A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 1015: Magnetic Hill and Grapes for Humanity Auction

Posted on April 13, 2026 by tonyaspler

Magnetic Hill white wines

Monday, April 6th: Tasted the following wines from Magnetic Hill Winery in Moncton, New Brunswick. They have a second label, Loose Wire.

Magnetic Hill Terroir Generator Osceola Brut Sparkling 2022
(Osceola Muscat, also known as Muscat de Swenson, is a versatile and hardy grape variety bred by renowned grape breeder Elmer Swenson. Developed from a mix of French and North American grape species, this variety thrives in cooler climates. Named after Osceola, Wisconsin, where it was bred.)
Golden colour, light mousse; aromatic, lavender bouquet; light-bodied, dry, peachy-apricot flavour with a touch of bitterness on the finish; lively acidity masks the touch of sweetness in the wine. (89)

Loose Wire St. Pepin 2024 Cellar Experiment
(This a hybrid crossing by Elmer Swenson of Seyval Blanc with Rosette)
Pale straw in colour; lightly floral, grapefruit best bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, unctuously soft mouth feel; nicely balanced, good length, with grapefruit and lime flavours, finishing with a touch of bitterness (over-pressing?). (88) Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 1014: Seder Night

Posted on April 6, 2026 by tonyaspler

Passover dinner menu

Monday, March 30th: Spent much of the day getting papers together for the renewal of my British passport.

Tuesday, March 31st: A meeting at Ted Van Geest’s house (a two-minute walk) to discuss a project for the Ontario wine industry. Ted opened a bottle of Marramiero Incanto Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2015. Delicious. Continue reading →

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Grapes for Humanity Announces 2026 Fine Wine Auction

Posted on March 31, 2026 by tonyaspler

Featuring over $1 Million in Rare Wines, Dream Lots, and Unforgettable Experiences

With wine donations up more than 200%, the April auction will support climate action alongside Grapes for Humanity’s core pillars of health, education, and humanitarian relief Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 1014: GoldHill/Charisma Wines

Posted on March 30, 2026 by tonyaspler

Charisma wines

Gold Hill Winery, located in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, produces the “Charisma” line, known for being approachable, fruit-forward, and well-priced, including Pinot Noir Rosé, Cabernet Merlot, Malbec, and Pinot Gris.

Monday, March 23rd: Dinner: Lamb chops with Aliança Bairrada Reserva 2023 (a Portuguese blend of Baga, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional). Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 1013: A Sunshine Week!

Posted on March 25, 2026 by tonyaspler

Saturday, March 14th: Deborah and I drove to the Park ‘n’ Fly at Pearson Airport to take a Porter flight to Cancun. We stopped for a quick lunch at Vino Volo – a sandwich and a $19 glass of wine. The wine was Riverlore Sauvignon Blanc 2024 from Marlborough, New Zealand. The cost of a bottle at the LCBO is $14.80. Outrageous mark-up!

Our flight was delayed three hours. The choice of wine on the flight was Jackson-Triggs Pinot Grigio or Jackson-Triggs Cabernet Sauvignon. At Cancun Airport, a small bottle of water costs US$6. We had booked a bus ride to our resort, Akumal Bay, as transport to the hotel was not part of the package. Continue reading →

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