A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 1023: A Wine-Filled Week

Posted on June 15, 2026 by tonyaspler
A signpost pointing to the Crush wineries

The Crush winemakers (see Saturday)

Monday, June 8th: Tasted six wines from Hester Creek from Oliver, BC.

Hester Creek Ti Amo 2025
A blend of Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat. Pale straw-ivory in colour with a gentle mousse of fine bubbles; aromatic nose of melon and peach with a tangerine notes; light-bodied, dry, easy drinking, floral, peach flavour, Well made, with balancing acidity, (89)

Hester Creek Riesling 2025
Pale straw in colour with a lime tint; light floral, minerally, grapefruit bouquet; light-bodied, just off-dry with a honeyed grapefruit flavour and lemony acidity. Lovely mouth-feel. (90) Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 1022: Salmon, Oysters and Crocodiles

Posted on June 8, 2026 by tonyaspler

Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2024

Monday, June 1st: Opened a bottle of Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2024 from New Zealand – the first from a case. What a great wine. Happy I bought a dozen.

Tuesday, June 2nd: Dinner: roast chicken with Peller Estates JEP Red.

Peller Estates JEP Red
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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 1021: An Embrace, a Farce, a Launch and a Competition

Posted on June 1, 2026 by tonyaspler

Ontario Wine Awards banner

Monday, May 18th: Dinner: shrimp in cream sauce with rice. And a bottle of Riverlore Sauvignon Blanc 2025.

Riverlore Sauvignon Blanc 2025

Tuesday, May 19th: Dinner: chicken wings with a bottle of Stratus White 2010. Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 1020: London and a Dinner Party for the Ages

Posted on May 24, 2026 by tonyaspler

Sunday, May 10th: London. Deborah and I are staying at the house of our friend Livia Prior in Hampstead. We took her to dinner at a local Lebanese restaurant, coincidentally named Oliviya. We started with Chateau Ksara Blanc de Blancs 2022 and moved on to Chateau Musar Hochar 2021. Back at the house we had a nightcap of Marquis de Sylène Calvados Vieille Reserve.

Chateau Ksara Blanc de Blancs 2022 Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 1019: Tuscan Anniversary Trip

Posted on May 17, 2026 by tonyaspler

Monday, May 4th: This is the 20th year of the Pauwels-Aspler food & wine tour in Europe.

Deborah and I flew to Florence airport to rendezvous with our group for the bus transfer to Siena. Our initial base was the 5-star Grand Hotel Continental Siena, located only steps from the Piazza del Campo, which, twice a year, hosts the Palio, the world-famous bareback horse race. The group took a 90-minute, guided walking tour of the city centre ending with an aperitif overlooking the Piazza del Campo. Continue reading →

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