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Archive for the ‘Dessert Wine Review’ Category

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Review: Chateau de Targe (Chenin Blanc) 2009

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 13, 2012

The Chenin Blanc is a very versatile white grape wine varietal which can produce wines of any level of sweetness from dry table wine to sweet dessert wine. These wines are generally recognized for their high level of acidity and for their long aging potential. The variety is commonly associated with the Loire Valley in France where the varietal has been grown for nearly 1300 years.

At the Château de Targé (in the Loire Valley) the Chenin Blanc grape varietal is harvested at three different maturity levels to produce three different wines. A hand-picked harvest of just ripe grapes is used for the Brut Blanc, over matured grapes are picked for the Fresnettes and sometimes, although not every year, grape clusters are allowed to Botrytize (noble rot) to concentrate their sweetness thanks to the famous fungus, (Botrytis Cinerea) to make Coteaux de Saumur dessert wines.

It is the Chateau de Targe (Chenin Blanc) Coteaux de Saumur 2009 which is the subject of this review. Here is an excerpt:

“… The wine displays a pale yellow straw colour in the glass with an initial nose which brings strong green apple and fresh peach aromas into the air. A honeyed sweetness is obvious, but there is also a nice spicy intensity about the nose which is appealing. As the glass rests, tart almost ripe green grapes, stronger apple notes and more spice rise into the breezes… “

You may read my full review here:

Review: Chateau de Targe (Chenin Blanc) 2009

Please enjoy this review of a most excellent dessert wine!

Posted in Dessert Wine Review, Wine Reviews - Port | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Chateau de Targe (Chenin Blanc) 2009

Review: Hetszolo Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos (2001)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on October 28, 2012

Tokaj-Hétszolo white dessert wines are made from 100% Furmint grapes at the Tokaj-Hétszolo Estate, which lies on the south side of Mount Tokaj in the north of Hungary, 200 km east of Budapest. This part of the world is known for its exceptional growing climate; and in fact, has been protected since 1772 by the first appellation of origin awarded in the entire world, (a full 83 years before Bordeaux wines were officially classed). The Tokaj-Hétszolo dessert wines are unique not just for where they are created; but also because of the unique manner in which the grapes are harvested. The grapes selected to produce the wine are not picked when they have ripened; rather they are left to “rot” or “Botrytise” on the vine and picked by hand as late as possible in the growing season.

I should point out that the appearance of the “noble rot” depends not only upon the location (or terroir) of the vineyards, but upon the irascible weather. It is not uncommon for no Aszú grapes to appear for several years at a time. This makes the Hetszolo Tokaji Aszu a special wine which can only be produced when conditions are right.

The particular Aszu wine I am reviewing today is the Hetszolo Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos (2001). I was provided with this bottle by Thirsty Cellar Imports who is the local importer here in Alberta.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The wine displays a pleasing golden amber in the glass, and the initial nose brings forward immediate notes of green apple jelly and fresh green grapes. Swirling the wine gently in the glass brings much more into those breezes above the glass. The scents of freshly opened cans of apricots and pears; a sweet aroma of honey and caramel; light sensations of freshly sliced lemons and pineapple; and a vague but persistent impression of cashew peanuts all dance playfully above the glass…. “

Here is a link to the full review (which contains a little more information about botrytised wines):

Review: Hetszolo Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos (2001)

Please enjoy my review!

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Review: Cálem 10 Year Old Tawny Port Wine

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 29, 2012

I came upon the chance to review this particular Cálem Port Wine quite by accident. When Woodman Wines and Spirits learned I was looking for a suitable aged Tawny Port in my mad desire to construct a new and original “Millionaire Punch”. They suggested that they could send me a bottle of the Cálem 10 Year Old Tawny for the recipe’s construction. The Cálem Tawny had all of the characteristics I was looking for, and I agreed to receive the bottle. Since I would not need the entire bottle for my punch recipe, I decided I would review this wine here on my website as well.

In case you are wondering, my “Millionaire Punch” was an unmitigated disaster, and I regret that 4 oz of this wonderful Port Wine was subjected to my dreadful experiment.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… In the glass, the tawny port exhibits a rich aroma of dry fruit, (prunes, dates and raisins) and brown sugary baking spices (Vanilla, cinnamon and Demerara sugar). I also notice some nice fresh fruit scents welling up which remind me of blackberries, fresh BC cherries and red currant. A few freshly bitten dark plums, some ripe raspberry, and a touch of coffee and chocolate round out the breezes above my glass. This is very nice… “

You may read the full review here:

Review: Cálem 10 Year Old Tawny Port Wine

I had planned on revealing my “Millionaire Punch” as part of this review, but I rather think it best that I advise you to enjoy this Port Wine in the manner in which it was intended, as a wonderful after dinner treat.

Enjoy the review!

Posted in Dessert Wine Review, Tawny Port Wine, Wine Reviews - Port | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Cálem 10 Year Old Tawny Port Wine

Review: Jost Maple Wine

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 13, 2012

Jost Vineyards is situated along the picturesque Northumberland Strait, just off the Sunrise Trail in Nova Scotia, Canada. The waters of the Northumberland Strait bring the warmth of the South Atlantic to the Maritimes creating an ideal climate for growing grapes in a climate which features a long, warm, frost-free season.

Jost Vineyards Maple Wine is made from maple sap collected from the vast maple forests of Nova Scotia. The maple sap is carefully ‘cool’ fermented until the desired concentration of residual sugars is reached. The result is a unique dessert-wine.

I thought I would step a little ways out of my comfort zone today, and offer up a brief review of this Canadian Dessert wine.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… The initial nose from the glass reminds me more of ripe green apple than it does of maple. In fact, my first thought when I took a sniff was that the spirit is very reminiscent of BC Apple Cider. It was when I dropped an ice-cube into the glass and gave it a good swirl to chill the contents, that I began to finally receive those maple notes within the fermented apple cider smells …”

You may read my full review here:

Review: Jost Maple Wine

Please enjoy the review, Cheers!

Posted in Dessert Wine Review, Wine Reviews - Port | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Review: Jost Maple Wine

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