Showing posts with label georgia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label georgia. Show all posts

First image of this post
  • Date publishedFriday, July 11, 2025

Bedoba Saperavi 2021 (Georgia) - Wine Review

red wine review is a lovely, dry red wine from Georgia that is crafted with the Saperavi varietal. It is brand new to the LCBO and arrived at Flagship Exclusive outlets (plus maybe a few other stores) and online in the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Bedoba, which means "Day of Luck", is a boutique wine producer whose original cellars date back to 1737 and the Konchosvilli family who had close ties with the church. Bedoba's modern incarnation was established by Georgian winemaker Nugzar Ksovreli, from the Kakheti wine company, and Swiss winetrepreneur Thierry Fontannaz.

Thierry's fascination and utmost respect for Georgia's ancient winemaking techniques moved him to create Bedoba from Nugzar's iconic Saperavi wines of the Khaketian area of the winery, which belonged to the Konchoshvili family. The Bedoba wine cellar dates back to 1533, when Kakhaber Konchoshvili, winemaker of Kakhetian King Teimuraz II, founded a wine cellar where traditional Kakhetian wines were produced and sold.

The Bedoba brand was born in praise of an inclusive and eclectic culture at the European juncture between East, West, North and South. Parts of the European, Persian, Arabian, Anatolian and Far Eastern cultures have influenced Georgia's own identity, and resulted in one of the most hospitable countries in the world, as the welcoming and benevolent culture is a joy for all who have had the privilege of experiencing it.

The Georgian tradition of BEDOBA is the granting of luck on the second day of the new year, an extension of New Year's Day celebrations, to ensure that there is a dedicated time in which good luck is welcomed for the new year. In short, Bedoba is a wonderful way to manifest good intentions and happiness in Georgian homes and establishments, and presumably wine drinkers around the world as well!

This red wine is crafted with the dark-skinned and red-fleshed Saperavi varietal, from vines that are 30+ years old and cultivated using sustainable and organic techniques. The trellis-trained vineyards are planted on 8 metres of black slate soil in the sub-regions of Kindzmarauli and Kvareli, within Kakheti. After hand-harvesting the grapes from mid-September to late-November, most of the grapes were partially destemmed, then crushed in stainless steel vats, where fermentation took place. A large proportion of the grapes were whole-bunch fermented in qvevri amphoras. After about 6 weeks of stainless steel fermentation, the juice was drawn off and some of it was racked into 225 L first- and second-fill oak barrels, as well as 5,000 L wooden barrels, where the wine underwent malolactic fermentation, and was then racked off the lees and transferred into a new set of barrels and vats for further maturation. The qvevri fermented grapes remained in amphoras until March, and were then pressed and transferred into new qvevris for further ageing. Both portions were blended together to create the final cuvée of 100% Saperavi.

In this part of Georgia, the weather is typically influenced by the nearby Great Caucasus Mountains, allowing for a dry harvest with typically mild temperatures during the day, but cold nights, which is ideal for avoiding any kind of rot. Let's see how this 2021 Saperavi from Georgia is tasting tonight...

Bedoba Saperavi 2021 (90+ pts)

Tasting Note:

BEDOBA SAPERAVI 2021 - Georgia (#41298) (XD) - $26.95
100% Saperavi. The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose has deep aromas of sweet and ripe dark fruits, blackberry, black cherry, cassis, vanillin, and spices, with minerality permeating throughout. It's medium+ bodied, dry, and well-structured with delicious ripe blackberry, black cherry, spice, and stony mineral flavours accented with touches of cassis, herbs, and vanilla. Some floral notes on the mid-palate, along with crisp, well-structured, and slightly tangy acidity, and smooth, refined tannins. Gently grippy with blackberry, cassis, and savoury mineral notes on the long finish. Recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

While this appears to be the only wine produced by Bedoba at the moment, other wines may be available at some point through their Agent - Kylix Wines.


First image of this post
  • Date publishedTuesday, May 16, 2017

Gourmet Food & Wine Expo 2016 - Review

Gourmet Food & Wine Expo 2016
On the evening of , I attended the VIP Preview Night of the 22nd Annual Gourmet Food & Wine Expo that was held, as per the usual, in the north building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in downtown Toronto.

As usual, the event was busy as the crowds poured in soon after 6 p.m. and stayed busy over the course of the evening, until the lights began flashing near the end, signalling that the night event was about to end soon at 10 p.m.

For me, this tasting is all about the wine, however, there seemed to be fewer wine-focused booths compared to previous years - hopefully this doesn't develop into a trend. Meanwhile, spirits-focused booths seemed to be at the same number compared to prior years (which is not that many), and the number of food-centric booths seemed to be more than prior years, including some new names to the show. Having more food options was definitely a pleasant surprise as, for once, I wasn't left scrambling trying to find something to eat towards the end of the show.

Some of the booths I visited included the agency booths of United Stars Corporation, where they were pouring wines from Georgia, and MCO - Interesting Wines & Spirits, where they offered pours of fine French wines. No trip to Gourmet Food & Wine Expo would be complete without a stop at the Kolonaki Group booth to sample some lovely Greek wines and the top-notch Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Gold Brut Champagne. My favourite booth every year is Wines of Germany for the some very fine sweet Riesling. This time, because it wasn't crazy busy, I also managed to taste at the Wines from Spain booth and tried the very nice PX (Pedro Ximenez) lusciously sweet Sherry.

Wines of Germany

Kolonaki Group

On the local scene, Prince Edward County had a lengthy booth featuring wines from a few different wineries, including Trail Estates Winery and Closson Chase Winery. Although I didn't taste anything from Niagara wineries this time around, Hidden Bench Vineyard and Winery and Two Sisters Vineyards were among the notables that I know have quality wines.

All in all, I was quite pleased with the event. And even though the number of wine-focused booths was less than previous years, the event did compensate by having more food options that were to my liking. Many of the wines I tasted were also very good quality, with wine reviews of some of my favourites provided below. You should be able to find most of these wines at the LCBO in the General List section or in VINTAGES.

Tasting Notes:

KONCHO MUKUZANI 2013 - Kakheti, Georgia (#460501) (XD) - $13.95
Made with the indegenous Saperavi grape, this has a medium intensity nose with currant, cedar oak, red & black fruits and some spice aromas and flavours. It's medium-bodied and dry with good acids. Tannins have some structure and are a touch drying. Medium-long finish. Score: 87 pts

Koncho Mukuzani 2013 (87 pts)Domaine Courbis Saint-Joseph 2013 (91 pts)

DOMAINE COURBIS SAINT-JOSEPH 2013 - AC, Rhône, France (#007914) (XD) - $30.95
100% Syrah. Highly aromatic and very appealing nose of black current, blackberry, red & black fruits, pepper, and hints of floral and oak. It's full-bodied with soft, velvety smooth tannins and very nice aroma replays. Very good acidity. Balanced, long finish. Superb. Score: 91 pts

SKOURAS MOSCHOFILERO 2015 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#442178) (XD) - $15.95
Medium-high intensity aromas of nice spring flower, mineral, tropical fruit and orange that continue on palate. Acids are clean and bright, offering a juicy mouthfeel. Medium-long finish. A wine for Spring. Score: 88 pts

Skouras Moschofilero 2015 (88 pts)Kir-Yianni Estate White 2015 (88+ pts)

KIR-YIANNI ESTATE WHITE 2015 - Samaropetra Vineyard, PGI Florina, Greece (#464511) - $17.95
A 50/50 blend of Roditis and Sauvignon Blanc, this has clean medium-high aromatics of kiwi, asparagus, grass, tropical fruit, and spring flowers. Acids are bright on the medium+ bodied palate with nice, ripe-fruited aroma replays and touches of mineral from the Roditis. Finish length is very good. Score: 88+ pts

ARMAND DE BRIGNAC ACE OF SPADES GOLD BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#220244) (XD) - $299.95
A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, offering medium-high aromatics that has bready, nutty, walnut, and some lime citrus aromas. Mostly comes off as dry on the fruity palate which is smooth and refined with fine bubbles. Vibrant acids are refreshing with a minerally character. Excellent finish length. Will have wide appeal at just about any table. Score: 91 pts

Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Gold Brut Champagne (91 pts)

TRAIL ESTATE SKIN CONTACT SERIES LAKEVIEW VINEYARD RIESLING 2015 - Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $30
Fermented with 21-day skin contact - much longer than most modern white wines. Highly aromatic nose of golden apple and pear. The palate is bone dry with a chalky mineral texture, nice aroma replays, and crisp acids. Very good length on the finish. Winery only. Score: 91 pts

Trail Estate Skin Contact Series Lakeview Vineyard Riesling 2015 (91 pts)Trail Estate Barrel-Ferment Chardonnay 2015 (90 pts)

TRAIL ESTATE BARREL-FERMENT CHARDONNAY 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $32
Bottled one week prior, the nose is highly aromatic, offering heavily-oaked aromas of toasty oak, smoke, popcorn, apple and butter aromas. It's medium-full bodied with a creamy mouthfeel and flavours that are less oak-influenced and more fruity - stone fruit, apple and butter flavours. Balanced acids. Finish length is excellent! Winery only. Score: 90 pts

PAUL ANHEUSER SCHLOSSBÖCKELHEIMER KÖNIGSFELS RIESLING KABINETT 2015 - Nahe, Germany (#161828) (MS) - $17.95
Medium+ aromas, very mineral-driven with stone fruits and citrus adding complexity. Crunchy mouthfeel, brimming with high acids that cuts into the perceived sweetness. More mineral and stone-citrus fruits on the palate, while finishing with grapefruit flavours. Score: 88+ pts

Paul Anheuser Schlossböckelheimer Königsfels Riesling Kabinett 2015 (88+ pts)Markus Molitor Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese 2013 (91 pts)

MARKUS MOLITOR ÜRZIGER WÜRZGARTEN RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2013 - Mosel, Germany (#139005) (MS) - $36.75
Highly aromatic nose offers complex mineral, earth, matchstick/smoke, and citrus aromas. It's medium+ bodied on the palate with a fleshy mouthfeel. Semi-sweet on the palate with lovely stone fruit and pink grapefruit flavours that are nicely balanced by vibrant acids. Excellent finish length. Score: 91 pts

CLEMENS BUSCH MARIENBURG GROSSES GEWÄCHS ROTHENPFAD RIESLING 2014 - Mosel, Germany (XD)
Stony mineral, limestone, and hints of lemon pith aromas of great intensity from the glass. Dry on the palate with more lemon pith. stony earth and limestone. Composed and well-balanced through and through. It has balanced acids and a long, elegant, juicy finish. Score: 91+ pts

Clemens Busch Marienburg Grosses Gewächs Rothenpfad Riesling 2014 (91+ pts)Selbach Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Auslese * 2012 (92 pts)

SELBACH OSTER ZELTINGER SCHLOSSBERG RIESLING AUSLESE * 2012 - Mosel, Germany (S)
Medium-high aromatics with lovely orange and mineral notes. The palate is very sweet with highly appealing aroma replays which are balanced by bright acids. The finish goes on and on. Well-balanced, this will age for many years and will go great at the dinner table. Score: 92 pts

OSBORNE PEDRO XIMENEZ 1827 - DOP, Spain (#047944) (S) - $17.95
This Sherry has a highly aromatic nose of caramel, walnut, fig, molasses and more nutty notes. It's very sweet on the full bodied palate with many of the aromas coming through on the lush, thick, and smooth palate. Finish length is very long. Serve with a slight chill. Score: 91 pts

Osborne Pedro Ximenez 1827 (91 pts)


Blog Archive

Posts by Tag

Recent Posts

Recent Posts Widget