My Niagara Escarpment Picks: Go-to QPR Wines

It has been a couple of weeks since I posted anything. Aside from life getting in the way, I just didn't feel I had tasted anything worth talking about. Perhaps that is because of the narrow focus I have given my blog or just bad luck. I always want to share wines that I feel have a price-quality relationship, and whatever the budget, I am recommending value. Sometimes this is a stretch and I go outside of my normal circles to find things the reader may like, but this week it is not about you, it is about me.

Now with that tongue-firmly-planted-in-cheek comment aside, I do want to talk about a wine region I am passionate about - the Niagara Escarpment. With Ontario on the tips of LCBO shoppers tongues this week, it seemed only natural. It is true I have a bias to a region that I can easily drive and bike around, visiting wineries at will, but I also simply feel that many of the wines created there are quite spectacular.

While discussing this same subject last night, it was pointed out to me that you couldn't ask for much better than limestone and clay-loam soil and that if we stick to varieties that our soil and climate favours, like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling there is a huge opportunity to make our mark in the world of wine.

Below are some of my go-to wines. These not only present a good QPR but are generally quite affordable to the average consumer:

CAVE SPRINGS
Dolomite Riesling $16.95
http://cavespring.ca/wines/wine-details?wine=Riesling+Dolomite&vintage=2010&type=Niagara+Escarpment

Chenin Blanc '09 - $14.95
http://cavespring.ca/wines/wine-details?wine=Chenin+Blanc+Estate&vintage=2009&type=Estate+Bottled
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=627315



Gamay '09 (Niagara Peninsula) - $14.95
http://cavespring.ca/wines/wine-details?wine=Gamay&vintage=2009&type=Niagara+Peninsula
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=228569

FEATHERSTONE
Black Sheep Riesling '11 - $16.95
http://www.featherstonewinery.ca/wines.html
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=80234

Cabernet Franc '10 - $16.95
http://www.featherstonewinery.ca/wines.html
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=64618



FLAT ROCK CELLARS
Twisted '10 (Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay blend)- $16.95
http://www.flatrockcellars.com/products/view/51
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=1578



Nadja's Vineyard - $19.95
http://www.flatrockcellars.com/products/view/55
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=578625

Pinot Noir '10 - $19.95
http://www.flatrockcellars.com/products/view/63
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=1545

HIDDEN BENCH
Estate Riesling '10 - $24.00
http://www.hiddenbench.com/images/pdf/Current%20and%20Fall%20release%202012.pdf
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=HIDDEN+BENCH+ESTATE+RIESLING+2010&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN



KACABA
Cabernet Franc '08 - $18.95
http://www.kacaba.com/index2.html
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=272146



Syrah '08 - $29.95
http://www.kacaba.com/index2.html

TAWSE
Skteches of Niagara Riesling (Niagara Peninsula) - $17.95
http://www.tawsewinery.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=Product.display&product_id=143
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=TAWSE+SKETCHES+OF+NIAGARA+RIESLING&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN



Grower's Blend Cabernet Franc - $26.95
http://tawsewinery.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_id=175

This part of Ontario is also a lovely region to visit, here is how to find out more:
http://winecountryontario.ca/niagara-escarpment-twenty-valley

http://www.twentyvalley.ca/