Happy New Year everyone! Twenty-twelve came and went; it mimicked the blink of an eye! It was as though 2012 was on a bullet train. I’m glad that I had the opportunity to try some wonderful and not-so-wonderful wines throughout the course of last year.
I am also happy to announce that my domain name is now http://demystifiedvine.com!
Photo Copyright Valerie Stride 2012
For those of you who know me well, I don’t particularly take well to these point-schemes that try to “grade” wine on a 100 point scale. Before you jump on that, let me just say that I understand that there are really good wines in the world. I also understand that there are places in the world that make wines exceptionally well. Awesome. Please share! [Insert grin here.] That being said, I also support and wholeheartedly believe that a wine experience is individualized. I may think that Yellow Tail is plonk, but that is not to stop Johnny-boy from enjoying a glass. Good on him. More of the better stuff for me! [Wink!] If Yellow Tail can bring you pleasure, Johnny, you can skip over the Mazoyeres Chambertin Grand Cru; I’ll take your portion.
On that note, and all joking aside, below you will find a listing of some of the most memorable wines I drank during 2012. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail at valerie@demystifiedvine.com if you have any questions about any of them.
Disclaimer: These wines are NOT, I repeat NOT, listed in ascending or descending order. They were all just really good wines with really good things happening in those bottles.
- 2010 Massolino Dolcetto d’Alba, Italy
- 2010 St. Hubertus Rose Frizzante, Canada
- 2011 Clos du Soleil Fume Blanc, Canada
- 2010 Tawse Vineyards Sketches Riesling, Canada
- 2001 Anciano Gran Reserva Tempranillo, Spain
- 2009 Domaine des Relagnes Pierre Troupel Chateauneuf du Pape, France
- 2011 Gray Monk Ehrenfelser, Canada
- 2011 Vineland Estates Cabernet Franc, Canada
- 2008 The View Pinotage, Canada
- 2001 Chateau de Serame Corbieres, France
- 1998 Domaine Henri Perrot-Minot Mazoyeres Chambertin Grand Cru Red Burgundy, France
- 2010 Karma Vineyards Griesling, United States
Wishing you and yours a most successful, prosperous, and kind 2013. May all of your wine dreams come true!
Cheers!
The Demystified Vine 
Great list! I totally agree with the Clos du Soleil and love The View Pinotage ’08 as well. Have you tried Stoneboat’s Pinotage?
I have not yet had Stoneboat’s Pinotage. How does it compare to The View’s? I’d love to give it a try; I’m always up for doing some comparing and contrasting! Pinotage is one of those wines that I wish more folks knew about. I’m on a mission to change that!
Sometimes when more folks know about a wine, it becomes harder to find and more expensive. Careful what you wish for!
Stoneboat’s Pinotage is a little more ‘new world’ fruity to The View’s earthier, slightly old-world style. The difference is pretty subtle I find and I love both of them now although I actually steered clear of Pinotage for a long time. It was Stoneboat that convinced me that Pinotage grown in BC was quite good.
Hi winecountrybc, I finally got to sample Stoneboat’s Pinotage while I was pouring at Dine Out Vancouver’s “Plated & Paired” festival on Friday night! It was very intriguing to see the difference between these two Okanagan Pinotage producers. I really enjoyed the fruitiness of the Stoneboat; it was like drinking spiced cherries. I really do enjoy the earthiness that comes out of The View’s Pinotage. I can’t really say which one I like better, because they are both awesome. The young lady pouring for Stoneboat recommended I try their 2009 vintage as opposed to the 2010. Looks like there is more Pinotage in my future!
Right on!!