Tag: #winophiles

Baumann-Zirgel Crémant d’Alsace – Your New Champagne Alternative #winophiles

June 17, 2022 / Mel / 1 Comment

This month the French Winophiles are delving into the sparkling world of Crémant d’Alsace, and I will be focusing in particular on two excellent examples from Domaine Baumann-Zirgel.

Last year I had the pleasure of tasting a myriad of samples from Alsace, thanks to the Alsace Digitasting. And while it totally rekindled my love for riesling, I was disappointed that due to sample bottling constraints, we weren’t able to try any Crémant d’Alsace, the famed traditional-method sparkling wine from the region. So I was thrilled when the Winophiles chose Crémant for this month’s topic, as it gave me a chance to make up for lost bubbly!

Rosé all year with Côtes de Provence

January 15, 2022 / Mel / 6 Comments

I was born in the south of France, and after moving to Canada, I went back every summer to spend time with my family in Provence. Looking back on those visits conjures up the scent of pine trees and the feel of the salty Mediterranean breeze on my skin while fishing with my grandmother, not to mention visions of tables laid out with a panoply of delectable dishes and multiple bottles of wine. Given my past, it’s no wonder I became a wine lover, with rosé as my all-time go-to.

White and red bottle of Chapoutier Belleruche

The Wonderful World of Chapoutier in Côtes du Rhône

September 16, 2021 / Mel / 8 Comments

I never turn down a chance to drink/taste/write about wines from the Côtes du Rhône. They are some of the most gorgeous, easy-drinking wines from France. So when I found out the French Winophiles were discussing this beautiful wine region in the South of France this month, I knew I had to participate. While some of my fellow Winophiles received samples, I went to the LCBO to grab a couple of my go-to (i.e. affordable!) Côtes du Rhône wines from well-known producer M. Chapoutier.

Once upon a wine in Alsace – a riesling rekindling

July 21, 2021 / Mel / 6 Comments

Once upon a time, I thought I was the only sommelier in the world who didn’t like riesling, the main Alsace wine variety.

Riesling, one of the six “noble” grapes, is originally from Germany. It is an aromatic white grape, known for its floral, citrus and stonefruit qualities, with more mineral notes when grown in cool climates and more fruity and petrol-y notes when grown in warmer climates.

Yup, petrol.

French grapes around the world: Spotlight on Niagara gamay #winophiles

March 19, 2021 / Mel / 19 Comments

This month, the French Winophiles are exploring French grapes grown around the world. To keep it local, I am focusing on glorious gamay from Niagara, Ontario!

Rosés are red? Love for Provence’s big red wines and Château Calissanne #winophiles

February 20, 2021 / Mel / 7 Comments

Ahh Provence. Those of you who know me well know that this is a region that is close to my heart, since half my family lives there. When it comes to wine, the area is best known for its rosés, but its reds should not be overlooked. Today, the French #winophiles and I are exploring these hearty red wines from Provence. I’ll be tasting Château Calissanne’s Rocher Rouge.

Plate of beef bourguignon and Résonance Découverte 2017 pinot noir

New World meets Old World: Oregon Résonance pinot noir paired with bœuf bourguignon #winophiles

December 18, 2020 / Mel / 28 Comments

This month, the French Winophiles are shaking things up a bit. Rather than exploring a French wine region, our group of French-wine-loving bloggers is looking at Burgundian producers who are literally putting down roots in the US. I have chosen Maison Louis Jadot’s Résonance vineyard in Oregon, and will be pairing its 2017 Découverte pinot noir with bœuf bourguignon – an incredible match!

Vineyards on a hill by the sea — Roussillon vineyard by the Med. Photo credit: Vins du Roussillon Facebook page

Adventures in Roussillon white wines #Winophiles

July 17, 2020 / Mel / 23 Comments

Today I am joining the French Winophiles, a group of wine bloggers from around the world who love fermented French grapes, in their monthly virtual meet-up. Saturday morning’s discussion over on Twitter will focus on white wines from Roussillon, France’s southernmost winemaking region. Read to the end for more details.

A personal connection – or not

Being a Canadian/French dual citizen, I often consider myself quite familiar with France and its geography. And when I first heard that this month’s Winophiles chat would be on Roussillon, I thought “Great! I know that region and I’ve been there quite a bit in the last few years.” Except that once I started doing some research, I realized that it might not be the case. Continue reading

French kiss: a glimpse into the food and wine of Languedoc

October 20, 2017 / Mel / 0 Comments

Languedoc. Land of three kisses. Everyone knows that the French greet each other with kisses on the cheek. However, the French kissing custom can garner intense confusion for visiting foreigners. Like a secret code that only locals are privy to, the number of kisses exchanged varies based on geography, ranging anywhere from 1 to 5 (!!) kisses. Continue reading