Lots of wines ahead, so I’m going to post everything separately for easier reading.

La Frenz Tawny NV

Purchased at the winery in July 2009, opened during the week of November 27, 2009.

A fortified wine made in the Port style by a great little winery in Naramata Bench, BC. Sadly, I can’t tell you what varieties are in this, and La Frenz’s website doesn’t disclose anything either.

Sean called it “Christmas in a glass,” and I simply couldn’t disagree.

Wisely, the winery put its address right on the main part of the label (740 Naramata Road, Penticton, BC), in case one needs to go back for more wine. And cheers, by the way, to Mike and Amanda, my friends etched on their wedding wine glass!

Tasting Notes

Deep bricky brown in colour, with aromas of fruitcake, dried dates and some warm spice (cinnamon, clove, nutmeg). A syrupy texture coats the mouth with equally Christmassy flavours but finishes pleasantly dry. $20

I enjoyed this very much on its own, but would certainly have loved an accompaniment of sticky toffee pudding or butter tart with mincemeat.

I’m also going to go out on a limb with my ethnic food suggestion and propose Szechuan honey beef Honey Garlic Beef! (Thanks to Szechuan Chongqing restaurant’s online PDF menu for giving me the translated name! On a side note, in Cantonese this dish is called HAA SEE mutt, and it’s a slightly spicy, honeyed beef served with little white steamed buns.) I think it’d work.