Tag: Natural Wines

Wine tasting

Juice Imports – Dormilona

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Last Sunday, Sunflower and I attended a natural wine tasting ($25) at Bricks Wine Store. Juice Import co-owner Erik Mercier showcased wines from Dormilona, a woman-led winery in Margaret River, Western Australia. For this post, let’s listen to “French Disko” by Stereolab.

An interesting fact about winemaking in Australia and the wine owner / maker Josephine Perry. The seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are the opposite of the Northern Hemisphere. Josephine hops back and forth between Western Australia and the Northern Hemisphere and doubles the wine she can make. Furthermore, the harvest times in Australia is from January-February and March-April in New Zealand, which allows her to add a third harvest.

Josephine’s intense work ethic results in a dawn-to-dusk schedule. Being so busy means she rests when she can and is known for falling asleep at the dining table. This drowsy habit turned into her moniker, wine label and the name of her winery. Dormilona translates to “lazy bones,” and a sleepy skeleton is the motif.

The first wine we tried was a 2022 Crum Pet ($44.95). Erik described this sparkling wine as friendly and clean, with tangy lemon zest. Erik noted this wine is bottled while still fermenting, resulting in a naturally sparkling wine.

The 2020 Chardonnay ($53.96) had a strong scent with a pleasant aftertaste. Erik mentioned the grapes come from an impeccable biodynamic farm called Burnside Farm, and the method of dry farming results in highly concentrated grapes. He likes the soft texture and gentleness of the 2021 chardonnay. I found this wine a little buttery.

The grapes from the 2021 Clayface Chardonnay ($75.95) come from the same vineyard as the previous wine we tried, except only the very best fruit is used for this vintage. Sunflower tasted kumquat, while Erik described clementine. I say potato, potahto, tomato, tomahto. Erik mentioned this is Josephine’s top chardonnay cuvée, with only 45 cases produced and each bottle hand numbered.

The next wine, a 2022 Clayface Chenin Blanc ($75.95), is even rarer, and Juice Import’s first-ever allocation of Josephine’s top chenin blanc, with only 25 cases produced. There are only six bottles of the 2022 Clayface Chenin Blanc in Calgary and six in Edmonton. Erik sniffed, sipped and sighed that this was a crazy good flavour.

My favourite wine is the 2022 Yokel Rosé ($35.59). I’m not usually a rosé fan, but this was just sumptuous. Erik thought there was plenty of structure, complexity and nuance. The grenache grapes are farmed from the hottest commercial region in Australia. I bought three bottles of the rosé.

The 2022 Yokel Grenache ($38.95) is Erik’s favourite in the lineup. He tasted cherry pie, cherry danish and fresh cherries. Sunflower tasted blood orange. Sunflower and I both bought a bottle of the grenache.

The last wine we sampled was the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon ($68.95). Erik called this an “intense, luxurious, but not heavy.” I bought a bottle for my sister Me Shell, who’s visiting me in July. I know her taste, and she would love this style of wine.


Erik should consider becoming a full-time wine lecturer. I don’t know if there is a university for natural wines, but he should look into it. His passion is so evident you can hear it in his voice and see it in his eyes. I’m looking forward to the next Juice Import event, a raging, sold-out Pinotfest.

Wine tasting

Pinard Et Filles – Juice Imports

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Sunday is my Funday, particularly when Juice Imports hosts a wine tasting ($25)! The night before the event, my friend Quebecoise confided that the wines from her home province were notoriously bad. Despite this inside tip, I was confident that Sunday’s wines would be stellar because I’ve personally tasted the whimsically delightful wines Juice Imports brings to Alberta. For this blog, let’s listen to “Old Love” by Dominique Fils-Aimé.

We sampled six wines from Pinard Et Filles, a winery in Magog, Quebec. Erik confirmed what Quebecoise stated – Quebec does have a reputation for making atrocious wines. However, there is always an exception. In this case, winemaker / farmer Frederic Simon is dedicated to excellence. According to Erik, Simon’s passion dictates the unparalleled quality of his wines. If the crop doesn’t meet his expectation, he won’t bottle it, despite any financial loss he suffers.


The first two tastings were what Erik referred to as “serious and brooding” wines. First up was Bambine ($59.95). Amber in colour, I smelled ripe, dank nectarines. What an entrance this wine makes on your tongue! Erik mentioned this wine was on his top ten list in 2021. He described this orange wine as “beastly, full-bodied, supple, with rich, black tea characteristics, like oolong.” Sunflower whispered that it reminded her of funky cider.

The second wine – Ciel Ouvert ($61.95), is Erik’s current favourite. To me, this wine smelled bright and potent. Erik tasted brine and almond characteristics. He compared this wine to a book you repeatedly reread because you discover something else each time you look through the pages. It’s a wine you can taste over and over and, each time, find new depths. Sunflower thought the Ciel Ouvert would pair with a fatty cheese with an unusual flavour.

The third wine was Sunflower and my favourite – Verres de Gris ($52.95). What a fun wine! I drank this far too quickly. Sunflower tasted blackberry or gooseberry and said it smelled jammy. Erik commented that Pinard Et Filles has a cult following, and their stock sells out instantly in New York and Toronto. Even in Quebec, there are lineups to buy their wine, and customers are limited to one bottle per person.

Next, we tried Vin de Jardin ($49.95), a garden wine. Woah, baby! I dig the smooth, silky texture and pretty scent. Sunflower tasted cranberries and mentioned it was almost like drinking white wine.

Frangin ($52.95) was another winner. Sunflower smelled raspberries. Erik described this red wine as peppery and lip-smacking. He noted that all Pinard Et Filles wines are 100% natural, with no added sulphur, colour, or flavourings.

For our last tasting, Erik opened up a can of Piquet ($11.95, 355 ml). Ah, now this is what I’m familiar with – easy quaffing wine. Sunflower tasted papaya. Piquet is yummy and delicious. Erik said this style of wine is made utilizing waste products, such as grape skins, which contain so much flavour. Erik and Sunflower commented this can would be perfect for bringing to a picnic or movie theatre. I went one step further and declared it would be ideal for work. Tough crowd – no one laughed at my joke, not even a smile.

Thanks, Erik and business partner Mark, for volunteering your time to host this event, and Bricks Wine Company for only charging a bare minimum for using the beautiful space. The (practically) free tickets just mean we have more to spend at the store.