After two weeks touring the Canadian east coast, I have realized that wine lists at most "good" restaurants are pretty pedestrian and the prices are often shocking. So, many times I was stuck ordering the least objectionable wine from the list.
Dogajolo 2010
Cappineto
Tuscany
A blend of Chardonnay (40 per cent), Grechetto and Sauvignon Blanc (30 per cent each).
Rich yellow in the glass.
Lemon, rich, spicy, creamy on the nose.
Medium weight, viscous, oily, apple, lemon, lime, tangy, good acidity, clean, rich, with a hint of honey.
Lemon, peppery on the mouthwatering finish.
A good contrast between the rich Chardonnay and the tangy and spicy SB.
Goats in Villages Viognier 2008
Paarl
Dark yellow in the glass.
Very fresh, floral, peach, heavy oak on the nose.
Medium weight, viscous, oak, lemon, lime, spicy, good acidity.
Tangy, mouthwatering finish.
Screwcap closure.
Doesn't taste very Viognier-like to me and the oak is way too heavy and who uses oak with Viognier anyway???!!
Lenz Moser Gruner Veltliner 2009
Selection
Light lemon on the clean nose.
Light to medium weight, clean, refreshing, lemon, grapefruit, good acidity.
Bitter citrus rind on the mouthwatering finish.
Went very well with seafood.
Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Marlborough
Yellow, with green tints, in the glass.
Gooseberry, celery, green peppers on the nose.
Medium weight, crisp, clean, good acidity, gooseberry, lemon, lime, some vegginess, rich.
Lemon, goosberry on the mouthwatering finish.
Screwcap closure.
Qual's Gate Genin Blanc 2009
Okanagan Valley
Good rich yellow in the glass.
Fresh citrus, clean, spicy on the rich nose.
Medium weight, a hint of honey, lime, lemon, good acidity, spicy, clean, rich, lightly floral.
Citrus rind, peppery on the finish.
Was surprised that the wine showed such a dominant citrus edge and pepperiness.
Sartori Valpolicella Superiore 2009
Dark cherry red in the glass.
Medium weight, good tangy acidity, cherry, raspberry, currants, refreshing, slightly prickly on the tongue, drying.
Very mouthwatering on the finish.