Ontario's Other Red Grape

There is much to be said about Pinot Noir finding a home in Ontario and there is no doubt that we can make premium Pinot Noir here and that it is a signature grape. Much less talked about is Cabernet Franc, which outside of the Loire (and now Ontario) is mostly used in Bordeaux-style blends rather than to make a varietal wine. Although not perfect every vintage, there have certainly been enough good years that some standout wines have been made.

A really good Ontario Cabernet Franc has an intense nose that to me almost seems perfumed, floral. The palate is of ripe berries, red fruit and a touch of herbaceousness.

I have certainly not tried them all but I have tried many and QPR standouts for me include:

FEATHERSTONE - CABERNET FRANC 2011, NIAGARA - $ 16.95   
http://www.featherstonewinery.ca/wines.html

https://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=FEATHERSTONE+CABERNET+FRANC+2011&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

TAWSE - GROWERS BLEND - CABERNET FRANC 2011, NIAGARA - $ 26.95   
http://tawsewinery.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_id=241    

   

TAWSE-  LAUNDRY VINEYARD  - CABERNET FRANC 2010, NIAGARA - $31.95
https://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=328096

SOUTHBROOK - WHIMSY!- CABERNET FRANC 2010, NIAGARA - $34.95
http://www.southbrook.com/2010_whimsy_cabernet_franc_101
 https://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=SOUTHBROOK+WHIMSY%21+CABERNET+FRANC+2010&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

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.   

http://thomasbachelder.com/

  

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.  

http://www.adelsheim.com/wines/wine-profile/wine-category/white-rose-wines

  

HAMILTON RUSSELL CHARDONNAY 2011, HEMEL-EN-AARDE, SOUTH AFRICA      

$ 32.95  

Very fresh wine, with a lemon palate and certain steeliness. Excellent balance.

https://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=HAMILTON+RUSSELL+CHARDONNAY+2011&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

http://www.hamiltonrussellvineyards.co.za/

 

 

CHÂTEAU GENOT-BOULANGER CLOS DU CROMIN 2010 , MEURSAULT, BURGUNDY $49.95

Quiet nose but beautifully vibrant nuanced wine.

https://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=chateau+genot+boulanger&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN    

http://www.genot-boulanger.com/                                    

POPLAR GROVE CHARDONNAY 2011, OKANAGEN VALLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA $27.95

Fresh wine, with judicious use of oak. Great balance.

https://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=POPLAR+GROVE+CHARDONNAY+2011&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

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.  

http://www.staetelandt.co.nz/wine/tasting-note.asp?WiID=85

 

VENTISQUERO GREY SINGLE BLOCK CHARDONNAY 2011, MAIPO VALLEY, CHILE
Very fresh, lively vibrant wine. Good length.

http://www.ventisquero.com/nosotros/

http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/ventisquero+grey+glacier+single+block+casablanca+valley+chardonnay/2011

i4C Set Up - Before the crowds

 

Syrah vs. Shiraz - which one is for you?

We all know they are the same grape but it expresses itself differently in different climates in different regions. Winemakers also choose to name their wine based on the style of Syrah they have made. Even here in Ontario where we definitely do not have the climate of Australia you will see the odd Shiraz because the winemaker sees it as a bigger more fruit-forward wine that is the Shiraz style. (Or as a jaded marketing person's point of view, a great marketing strategy since Shiraz is so popular)

If you read my blog at all, you will notice that my taste, in general, is more old world/cool climate but that is not to say I haven't had a Shiraz that I love. I prefer the less jammy versions that have a strong pepper backbone and are a little leaner. I have had some fabulous ones, but some are very expensive so I went in search of some QPR Shiraz to my taste that I could happily recommend.

WITS END LUNA SHIRAZ 2011, McLaren Vale, Australia - $ 16.95   
        
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=WITS+END+LUNA+SHIRAZ+2011&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

http://www.chalkhill.com.au/our-story/our-vineyards/wits-end-vineyard



PENFOLDS THOMAS HYLAND SHIRAZ, South Australia - $ 21.95   

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=611210   

http://www.penfolds.com/en/Age-Check.aspx?u=%2fen%2fWines%2fThomas-Hyland.aspx

   
Very good example of Ontario Shiraz:

CREEKSIDE CABERNET SHIRAZ VQA, Niagara Peninsula - $ 15.95
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=305300    

http://creeksidewine.com/wines/estate-reds/shiraz 

    


And now for some well-priced, Syrah just to contrast compare if you so choose:

CHÂTEAU MARIS LA TOUGE MINERVOIS LA LIVINIÈRE SYRAH 2009, France - $ 19.95

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=325084

http://www.mariswine.com/en/mrc1/5-la-touge-syrah.html



JEAN-LUC COLOMBO LES FÉES BRUNES CROZES HERMITAGE SYRAH 2009, France - $ 24.95

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=286351 

http://www.vinscolombo.fr/uk/      

  

Versatile sparkling a match for many foods.

I realize that I spend a disproportionate amount of time on my blog talking about sparkling wine but it is just so versatile, so yummy and makes one smile while drinking it (or at least that is my experience). One of its great attributes is its ease to pair with food. Bubbles stimulate the palate and the fresh acidity cleanses. Sparklers have a nice creamy mouth-feel but are both light in body and alcohol (comparatively) so match easily with a variety of foods without over-powering. Sparkling wines often have a faint sweetness which pairs beautifully with salty foods. Cheese is a great match because sparkling can stand up to tangy goat cheeses as well as creamy cheeses like brie. And don’t forget that bubbles are great for brunch because they are one of the few wines that pair well with eggs and because a splash of orange juice or cassis adds a festive flare! Not all bubbles have to cost as much as Champagne. Every wine-producing country has a more accessible alternative. Even here, right in our own backyard – Ontario makes some high quality Traditional Method sparkling wine at prices that won’t break the bank.

A quick search of "sparkling" on my blog will turn up many of my go-to bubbles but there is a lot of fine choices out there and my list is long so here are some more:

CODORNÍU PINOT NOIR BRUT ROSÉ CAVA 
VINTAGES 665372 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 17.95 

FREIXENET CORDON NEGRO BRUT 
LCBO 216945 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 13.95 

ROEDERER ESTATE BRUT SPARKLING 
VINTAGES 294181 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 24.90 

FEATHERSTONE JOY PREMIUM CUVÉE SPARKLING WINE 2008 
VINTAGES 310334 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 34.95 

HENRY OF PELHAM CUVÉE CATHARINE BRUT SPARKLING WINE 
LCBO 217521 | 750 mL bottle  Price $ 29.95 

13TH STREET PREMIER CUVÉE 2008 
VINTAGES 142679 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 34.95 

FLAT ROCK CELLARS RIDDLED SPARKLING WINE 2008 
VINTAGES 187377 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 24.95 

PROSECCO CONEG VALDOBBIA VENET(LA MARCA) 
VINTAGES 927004 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 19.95 

Riesling - Versatile & Fresh for Spring

As they say, Spring is in the air. You can smell the blossoms - this makes me think of Riesling. It is a lovely aromatic varietal wine. It’s fruit-forward with a crisp acid which makes it a wonderful sipper on a hot summer day. These same attributes make Riesling adaptable so marries up nicely with many food combinations. Off-dry Riesling or Riesling-based blends make an incredible companion for spicy dishes which are often a hard match for bone-dry wines. It is your saviour when serving Thai, Mexican or Middle Eastern. So go out and add some spice to your life!

Some of my Great Value Favourites - From Ontario and Beyond...
 

DIPROFIO RIESLING 2011, NIAGARA, ON - $15.95
 

http://www.diprofiowines.ca/wineshop/


 

FEATHERSTONE BLACK SHEEP RIESLING 2011, NIAGARA, ON - $16.95
 
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=FEATHERSTONE+BLACK+SHEEP+RIESLING+2011&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

 
http://www.featherstonewinery.ca/wines.html
 
FLAT ROCK CELLARS RIESLING 2012, NIAGARA, ON - $16.95
 
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=43281
 
http://www.flatrockcellars.com/products/category/white-wine

TRIMBACH RIESLING 2009 -ALSACE, FRANCE - $18.95 

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=734517
 
http://www.trimbach.fr/en/trimbach-estate/
 

ST. URBANS-HOF OCKFENER BOCKSTEIN RIESLING KABINETT 2011 - MOSEL, GERMANY   $21.95 
            
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=216622        
 
http://www.urbans-hof.de/en/unsere_region/unsere_region.html                      

 

HUGEL GENTIL 2011, RIESLING BLEND - ALSACE, FRANCE $14.95

 
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=HUGEL+GENTIL+2011&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN
 
http://www.hugel.com/en/hugel.php