June 23, 2021

Massaya Rosé

Beqaa Valley, Lebanon

750 ml, $27.99

The Massaya winery was created in 1998 by two brothers, Sami and Ramzi Ghosn, who were forced to escape Lebanon at the outbreak of civil war in 1975, and returned in 1992. The Massaya Rosé hails from the high altitude hillsides of the Beqaa Valley. 100% Cinsault from 30 year old vines, it has a gorgeous strawberry colour with aromas of red berry fruits and subtle spice along with a lovely freshness.

June 16, 2021

Lake Breeze Pinot Gris

Okanagan Valley, Canada

750 ml, $25.99

"Homegrown" on the Naramata Bench in the Okanagan from the beautiful Lake Breeze Vineyards, which is named for the winds that blow across the bluffs year round. The Lake Breeze Pinot Gris is a fresh, lively and fragrant white wine, with aromas of peach and other orchard fruit with floral hints and a touch of spice. On the palate, it is crisp and medium-bodied, with fresh pear and stone fruit flavours that are balanced with lemon zesty acidity and finishing with white pepper spice and lingering clean mineral flavours. Pairs well with coconut shrimp!

June 9, 2021

Texier Chat Fou

Côtes du Rhône, France

750 ml, $29.99

The Texier Chat Fou is a light bodied red wine from the Northern Rhône in France. Eric Texier is a vigneron focused on old-school, minimalist winemaking with an emphasis on soil and biodynamic/organic practices. The wine is made from 80% Grenache from the northernmost Grenache region in France, co-fermented with white grapes (Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Marsanne) for the remaining 20%. Fresh and fruity with mineral touches and aromas of strawberries and other red fruits — enjoy as an aperitif or pair with meat and rice dishes.

June 2, 2021

Adega de Monção Vinho Verde

Monção e Melgaço, Minho, Portugal

750 ml, $18.99

The Adega de Monção Vinho Verde comes from the Minho region in Northern Portugal and is made from Alvarinho and Trajadura grapes. The winery, Adega de Monção, was founded in 1958.

The wine has a bright appearance and young fruity character, with hints of peach and apricot, lemon zest and bitter oranges. Fruity, steady and dry, pair this wine with oysters, grilled fish, salad or fresh seafood!

May 26, 2021

Travaglini Nebbiolo Coste Della Sesia DOC

Piedmont, Italy

750 ml, $36.99

Hailing from Gattinara in Italy's northern Piedmont region, this 10)% Nebbiolo has refreshing acidity and soft tannins. The wine is aged 4 months in stainless steel tanks before spending 10 months aging in used Slavonian oak casks from Croatia. It has aromas of red fruit, blackberry, plum and liquorice along with hints of vanilla and leather. Full-bodied on the palate, with intense flavours of cherry, raspberry and spice culminating in a long and smooth finish. Pair this wine with red meat dishes or hard cheeses. Will reward with cellaring up to 5 years!

May 19, 2021

De Martino Gallardía Cinsault Rosé

Itata Valley, Chile

750 ml, $26.99

The De Martino wine company was founded in 1934, with four generations of family history specializing in producing wines that stand out because of their sense of place, purity and balance. They farm sustainably and use traditional vinification techniques in order to produce wines that faithfully reflect the vineyards they come from.

The De Martino Gallardía Cinsault Rosé is a tribute to the coastal vineyards of Chile's Itata Valley, which is the cradle of the country’s viticulture with vines dating back to 1551!

This rosé is 100% Cinsault and is fresh and food friendly. It has red berry aromas of medium intensity, accompanied by subtle citrus and floral notes. With its medium body and smooth texture, the notes of ripe red fruit are balanced by fresh, aromatic acidity. Enjoy as an aperitif or pair with cold cuts or seafood!

May 12, 2021

Clos Cibonne Cuvée Tradition Rosé

Côtes de Provence, France

750 ml, $42.99

The Clos Cibonne Cuvée Tradition Rosé is from a legendary producer known for producing age-worthy rosés similar to Lopez de Heredia in Rioja. Made from organic, estate grown 90% Tibouren and 10% Grenache grapes, it was aged 12 months in oak foudres before bottling. Notes of jasmine, dried peach, apricot, herbs, spice and berries. Pair with grilled fish with olives and fennel over saffron rice. Unlike most rosé wines, you could age this wine for a decade or more to develop even more complexity and tertiary notes!

May 5, 2021

40 Knots Spindrift Extra Brut

Comox Valley, Canada

750 ml, $52.99

Established in 2005, 40 Knots is a family-owned and operated winery from Comox Valley, Vancouver Island who are focused on environmental and social sustainability. Spindrift is a traditional method sparkling wine made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, harvested early to retain high acidity while being very dry. Aromas of honeydew, melon, citrus, apples and toasty bread, with flavours of bread and crisp tart apple coupled with a rich creaminess and fine bubbles. Pairs well with fresh seafood - bonus if it's from Vancouver Island!

April 28, 2021

Mitolo Jester Rosé

McLaren Vale, Australia

750 ml, $26.99

The Mitolo family arrived in Australia in the 1950s, bringing their viticulturist ancestry from Italy's Abruzzo region with them. After years of working in his family’s potato business, Frank Mitolo started making wine for family and friends. The winery works closely with its growers, the Loprestis. The Loprestis, also Italian immigrants and old friends of the Mitolos, have an affinity with their land, producing fruit of the highest quality. The fruit is the essence of Mitolo, with a depth of flavour garnered from heavy clay soils, yet freshness thanks to the gentle afternoon sea breeze.

This rosé is lifted and floral with notes of white peach, strawberry and fresh cut melon. On the palate, it's fresh, crisp and delicate with bright summer berry flavours and a long, dry finish. Pair with fresh, grilled seafood with a plate of grilled vegetables.

April 21, 2021

Koyle Gran Reserva Syrah

Colchagua Valley, Chile

750 ml, $18.99

A 100% organic Syrah from Chile's Colchagua Valley, the Koyle Gran Reserva Syrah is a great wine to enjoy with spicy food (i.e. Thai cuisine), red peppery meats like BBQ or goat cheese. The vines are farmed biodynamically in granitic rocky soils, where the roots can bring minerality and complexity to the wine from the rocks. Aged in French oak barrels for fourteen months, it has aromas and flavours of dried herbs, earth, cassis, espresso and black fruit, along with a fresh, lengthy finish and elegant, fine tannins.

April 14, 2021

LoosenBarry Walhalla Riesling

Mosel, Germany

750 ml, $45.99

This is a rare, special wine that is a collaboration between two of the world's top Riesling producers - Dr. Loosen in Mosel, Germany and Jim Barry Wines from Clare Valley, Australia. The 2016 LoosenBarry Walhalla Riesling is made from Mosel Riesling grapes, but in an Australian style, where it's made bone dry, lean, flinty and precise. The wine spends 2 years aging on lees in stainless steel followed by another year aging in bottle prior to release.

Features aromas of lime, mango, peach, lemongrass, pineapple & honey, with a medium body, sharp acidity and flavours of tropical fruit. You can cellar this wine —and be well rewarded—for up to 8 years!

April 7, 2021

Gorgo Bardolino Chiaretto Rosé

Veneto, Italy

750 ml, $20.99

2020 vintages of rosé wines are starting to arrive, including this stunner from Veneto, Italy. The Gorgo Bardolino Chiaretto Rosé is a blend of Corvina, Rondinella & Molinara, which are classic grapes of the Veneto region. The Gorgo vineyard was established in 1973 in the village of Custoza, beginning with only 22 hectares and now stretching to over 60 hectares! The wine has fragrant aromas of fresh summer fruits like watermelon and apricots, with a dry, zesty, fruity and floral palate. Drinks well on its own or pair with sushi or cold meats!

March 31, 2021

Peique Ramon Valle Mencia

Bierza, Castilla y Leon, Spain

750 ml, $28.99

From a family-owned winery in the village of Bierza, the Peique Ramon Valle is made from 100% Mencia grapes from vines that are 45-55 years old. The Peique winery started in 2001 after 90 years of growing grapes! It has aromas of red and black berries alongside a balsamic and mineral background. Sophisticated, lively and with a fresh mouthfeel, the palate has a great balance between fruit and minerality. The wine was aged 7 months in French, American & Russian oak barrels. Pair this wine with grilled meats or steak tartare!

March 24, 2021

Pithon-Paillé Grololo Rouge

Loire Valley, France

750 ml, $35.99

Winemaker Jo Pithon is a star of the Loire, championing low intervention, biodynamic winemaking and wine growing practices. The result is pampered grapes producing faithful grapes year after year that are low in tannin, high in acid, and perfect for pairing with anything or drinking on its own. The name "Grololo" is a play on the Grolleau grape the wine is made from, a grape indigenous to the Loire Valley in France - it also happens to be children's slang for breasts, hence the cheeky label! Serve slightly chilled at 12 Celsius - this wine pairs with just about anything and is incredibly easy to drink!

March 3, 2021

Natte Valleij Coastal Cinsault

Western Cape, South Africa

750 ml, $31.99

We love a wine with a cool story. Natte Valleij oozes a sense of history with its homestead, old wine cellars, brandy stills, magnificent mature gardens with ancient trees, pergolas and ponds that are all surrounded by whitewashed walls. It has been around since 1715, but it was only in 2005 after a 50 year hiatus that the farm began growing grapes again. During that hiatus, the Natte Valleij farm bred some of South Africa's finest racehorses for 27 years! This wine is 100% Cinsault from old bush vineyards spread across the Cape of Good Hope, and is super drinkable and fresh with flavours of rustic, juicy berries and peppery spice. Pair with roasted meats and veggies with flavourful sauces!

February 24, 2021

Lyrarakis Vidiano Queen

Crete, Greece

750 ml, $26.99

Family-owned winery Domaine Lyrarakis was founded in 1966 in the Cretan village of Alagni, and this family played a pivotal role in saving Crete's indigenous grape varietals from extinction, including the Vidiano grape. Vidiano is considered a leading contender for the island's top white wine, and this wine is tasty. Aromas of apricot, citrus, and fresh peach balanced with noticeable white floral and herbal character makes for a juicy and irresistible glass.

February 17, 2021

Bodegas Cota 45 UBE Paganilla 2018

Jerez, Spain

750 ml, $53.99

We're super stoked about this exciting, unique wine from Jerez, Spain - the winemaker, Ramiro Ibáñez, has his sights set on reviving tradition in Jerez and going back to making table wines from the grapes traditionally used to make fortified sherry wines. The Cota 45 UBE Paganilla, made from only two plots of 100% Palomino growing on the traditional Albariza soils of the "sherry triangle", has amazing complexity. It is a bright, powerful and concentrated wine that you don't come across very often, especially outside of Spain! On the nose, lime, green apple, nuts, fennel, tobacco, bread and licorice. On the palate, dry and full bodied but clean and crisp - it has a sherry-like taste (think apple must) with salty-lime peel. Pairs great with seafood or other briny dishes.

February 10, 2021

Carmen DO Mezcla Tinto

Maule Valley, Chile

750 ml, $32.99

Hailing from Chile's Maule Valley (and one of its top producers), the Mezcla Tinto is a tasty red blend. Made from 60% Carignan, 30% Garnacha and 10% Pais, it has aromas of flowers and herbs like the countryside in spring, along with pollen and spices. The palate is balanced with fine tannins and flavours of sour cherries, purple fruit, violets and complex, exotic spices. The wine was fermented in concrete and matured in concrete egg for eight months. Suitable for aging, but very tasty right now!

February 3, 2021

Bourdy Cremant du Jura

Jura, France

750 ml, $33.99

Our wine of the week hails from the Jura region in France - squeezed in between Burgundy and Switzerland. It's relatively unknown by the masses because only 10% of wine from this region is exported - so we're really lucky to have this Bourdy Cremant in Alberta! Made from 100% Chardonnay, this bright and engaging sparkling wine made in the traditional method will pair great with the entire meal, or drink as an aperitif. Bourdy is one of France's eldest winemaking families. With a light body and fine bubbles, this wine is best served chilled around 3-5 Celsius and enjoyed young. It has notes of apple, pear and fig with ginger and toast on the finish.

January 27, 2021

Bill Downie Petit Verdot

Yarra Valley, Australia

750 ml, $33.99

This wine's creator, William Downie, was trained to make Pinot Noir in Burgundy, but has evolved to not mimic Burgundy and instead create wine that evokes his place on earth in Australia. Here he has taken Petit Verdot, a notoriously fickle grape, and created something outstanding in a region known mainly for quantity over quality. The wine is made up of 100% Petit Verdot from an organic, biodynamic vineyard in the Yarra Valley, made with spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts followed by 8 months aging in stainless steel tanks. Features aromas of rich, dark berries, ink and violets, and on the palate its bright, juicy and fresh despite the rustic tannins. Pair this wine with grass-fed Alberta beef striploin!