NEON CACTUS WINES

Lagarde Malbec DOC
Intense, deep wine colour with ruby-red highlights. On the nose, complex and abundant blackberry, cassis and vanilla aromas from the touch of oak that linger in the glass. Soft, medium body with pleasant tannins on the palate and velvety berry flavours. Perfect harmonic balance, ideal for enjoying with steaks, chicken, rabbit and all kinds of pasta dishes. Best served at 60F (17C). $22.95*

Lagarde Syrah
Outstanding ruby-red colour. Fresh nose with sweet earthy and roasted espresso aromas that linger in the glass. Smooth and full-bodied palate. Overall this elegant Syrah is in perfectly balanced and ideal to enjoy with wild game, beef and lamb. Best served at 60F (17C). $18.95*

[ Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza ]

Bounty Cellars created Rim Rock wines to acknowledge achievements. From climbing a mountain to finishing a hard day’s work ~ there is always a reason to celebrate. The quality of this wine will echo the satisfaction you feel with your accomplishments. Enjoy!

Rim Rock Merlot
The bold aromas leap from your glass with layers of vanilla and ripe plums, woven with warm spices and rich dark cocoa, leading into a lush never-ending finish. The barrel aging in oak contributed to the exceptional smooth shape and warm feel of this wine. Pairs well with a classic style prime rib, or braised beef with a rich au jus. $19.95*
Rim Rock Pinot Noir
This full-bodied and well-rounded Pinot Noir is reminiscent of opulent Mercurey from Burgundy, France. A well-spent year in French oak produced the juicy cherry and strawberry flavours, in addition to warm chutney spices and a hint of fresh herbs. $19.95*
Rim Rock Chardonnay
The exceptional balance in this Chardonnay means a truly spectacular wine. Look for aromas of soft butterscotch and fresh orchard apples, with generous round fruit on the palate, dancing with light acidity and a rich buttery mouth feel. This rich and encompassing Chardonnay is perfect with a maple glazed salmon and or creamy rice dish. $18.95*

[ Canada British Columbia BC B.C. ]

Light purple colour. Starts with violet florals, strawberries, smoke and candied fruit on the nose. Strawberries continue onto the palate along with delectable spices. This well-structured, complex, light wine is traceable to its fine pedigree of six vineyards of unique terroir. You’ll love this with prime rib, turkey, pork tenderloin, coq au vin, beef bourguignonne, salmon, lamb, pheasant, duck, and tuna with rosemary. $17.95*

[United States U.S. U.S.A. USA]

Get your bottle of CBC’s feature wine this month at
Neon Cactus Wines:
Punto Final Classic Malbec 2008
from Argentina.

Laurie McKay tasted and talked about this wine on Winers on CBC radio’s Homestretch on
Friday, November 20 at 5:45 p.m.

Each month, get the featured bottle at Neon Cactus Wines and enjoy some sipping pleasure with Laurie while you learn about the wine!

I went to a party last night where the other guests and I enjoyed copious amounts of wine. I awoke this morning not feeling well, with flu-like symptoms such as headache, nausea, chills and sore eyes. Some initial testing shows that I am unfortunately suffering from what experts are calling Wine Flu.

This debilitating condition is very serious, and it appears this is not an isolated case.  Reports are flooding in from all around the country of others diagnosed with Wine Flu.  To anyone who starts to exhibit the above tell-tale signs, experts are recommending you drink a cup of tea and lie down.

However, should your condition worsen, you should immediately rent a DVD and take some Advil (this seems to be the only drug available that has been proven to help combat this unusual type of flu). Others are reporting a McDonald’s Big Mac can also help in some cases.  If not, then further application of wine, in similar quantities to the original dose, has been shown to do the trick.

Wine Flu does not need to be life threatening and, if treated early, can be eradicated within 24 to 48 hours. Cheers!

NOTE: If you find you are complaining a lot, it may be that it has mutated into Whine Flu. This is particularly common in men and can quickly spread to their partners.

bogle \bõ’g?l \n. [Scots, perhaps from Welsh] A goblin; a specter; a phantom; a bogy, boggart or bugbear.

The Bogle Phantom has reappeared…
Petite Sirah 49%, Zinfandel 49%, Mourvèdre 2%
Three distinctive varietals combine lush berry and fierce spice into a wine characterized by its incandescence. Deeply luscious and succulent blackberries ignite this vintage of this rich ruby apparition. Aromas of anise and sweet fig are embraced by touches of black pepper. From the shadowed dark depths, subtle notes of cloves and vanilla emerge and complement the concentrated fruit characters of this wine. Captured in American oak barrels, this wine showcases the best these distinct varietals have to offer.
Though this wine is remarkable now, age in the bottle will only integrate the three unique varietals more. Welcome the winery ghost into your home again with this latest vintage, and enjoy with full-flavoured and hearty meals… before it vanishes again. $31.95*
Vintage: 2006
Release Date: August 3, 2009

“The Riebke” Shiraz
To make great wine you have got to have great fruit. This intense Shiraz came from the Riebke Brothers’ Home Block vineyard. A very deeply coloured wine with rich chocolatey fruit and hints of spice on the nose. The palate is full and fruit driven, gaining complexity from its time in older French and American hogsheads. $24.95*

Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel
Head-trained, dry farmed old vines continue to be the source for Bogle’s Old Vine Zinfandel. These gnarly old vines produce concentrated fruit of unsurpassed quality and intensity. This supple and full-bodied vintage begins with brambleberries and raspberry jam. Summertime ripeness and richness integrate with hints of black pepper and a touch of dark chocolate. The finish of toasty oak, tobacco and spicy cloves creates a wine of both structure and sumptuousness. This is the perfect wine to pair with everything from rich sauces and unique dishes, to your favorite weeknight take-out. $22.95*

Bogle Chardonnay
A white wine with a generous entry and layers of complexity. Green apple and ripe pear overwhelm the senses, while creamy and buttery notes caress mid-palate. New American oak lends nutmeg and spicy tones to the wine. The finish leaves with crispness and balanced acidity. Enjoy this wine with just about everything! $21.95*

Neon Cactus Wines also carries Bogle Petite Sirah,  and Bogle Phantom, both excellent red wines.

[  United States U.S. U.S.A. USA ]

A bountiful apple orchard located on the southern slopes of Pinnacle Mountain provides the essential ingredient for this critically acclaimed, award-winning ice cider. More than 80 hand-picked apples go into the making of each bottle of this rich, golden, full-bodied nectar, to produce:
■ Stunning richness;
■ Incredible complexity ~ made from a blend of six varieties of apples;
■ Exceptional balance ~ fresh apple taste with a sweet, smooth finish;
■ A naturally made ice cider ~ without added sugar or alcohol.

Domaine Pinnacle Ice Cider offers great flexibility and can be enjoyed on its own or as an delicious complement to a variety of foods:
■ as an apéritif;
■ with pâtés, foie gras, game or poultry;
■ with spicy dishes;
■ with fine cheeses, particularly blue or goat cheeses, aged cheddar or brie;
■ with desserts including, of course, many apple-based classics; or
■ on its own, as a digestif, to end a perfect meal.
For additional serving suggestions, please refer to this recipe collection.
375 ml  12% alc./vol.
SERVE WELL CHILLED (5°C)

[ Canada, Canadian ]