My Favorite Finds of 2023

Well that year seemed to go very fast. It was an interesting year for me. Getting diagnosed with rectal cancer late in 2022, 2023 was a year of radiation, IV chemo and chemo pills. Still, I had many good times this past year and even managed a glass of wine now and then. Here are some of my favorite finds from 2023.

My Favorite New White Wine

My friend Joan bought the winner of the best white wine of 2023 to my place. This is the Casasole Orvieto from Umbria Italy. If you look it up at your local liquor store, the first pairing is Asian cuisine. I love making spicy noodle dishes with chicken and vegetables, and this wine is perfect.

This wine is fantastic and priced at $18.84 a bottle, a spectacular deal. The wine is medium bodied on the palate with gorgeous notes of tropical fruit and pears. There is a little hint of sweetness on the tongue that makes it perfect for any Asian cuisine, cheese, and pasta dishes. I loved it.

PS. My homemade sauce for this dish is so easy. Chicken broth, corn starch, hoisen sauce and soy sauce. And then I add hot sauce, and usually from red chili flakes, because I like a bit of spice.

One of the highlights for our family this year was the addition of Maggie’s sister Lexi. She turned 6 months old on January 1st.

And she is just a big floof ball. This picture was taken when I was just home for Christmas. She thinks she’s a lap dog. Weighing in at over 50 lbs now, she has grown a lot since Jackie got her the end of August

My Favorite Red Wine

I understand this is a treat wine, and not one for everyday consumption, but this is probably the best wine I have ever had.

The Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley is spectacular, but it will set you back $70 for the bottle. Full-bodied, yet fresh and bright, this wonderful wine has tasting notes of caramel and baking spices. Just absolutely delicious, and a great treat wine.

Another highlight for me, was ringing that cancer bell.

After completing 15 weeks of IV along with 10 chemo pills per day, I was happy for my final one and to ring that bell before I left the long term Chemotherapy unit. 

My Favorite Best Value Find

Since Canyon Road has been discontinued here, the wine on the left has become the new staple in my wine rack. Vivo Robusto Red from Chile is $12.75 a bottle and it’s a really good wine at a really great price. Made from 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% other grapes, this Chilean red blend is a spectacular value. 

Not only was 2023 the hottest Summer on record for most of the world, we had some wild wacky weather here in Eastern Canada. Halifax, after experiencing wild fires in June that caused so many people to lose their homes, saw severe flooding in July. 

Favorite Find priced at $20

With the continual increases in the price of wine, it’s getting harder and harder to find a really good wine under $20. I did find one though and it’s a 90-Pointer.

Hailing from Argentina, the Lui Blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. A full-bodied blend that is luscious and juicy and has a really nice finish. It’s $18 a bottle and one of my favorite finds of 2023.

I hope everyone has a great January and a fabulous 2024

Till next week, Cheers

Darlene