#53- Lambrusco

A funny thing happened on the way to trying this wine- well, you either laugh about it or cry. I choose to laugh.

It was supposed to be a golden evening all around and Craig and I were really looking forward to this new wine in hopes of cheering a Gold medal by our boys in the World Junior Hockey Championships final. It was sweet sweet victory for us for the first 40 minutes- and then it got poured down the drain. Quite literally.

Craig cooked dinner that night- a good old fashioned hamburger and all the fixings. I had picked out a red wine that I thought would compliment the red meat- a Lambrusco. Riunite is the maker of this wine (Italy) and according to the website is America's favourite Italian wine. Well if hamburgers doesn't scream America to you, I don't know what is so I think we got ourselves a good combination here.

So, first impressions? My mom, Craig and I were all on the same page for this one-- ding ding ding! We have ourselves a winner. And not just a "I like this wine"- this wine is in the "I love this wine, I could drink the bottle myself and no you can't have the last of this wine- it's mine." We loved this wine! The wine is a sweeter wine and could be mistaken for a sparkling wine (without the bubbles). It reminded me of the Scarlet O'Bubble wine we had at Christmas. Pure deliciousness is what it was. Mom could have drank the whole bottle herself and she's not a big red wine drinker.

The Lambrusco grape is from Italy and is often used to make sweet, sparkling wines. Traditionally a dry wine, it is often used as a blend to make sweeter wines. This wine itself is quite sweet and is crisp and light on the tongue. It tastes of raspberry and cherries and went very well with the hamburger. We also discovered it went really well with chocolate! And on it's own....

In other words, go out and get some! You won't be disappointed with this wine at all. The only disappointing part about this whole experience was when mom accidentally poured the half bottle down the drain (she mistakenly thought it was a bottle of red we'd tried that night that was awful and decided to ditch it not realizing she grabbed the good bottle of wine). Needless to say, mom feels awful for her alcohol abuse.

But no worries, the bottle was only $12.49 at Aligra Wine and Spirits at West Edmonton Mall and I'll definitely be heading out to get us some more!

#28- Bonarda

What is it with great wineries not having a website? In 2010, that's just not acceptable. How else am I supposed to learn more about your product, your winery, your grape? Okay, enough ranting. On to the grape! And to continue the story on our weekend in British Columbia.

After a great afternoon of hiking, Craig and I returned to the campsite to relax a bit and enjoy a nice relaxing evening. It wasn't raining so we were able to hang out by the fire and chat. It's nice for siblings to hang out and catch up on what's what.

After a long day of driving and then hiking 14km, we weren't exactly in the mood for cooking and luckily our loving mother had prepared Hunter Stew for us so all we had to do was reheat the dinner. While it may not be the most appetizing dinner to look at, it sure is delicious over an open fire! Craig and I had heaping servings and cracked open our first bottle of red to go with it.

The wine chosen was El Escondido  Don Domenico, an Argentinian Red Wine. The grape is the Bonarda grape.

Hmmm...how do I describe this wine. Three words: damn good wine! Wow! I was pleasantly surprised about this wine. I was so not expecting to enjoy the wine as much as I did. It is known as "Sweet Black" and the wine is very very dark, almost black in colour. It is not acidic at all and is sweet tasting. You could definitely taste the fruit, whether it was strawberry or raspberry I'm not sure. It did have an okay taste to it but it was ever so slight as I don't like anything too oaky. This was a wine that craved to be drunk in massive quantities. Too bad we couldn't. Both Craig and I knew we had to keep some for the family to try.

As a side note, Kristin and Sharon (my other brother's girlfriend who just recently moved back to Alberta...okay too many details but just in case you're wondering who she is, now you know) and the both enjoyed it. Kristin raved about it and will definitely be buying a bottle or two. Luckily for her the wine purchase was made at Crown Liquor in Spruce Grove. It wasn't a cheap bottle, at $25.99 this was one of the more expensive purchases I'd made for my wine, but so worth it.

I'm not sure if it's the wine or the fresh air or the exercise, but I couldn't imagine a more perfect way to spend my evening! I think I'll do it again tomorrow. The next wine up is the Albarino grape.