Fresh!
Aromas of green apple and citrus with hints of jalapeno, sweet herbs and flinty mineral notes. The palate is tart and clean, the flavours echo its aromas, layering fresh apple and green fruit/herbal flavours.
Very good value in a NZ Sauvignon Blanc!
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 7th, 2010

From Dunham Froese's certified organic estate vineyard, this very tasty Sauvignon Blanc is generally blended with other white varieties, but this vintage was so good, they knew they had to show it off!
It releases a fruit cup of aromas with creamy honey and undertones of sugar snap peas. On the palate the lovely sweet fruit continues, it is lively but with a slightly creamy edge and has a crisp zesty finish. It is a wine worth seeking out in private stores in British Columbia.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 7th, 2010

Winemaker Michael Bartier blends: Kerner, Gewurztraminer, Schoenberger, Muller Thurgau and Pinot Gris into this Riesling dominant white. And, he has outdone himself with this vintage; it is shamelessly aromatic offering lychee, stone fruit and tangerine peel notes, honey and apples, exotic blossoms and ginger. The palate is slick, nicely weighted on the tongue and slightly sweet but nicely balanced with mouth-watering acidity. Expect very nice concentration and a long, pristine finish.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - August 30th, 2010

I met Roger Wong several years ago - just after he started making wine at Gray Monk in Lake Country (just beyond Kelowna). I had been a huge fan of his private label Focus Riesling - a sturdy (un-Riesling-like) bottle with its crown cap topper. Well, Roger has delved in again, this time he is partners at the nearby Intrigue Wines. It is a busy time for a guy with two very young sons and a full time job (which he loves) at one winery while he manages to produce at his own. And as a heads up to those of you who remember (and loved) the Focus Riesling...it may return.
His Riesling is bright and crisp - fresh lemon and lime and tart apple with hints of stone fruits and honey blossoms. A very balanced kiss of sweetness makes the apple, apricot and citrus flavours pop. Nice concentration with a lovely slickness on the palate and a clean, crisp finish.
Well done.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - August 30th, 2010

This is a delicious wine with all the elements you desire in a balanced Riesling; appealing aromas of peaches and tangerine peel, lemon drops and honeysuckle flowers. There is kiss of sweetness in the mouth but with plenty of lively citrus flavours to balance it. It's fresh, has very nice concentration and a snappy finish. A wine that will pair nicely spicy vegetable samosas.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - August 24th, 2010

And for you Riesling drinkers who like just a bit more honey in your glass, the Gehringer Classic Riesling offers peach jelly, ginger and candied citrus peel aromas. It is full and quite ripe in the mouth with loads of pink grapefruit and gingery flavours that lead to a long and zesty finish.
Samosas dipped in spicy peach/ginger chutney will pair nicely with this wine.
Another good value Gehringer Riesling!
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - August 20th, 2010

I really love the delicate aromas in this wine...the soft honey and peach with more obvious gala apple and floral notes are very appealing. Iit is crisp, dry and light-bodied with bright lime and grapefruit flavours - finish is long and zesty but not aggressive. Perfect served with agadashi tofu or rice topped with a spicy peanut/curry sauce.
Excellent value!
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - August 20th, 2010

The Rosso delle Venezie IGT is made from Corvina, Croatina and Merlot grapes that have been partially dried prior to fermentation - this gives more intensity to the grape as the water evaporates.
It is an earthy wine presenting scorched earth, intense fruit, patchouli and spice aromas. The palate is smooth and concentrated layered with sweet berries, chocolate and earthy flavours. It has balanced acidity and a long finish trailing toasted spice flavours.
Pair with robust tomato-based dishes, hard cheeses and roasted meats.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 28th, 2010

This estate Riesling is a fragrant bouquet of meyer lemon, honey, spring blossoms and slate. Nicely weighted and lively on the palate with flavours of green apples, lemon drops and honey. It is off-dry but with nicely balanced acidity and has a sweet, juicy finish.
Lovely.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 26th, 2010

Sporting a new label (read the story on the back label) and a new, lighter coloured bottle the Poacher's White still retains its freshness and value.
Lemons and honeysuckle, a hint of sweet herbs and a whiff of talc. The palate is mouthwateringly crisp with layers of lemon meringue, honey and tangerine peel - a fruitcup of flavours linger on the finish.
Very good!
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 26th, 2010

A new label adorns this attractively-priced aromatic blend from De Bortoli's DB Family Selection. Fragrant orangeblossoms and stone fruits, honey and exotic spice aromas reappear on the palate with a lingering spicy finish. Off-dry but very juicy with a mouth-watering finish to cleanse the palate.
This is a tasty, no-brainer patio sipper or pair with spicy fish cakes or Thai noodle salads.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 20th, 2010

Like a financial blind trust the executors - in this case Laughing Stock Vineyards has full control over over the blend and could simply say, "It's a proprietary blend which we have no need to disclose..."
But they do. It is a proprietary blend containing: Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Pinot Blanc - for a precise breakdown you need only look beneath your bottle's capsule.
Lush aromas - pear and apple, some honey and vanilla, a hint of caramel with exotic floral and herbal layers and plenty of lemony notes. Great concentration on the palate - pear, melon and spice, vanilla and vibrant citrus flavours wrapped in creamy texture. The finish is very long and mouth-watering with zesty flavours.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 20th, 2010

The second vintage of this multi-varietal blend of: Ortega, Madeline Angevine, Madeline Sylvaner, Siegerrebe and Reichensteiner is a lovely blushing pink colour. It's a fragrant wine, weaving apricots, citrus and warm pear aromas together with notes of summer flowers and honey. The palate is bright with an appealing dose of sweetness - apricot, pear and citrus flavours reappear in the mouth. The acidity balances the fruit sweetness, it has a lovely weight and a nice crisp finish.
Very tasty and made from certified organic estate grown grapes!
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 15th, 2010

This fun new Aussie blonde is a zippy (not dippy) blend of Riesling, Chenin Blanc and Semillon from Barossa wiith 14% Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc.
Expect to be enticed by bright citrus, spring blossoms and lime peel aromas with a hint of white nectarine. The palate is snappy, literally lip-smacking. Flavours of citrus dominate, layered with tart stone fruit and mineral flavours that lead into a long clean finish.
If you love Eden Valley Rieslings, this blonde is just your type...
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 15th, 2010

A fresh, light Pinot Grigio perfect for fish, salads and light antipasti.
Typical fragrant tree fruit aromas, mineral and citrus layers with just a hint of herbs. The palate is crisp but with a pleasing roundness, the fruit is lifted by lively acidity and the finish is clean.
A perfectly pleasing everyday dinner or sipping wine!
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 14th, 2010

This fragrant blend of Malvasia Bianca, Muscat, Viognier, Gruner Veltliner and Pinot Grigio (accoding to the label) is a fantastic value and offers a great balance of aromatics, fruit and acidity.
Ripe mango and peach aromas, grapefruit and orange blossoms with warm spice and candied notes. The palate presents gobs of sweet apricot and peaches, honey and mouth-watering citrus followed with exotic spice. A nice lush texture with lively acidity makes this wine a fantastic sipper, or pair with fresh, spicy dishes.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 8th, 2010

Very good value!
This fresh, light Sauvignon Blanc has peachy hints with citrus, sweet grass and a hint of vanilla on the nose. The palate has a slightly vivace tickle with nice crisp white fruit and citrus flavours. A simple sipper for the patio or pair with fresh shellfish and summer salads.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 7th, 2010

You can expect very pretty aromas of peach and Meyer lemon, orange blossoms and a nice mineral core. Those aromas are echoed on the palate, it has a kiss of sweetness and a slightly creamy texture with bright acidity to balance and is followed by a snappy citrussy finish.
Pair with mildly spicy dishes, summer potato salad and sushi.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 5th, 2010

This very fragrant blend of 65% aromatic Traminer and 35% crisp Riesling is made for spicy dishes.
Lychee and rose oil aromas dominate layered with honeyed Turkish Delight, orange and grapefruit peel. The flavours are quite confectionary - sweet tropical fruit and preserved peaches, lots of sweet spice and a lively citrussy finish. It has a nice creamy texture with mouth-watering acidity to assist in cleaning up the sweetness on the palate.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 2nd, 2010

This fresh, crisp Gewurztraminer is a summer staple for many BC patio dwellers. It offers fragrant aromas of rose oil and pink grapefruit with sweet tropical fruit and honey/vanilla notes. Mouth-watering on the palate with bright sweet citrus flavours and a fresh, spicy finish.
A wine that will pair well with pulled pork or mildly spiced dishes.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 30th, 2010

Deliciously aromatic!
This indigenous Argentine white variety offers up aromas of kaffir lime leaf and stone fruit, orange blossoms and fine, exotic spice notes. The palate has just a kiss of sweetness and it presents ripe tropical fruit and peach, anise and lime oil flavours that lead to a long zesty and spiced finish. It has fantastic acidity to balance the hint of sweetness and a lovely weight that slides across your tongue.
Yum!
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 22nd, 2010

Once again this abundantly perfumed wine from Hillside arrives in time for your summer sipping enjoyment.
Pretty honey and tangerine aromas, white grape-y notes and lime oil, orchard blossoms and exotic spice. Nicely weighted on the palate - juicy apple peel, citrus and stone fruit flavours with suitably balanced acidity.
Pair with fresh and spicy noodle salads.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 22nd, 2010

Aromas of sunwarmed peaches and lemon-lime, honey and exotic flower notes with just a hint of herbs. The palate has plenty of rich honeyed and pomelo citrus flavours. Very easy sipping with a mouth-watering finish.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 20th, 2010

This made from organic grapes, traditional method Riesling bubbly is always a crowd pleaser. It releases aromas of green apples, spring blossoms and honey, chamomile tea with lemon and toasty, yeasty hints. On the palate it is slightly off-dry with fine bubbles with loads of mouth-watering citrus peel, creamy honey and orchard fruit. The finish is tart and snappy.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 8th, 2010

The package is very attractive, it's bottle that will start a conversation. The wine itself presents aromas of lemons and limes, peaches and crisp green apples with the scent of spring blossoms. The aromas are echoed on the palate - it is a sweet Riesling but also has plenty of mouth-watering acidity, juicy citrus and stone fruit flavours. Pair with spicy dishes to compliment the heat in the food and balance the sweetness of the wine.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 7th, 2010

Just what you'd expect from a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, plenty of verdant aromas - grass clipings, passionfruit and nettle, kiwi and young pineapple. The palate shows impressive concentration, pristine tropical fruit and citrus with firm minerality. A delicious white, vibrant and juicy with a mouth-watering finish that leaves you wanting more!
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - May 3rd, 2010

Not only a good value sipper, but a wine that supports a very worthy cause. Having just celebrated one year since it's first release I watched recently as a $100,000 cheque was handed over to beneficiaries in support ecosystem conservation of the Great Bear Rainforest and Spirit Bears. In fact 15% of all sales from the WhiteBear Wines go to this important cause.
The Pinot Blanc is a refreshing white with crisp tree fruit, mineral and floral notes. The palate presents sweet apple and pear fruit flavours and hints of herbs with peachy flavours lingering on the finish.
A great everyday quaffer and very affordable too.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 29th, 2010

I appreciate Riesling in pretty much any form - be it bracing and steely or fragrant and off-dry - it's all about balance, and the JoieFarm version has that in spades.
On the nose you can expect lovely lemon, green apple and white blossoms with zesty citrus peel notes. It is off-dry, layered with sweet apricots, lemon drops and vauge peppery/spice hints but its the mouth-watering acidity which takes hold and cleans up the fruit sweetness, resulting in a crisp finish.
One glass will never be enough.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 28th, 2010

One in this series of wines from Artisan Wine Co. which rally behind the Okanagan Valley and its history, this Sauvignon Blanc is subtitled the Council's Punch Bowl in an homage to the lake, discovered in the mid 1800s by Hudson's Bay Company's Alexander Caulfield Anderson.
Across the board these wines are excellent value, they provide fruity, refreshing wines for everyday drinking and they do not pretend to anything more.
This is a very pretty wine with aromas of flowers and tangerine, honey and peach with grapefruit peel and just a hint of cut grass. The palate echos the sweet fruit of the nose, it is lively and fresh with a rounded texture and a zesty finish.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 28th, 2010

A pristine version of Chardonnay, the JoieFarm smells of fresh cut apples and pear, delicate spring blossoms and mandarin peel. The palate presents plenty of sweet creamy citrus flavours, honeyed peach and pear followed by a bright, crisp finish.
Very fresh!
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 27th, 2010

Don't let its classic blue label fool you, inside is a vibrant, vivace wine that you should consider buying-by-the-case!
Bright tree fruit, mineral and citric aromas lead the way to a fresh, vivace (slightly bubbly or prickly) and crisp mouthful of goodness. Again tree fruits, citrus, hints of herbs mineral, appear on the palate with just a kiss of sweetness balanced by lively acidity and a softly rounded texture.
Great value!
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 27th, 2010

If you are a Riesling drinker, I'm pretty sure the Dr L has crossed you palate before.
A standby for summer sipping and spicier Asian cuisines, it presents aromas of apple peel and citrus, honey, white flowers and orchard fruits with mineral undertones. The palate is nicely weighted and slick with nice fruit sweetness balanced with mouth-watering acidity. You can expect flavours of sweet citrus, honey and green apples with a long crisp finish.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 26th, 2010

A summer favorite, the 2009 JoieFarm - A Noble Blend (a play on words as Noble is also co-owner and winemaker Heidi Noble's last name) is comprised of Gewurztraminer with 20% Pinot Gris, 12% Pinot Auxerrois and 8% Riesling.
It's a fragrant wine, laden with honeysuckle and rose oil, lychee and starfruit, citrus and honey with a core of exotic spices. The palate is juicy and bright with flavours of green apple and lime sprinkled with warm, sweet spice. Mouth-watering and delicious!
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 26th, 2010

Balthasar Ress was one of my favourite visits during a 2008 German wine tour - the wines are consistently delicious too.
The Hattenheimer Schutzenhaus is a mouthful to say and a joy to sip. Expect aromas of slate and green apples, honey, spring blossoms and bright citrus. On the palate it is off-dry but is balanced with lively acidity and tangy lemondrop flavours.
Pair with sushi, spicy Indian dishes or tangy cheeses.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 26th, 2010

A mouth-watering Riesling, any time of the year and certainly one of my picks during the 2010 Vancouver Wine Festival!
Green apple peel and peach stone aromas, slate and brisk citric notes rounded out with honey and spring blossoms. The palate is crisp - zingy lemondrops, white fruit and steely minerality. This is not your grandmother's Riesling!
A great summer sipper, perfect with creamy potato salad or sushi, hollandaise and aioli sauces.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 23rd, 2010

This affordable German Riesling is a perfect sushi or summer salad wine with its bright aromas of citrus and apricot, delicate blossoms and crisp green apple with mineral tones. Apricot and green apple flavours reappear on the palate alongside tart lemon drops. A kiss of sweetness lingers in the mouth but is cleaned up with bright acidity plus the alcohol is only 9% - perfect for warm summer afternoons.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 19th, 2010

A nice addition to the Italian sparkling category this fragrant sparkling Pinot Grigio presents creamy peach and pear aromas, sweet citrus and pretty spring blossoms. It has a soft mousse with delicate bubbles and creamy fruit and citrus flavours. It has a kiss of sweetness with a tangy finish making this a refreshing sipper or pair it with antipasti.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 19th, 2010

A favorite for years, this aromatic Viognier releases vibrant lemon and lime leaf notes with richer peach, mango and papaya fruit and warm spiced tones. The palate is very fresh but also rounded and lush, expect green papaya and mango flavours liberally laced with lime and spiked with spice.
Pairs nicely with fresh, spicy dishes.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 19th, 2010

NEW!
This very tasty, fragrant blend of Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris will be perfect with spicy dishes, sushi or just sipping on the patio!
There are very verdant cut grass and nettle notes, mineral and citrus lifted with stone fruit and melon with a whiff of elderflower. The palate is vibrant and juicy - loads of tropical fruit like pineapple and mango, exotic citrus, honey and sweet spice lingering. Not a shy wine - it is brimming with flavour, a kiss of sweetness is cleaned up with bright acidity, the texture is slightly slick and the finish is impressively long.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 15th, 2010

From Artisan Wine Co, the Fork in the Road wines represent a white and a red - both blends. This one is named "Oliver Block 212 White" and it is a blend of Chardonnay, Semillon, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Blanc.
It is an aromatic wine with layers of peach, apricot and tangerine, vanilla cream and a dusting of sweet spice. Mouth-watering acidity lifts the palate, flavours of stone fruit and citrus peel, vanillin oak and exotic spice. It is lengthy and zesty with spice flavours remaining long across the finish.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 10th, 2010

A 2008 trip to South Africa sold me on their Chenin Blancs (I just wish we got more here) and it's diverse styles. Chenin can be bracingly crisp and fresh, lush and leesy or ripe and toasty - depending on the producer and winemaking style.
The Spier is a fresh style - a fruitcup of creamy pear and guava with a hint of dried pineapple, citrus blossoms, grass clippings and chalky minerality. The palate is crisp, with just a kiss of sweetness, snappy tropical fruit, citrus, soft mineral and herbal flavours linger. Clean and zesty - a great value!!
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 10th, 2010