I am not an expert, just a discerning wine lover or amateur de vin (as the French say), but everyone has a different palate, likes and dislikes so it must be understood that any of my recommendations are personal. I just hope that you find them useful or at the very least - interesting. I also hope you enjoy my photos. It is more fun sharing then keeping them backed up on a hard drive.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

You can have a glass but not the bottle, at least not to take home with you...

Each week I work carefully plan to find something worthy of my post. Sometimes it is a struggle. I am told by blogger friends that my mandate of QPR is too narrow, but rather than just going on about how I love wine, I wanted to provide a service, as meagre as it may be, to friends and followers.

This week was a real challenge as snow cancelled a promising wine tasting and everything else I tried seemed bland or over-priced. Then last night, out at dinner, there it was, my saviour - Tollgate - a white assemblage from Stratus!

Unfortunately I was dealt a cruel trick of fate. This lovely wine is only available to restaurants. Doh! (My inner Homer comes out). What to do? Write about it, I guess, as a good choice in a restaurant ($9 - $11 a glass about $40 - 50 for the bottle) and hope that Stratus decides that it is too good to keep from the general public. I have read that the red blend is very good too, but here is my review of the white:

2007 STRATUS TOLLGATE WHITE (Semillon,Chardonnay,Viognier,Sauvignon,Riesling) – Niagara

Yummy, toasty, complex, Bordeaux-like white with some surprises because of the unusual blend of varieties including a fleshy peachiness thanks to the Viognier.

2 comments:

  1. We are big Stratus fans. Is it available through the winery? I'll check online too. Also, what resto were you at? We'd love to try the wine. Thanks Jennifer!

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  2. Hey there, thanks for checking out my blog. I had it the first time at Table 17 and then for Winterlicious at Auberge du Pommier. Is still loved it. Stratus doesn't show it for sale on their site but I imagine if you were at the winery and offered to buy a case, they would likey sell it to you. Worth a try...

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