Wine of the Week: Traynor Ophelia Piquette ’20

I have another delicious low-alcohol wine for you! The 2020 Traynor Ophelia Piquette is only 7.2% alcohol, but packed with juicy flavour. Piquette is a low-alcohol wine made from grape pomace (left over grape skins, seeds and stems) and usually has a touch a fizz. It was traditionally enjoyed by French farmhands and vineyard workers, but has had quite the resurgence in popularity over the past few years! 2020 was the second year that Traynor Vineyard, in Prince Edward County, produced their Ophelia Piquette. This time around they added local apple cider, instead of water, and reduced the amount of sugar/acid added so that the wine is more concentrated. Traynor also used more red wine grapes, which gives the 2020 Ophelia Piquette it’s vibrant deep pink colour. Upon first sip of the Ophelia Piquette I knew it was going to become part of my regular wine rotation! This easy-drinking wine has bright flavours of raspberry, grapefruit and watermelon with a touch of funky earthiness. Order the Ophelia Piquette ’20 for $20.00 through the Traynor online wine shop.

Cheers!~GDW

Wine of the Week: The Grange of Prince Edward Almanac Red

I know that most people steer away from red wine in the summer, but a light-bodied red slightly chilled can be so refreshing! The Almanac Red by the Grange of Prince Edward has been in my weekend wine rotation all summer long. This wine combines all of my favourite Ontario red wine grapes – Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Gamay. And like all of the Grange of Prince Edward wines, the Almanac Red is made from 100% estate grown grapes that really represent the County terroir. The Almanac Red is a light-bodied red wine with flavours of cherry, cranberry and plum and a hint of smokiness and spice on the finish. And trust me on this one, it is best enjoyed this summer slightly chilled!  You can enjoy the Almanac Red with almost any food, from cheese and charcuterie plates to meats and pizza. I will be enjoying the Grange of Prince Edward Almanac Red the rest of the summer!

Cheers!~GDW

Best Wines for the Beach

Summer just doesn’t feel complete without at least one beach day. But for the wine lover, beach days can be a bit tricky. You obviously want to bring wine to the beach, but can’t have anything too heavy, breakable or hard to open. That counts out all glass wine bottles, which doesn’t leave you with many options! But fear not, as a beach and wine lover I have experimented with all the tetra paks and canned wine out there. I have three favourites that taste great and are perfect for the beach day.

Tetra-Paks – Ciao Sangiovese

While some are critical of carton wine packaging, I think tetra-paks are great for certain wines and certain times! And the beach is one of those times that the light weight and durability of cardboard wine boxes is very welcome. The Ciao Sangiovese is light bodied, dry and fruity and tastes even better a bit chilled. Throw this carton into your cooler and enjoy the perfect chilled red wine at the beach. Plus it’s organic, 1000ml and only $12.80 at the LCBO.

Cans – Outset Sparkling Wine

Beer or cider are most people’s first choice for the beach because they come in convenient can packaging. It wasn’t until recently that wine started to become available in cans. But, unfortunately, not all of this canned wine is good. I’ve tried quite a few and my favourite, by far, is the Outset Sparkling Wine by Between The Lines Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Crack open that chilled can, throw in a straw and enjoy the crisp, light and fruity sparkling wine while catching some sun at the beach!

Pouches – Electric Rosé

Electric Rosé is the first wine I’ve ever seen or tried in a pouch. These adult Capri Suns are the ultimate convenience for the beach! I was a bit skeptical about how they would taste, but I was pleasantly surprised. Inspired by Rosé from the south of France, the Electric Rosé is dry and crisp with a strong acidity. Refreshing flavours of juicy raspberry are welcome on a hot day at the beach! Get these $3.80 pouches at the LCBO while they last.

With about a month left of nice weather in Toronto, you still have time left for a few beach days. And no sacrifice has to be made for the wine lover with these three recommendations! So grab your tetra-paks, cans and pouches and enjoy the wine life at the beach.

Girl on a Budget: Wine Magnums Under $20

The Victoria day long weekend marks the beginning of summer in Canada. And summer in Canada means weekend cottage trips, camping adventures and lots of barbeque parties. All of these events go best with great wine and friends. But if you’re a girl on a budget, the wine can add up! I find that when I’m packing wine for a weekend trip or stocking up for a summer party, wine magnums are the best value. Wine magnums are 1.5L bottles, which is equal to two regular wine bottles. If you can find a magnum for under $20, then you will have plenty budget left to pick up that cute swim suit for the cottage! But are wine magnums under $20 any good? They are not going to be the BEST wine that you’ve ever had, but I’ve listed below my top picks.

1. Aveleda

2. Barefoot

3. Bodacious

4. Cono Sur

5. Mateus

6. Folonari

7. Jackson Triggs

8. Peller Estates

9. Two Oceans

1. Aveleda Vinho Verde  $19.60 – This wine is listed at #1 because it is definitely my #1 pick for wine magnums under $20! A light Portuguese white with zesty spritziness, it’s perfect for sipping by the pool. Plus, with a lower alcohol level, 9.5%, you can sip all day without the worry of a hangover!
2. Barefoot Pinot Grigio $19.95 – The Barefoot Pinot Grigio is another light a crisp white, but with more an off-dry style (dry but with a slight sweetness). On a hot day on the dock, I enjoy this wine over a large tumbler of ice.
3. Bodacious Smooth Red $18.75 – A mix of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, the Bodacious red is full bodied and smooth. It is definitely a crowd pleasing wine, so a great choice when hosting a backyard barbeque. It’s on sale until May 27th for $16.75, so now would be a good time to stock up!
4. Cono Sur Bicicleta Viognier $18.95 – The Cono Sur Viognier is bursting with aromatic flavours of tropical fruits and rounded out with great acidity. I just discovered this wine last month and was very happy to see it came in a magnum. Enjoy this wine with an extended al fresco Sunday lunch.
5. Mateus Rosé $17.40 – This rosé is on the sweeter side, so I find that it works best mixed with sparkling water and ice to make a rosé spritzer. There’s nothing better than a rosé spritzer at the beach on a hot summer day!
6. Folonari Soave $16.95 – The Folonari Soave has been one of my go-to magnums for years! It’s light, crisp and dry style makes it perfect for pairing with picnic pot locks in the park. Be careful though, this wine goes down like water!
7. Jackson Triggs Shiraz $18.95 – When you’re having guests over for a charcoal grilled steak dinner, the Jackson Triggs Shiraz is a great choice. It’s a full bodied and easy drinking red wine that pairs well with friends and warm summer grill nights.
8. Peller Estates Rosé $16.95 – This rosé is also on the sweeter side, but that makes it perfect to make frosé, sangria, rosé pops and spritzers. When you’re heading out of the city for a girls cottage weekend, pack a couple of these bottles to rosé all day!
9. Two Oceans Sauvignon Blanc $18.75 –  I always have a magnum bottle of the Two Ocean’s Sauvignon Blanc in the fridge during the summer. It’s light and crisp with nice grapefruit, herb and citrus flavours. I find it works great as an après-work drink on the balcony.

If you’re a girl on a budget, wine magnums under $20 are your best choice to wine all summer! Weekend cottage trips, backyard parties and long beach days require wine at good value. While wine magnums aren’t always the BEST wine, my top 9 picks are all good choices that I’m sure you’ll enjoy!

Cheers! ~ GDW