Author: A Layman's Wine Musings

Wine and Pasta

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Wine and Pasta

Winter is a time for comfort food and one of my favourite comfort foods is pasta. When it comes to pairing a wine with pasta, the deciding factor should be the accompanying sauce, not the pasta itself because after all, pasta by itself does not have a great deal of flavour.

Photo credit: finewinemaster.com

Tomato-Based Pasta

Tomato-based sauces are high in acid and are often blended with beef or pork. Because of the acidity in tomatoes, a dry, medium-bodied red wine is recommended. Examples of red, medium-weight wines include:

  • Chianti
  • Grenache
  • Nero d’Avola
  • Primitivo
  • Rhône Blends
  • Sangiovese
  • Zinfandel

Cheese Pasta

There are a wide range of red as well as white wines that will pair well with cheese sauces. You shouldn’t feel restricted to serving just white wine with white cheese pasta. An oaked white wine will have a buttery character that will compliment the creamy sauce. Examples include an oaked Trebbiano or Chardonnay. Here are a couple of white wine options to consider:

  • Oaked Chardonnay
  • Oaked Trebbiano

Also, lighter more floral red wines will also pair well with intense hard-cheese pasta, especially if there are mushrooms or root vegetables in the sauce.   Red wine options include:

  • Chianti
  • Nebbiolo
  • Pinot Noir
  • Sangiovese

Seafood Pasta

Light-bodied white wines are the preferred pairing choice for seafood pasta. These wines will be relatively acidic, thus a good balance for creamy white sauces and fatty seafood, such as scallops, shrimp, oysters or mussels. White wine options include:

  • Chenin Blanc
  • Grenache Blanc
  • Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio
  • Riesling
  • Sauvignon Blanc

For seafood pasta that is cooked in a tomato-based sauce, light body red wines or Rosé are a good option. Red wine options include:

  • Pinot Noir
  • Malbec

Pesto Pasta

Whether you are serving the traditional pine nut and basil pesto or another type of pesto, the focus should be on matching the green, whether it be parsley, cilantro, mint, etc. which is the centerpiece of the dish. For the most part, herbaceous wines are said to be best suited when serving pesto pasta. Herbaceous wines are those wines that have aromas and flavours like herbs such as mint, vegetables such as asparagus, freshly cut grass or tomato leaves. Wines considered to be herbaceous include:

  • Grüner Veltliner
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Cabernet Sauvignon

Primavera (Vegetable) Pasta

Spring onions, garlic ramps, artichoke hearts and broccolini are among the choices on which to base primavera. The objective is to highlight the springy freshness of the vegetables; thus, it is often best paired with a light-bodied white wine with lemony and floral notes. However, if the pasta has major vegetable intensity, it needs to be matched with an equally savory white wine. White sauce wine options include:

  • Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio
  • Riesling
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Vermentino

If tomatoes are a major component of the primavera, a light-bodied acidic red wine would be a better choice. Tomato sauce wine options include:

  • Cabernet Franc
  • Pinot Noir
  • Rosé

No matter which type of pasta you fancy, one of the corresponding wine options will compliment your meal.

Sláinte mhaith

The Wines of Armenia

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Armenia is a wine region that I was unaware of until I saw an Armenian wine advertised recently in a wine catalogue. That enticed me to do some research and here is what I learned.

The bulk of wine grapes indigenous to Armenia are not very well known in North America. Hindering Armenia’s ability to familiarize the rest of the world with its wines are the ongoing conflicts surrounding its borders. Armenia is situated between Georgia, Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkey. Armenia’s rivers and high plateaus are surrounded by the Caucasus Mountains.

The country’s wine history is ancient. The region of Vayots Dzor claims to be home to the oldest winery in the world, in operation since some 6,100 years ago.

As with some other Eastern European countries, the progression of Armenian wine ended when the Soviet Red Army invaded in 1920. In 1922 the country was merged into the Transcaucasian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic. Then, in 1936 it became the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic or Soviet Armenia.

Innovation stopped with the elimination of private enterprise. The Soviets converted wineries into processing plants and vineyards turned over fruit for brandy distillation or bulk wine production.  Some vineyards were planted in unfavorable locations, while others went neglected or abandoned.

In 1991, after the demise of the Soviet Union, Armenia regained its sovereignty. Young Armenians and those with investment money began to embrace the region’s ancient wine-making techniques and wine culture. As a result, Armenia has become the youngest oldest wine industry in the world.

During the Soviet years a great deal of information was lost, including knowledge of the traits of many indigenous grape varieties, understanding soil suitability, sun preference, as well as how much maceration and aging of the grapes is best. Regaining this knowledge requires years of experimentation.

A few producers work with international grapes mainly for the Russian and other former Soviet republic markets. However, new quality-driven wineries focus on local varieties. Much of the post Soviet revival has included using a combination of modern technology and traditional techniques, such as aging the wine in terracotta jars called karasi.

The drive to produce quality wines has helped winemakers find export partners. Being a landlocked country, Armenia cannot produce low-cost wines. It must become part of the higher-priced market segment.

Armenia contains four main wine regions. The best known is the south-central region of Vayots Dzor, a long, narrow plateau which stands out for its highest elevation vineyards, some which reach almost 6,000 feet above sea level.

The Aragatsotn region is situated at slightly lower elevation. The remaining regions include Ararat, which is located on a sunny plateau, and Armavir, which is a mountainous area in the southwest.

Grape varietals include Areni Noir, which produces medium-bodied red wines with fruits like cherry and strawberry laced with black pepper aromas. It compares in its freshness, silkiness and transparency to Pinot Noir.

Voskehat is Armenia’s signature white grape. The wine has light to medium body. It has floral and stone fruit aromas with notes of herbs and citrus.

Khndoghni, or Sireni, is a red grape that gives black fruit flavors, deep colour, good tannins and the potential to age.

To sum it up, Armenia is small, landlocked and poor. However, it appears to have resilience, an ability to adapt, and a desire to show the world its world-class wines. Many experts feel that there is a future for quality Armenian wines.

Sláinte mhaith

The Best Irish Whiskeys Of 2023

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At the end of November, The Irish Whiskey Association announced the 2023 Irish Whiskey Awards winners. Now having over 40 distilleries, Ireland has reemerged as a powerhouse in the international whiskey industry and is now the fastest-growing whiskey making country in the world.

Whiskey tastings were conducted throughout Ireland with members of the Irish Whiskey Society. Events took place in Dublin, Dingle, Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny, Ennis, Carlow and Belfast. There was also a select group of international whiskey judges.

The Best Irish Whiskey of the Year prize was awarded to Connacht Irish Whiskey Distillery, Exclusive Cask Strength, Single Malt Irish Whiskey, 47% ABV, 750 ml.

Connacht’s single malt whiskey is a triple-distilled whiskey produced at their distillery in Ballina, County Mayo. The distillery was founded by Master Distiller Robert Cassell in 2016, along with a team of Irish whiskey entrepreneurs who saw the potential of northwest Ireland’s unique climate to produce an iconic Irish whiskey. The region is characterized by dramatic swings in atmospheric pressure that contributes to producing a flavourful, heavily extracted whiskey. The use of custom-designed stills further enhances the unique character of the whiskey.

Other winners included:

Single Pot Still 11 Years and Under

  • Winner: Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Pinot Noir Cask
  • Gold: Jameson Single Pot Still
  • Gold: Powers Three Swallows

Single Pot Still 12 Years and Over

  • Winner: Red Spot 15 Year Old
  • Gold: Yellow Spot 12 Year Old
  • Gold: Redbreast 15 Year Old

Single Malt 11 Years and Younger

  • Winner: Jack Ryan Whiskey 5-Year-Old Oloroso Finish Cask Strength
  • Gold: Dunville’s 10 Year Old Pedro Ximenez Cask
  • Gold: The Irishman Legacy

Single Malt 12 – 15 Year Old

  • Winner: Tullamore DEW 14 Year Old
  • Gold: Knappogue Castle 12 Year Old
  • Gold: The Irishman 12 Year Old

Single Malt 16 Years & Older

  • Winner: The Irishman 17 Year Old
  • Gold: Dunville’s 21-Year-Old Palo Cortado Cask
  • Gold: McConnell’s Irish Whisky 20 Year Old Port Finish Single Cask

Blended No Age Statement

  • Winner: Writers’ Tears Double Oak
  • Gold: Jameson Crested
  • Gold: Powers Gold Label

Blended Age Statement

  • Winner: McConnell’s Irish Whisky Sherry Cask (5 years)
  • Gold: The Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey
  • Gold: Clan Colla 13 Year Old

Blended Limited Release

  • Winner: Writers’ Tears Japanese Cask Finish
  • Gold: Dunville’s 1808 “Casked in Bond” Dick Mack’s Honey & Hemp IPA Cask, Cask No. 1451
  • Gold: Writer’s Tears Inniskillin Ice Wine

Peated Irish Whiskey

  • Winner: Micil Single Cask Release with Garavan’s Bar
  • Gold: Killowen Barántúil Single Cask KD202
  • Gold: Celtic Cask 47 Daichead a Seacht 2016 Peated Oloroso

Single Cask 11 Years & Younger

  • Winner: Celtic Cask 44 Daichead a Ceathair 2014 PX Cask Finish
  • Gold: Dunville’s PX 11 Year Old Single Malt Cask Strength
  • Gold: Dunville’s 11 Year Old Palo Cortado Cask Strength

Single Cask 12 Years & Older

  • Winner: Dunville’s 22 Year Old Palo Cortado Cask No. 1204
  • Gold: Dunville’s 20 Year Old Oloroso Cask Strength Cask No. 990 56.2% ABV
  • Gold: Dunville’s 21 Year Old PX Sherry Cask Finish – James J. Fox Single Cask

Cask Strength

  • Winner: Connacht Distillery Exclusive Cask Strength
  • Gold: Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength
  • Gold: Dunville’s 20 Year Old PX Cask Strength, Cask 1644, 55% ABV

Single Grain

  • Winner: The Bridge – Galey Bay
  • Gold: The Bridge – Inny Bay
  • Gold: Method and Madness Single Grain

New Irish Whiskey

  • Winner: Pearse Genesis Irish Whiskey
  • Gold: Fercullen Single Malt
  • Gold: Fercullen Estate Series ‘The Gates’

Many of the award winners are available in the U.S. and Canada. They can also be ordered directly from the Celtic Whiskey Shop in Dublin, Ireland.

Happy New Year!

Sláinte mhaith

Dos and Don’ts for Decanting Wine

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In the past I have written articles on whether a wine should or shouldn’t be decanted (To Breathe or Not to Breathe from November 9, 2019) and on what style of wine decanter is best (Choosing a Wine Decanter from July 18, 2020).  Today I will talk about the dos and don’ts for decanting a bottle of wine.

Decanting wine can be a great way to enhance flavour and aroma, but it’s important to do it properly to avoid ruining the wine. Here are some suggested dos and don’t dos from some wine experts.

Dos

Wines that should be decanted are young, full-bodied red wines with high tannins and bold flavours.  Wines to decant include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Bordeaux blends.  Lighter red and white wines usually don’t need to be decanted.

Stand the bottle in an upright position for an hour or two before opening.  This will allow any sediment to settle at the bottom of the bottle.

Make sure the decanter is clean before decanting.  A dirty or musty decanter can affect the taste and aroma of the wine.

When pouring the wine into the decanter do it slowly and steadily.  Be aware of any sediment in the bottom of the bottle as you don’t want any of it in the decanter.  It is often handy to use a fine mesh strainer to catch any bits that escape from the bottle.

After decanting, let the wine sit in the decanter for at least 15 minutes before serving.  This will allow the wine to open up and release its aromas and flavours. Some wines require much more than 15 minutes, so feel free to taste the wine to decide if it needs additional time to decant.

Don’ts

Be careful not to decant the wine for too long.  If you do, the wine will lose its flavour and aroma. Generally, if you can smell the fruit flavours from the wine, it is ready to drink.

Never shake the bottle. Shaking the bottle can disturb the sediment and mix it with the wine, making it more difficult to remove the sediment.

Do not decant aged or delicate wines. These wines can be harmed by decanting. Both the flavour and aroma may be greatly weakened resulting in a flat, tasteless drink.  If in doubt, taste the wine before deciding whether to decant.

The decanter should not be filled to the top as there needs to be space to allow the wine to breathe and release its aromas. Quite often a bottle of wine will fill up to the widest part of the decanter.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you are receiving the most flavour and aroma experience from every bottle of wine.

Sláinte mhaith

BC’s 2023 Movers and Shakers

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These are the wineries from British Columbia that particularly caught my attention this past year. My impressions are based on several factors: the winery’s performance at both the National Wine Awards and the All Canadian Wine Championships, environmental and sustainability practices of each winery and my own thoughts.

I have listed the wineries in alphabetical order and have included several of their 2023 award winning wines. 

Corcelettes Estate Winery

Corcelettes was ranked as the second best performing small winery at this year’s National Wine Awards.  It is located on 150 acres in British Columbia’s Similkameen Valley. Charlie and Jesce Baessler blend passion, precision and science to craft their expressive, small lot premium wines. No short cuts are taken in finding balance between viticulture, the environment and winemaking.

Corcelettes first vintage was in 2011, consisting of 200 cases. They currently craft 8,200 cases of wine per year, with plans of each future vintage growing in production size.

Their portfolio includes predominantly Syrah and Pinot Noir, crafted from Similkameen grown grapes. There is also a small selection of premium wines from the Micro Lot Series; wines crafted from specially selected grapes available only in limited quantities.

In addition to this year, Corcelettes was among the Top 10 Small Wineries at the 2018, 2019 and 2021 National Wine Awards of Canada.       

This year’s Platinum and Gold award winning wines included:

  • Corcelettes 2020 Syrah Corcelettes Estate Vineyard
  • Corcelettes 2021 Reserve Pinot Noir Micro Lot Series
  • Corcelettes 2022 Oracle Rosé
  • Corcelettes 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Corcelettes Estate Vineyard
  • Corcelettes 2019 Merlot
  • Corcelettes 2020 Merlot
  • Corcelettes 2019 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Corcelettes 2020 Cabernet Franc

Deep Roots Winery

Deep Roots was awarded Best Performing Small Winery at this year’s National Wine Awards where they earned 1 Platinum, 4 Gold, 1 Silver and 4 Bronze medals.

Their Platinum and Gold winners included:

  • Deep Roots 2020 Reserve Chardonnay
  • Deep Roots 2020 Parentage Red
  • Deep Roots 2022 Gamay
  • Deep Roots 2020 Syrah
  • Deep Roots 2022 Sauvignon Blanc

Deep Roots is a family owned and operated winery situated on the clay cliffs above Okanagan Lake on the Naramata Bench, where beginning in 2003 the Hardman family began switching their 100-year-old family farm from an apple orchard to a vineyard. Today they have 19 acres of grape vines spread between two Naramata vineyards, using almost exclusively estate fruit.

Initially the grapes were all sold to CedarCreek and Lake Breeze, among others. However, that all changed in 2012 when Will Hardman broke ground to create his own winery.  There are two vineyards at two sites on the Naramata Bench where they grow Muscat, Gamay, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Malbec and Syrah grapes.

All the vineyard work is done by hand, as the Hardmans are passionate about producing grapes that are the best expressions of each varietal.

Road 13 Vineyards

At Road 13 in Oliver, B.C., they farm to protect the land. Their philosophy is that by taking care of the dirt, the dirt then can take care of the roots of the vines, thus producing the best fruit possible. Doing things right means going the extra mile, in both the vineyard and in the cellar. Winemaker, Barclay Robinson and his crew farm organically to produce the best wine possible.

Road 13’s Platinum and Gold award winning wines included the following:

  • Road 13 2020 Select Harvest GSM
  • Road 13 2013 Jackpot Sparkling Chenin Blanc
  • Road 13 2020 John Oliver Cabernet Franc
  • Road 13 2021 Viognier
  • Road 13 2020 John Oliver Petit Verdot
  • Road 13 2022 Honest John’s Rose

SpearHead Winery

SpearHead Winery of Kelowna, B.C, appears on my list of British Columbia’s list of movers and shakers for the second straight year. 

Their focus is on premium quality wine which is produced from grapes grown in their estate vineyard and from selected Okanagan Valley vineyards. The hand harvested grapes are sorted at the winery and fermented in small lots.

SpearHead produces Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling varietals.  Approximately 80% of the 15 acres of vines is comprised of Pinot Noir including four different Dijon clones, 2 California heritage clones and Pommard.  This combination of plantings enables the wine maker to select from the different characteristics of these clones to create a complex Pinot Noir from their home vineyard.  They also draw from several other vineyards in the Okanagan including Golden Retreat in Summerland and Coyote Vineyard in West Kelowna.

Their 2023 Platinum and Gold award winning wines include the following:

  • SpearHead 2020 Club Consensus Pinot Noir
  • Spearhead 2020 Golden Retreat Pinot Noir
  • SpearHead 2021 Saddle Block Pinot Noir
  • SpearHead 2021 Cuvée Pinot Noir
  • SpearHead 2021 Golden Retreat Pinot Noir
  • SpearHead 2022 Pinot Gris

Wild Goose Winery

It all began in early 1983 when founder Adolf Kruger purchased a piece of land east of Okanagan Falls.

Kruger first planted Riesling and Gewürztraminer with the intention of selling the grapes. Over the following few years, outstanding wines were produced by purchasers of the grapes leading him to the decision to make his own wine.

Wild Goose Winery became the seventeenth winery in British Columbia and was established in June 1990. The winery started producing Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Maréchal Foch. Over time Wild Goose established itself as a premium small producer of VQA wines.

In July of 2021, the Wyse family of Burrowing Owl Vineyards purchased Wild Goose Vineyards & Winery.  Wild Goose’s approach to winemaking has been to grow the highest quality fruit and then transform it into premium wines.

Wild Goose’s 2023 award winning wines include:

  • Best White Wine of the Year – 2022 Gewürztraminer
  • Best Red Wine of the Year – 2021 Pinot Noir
  • 2022 Mystic River Gewürztraminer
  • 2020 Cabernet Merlot

Sláinte mhaith

Ontario’s Movers and Shakers 2023

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It has become a bit of a tradition that as the year draws to a close that I share my thoughts as to which wineries are stepping forward to be noticed.  As usual I have based my opinions on each winery’s performance at both the National Wine Awards and the All Canadian Wine Championships, environmental and sustainability practices and my own personal impressions.

The number of wineries on my list varies from year to year as I prefer to highlight wineries that I feel have excelled. This is not to suggest that these are the only great wineries in the province; they are merely the ones that especially caught my attention this year.  The wineries are presented in alphabetical order and I have included several of each winery’s 2023 award winning wines. 

Broken Stone Winery

Having been introduced to this winery this past summer I have become a big fan.  I then did some research to see what I could find out about it.

Broken Stone began in 2009 when Tim and Micheline Kuepfer purchased three hayfields along a backroad near Hillier, in Prince Edward County.  At the time, the acre of newly planted grape vines that came with the land was almost an afterthought.  The first harvest was in 2010 when two tonnes of quality Pinot Noir grapes were picked.  An additional four acres of grapes were then planted with a vague notion that someday maybe a winery may be developed. 

In 2012 a small building was constructed and the necessary licensing to make wine was obtained.  Broken Stone Winery was born.   Since then, the Kuepfers have been balancing the busy lifestyle of raising a family in Toronto with their passion for growing vines and making wine in Prince Edward County.

The result has become a dynamic boutique winery in the heart of the Prince Edward County wine region. Their mission is to grow the highest quality grapes and craft world-class wines.  They believe that great grapes make great wine, and they strive to ensure that each great vintage is a little better than the last. Broken Stone continually strives to improve the vineyard biodiversity and soils. They strive to live in harmony with the earth and leave a legacy for future generations. 

Colchester Ridge Estate Winery

Colchester Ridge is a relatively new winery located in Harrow, which is in the Lake Erie North Shore wine region. The wine labels display the acronym CREW.

I was first introduced to CREW wines by a friend who brought my wife and I a bottle of Meritage when they came to stay with us for a weekend just prior to the pandemic. From then until this past July, my search for another bottle had been fruitless (no pun intended). Then finally I was able to order several bottles of their most recent release, the CREW 2020 Meritage.

CREW was established in 2001 by the husband and wife team of Bernie and Nancy Gorski. The Gorski’s planted twelve acres of vines on their family land in 2001 and produced their first vintage in 2004. Then in 2006 they opened their shop.  After years of continual growth, the Gorski’s launched the new CREW Winery & Gallery in November 2019.

Their award-winning wines include the following:

  • CREW  2020 Barrelman’s Blend
  • CREW  2020 Meritage
  • CREW 2018 Grand CREW Cabernet Sauvignon

Hidden Bench Estate Winery (ranked 1st at National Wine Awards)

Hidden Bench was recognized as the 2023 Winery of the Year at the National Wine Awards of Canada.  Hidden Bench has come close to top Awards before, previously competing in the small winery category. However, the winery has grown to produce now over 10,000 cases of wine each year, allowing it to qualify for the top prize. Owner Harald Thiel is committed to being an estate winery using only Beamsville Bench fruit. By controlling his own fruit, he can control the quality as well.

Hidden Bench has emerged as the signature property among several highly regarded wineries on Niagara’s Beamsville Bench, an area of gently sloping, north-facing, limestone-laced sites and maturing vineyards and wineries. All of the wines of Hidden Bench are sourced from the Beamsville Bench and are produced using a comprehensive sustainable approach.

Hidden Bench also appeared in my 2022 and 2020 Ontario lists.

Hidden Bench’s 2023 award winning wines include 2 Platinum, 5 Gold and 5 Silver winners.  The platinum and gold winning wines included the following:

  • Hidden Bench 2020 Pinot Noir Felseck Vineyard
  • Hidden Bench 2020 Chardonnay Tête de Cuvée Rosomel Vineyard
  • Hidden Bench 2020 Estate Riesling
  • Hidden Bench 2017 Natur Zero Dosage
  • Hidden Bench 2020 Chardonnay Felseck Vineyard
  • Hidden Bench 2021 Nuit Blanche Rosomel Vineyard
  • Hidden Bench 2021 Chardonnay Beton

Tawse Winery (Ranked 2nd at National Wine Awards)

Tawse Winery adheres to a non-interventionist philosophy and a firm belief that the start of every great wine begins in the vineyard. Their wines reflect their unique terroir near Vineland, in the heart of the Niagara wine Region.

Healthy vines yield quality fruit which allows for the creation of terroir-driven wines of great elegance, depth and character. Promoting the health of the vines and vineyards requires a labour-intensive and hands-on approach. Yields are kept low by cluster-thinning to ensure that all the energy of the vine is focused to ripen fewer, higher-quality grape clusters.

Organic farming feeds the vines and controls diseases without the use of synthetic insecticides, fungicides and fertilizers. They strive to create a diversified balanced ecosystem that generates health and fertility from the vineyard itself. Healthy vines mean less need for outside substances to control diseases and promote growth.

The architecture of the winery was created to be environmentally friendly. The wines are aged in underground cellars, which keeps the ambient temperature between 10 and 16 degrees Celsius, with a natural humidity of approximately 85%. The modern geo-thermal energy system has reduced the use of traditional forms of energy by 80%. There is also a wetland bio-filter which allows them to re-use all their sanitary and winery process water.

Tawse earned 2 Platinum, 4 Gold, 8 Silver and 5 Bronze medals this year at the National Wine Awards.  The Platinum and Gold award-winning wines include the following:

  • Tawse 2020 Carly’s Block Riesling
  • Tawse 2020 Tawse Riesling
  • Tawse 2020 Quarry Road Riesling
  • Tawse 2021 Sketches Riesling
  • Tawse 2020 Cabernet Merlot
  • Tawse 2020 Limestone Riesling Spark!

Sláinte mhaith

The Whiskey Capital Booms Again

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At the dawn of the twentieth century, Ireland was the hub of the world of whiskey with Bushmills being the oldest licensed whiskey distiller in the world.  Jameson was one of the most recognized names and Dublin, the centre of it all having one of every three workers involved in some way with the whiskey industry.  At that time about three quarters of the world’s whiskey came from Ireland.

Photo credit: forbes.com

However, the events of history were not kind to the Irish whiskey trade.  Two world wars, the Irish War of Independence, Prohibition and the rise of the Scotch Whisky industry all played a part in its demise.  By the 1960s the industry was on the verge of extinction with only one percent of the world market share.

By the 1970s there were only two operational distilleries in all of Ireland; Midleton, who produces many well-known Whiskey brands including Midleton, Jameson, Powers, Redbreast, Writers Tears, The Irishman, Green Spot, Yellow Spot, Red Spot, Blue Spot amongst other labels, and Bushmills, who at the time was also then owned by the same company.

For several decades there were no working distilleries in Dublin (Midleton was located in County Cork and Bushmill was in County Antrim, Northern Ireland) but today there is a resurgence throughout Ireland, including Dublin.  In 2015 the redevelopment began in Dublin with the launch of Teeling Distillery.  Since then there have been others who set up shop including Roe & Co, Pearse Lyons and the Dublin Liberties.

Today the Irish Whiskey industry is healthier than it has been for over 120 years.   According to the Irish Whiskey Association, as of December 2019 there were 32 distilleries in operation in Ireland.

If you are planning to visit Ireland here are some of the best distilleries to visit:

DUBLIN

Pearse Lyons Distillery – Founded by the late Pearse Lyons in the Liberties district of Dublin, this boutique distillery is a unique spot to learn about the brewing and distilling processes.  It is located in the restored St James’ Church on James St.

Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery – Created in 1829 and later prospering under general manager Daniel E Williams (hence D.E.W. in the name), Tullamore D.E.W is the second largest selling brand of Irish Whiskey globally.

Teeling Whiskey Distillery – The first new distillery in Dublin for 125 years, it is located in Dublin’s historic distilling district.

Roe & Co Distillery – Named after legendary 19th-century whiskey pioneer George Roe, Roe & Co opened their doors in 2019 at the Guinness Power House.

The Dublin Liberties Distillery – Set in the district from which it takes its name, it is a modern, state-of-the-art distillery on Mill St.  You can hear the tales of trade, conflict and debauchery about the Liberties district, stretching back hundreds of years to when it was outside of the official Dublin city limits.

Jameson Distillery, Bow St. – Ireland’s most famous whiskey opened in 1780 by John Jameson.  The distillery on Bow St in Smithfield has been a staple in Dublin for over two centuries.  Although since 1971 it has operated only as a visitors’ centre.

MIDLETON

Jameson Distillery, Midleton – Midleton, in County Cork, is where the bulk of Jameson operations have taken place since 1975.

COUNTY CARLOW

Royal Oak Distillery is the first to distill all three styles of Irish whiskey: pot still, malt and grain, all under one roof.  It’s also the largest non-automated distillery in Ireland.

COUNTY CORK

Clonakilty Distillery – Single pot still whiskey is Clonakilty’s specialty. They also will explain how different woods change the character of the whiskey as it matures.

DINGLE PENINSULA

Dingle Distillery – Since 2012, the Dingle Whiskey Distillery has been distilling some excellent single pot still whiskey.

COUNTY KILKENNY

The Ballykeefe Distillery – Though only in operation since 2017, the distillery is situated on land that has a distilling heritage going back hundreds of years.  They follow the family farm traditions and have a strong commitment to sustainability.

With records of distilling going back to 1324, it’s claimed that Kilkenny is the birthplace of Irish whiskey.

COUNTY MEATH

Slane Irish Whiskey Distillery – Located 50 minutes outside of Dublin, the distillery is located in in the 250-year-old stables of Slane Castle.

WATERFORD

Waterford Distillery – Distilling since 2015, Waterford Distillery’s state-of-the-art facility is on the banks of the river Suir.

COUNTY WESTMEATH

Kilbeggan Distilling Co. – Established in 1757, it claims to be Ireland’s oldest licenced distillery and after battling through a painful closure in 1953, it was revived by locals in the 1980s who have maintained it ever since.

COUNTY WICKLOW

Powerscourt Distillery – At the foot of the Wicklow Mountains, Powerscourt Distillery is located a short drive south of Dublin. Set in The Old Mill House, the distillery was once at the heart of the local farming community.

COUNTY ANTRIM, NORTHERN IRELAND

The Old Bushmills Distillery – On the wild north coast of Ireland, the Bushmills Distillery has been in operation for over 400 years, making it one of the oldest whiskey distilleries in Ireland. Established in 1608, it claims to be the oldest licensed distillery in the world.

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No Corkscrew, No Problem

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What do you do when you find yourself in the predicament of desperately needing to open a bottle of wine and you don’t have a corkscrew, and the bottle is not a screw top?  Several of the major wine publications have invested time and effort to find reasonable solutions to this problem. I will present those that I feel are not too farfetched, are fairly safe and hold a realistic chance of success.   However, none of these methods are as reliable as using a corkscrew and could result in breaking the cork, chipping the wine bottle, or in a worst-case scenario, breaking the wine bottle.

This list of potential solutions is presented in no particular order.

Screw, Screwdriver and Hammer

Take a screw (minimum 1 ½ inches long) and screw it into the cork with a screwdriver until there is about an inch or so left showing. Then, you take the claw side of the hammer, lock it under the screw, and pull the cork out.

Push the Cork into the Bottle

Using the handle of a wooden spoon, Sharpie, highlighter or other object that is slightly smaller in diameter than the cork, push the cork down into the bottle of wine. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to remove the cork from the bottle once you push it in. If the bottle of wine is old, the cork may crumble and shed into the wine once pushed in. If this happens, use a strainer, coffee filter or sieve and pour the bottle of wine through it into a decanter to remove the cork pieces.

Wire Clothes Hanger

This method is relatively easy as long as you have an unused wire hanger taking up space in your closet.  However, in our house the wire hangers were replaced with plastic hangers years ago.   

To begin, bend the tip of the hanger about 30 degrees back so that it looks similar to a fishhook. Next, slide the wire down through the cork slowly until the hook is past the cork and into the wine. Rotate the wire 90 degrees so that the hook is underneath the cork. Then pull the wire up and the cork should release. Pliers can be used instead of your fingers to tug at the hanger.

Keys, Scissors or a Serrated Knife

This method is somewhat similar to the first option where a screw and hammer are used. However, this time plunge your keys, scissors or serrated knife into the cork at a 45-degree angle and move the top of the item in a circle, essentially twisting the cork out slowly. After several rotations the cork should come out. Make sure you really get the tool well into the cork otherwise the cork may crumble.

The Sole of a Shoe

Wrap the bottom of the wine bottle in a towel and place it upside down in between your legs while sitting and slap it with the sole of a shoe. Stop before the cork comes all the way out or the wine may end up all over you and the floor.

Tire Pump and Sports Ball Needle

Take a bike pump that has a needle attached that is used to inflate a basketball, football or volleyball and push it all the way through the cork where the needle reaches the air space between the cork and the wine. Then pump air into the bottle. As air is pumped in, the cork should slowly move out of the bottle due to the air pressure.

Final Thoughts

As long as you are careful and take your time, any of these alternatives should work.  However, in my opinion nothing is better than a tried and true corkscrew, if one is available.

Sláinte mhaith

It’s Not Just About the Number

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When searching for the ideal bottle of wine to compliment a meal, for a special occasion, or simply to lounge with in front of the television, many people rely on the wine’s rating number or score, as it’s often referred.

Photo credit: vivaavida.r7.com

The most commonly used scoring system is what is referred to as the 100-point scale, which was created by James Suckling in the 1980s. Wines with a score between 89 to 91 are considered good; a score between 92 and 94 is great; a score between 95 and 97 is excellent; and a score from 98 to 100 is considered outstanding.

It is important to realize however that every bottle of wine with a score of 98 is not necessarily better than every bottle of wine with a score of 92. Other factors, such as price to quality, must also be considered.  Therefore, it is important to take into account other factors of a wine review before making the ultimate decision as to which bottle you are taking home.

If you see the name of a winery whose wine you have enjoyed in the past, there is a good probability that you will like other wines produced by that winery as well. 

Noting the type of grapes contained in the wine is an excellent indicator as to whether you may like a wine or not.  If you favour certain grape varietals, for example Riesling or Merlot, chances are wines containing those grapes will be more enjoyable for you.

Many countries, including Canada, have a quality standards system that will indicate on the bottle whether the wine has met the appellation of origin standards.  These standards ensure that certain agricultural criteria are met.  In Canada we have the VQA (Vintner’s Quality Alliance) system.  For more information regarding quality standards see the following posts from 2019: Selecting Canadian Wines, France’s Standards of Quality, Germany’s Quality Standards and Italian Quality Standards.

A wine’s place of origin is one factor in determining its characteristics. The region where a wine comes from will indicate the style of wine as well as flavour characteristics.  So, if you find you favour the flavour of a wine from a particular region, chances are you will enjoy other wines from that same region.

Not all wines are intended to be consumed right away. Although the majority of wines may be enjoyed when you take them home, some wines are best drunk after they have been laid down for a few years. The vintner’s notes or the wine store will often indicate whether a wine is intended to be enjoyed now or is best to be cellared.  Drinking a wine too soon may leave you with unpleasant thoughts about that wine.

Happy wine shopping.

Sláinte mhaith

Rhine River Cruise

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My wife and I recently returned from a Rhine River cruise where we had the opportunity to sample wines from Switzerland, France and Germany during our travels. I was most anxious to try some Swiss wines as I had never had the opportunity of tasting any. These wines are not often available outside of Switzerland (see The Wines of Switzerland from May 1, 2021). 

The first Swiss wine we tried was a 2022 Weinbau Ottiger Pinot Noir. The wine is very similar in character to a French Pinot Noir.  The second sampling was a red blend from Château Constellation sa 1950 Sion, called “Humagne Rouge”.  It has a spicy bouquet characterized by notes of pine and cinnamon. It has accents of black fruit aromas balanced by silky tannins. It was very enjoyable.

We ventured through Strasbourg, France and the Alsace wine region. World-renowned for its viticulture, Alsace has a dry mild climate, favourable soils and ideal exposure to the sun for its vineyards. The white wines produced here rival the Rieslings created in neighbouring Germany.

While in Breisach, Germany, the tour offered a wine tasting at Domaine Albert Seltz, Alsatian Vineyards.  There they follow a rigorous process to preserve the authenticity of their wines, respecting traditional techniques while integrating the most recent advances in technology. Sustainable viticultural practices are followed that promote biodiversity and respect for nature.

The area surrounding Breisach, the capital of Alsatian wines, has the third largest wine co-op in the world, following California and South Africa. Twelve million litres of wine are produced there each year, taking advantage of being the sunniest place in all of Germany.

We also visited Rüdesheim, which is a German winemaking town in the Rhine Gorge, and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is in the heart of the Rheingau wine region.

Close to Speyer, Germany lies the Roter Hang wine area.  It is considered to be one of the most important vineyard sites in the world, sitting to the south of Mainz, not far from Nierstein and Nackenheim. The soil is red, the result of red slate that exists throughout the region, providing the perfect conditions for outstanding wines that are characterised by unmistakeable flavour.

Further north at the intersection of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers is the town of Koblenz.  Koblenz is a principal seat of the Mosel and Rhenish wine trade. Mosel is best known for growing some of the finest Riesling grapes in the world. 

The vineyards are found tiered along the hillsides of the Moselle River. The steepest vineyard slopes in all of Europe are found here. Some of the grape vines are planted in vertical rows while others are in horizontal rows. The grapes planted vertically are machine groomed vines while those planted horizontally are generally on the steepest slopes and are maintained totally by manual labour.

Along the Moselle River in Winningen we visited the Weingut Rüdiger Kröber winery where we sampled four different Riesling wines ranging from dry to sweet; the 2022 “Kröber Weingut Steinig Riesling” dry, the 2022 “Kröber Weingut Uhlen Laubach” dry, the 2022 “Kröber Weingut Winninger Brückstück Riesling Feinherb” semi dry and the 2021 “Kröber Weingut Winninger Röttgen Kahimer Riesling Alte Reben” sweet. I found the Uhlen Laubach to be my favourite as it was robust with character and full of flavour.

The winery’s vineyards are up to 28 terraces in height along the slope of the hills. Weingut Rüdiger Kröber grows 90% Riesling, 5% Pinot Blanc and 5% Pinot Noir varietals. The vines range from 50 to 80 years in age.  The winery produces 60,000 bottles of wine per year and like many of the wineries in the region, it is all sold locally to individuals and restaurants.

Now that we have returned home from the Rhine, my wife and I are in the midst of planning our next wine excursion, which will be along the Rhone River in France during the spring of 2024.

Sláinte mhaith