Monthly Archives: August 2023

Another Weekend, Another Storm!

Here I sit, the last Saturday of August, and there’s another Special Weather Statement. More rain for Halifax and Nova Scotia. The last thing we need is more rain. We went from dry dry weather and scary fires to historic flooding and lots of rain in August.

I’ve took a few extra vacation days this week and have been loving my down time. I’ve been getting together with friends.

This is my friend Arla with a new white wine I got to try. Hey Buddy white wine is a collaboration between local brewer Garrison Brewery and local winery Avondale Sky. A beautiful crisp white blend of L’Acadie, Vidal, Frontenac Blanc, and Muscat. It was delicious and a nice full white wine with a solid mouthfeel. They do call L’Acadie Nova Scotia’s equivalent to Chardonnay, but there was also a very nice refreshing acidity. I really enjoyed it.

While there, we tried this wonderful cheese, Cambozola. I am guessing it is a blend of Camembert and Gorgonzola. It’s like a very very mild blue cheese. I decided to put the cheese into some burgers.

The result was amazing.

A delicious brioche bun, some extra mozzarella, fresh homemade pickles, bacon (of course) and some seasonings. It was a winner.

This is the wine I had with this burger

A brand new wine I’ve tried for the first time. The Lost Peak name refers to the often clouded, obscure view of the Cascade Mountain Range, which starts in British Columbia, here in Canada, and continues down through Washington State, Oregon and Northern California in the U.S. This is a full-bodied red wine, I recommend aerating it or letting it breathe for a while. It can be tannic and a little boozy when first opened. Letting it breathe will soften any harshness. Dark fruit, mocha and tobacco notes, priced at $22.99 here, it’s the perfect pairing for any meat on the BBQ.

Happy Saturday everyone. Enjoy the remainder of the weekend, and as always, thank you for taking some time to read my wine blog

Darlene

California Dreamin’

 I have a very special affinity for California wines, having been to the Napa Valley in 2001.  I also spent some time around Coastal California, and I just love the state.  The scenery took my breath away, the people were fantastic and the wine…. nothing short of spectacular. It’s on my bucket list to go back, and I have a friend, Arla, who would love to go as well.

I stayed in the northern tip of the Napa Valley in a little town called Calistoga.

Calistoga
Calistoga map

Here is a picture of Calistoga, and as you can see from the map it is at the Northern tip. I did, however, drive to the Napa Valley, so I got to see a lot of it.   Staying in Calistoga was lovely, with a population of about 5500, it was quaint and friendly and easy to get around.  Known for it’s spas, I went for the wine. 

ne of the vineyards I got to visit, which was on a hill overlooking Calistoga, was Sterling Vineyards.  I was so excited because this brand is available here in Canada.  They make a variety of good wines in every price range.

Sterling Vintners Reserve has a Cabernet Sauvignon as well as a Merlot. (Ignore my Nespresso Coffee maker in the background LOL) This is the Cabernet, which is priced at $20 a bottle. I’ve had both, and they are both great wines.

Just down the road from Calistoga is St. Helena, known for some pretty famous wineries.

As a matter of fact, you can walk from vineyard to vineyard, there are that many of them.  St. Helena is in the heart of the Napa Valley and home to many familiar brand names.  Beringer, Sutter Home, and Francis Ford Coppola just to name a few.  It is also home to some of my favorites.

Here is a picture I took of the Robert Mondavi Winery

Robert Mondavi is located in St. Helena, and I visited this vineyard twice.  It was just so beautiful.  Again, Canada sees a few wines from this vineyard, ranging in price here in Nova Scotia from $16 to $70.

Here’s one I’ve had this past week. A tasty Cabernet that comes in under $18. Mondavi’s goal was to put good wine on every table. At one point, the original Robert Mondavi, only wanted the highest quality, which came with a higher price tag. He criticized both of his sons for introducing the lower priced Woodbridge and Coastal lines. His sons knew they could produce a quality wine that came with a lower price tag.

And last, but certainly not least, my absolute favorite. Francis Ford Coppola’s Winery.

I bought so much wine from this Winery. They sell a spectacular Merlot, as well as a Rosso Red Blend. I literally left California with a case of this in my vehicle.

But I think they make one of my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon wines, and my nephew gave me a bottle Christmas of 2021.

Francis Ford Coppola has been quoted as saying making films and making wine are two great art forms.  And I tend to agree with him.   I visited this particular Vineyard three times during my 10 day visit.   You just can’t see it all in one visit .  He also has olive trees and makes his own olive oil right on site.  When I was there I met a lady who said she drove for 90 minutes and she was stocking up.  In her own words, the best olive oil she has ever tasted.   I was disappointed I only bought one bottle.   They also have an extensive gift shop where I bought some beautiful napkins .

Keep in mind there was no such thing as an I-phone when I was there. It was old fashioned cameras, so I didn’t take as many pictures. This was so cool. Upstairs in the Winery is a room dedicated to his film making, including a case with these Oscar statues. It is an absolute must visit if you are anywhere near the Napa Valley.

Well that’s it for me for this week. Till next week, Cheers

Darlene

Back from Vacation

Hi Everyone. I’m back from vacation. It’s been a couple of weeks, but when I finished chemo the day after my birthday, I went to Newfoundland and got back Wednesday past.

Had a great time with family and friends. Spent some time on the water. And of course with the beautiful Maggie.

As you can see, my 88 year old Mom is doing wonderful. And Maggie just loves her Nan.

Meanwhile, Nova Scotia is being nicknamed Jumanji after some wild weather.

On July 21st we received 250 mm of rain and flash flooding. 4 people died as a result of these floods. It was devastating.

And we have received lots of rain since, and flooding in some areas. After the fires that devastated so many homes, I know we were all praying for rain, but Mother Nature went a little overboard.

Ok, let’s talk some wine.

Even though I think it’s being discontinued, this is my new favorite go-to. Quatro, meaning 4, has 4 grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Syrah and Malbec. All 4 grapes are full-bodied on their own, and together they are like a beautiful symphony. What’s so unique about this wine is that each grape is aged separately in oak casks, and then blended. At around an $18 price tag and a 90 Point rating, this wine is a winner.

Remember my quest to replace Canyon Road, as it has been discontinued.

This was a great wine priced at around $12. I was disappointed it was discontinued, everyone I served it to loved it. Here’s the closest so far.

Vivo Robusto Red from Chile is priced at $12.75 a bottle here in Nova Scotia. It is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and it’s a good wine at a good price point. A great “second” bottle. Notes of cherry and blackberry, with a hint of vanilla, you should give this a try.

A couple of more pics from vacation to end the blog, Maggie in her pretty pink life jacket, and my nephew Riley and his lovely girlfriend Mikyla.

Quick Cancer update. I had a CT scan done Thursday, all clear, the cancer has not spread anywhere. I had a scope done yesterday and the chemo and radiation did not annihilate the tumor, which I call Adolf Shitler. So I have to have surgery sometime this Fall. I’ll keep you updated as I learn more, I have to have an MRI done first.

Enjoy what’s left of Summer. Till next week, Cheers

Darlene