Category Archives: Wine

I’m sitting here on a Saturday, enjoying a great coffee, but feeling a little melancholy because the time has come. Surgery time, that is. My surgery is this coming Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. so I probably won’t be writing a wine blog for a few weeks.

The last wine blog was letting you know I was escaping the cold weather and heading South

Well, that didn’t go exactly as planned, because we were supposed to fly out on a Saturday morning at 9 a.m. But then Snowmageddon hit Halifax

We finally got out at 1 p.m. on Monday afternoon, because 83 cms of snow over 2 days tends to shut this city down. We still didn’t get it as bad as Cape Breton, which got 150 cms of snow. That, my friends, is a lot of snow.

My sister and I did enjoy spending the time together, however, personally we wouldn’t go back to Cuba. The people were amazing, however, the supply issues in Cuba are affecting basic necessities like hand soap and toilet paper. The food wasn’t great either, and they only had 1 kind of wine on the resort. They did make a great ice coffee.

I’m not going to share about the wine there, it was a drinkable Spanish wine, but we can’t get it here, so why bother. This wine you can get here.

We went to an Italian a la carte restaurant while there, I was hoping for some Italian wine. They didn’t have it, but here’s a nice affordable Italian wine for you to try. This is a blend of 70% Sangiovese and 30% other grape blends. It’s priced under $20 a bottle and very easy to drink. A great fruity red wine to have with pizza or roast chicken.

I’m going to keep it short this week. I had to do my colostomy training yesterday and I’m still coming to terms with having this bag attached to me for the rest of my life. The good news is that hopefully, fingers crossed, as of Tuesday, I will be finally Cancer free. There is also a significant amount of pain that comes with rectal cancer. There are 2 types of colon cancer, bowel and rectal. Mine was rectal and it was low. So much so that it was uncomfortable to sit.

So, from me to you, take care of yourself and I’ll be back in a few weeks once I’m feeling better. Thank you so much for all the kind notes and supportive words over the past 16 months when I started this journey.

Thank you

Darlene

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

Where has the time gone. Christmas Eve is next Sunday. I’m heading home so there won’t be a wine blog next weekend. It’s a busy time of the year for most of us, and I love relaxing with a great wine and a good Hallmark movie. There were a few filmed here in Nova Scotia, including this one called Christmas Island.

Although the weather outside can be frightful, here’s some delightful wines for you to try this holiday season.

I tried a new white wine last weekend. My friend Joan bought this wine to my place and I really liked it. 

This Italian wine made by Ruffino from the DOC Orvieto. Known for their white wines, they tend to be blends from a blend of Grechetto and Trebbiano. The Grechetto grape is tastes like a Pinot Grigio and an unoaked Chardonnay got together. Not as acidic as a Pinot Grigio, but it does have some, which make it bright and tasty. Citrus notes with hints of spice, this sgreat white wine is priced at $16, which makes it a win-win.

What is your elf name?

A little bit of fun finding your elf name. My name is Happy Superplum. My sister would be Puddin’ Pickle-Pants. I may have her to call her that when I see her at Christmas. Let me know your name in the comments!

So I have started my Christmas wrapping. OMG, I have mine and my mother’s gifts to wrap. I took this picture to show the wrapping essentials, not the bows, the Bailey’s! It’s nice to enjoy a beverage while wrapping. You can even have a glass of wine.

Here’s one to consider. I wanted to try a new wine the other night, which produced a bit of a funny story at the liquor store.

I’m what you call a bit of a regular, so when I ran into one of the regular staff, she said, “Are you having trouble finding something?” I said, ‘I’m wanting to try something new’. She went on to select several bottles that she found really popular, and I had tried them all. She laughed!

The Avenue Syrah Grenache hails from the South of France, and the grapes are harvested from the high-altitude clay and limestone slopes, which results in a complex wine. Inspired by the popular wines served on cobblestone patios of the French brasseries, it was so easy to drink with notes of cherry and spice. Priced at just $17.99, finding great wines under $20 are getting more difficult to find, I really enjoyed this one.

There won’t be a wine blog next weekend, as I will be travelling home for Christmas. The next wine blog will be my yearly round-up of my favorite finds from 2023. I want to take a moment to thank all my readers who open this page each week to read my ramblings. It’s humbling that I get to share some of your weekend. But most of all I want to say thank you for all the kind words you sent along as I spent 2023 battling colon cancer. I can’t tell you how much they meant to me. I want to wish all of the best of the holiday season, and to a wonderful and healthy 2024. 

Merry Christmas

Love Darlene

Yes, it surely is. I do love the month of December. It’s been VERY cold here in Halifax, however, nothing warms the cockles of my heart like a nice glass of wine. There was no wine blog last weekend because I was in Antigonish.

Regular readers know my nephew Riley, it’s so hard to believe he is in his 4th year at St. FX University, and last weekend, he received his X ring. So proud.

Had the entire family here….. for 12 days! That’s a long time to have family staying with you. No, I wasn’t speeding out to the airport they day they went back. LOL

Love to see them come, and after 12 days, love to take them out to the airport.

I’m very grateful to have a kitty that doesn’t go near my Christmas tree. Ok, quick update on my Cancer. I saw the cancer surgeon Thursday and the Cancer is still remaining so in the new year I am having the Surgery. Even though I will have a colostomy bag for the rest of my life, I’m still one of the lucky ones. The cancer will be gone. I’ll keep you up to date when I know a date. Although the Doctor told me it’s quite a recovery time, I am looking forward to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, the cancer will be gone. I’m ready.

Let’s talk some wine.

This beauty is on sale at our liquor stores right now. Sea Sun Pinot Noir from the Wagner family of wines. The same people who make Caymus and many other delicious brands, have hit it out of the ballpark with this lovely Pinot Noir. You’ll need to let it breathe. Pinot Noir can have a higher alcohol content, and my first sip was a little boozy. You can feel that in the back of your throat, a little burning sensation. After letting it stand for 20 minutes, it was perfect and delicious. Sourced from the coastal areas of California, the long growing season makes for a beautifully captivating wine with hints of brown spice and vanilla. Sea Sun also makes a Chardonnay for my white wine loving readers.

A little bit of cuteness before I talk about the next wine. I got to spend some time with 5-month old Lexi last weekend. She’s the cutie on the left, and on the right is my Maggie. My sister had them both groomed yesterday and they are as adorable as they look. Bernadoodles have the sweetest personalities.

Ok, My friends Fred & Arla took a drive outside of Halifax and found this gem of a store.

There are so many great small towns in Nova Scotia, that all have something unique to offer. I love exploring this province. Well, they found a BBQ store in Upper Onslow, Nova Scotia and this store was unbelievable. Arla took a picture because the variety was fantastic. I will definitely be making a trip. The store is called BBQ Heaven, and you know me, I love a good piece of BBQ Heaven.

Ok, here’s another great wine to give as a Christmas gift that won’t break the bank.

It’s hard to believe this fantastic Cabernet Sauvignon from California is $20. It is so hard to get spectacular wines at that price point anymore. This is actually a blend of 77% Cabernet, 20% Merlot and 3% Tannat. Tannat is a grape varietal from France that are used in blends, that you don’t normally see in California blends. This wine is so good. Here in Halifax, I have to go downtown to get this wine, but if you see it, pick it up, it is so good.

Holy cow, it’s hard to believe Christmas Eve is 2 weeks from tomorrow. Have fun, don’t stress too much and give yourself a breather every once in a while.

Till next week, Cheers

Darlene

Halloween is not until Tuesday this year, but this is the weekend many people tend to do their Halloween parties. I’m not a huge Halloween person, (Christmas is my time), however if I were to ever dress up, this would probably be my costume.

Before I give you a little update on my cancer, I have to share a picture of the wonderful group of people I work with who helped raise money for another form of cancer.

Q104, one of the radio stations I work for, have been raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for many years. We dedicate all the money from our Summer golf tournament to this cause and on Tuesday past was the first in person Light The Night since the pandemic hit. It was a great event, and I am proud to be a part of it.

So, I responded really well to radiation, chemo pills and IV chemo. The spot remaining was small. I have to have a scope and an MRI monthly to keep an eye on it. Well, the little bastard, who I call Adolf Shitler, didn’t take long to start changing. My cancer surgeon is putting a rush on the next MRI so he can take a really good look, but from the scope, it looks like it’s growing again. So, surgery may be in my future, much sooner than I expected. I’ll keep you up to date. Thanks for sharing my journey with me.

Now, let’s talk some wine. But first, I did small dry ribs last night in my air fryer, and OMG were they ever good.

My apologies for the dark picture. They are tavern ribs I buy at Gateway meat market. Cut them up in small bite size ribs, and coated with corn starch for a little extra crisp. Once they were cooked, I coated them with sea salt, pepper, and the garlic citrus Trader Joe’s seasoning my friends Arla & Fred bought back from their latest trip to the US. Yummy. Lemon pepper seasoning would be really good as well. So easy and so simple to make.

I’m funny when it comes to wine. As much as I love trying new wines, I also tend to migrate to a particular section of the liquor store. For months, I found myself constantly in the US section. I do really enjoy California wines. Now, I find myself in the Chile and Argentina sections. There are some great value wines in those sections. William Cole fell in love with the Colchagua Valley in Chile because of it’s fertile soil. This gorgeous rich Cabernet Sauvignon is $19 a bottle here, and what a great value. Full-bodied with hints of coffee, it’s a great dinner wine.

That’s it for me this week. I realize there’s only one wine this week, and I promise I’ll spend more time talking about wine next week.

Take care and stay safe this Halloween

Darlene