unwinedwithalyson

It’s been a while since I reviewed some wine but I tried a few over Thanksgiving, pictures aren’t insta worthy but whatever 1) directors cut - awesome wine, If you see it, buy it! (Slightly higher price point but tastes like a $50 bottle) 2) I heard a lcbo staff member recommend this Pinot - skip it, not great and doesn’t represent a California Pinot noir. I should have known since it just says California Pinot on the label, you want to look for a wine region such as Sonoma valley or Russian river valley etc 3) this rose is bon jovis rose from France - it was ok, good label but there are better French rose wines for the price point - not a lot of fruit flavours… I’d go with skip it.

I took a group of my 9 fave ladies to my favourite place in the world (Napa and Sonoma Valleys) - I’ll post several more photos from this awesome trip!

Celebrating our first visit in over 2 years and maddys bday with a 2007 South African wine!

Photos aren’t great but we had a family reunion and the youngest cousin said he hadn’t really gotten into wine but wanted to try so we decided to have a wine journey … the last one was the best wine I have ever tasted. Such a great night!!

Dreaming of summer on this dreary day… love a rustic charcuterie at the cottage!!

2 very different roses - which is your preference, left or right??? Those who know me know I’m always picking right!!!

Things for unwinedwithalyson were really heating up in early 2020 and then having a business that relied on social gatherings was not ideal... looking to start back up again this fall!! Message me if you are interested or have any questions!!

Another awesome one I wanted to show. The group wanted a blind taste test to see if they could tell the difference between 2 different price points. I decanted and poured this 2012 Australian Barossa Valley GSM by Grant Burge that I bought in Calgary a couple year ago, and I also poured a lower priced (but still great quality) 2018 French Cotes Du Rhone (same grape varietals). No one could be tricked - this wine was amazing - maturing well but still fresh and great colour.

Because we had some friends over that appreciate good wine - I pulled a couple bottles out that I have been saving. This one was amazing and it reminded me of visiting ’ beautiful tasting room a few years ago. So smooth and easy drinking... I wish I had several bottles of this to enjoy!!

Love being able to entertain again.... finally!

Was pretty pumped (pun) to see this rose at the lcbo today! Holds up against other Provence roses. Great for afternoon drinks in the sun with a beautiful charcuterie prepared by - would recommend!

Sorry for being MIA - honestly I haven’t been drinking a ton of wine during quarantine mostly because I haven’t wanted to wait in line at the LCBO and I’ve been insanely busy at my day job! After a long work day today I decided to check out the selection. I’m happy to report there was no line and tons of great options! I wish I had grabbed a cart to stock up. Anyway - one of my favourite ‘memory’ wines is back. Maddy, mom and I drank a bunch of Directors Cut on our first trip to wine country in California and we get really excited every time we see it. Turns out it’s still excellent!! $34.95 - great balance of tannin and full juicy fruit flavour. Try it out if you see it!