NEON CACTUS WINES

Leyda Vintage Selection Red 2002 &
Leyda Classic Reserve Chardonnay ~ Chile
Pikes “The Red Mullet” &
Pikes “Il Pesce” ~ Australia
Tariquet Sauvignon ~ France
Chateau Pesquie “Artemia”  &
Chateau Pesquie Viognier ~ France
Flor de Crasto ~ Portugal
Donnafugata “Sedara” &
Donnafugata “Angheli” ~ Italy
Lunae Vermentino ~ Italy

Leyda Vintage Selection Red Blend 2002  
Cabernet Sauvignon (60 %) gives depth and character, Cabernet Franc (25%) adds structure and elegance, and Syrah (15%) adds complexity to the blend. The elegant nose exhibits black fruit aromas like cassis and plums along with leather, black pepper and a floral hint. The opulent palate displays strong but ripe tannins throughout, holding the weight of the intense fruity flavours and leaving a long aftertaste. $23.95*

Leyda Classic Reserve Chardonnay
Fresh and fruit driven on the nose with ripe citrus and subtle tropical aromas, mineral notes and a hint of honey. Sharp and well balanced with a sweet front palate a leesy texture and a mineral and lingering acidity. $16.95*

“The Red Mullet”
86% Shiraz, 6% Grenache, 4% Mourvedre, 4% Tempranillo
An eclectic blend designed for everyday drinking that displays ripe, dark berry fruits with a rich, soft finish. A bit of a red herring (Mullet) by anyone’s standards.
Aromas of ripe plums, mulberry and chocolate with a touch of Clare Valley minty regional character showing. Medium weight palate of ripe blueberry, plum and cherry and a little chocolate. Soft, round tannins with bright fruit and good acid with a hint of spice.  $21.95*

“Il Pesce”
84% Sangiovese, 8% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon
The Sangiovese gives structure and great depth of flavour to this quirky red blend. Cabernet adds intensity of flavour and fine tannins, and Merlot adds a lushness and softness. The rich, juicy palate fills the mouth with ripe dark berries and hints of chocolate and dry herbs. Wonderful with food. $21.95*

Quality grapes and a winemaker’s expert touch combined to reach new heights. A distinctive bouquet with fine intense floral notes, some minerality, and the underlying suggestion of ripe grapes. Fresh and refined with an attractive intensity. A fine expression of Sauvignon Blanc, this wine is a delight. Serve chilled. Excellent with starters such as fish, seafood or white meat. $16.95*

[ Gascony ]

Artemia
50 % Syrah, 50 % Grenache
A very aromatic nose with blackberry notes and a nice minerality. The balanced mouth receives fruit and power from the Syrah and richness and spices from the Grenache. Serve at 18°C accompanied by terrines, roasted red meats, meats in sauces, game and, especially, pair Artemia with duck and scrambled eggs with truffles. $49.95*

Chateau Pesquie Viognier
Golden color with bright, clear silvery highlights. White flowers (acacias), violet and peach on the nose with slight menthol notes. Great balance with delicate flavours of white flowers, citrus fruits and peach. Fresh with a nice long finish. A favourite as an aperitif, it is also an elegant accompaniment to asparagus, grilled fish, stuffed squid, spring vegetables with shellfish, smoked fish, cream cheese, reblochon and goat cheeses. For dessert, it is delicious with pecan, pear, or apricot pie. $22.95*

Bright plum-red colour. Lifted aromas of very fresh wild berries, complemented by slight spice characters. A fresh and elegant taste, very well balanced with medium-bodied palate displaying berry fruit, savory flavours and soft tannins. An excellent value. $14.95*

[ Douro ]

 “Sedara”
Nero d’Avola grapes
The ruby-red colour is rounded out by lively garnet reflections. The impact on the nose is intense with sensations of tobacco, spices and mineral notes. In the mouth, the wine is balanced with fruity flavours, mainly blackberries and cherries. Persistent finish. Serve with elaborate baked pasta dishes and red meats, or try with lightly cooked fresh tuna. $19.95*
“Angheli”
Merlot & Nero d’Avola grapes
A wine with extraordinary personality and elegance. The bouquet is full with upfront fruity notes. Outstanding scents of sour cherries, blackberries and wild berries and hints of cacao, licorice and cardamom. Persistent finish. Best with imposing dishes of roasted or braised red meats, game and cheeses. $29.95*

[ Sicily, Sicilia ]

Guy Chaumont’s vineyard in Burgundy has been organic since 1965.
Givry Pinot Noir
A complex and aromatic wine, aged in oak for 18 months. Smooth and full of ripe berry fruit flavours. Perfect to drink now or keep for up to 10 years. Excellent with red meat, a hearty casserole or cheese. $26.95*
Givry Chardonnay
A fine and subtle wine, aged in oak for 10 months. Slightly golden colour, buttery with apple and melon fruit. Characteristic mineral undertones from the region’s soil add complexity to this lively wine. Wonderful with light meats or seafood. $24.95*

Neon Cactus Wines carries this CBC feature wine:
Bodegas Los Frailes Bilogia 2005
from Spain.
Laurie McKay tasted and talked about this wine on Winers on CBC radio’s Homestretch on
Friday, September 25.

This cherry red wine with purple tinges is a Monastrell/ Tempranillo. On the nose, notice fresh, intense aromas of red fruits, jam, cherries and plums. An excellent balance of structure, fruit and acidity on the palate with both fruit and oak blending perfectly. Sweet tannins followed by a round, fresh, complex structure complemented by a long, intense aftertaste. $19.95*

Montalto Nero D’Avola
Deep red colour. Ripe red wine nose with blackcurrant and cherry fruit, herbs and chocolate. Smooth, dense and warm full-bodied palate. $14.95* 
Montalto Cataratto
Notice apples and nuts on the nose of this delightful dry white wine. Crisp and harmonious palate with fuitiness ~ some citrus notes. Nice acidity and freshness. $14.95*

Women are like apples on trees. The best ones are at the top of the tree. Most men don’t want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they sometimes take the apples from the ground that aren’t as good, but easy.
The apples at the top think something is wrong with them, when in reality, they’re amazing. They just have to wait for the right person to come along, the one who is brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree.
Now Men… Men are like wine. They begin as grapes and it’s up to women to stomp on them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with.

You’ll find Twisted Tree Winery at the second crossing of Long Joe Creek and Highway 3, just east of Osoyoos. Long Joe is a seasonal creek and some years does not flow at all. The Second Crossing wines, like the creek, appear only some years, created exclusively from South Okanagan grapes.

Second Crossing Merlot
Rich, dark aromas of earth, smoked plums, chocolate cherries and savoury herbs. Quite chewy on the palate with flavours of spiced chocolate, leather and earth. Firm and youthful tannins. Some roasted coffee and clove  flavours on the finish. Pair beautifully with roasted or grilled meat dishes. $17.95*

[ BC B.C. British Columbia Canada Canadian ]

Here are some common grape varietals and descriptions of the wines they produce:

Sauvignon Blanc (Fume Blanc) ~ is a white wine best known for its grassy, herbal flavours. An excellent choice with fish and shellfish dishes.

Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio) ~ is a rich and lightly perfumed white wine with