plate to a traditional turkey dinner!
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Ryan Almeida
Retail Staff
Named after its creator Dr. Friedrich Zweigelt, Austria’s most planted grape is a cross between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent. This grape was made to withstand drought, frost, and disease. Wines made solely of Zweigelt (TSVYE-gelt) tend to have an abundance of acidity and red fruit characteristics – reminiscent of cherries, as well as a very deep and inky appearance in the glass. Crunchy red-fruit, anise spice, and medium-bodied makes this red extremely food friendly; think thanksgiving turkey with cranberries or most vegetables currently in season!
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