Swirl

Went to Swirl on Queen East with some work friends.

Great place. Especially great because it has some interesting art, sewing tables spray painted and repurposed and wish drawers... People put their wishes into the drawer. No I didn't read them, totally wanted to though.



I tried a few different wines and some cheeses:
Carlos Basso - Dos Fincas Malbec 2008
Mendoza, Argentina
Nose: Acidic with hints of cassis.
Mouth: Easy drinking but I like a little more fruitl. Paired very well with the Hermit Blue... It really brought out the sweetness in the cheese.
Montepulciano D'Abruzzo Doc Crea Vini
Abruzzo, Italy
Nose: Floral with strong oak.
Mouth: Not good, Acidic alcohol and not much else

Cave Springs Cellars - Gewurztraminer 2007
Nose: Honey, crisp apple and spice.
Mouth: Buttery, crisp, not overly sweet with subtle honey.

Tenuta Santome Anna 2007
Prosecco/SauvignionBlanc/Chardonay
Treviso, Italy
Nose: Fragrant, buttery, floral
Mouth: Not a big fan. Buttery yet sharp and spicy... just not well balanced.






Cheeses:
Hermit Blue - Nutty Blue, pretty good... went very well with the cheese and the delicious poached pear.
Le Sauvigne - a brie style cheese with a bitter rind. I prefer a creamier brie without the bitter, but it is nice to change it up.
Niagara Gold - Cheddar/Swiss style cheese with a strong flavour. A great pair to wine!
Marinated Goats Cheese - Amazing! olive oil roasted garlic and goats cheese. How can you go wrong?!




I really like this place and will definitely go again. The wine list was pretty large so I'd like to see what else they have.

Terroni

Our friend Paul was visiting from Vancouver so we went to Terroni. I've never really thought Terroni's food was fantastic. It is very good and subtle and their cheese plate is amazing but I prefer places with really flavourful, bold and different foods. However, the number one reason I go to Terroni is THE WINE!

We sat out on the patio on a beautiful day and decided to get a bottle of red. The waitress brought over a few samples. We tried the Bolla Valpolicella Classico 2008. The nose was tannic with a hint of plum. The taste was well balanced with equal oak and fruit and it was juicy... but it was nothing really special.

We also tried then subsequently bought a bottle of Le Cruste - Nero di Troia 2006 This is one of the best wines I have ever had. It is from the Alberto Longo winery and isn't available here... I may buy a case from Terroni!

Nose - Cherry with a slight sharpness from the alcohol. Also aromas of plum, cinnamon and spice is present.
Mouth - Black Cherry, and ripe plum. Really great bold fruit and a very juicy feeling that fills your mouth with flavour. A little spice and acidity from the alcohol leaves you feeling refreshed. Really, really fantastic wine!
Body - Medium - best of both worlds, creamy and full, yet refreshing and easy drinking.

Weekend Wines

Chateau Pey La Tour - 2008 Bordeaux - Merlot/Cab Sauv blend
Okay, easy drinking wine... wouldn't buy again. No distinguishable flavours, aside from oak, grape, tannins and a bit too dry. Not good enough at the $20 (lcbo) price point.


Best Heim - 2008 Pinot Blanc from Alsace
Fantastic!
Nose - honey, pear/apple with citrusy and floral notes... very fragrant.
Mouth - honey a nice amount of sweetness. a little sharpness from citrus and apparent apple flavour. really, really nice wine



Montes Alpha - 2007 Syrah
Not worth saying anything about a decent easy drinking wine but nothing special. No complexity.


Alsace - Domaines schlumberger - Pinot Gris
on first sip it tasted like grape juice. but once it opened up it became much more smooth and floral.
Nose- buttery citrus and pear.
mouth - Once it had breathed a bit it was buttery and almost floral... really nice and smooth. Hint of citrus definite honey and pear. very good balance of sweet, tart and fragrant. yum.

I also tried an alsatian gewurtztraminer... I usually like these, I believe it was rated well but I didn't write down the name. It was just too much. Very floral very fragrant but very, very sweet... too sweet.