Author: Dirk Chan
It’s Mother’s Day week, thought I’d do a tribute to Women and Wine featuring prominent women winemakers and owners. The seven ladies featured here are leading performers in their regions so a big salute to them.
Featured wines pictured left to right:
1) 2016 El Petit Bonhomme (Jumilla, Spain) – $17.99
Nathalie Bonhomme for whom this wine is named is a frequent visitor to Edmonton and has a close association with deVine’s. She is not only the owner and winemaker, but she also creates her own labels. Those of you who remember in 2013, we offered the Promenade Red, under our own label, well – Nathalie made that wine!
2) 2015 Château de la Font du Loup Cotes du Rhone (Rhone Valley, France) – $28.99
Chateau de la Font fu Loup (translates to Fountain of the Wolf, when wolves drank from the natural springs around their property) owner Anne-Charlotte Melia-Bachas comes from a long line of talented winemakers, like her father Charles before her. Aiming to express the uniqueness of their terroir, the family has holdings in the famous Le Crau, not too far from Vieux Telegraphe. Their wines are organically farmed and very pure. Love their Chateauneuf du Pape as well.
3) 2015 Noble Ridge Reserve Pinot Noir (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $44.99
Noble Ridge owner Leslie d’Andrea has degrees in Biology and Health Administration and she and her husband Jim found their land in 2001. Since then 22 hectares have been planted to vines with all the grapes grown on their Okanagan Falls property. Having found her love and passion to make world-class premium wine and along with a lot of hard work, its starting to pay off with a budding reputation. The jouney continues..
4) 2014 Mullineux Syrah (Swartland, South Africa) – $47.99
Andrea Mullineux, named Winemaker of the Year 2016 by Wine Enthusiast, is co-owner and winemaker at Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, based in the Swartland region at Roundstone Farm. Since the launch of the brand in 2007, Mullineux, has notched up 18 five-star wine ratings from Platter’s South African Wine Guide as well as being named Winery of the Year in both 2014 and 2016. High praise indeed.
5) 2014 Domaine du Closel Chateau des Vaults La Jalousie (Loire Valley, France) – $52.99
The Comtesse Evelyne de Pontbriand runs this beautiful estate on the north bank of the Loire. There are not many wines from Savennieres that make it to our part of the world, and her Chenin Blancs are like her – aristocratic, high class and finesse driven. Certified biodynamic, we only wish we could get a dessert wine and an amazing Sparkler, but we’ll gladly settle to have three of her classy artisan whites.
6) 2011 Elio Altare Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) – $117.99
More and more these days, daughter Silvia Altare has taken helm as winemaker at the famed Elio Altare Estate while her father Elio ventures off to create a different vision in Liguria. Silvia was here at deVine’s a couple of years ago to promote her vision of elegance, finesse, and balance in her wines, following a strict regime in the vineyards to allow the terroir to come through, adopting new vinification and aging techniques in the cellar. There is a move to a younger generation of winemakers in the Piedmont and Silvia is at the forefront.
7) 2014 Peller Estates Private Reserve Vidal Ice Wine (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – 200mL – $24.99
Since 2012, Winemaker Katie Dickieson has brought a wealth of experience from her time in New Zealand to Niagara’s Peller Estates. She combines her love of agriculture, an affinity for science and a keen interest in sensory studies into her job that shows on her wines. She is also a self proclaimed ‘foodie’ where great food enhances her well-balanced wines.
Try some of these wines on Mother’s Day, here’s wishing a Happy Day to all Mom’s out there!