Tantalus Riesling 2008 and Seven Poplars Pinotage 2007

On a recent descent into our storage locker, in the depths of our condo (all the way to P2!), I decided to bring a couple bottles back up with me, bottles we'd been storing for a rainy day.

That day is now. It's pouring.

First I cracked the Seven Poplars Pinotage from 2007, by Lake Breeze, which was great. Had it with chili, maybe the best chili we've ever made. By "we" I mean, in fact, "my wife." She made it herself. But I opened the wine. Wasn't even a screw cap. It was fruity and warming, a bit spicy.

People tend to think of riesling, and whites in general, as summer wine. But why? Summer is only a state of mind. The summer in the Pacific Northwest is nothing like the summer in Australia, and nothing like the summer in Siberia, so why should there be such a narrow occupation for whites?

Tantalus makes a great riesling. It's bright and crisp, a bit sweet, quite limey.

Maybe my new wine for fall.

2009 Gray Monk Pinot Gris

Why do they spell it "Gray"? That's American spelling.

Maybe the label will explain. No.

The web site?

Actually, they sort of address it:

"Our name comes from one of the first grape varieties we produced - Pinot Gris. In Austria and Hungary, this grape is called ‘Grauar Mönch’ hence the translation to ‘Gray Monk’. The grape has a very distinctive blue-gray colored berry."

Doesn't explain the spelling exactly, but I'll move on.

I like this wine. It's a nice golden colour. And crisp, with grapefruit and lots of citrus. Having it tonight with homemade minestrone.

Fall is here.