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, July 31, 2013

Once Again July Brought Hot Weather and Cool Chardonnay...

For the third summer in a row I found myself participating in i4C; the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration. It is a fabulous event that brings together international producers as well as local Ontario wineries. 60 wineries and 120 wines! This year I was on the trade side of the table but still managed to get exposed to dozens (and dozens) of wonderful wines - all Chardonnay, of course. As the T-Shirt reads '400,000 Acres Can't be Wrong'.

 I have listed below some wines that were real standouts for me and admit there is definitely an international focus as I am lucky enough to get regular exposure to Ontario wine and wanted to be sure I concentrated on the wines that I am not so familiar with.

Global Perspectives Tasting & Panel lead by Steven Spurrier

 

 

From the Global Perspectives blind tasting, two wines stood out both winemakers produce in Ontario and elsewhere internationally:

BACHELDER SAUNDERS VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2011, BEAMSVILLE BENCH, NIAGARA, ONTARIO  $ 44.95    
An elegant, well-balanced wine with a lovely, lingering minerality in the finish.   
  
PEARL MORISSETTE OCCIDENTAL CHARDONNAY 2011, SONOMA COAST, CALIFORNIA $N/A   
Tropical notes but restrained and complex. Wonderful long finish.  
 
Excellent wines from i4C World Tour:
 
NAUTILUS CHARDONNAY 2010, MARBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND $24.95                                            
The fact that I was sitting with Nautilus' winemaker, Clive Jones, at lunch in no way influenced that this wine was my pick of the i4C. I just felt it was a true QPR wine - great quality delivered at an excellent price. The nose on this wine is enticing and wonderfully complex - the palate does not disappoint!
 

NAUTILUS CHARDONNAY 2011, MARBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND $24.95
Slightly rounder (warmer vintage) and more fruit forward than the '10 but still beautifully integrated fabulous quality for the price.
http://www.nautilusestate.com/cms__Main?name=marlborough-chardonnay-2010                                                                                                                                                                            
https://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=NAUTILUS+CHARDONNAY+2011&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN
 
 

 
ADELSHEIM VINEYARD - CAITLIN'S RESERVE, WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON  $45.00    
Beautiful harmony between oak and fruit. Rich with long finish.  
  
HAMILTON RUSSELL CHARDONNAY 2011, HEMEL-EN-AARDE, SOUTH AFRICA      
$ 32.95  
Very fresh wine, with a lemon palate and certain steeliness. Excellent balance.
 
 
CHÂTEAU GENOT-BOULANGER CLOS DU CROMIN 2010 , MEURSAULT, BURGUNDY $49.95
Quiet nose but beautifully vibrant nuanced wine.
http://www.genot-boulanger.com/                                    

POPLAR GROVE CHARDONNAY 2011, OKANAGEN VALLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA $27.95
Fresh wine, with judicious use of oak. Great balance.
http://www.poplargrove.ca/                                        

STAETE LANDT JOSEPHINE CHARDONNAY 2010, MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND $N/A   
At this point in the evening my notes merely said beautiful! I guess that is enough to go on.  
 
VENTISQUERO GREY SINGLE BLOCK CHARDONNAY 2011, MAIPO VALLEY, CHILE
Very fresh, lively vibrant wine. Good length.

i4C Set Up - Before the crowds

 
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