My Brain is in a Knot... a review of a Riesling and an Icewine

Preparing my taxes was excruciating. I started them in March but I needed a month to revisit TurboTax multiple times to add more information or check my additions. Well last night was my last chance to do a "do-over", catch a mistake or delete and start over - so I sealed the envelope and blessed my work with a glass or... bottle of Estancia 2008 Riesling - a good choice with its balance of sugar and acidity to clear a completely knotted neck and brain. The Riesling's aroma of apples and peaches with a hint of honey paired well with my recovery dinner of Truffle cheese and crackers. It may not sound like a balanced dinner but in my state of mind it was a true comfort. The Estancia Riesling comes from the Monterey appellation where the cool climate and long growing season let this old world grape develop its sweetness.

Continuing to seek out a sweet spin on the refund that will not be coming to my house,

I poured a glass of Jackson-Triggs 2007 Icewine to pair with my fruit tart from Whole Foods.

My thanks to ICON Estates for sending this little bottle of bold fruit flavours. It was my first taste of this unique wine. So I needed to find out what defined it? As with all wines its the land, the climate and the fermentation. Icewines are made under strictly controlled conditions. In Canada, where the Jackson-Triggs wine is produced, grapes must be picked by hand after temperatures reach a hard frost of at least 17 degrees. The rock-hard grapes are crushed while still frozen. Fermentation is done in stainless steel producing wines with both sweetness and a balancing acidity. I enjoyed the taste of mango, apples and pineapple balanced with fine acidity and a silky finish. I will try this wine as a dessert wine served by itself.

Wishing you many sweet returns.