Jane scored this wine: 90/100

An extra dry, elegant wine with aromas and rich flavours of white flowers, pineapple, lime zest and the distinctive saline minerality that reflects its terroir. It was vinified in thermoregulated stainless steel vats, to optimize the delicate fruit and saline characteristics and to avoid oaky flavours. Taught acidity makes this an excellent pairing for garlic shrimp, other shellfish, fish in rich sauces, or a Tomato and Goat Cheese tart. Tasted April 2024

Jane scored this wine: 91/100

Le Finage is an extremely elegant Chablis, with aromas of honey, apples, citrus zest, lilies and the characteristic saline minerality. The palate repeats these notes, along with apple, peach and rich buttery flavours, with a very satiny texture and superb acidity. Enjoy this with salmon, shellfish, oysters or sushi. You could cellar this wine until 2030, although full disclosure; I could not wait that long. Tasted April 2024

Jane scored this wine: 95/100

Pronounce: toe-ki ah-tsu Award-winning Tokaji Aszú has an interesting history. It was once one of the most coveted wines in the world, cherished by royal customers including Hungarian noblemen, Peter the Great, King Louis XIV and Catherine the Great. Apparently the Austrian composer Joseph Haydn received some of his payments in the form of this wine. When you taste it, you’ll understand why. This beloved Hungarian dessert wine is made using mostly grapes (Furmint variety) that are affected by a beneficial mould called Botrytis cinerea. In grapes, this mould is beneficial because it concentrates the grape’s sugars and adds distinctive aromas of ginger and saffron. 5 puttonyos refers to the number of 25L baskets of these botryised grapes that are added to the wine barrel; the more baskets added, the sweeter the wine. Tokaji Aszú is a sensuous, satiny, smooth nectar with luscious layers of aromas and flavours: apricot jam, tangerine, honey, ginger and marzipan. There’s a delicate floral aspect on the nose, too. It’s a rich wine yet it feels silky on the tongue. All this flavour is balanced with perfect acidity and a heavenly lingering finish. It’s one of those wines that you never forget once you taste it. Pair it with marzipan chocolates, Crème Brulèe or biscotti. Tasted February 2024 Jane Staples www.ottawalife.com

Jane scored this wine: 91/100

Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino Rosso presents with a pretty rosy amber colour and an aromatic nose, giving appetizing fruity and spicy notes. There’s a characteristic sweetness on the rich palate with flavours of cocoa, citrus, rhubarb and herbs, balanced by an appealing current of bitterness. It was delicious poured over ice but is well-known as an ingredient in several popular cocktails, such as the Negroni and Manhattan. I loved it immediately and can see why it is considered the gold standard for Italian vermouth. It’s a mouthwatering aperitif paired with olives and hard cheeses such as italian Pecorino. Tasted Jan., 2024 Jane Staples www.ottawalife.com

Jane scored this wine: 97/100

Bright yellow in colour and highly perfumed, with the nose giving grapefruit, bergamot and ginger, with flinty and white pepper notes. The palate is voluptuous, giving an outstanding silky, satiny mouthfeel with flavours of Amalfi lemon, grapefruit zest, ginger, saline minerality and a touch of honey that evolves on the finish. The wine has a very persistent and aromatic finish which makes it highly memorable. Pair it with lobster, goat cheese or veal. Tasted November, 2023