Canadian Wino(s)

Can’t say it better then Kathryn at Decanted.ca – http://decanted.ca/?p=71

Thanks again to all the organizers, speakers and sponsors.

www.homezilla.org

www.winealign.com

www.winerytohome.com

www.finewinereserve.com

Enjoy more than 100 events including winery tours and tastings, concerts, Niagara cuisine, artisan shows, wine seminars, live entertainment and one of Canada’s largest street parades during the 58th Niagara Wine Festival.
Last year the Niagara Wine Festival attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors to Niagara’s wine country, making it the largest wine festival in the Country

A whirlwind tasting tour of the Napa Valley! This splendid evening features over 90 wines from 25+ prominent Napa Valley producers including Beringer, Shafer, Grgich Hills, Pahlmeyer and more! Meet & chat with representatives from each winery while you savour the Napa experience.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Royal Ontario Museum
Peter F. Bronfman Hall
Weston Entrance
100 Queen’s Park, Toronto
(Historic Queen’s Park Doors)
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

$95 per person

To order tickets, kindly contact VINTAGES at 416-365-5767 or 1-800-266-4764 (Monday–Saturday 9am to 6pm, excluding holidays).

As with other wine regions, some years are better for Ontario than others.  Recent memorable Ontario vintages include 1998, 2002; 2005.  Hot and dry conditions produced small concentrated berries, wine with concentrated flavour and body.  Over the last few years I have been impressed with the Bordeaux style blends (Meritage) and whites, especially Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.  Why not try something local from a good vintage.

Ontario – Niagara

2007 Tawse Sketches of Niagara Merlot/Cabernet, VQA Niagara, $19.95

Drink now -2013
Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
The second label of Tawse gets the nod as a wine of the month from Vintages.  Wines of the month are generally a safe bet at the price point.  This should drink well now with some decanting time, or over the next few years.-RM
‘…appealing Bordeaux style…serious structure, remarkable purity of fruit and refreshing acidity…4/5 stars…’ – Christopher Waters (Vines) 130252

2007 Lailey Pinot Noir, VQA Niagara River, $24.95

Drink now – 2012
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Wines from Lailey seem to sell out at the winery so we don’t see them in stores too often.  They produce consistently good reds. -RM
‘…black cherry, spring flowers, cocoa and beetroot aromas.  Dry, round and textured…moderate tannins…medium bodied’ – Vintages 591404

2007 Malivoire Gamay, VQA Niagara Escarpment, $17.95

Drink now – 2011
Grapes: Gamay
Gold Medal at 2009 Ontario Wine Awards
91- Gordon Stimmell, Toronto Star
Ontario Gamay tends to be bigger and bolder than Gamay from the Beaujolais region in Burgundy.  This one got a gold medal at the recent Ontario Wine Awards.  -RM
‘…vanilla bean, sumptuous black cherry…hint of black currants in the aromas…cola, cassis and black cherry depth… – GS (TS) 591313

2007 Southbrook Triomphe Syrah, VQA Niagara Peninsula, $24.95

Drink now – 2013
Grapes: Syrah
90 – John Szabo (wineaccess.ca)
Syrah is another red variety that does well in Niagara.  John Szabo gives this one a 90. -RM
‘…medium deep ruby red with purple…fresh, juicy peppery black and red fruit…lots of varietal character…surprisingly soft and plush tannins…’ JS (WA) 129809

Australia – Shiraz

2006 Elderton Shiraz, Barossa Valley South Australia, $29.95

Drink now – 2016
Grapes: Shiraz
91 – Jay Miller (WA)
Here is another wine from Elderton, one of Barossa’s better producers.  From Jay Millers’ description this wine should be a classic example of Barossa Shiraz. -RM
‘…deep crimson…multifaceted perfume of smoke, black pepper, bacon, and blueberry…smooth textured, ripe Shiraz…layers of savory fruit, soft tannins…’ – JM (WA) 713024

France – Midi – Value Cellar Pick

2004 Chateau Pech-Redon L’Épervier, AC Coteaux du Languedoc, $19.95

Drink now – 2013
Grapes: 40% Grenache, 40%Syrah, 20% Carignan
90 – David Schildknecht (WA)

The Languedoc is a good source of value wines, especially those with Grenache/Syrah blends.  This one is blended with Carignan, another grape of Southern France.  Try one to see if it measures up to the review then put a few away for 3-5 years and try again.  Give it some decanting time for tannins to soften up if opening now. – RM

‘…nose of kirsch macerated dried cherries, black currants and walnuts…sweet black fruits…herbs…slight firmness of tannin not being at all obtrusive…’ – DS (WS) 129965

Italy – Veneto – Quintarelli

2000 Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC, $89.95

Drink now – 2015
Grapes: Valpolicella blend
4 1/5 of 5 stars – Vic Harradine (winecurrent.com)
Quintarelli is a legend of the Veneto region.  His Amarone goes for hundreds of dollars a bottle.  If you want to try the best of Valpolicella this is the one, and from a great vintage.  RM

‘…rich and well structured…aromas of dried spicy berry fruit…mulberry and red cherry…moderated by a stream of zest and tang… well balanced…’ – VH (WC) 986117

Italy – Veneto – Amarone

2004 Tenuta Sant’Antonio Selezione Antonio Castagnedi Amarone Della Valpolicella DOC, $44.95

Drink now – 2015
Grapes: Valpolicella blend
5 of 5 Stars – Tom Hyland (learnitalianwines.com)
This sounds like a modern styled (accessible young) Amarone that should drink well now and over the next few years.  Amarone, made with dried (concentrated) grapes by the appassimentto technique tends to be full bodied with big flavours.  Hyland’s description suggests a lighter than traditional Amarone, hence good early drinking but enough structure to cellar a few years.  RM

‘Light, bright ruby red with aromas of tobacco, coriander, and red cherry…medium-full…good to excellent concentration…long finish with excellent fruit persistence, lively acidity and polished tannins…’ – TH  685107

Spain – Rioja – Organic

2007 Navarrsotillo Noemus Joven DOC, $14.95

Drink now 2011
Grapes: 60% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 20% Mazuelo
Gold Medal at Millésime Bio 2009
Joven means short barrel ageing and wine suited to drinking young.  This Tempranillo Garnacha Mazuelo blend should be medium bodied and smooth with good fruit.  Wines like this one from Rioja tend to be nicely balanced with smooth tannins.  RM

‘Bursting with ripe berry fruit and a hint of raisin…round fleshy…fine balance and a bit of tannic grip…’ – Vintages  131839

Spain – Ribera del Duero

2004 Torrederos Tinto Crianza DO, Ribera del Duero, $24.95

Drink now 2015
91 Jay Miller (WA)
The Crianza designation means longer barrel and bottle ageing than Joven.  At 5 years this should be ready to drink, but some Crianza’s may develop in the cellar for a few years.  Wines from Ribera del Duero seem to have a bit more complexity and concentration compared to Rioja, but retain the smoothness and balance of Rioja wines.RM

‘…dark ruby…aromas of pencil lead, earth, mushroom, vanilla and blackberry…medium to full bodied…will evolve for several years…’ – JM (WA)  114314

Cheers,   Ross

One doesn’t really think about wine as being unnatural, I mean, it’s grapes stomped by bare feet and dumped into a barrel made of wood until the sugar is fermented into alcohol and then it’s ready to go. Yes? Well, generally, but no! These days the vast majority of commercial winemaking (and grape growing) uses techniques and additives that stray from the above process to ensure consistent taste and quality of the end product. And that’s cool, but don’t you kinda want to know what some of those techniques are? And what influence they have on the alcoholic grape juice that you consume? And while you’re at it maybe you’d like to try some wine from wineries that are going ‘old school’? Then you’ll be excited to know about…

WineCampTO II – September 22 at the Fine Wine Reserve in Toronto.

The Rhone Valley is divided into North and South, with Syrah in the North, and Chateauneuf-du-Pape in the South. Exceptions are Condrieu in the North which is known for its high end Viognier, and Tavel in the South which is known for Rosé.  Watch for names of the various appellations on bottles, as each appellation usually has its own distinct style.

Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of up to 13 varieties, including some whites such as Viognier.  The main grapes are Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.  The big 3 grapes show up in regional blends such as those of Vacqueyras and throughout southern France.  In the new world, especially Australia, one sees GSM on the label.  Wines based on this type of blend can range from well balanced medium bodied ‘drink and enjoy now’ wines to full bodied wines capable of decades of cellaring.  Price is often a good general indication of which category a wine falls into.

Southern Rhone – Chateauneuf

2007 Delas Haute Pierre Chateauneuf du Pape AC, $35.95    Great value

Drink now -2017
Grapes: 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah
94 – Robert Parker (WA)
91 – James Molesworth (WS)
The 2007 vintage is an exceptional for the Southern Rhone.  Delas is a good quality producer of wines from the Northern as well as Southern Rhone.  With the combination of producer and vintage it is no surprise that this wine scores well.  Drink it now (decant) or cellar to drink over the next several years.  At the price point this should be great value either way.-RM
‘…deep ruby/purple colour…gorgeous nose of black fruits, spring flowers, licorice, incense….dense, full bodied….chewy…’ – RP (WA) 074195

Southern Rhone – Vacqueyras

2005 Domaine Saint-Pierre Vacqueyras AC, $24.95

Drink now – 2012
Grapes: Southern Rhone Blend
91-93 – Robert Parker (WA)
Wines from Vacqueyras have been making more frequent appearances at Vintages over the last year or so.  Some have been excellent values, especially at the $20-25 level.  Here is one from the great 20-05 vintage that gets a good rating from Parker.  Although it may have the structure to age for a few years, it should be very enjoyable now with some decanter time.  If you do have room in your cellar it would be interesting to see how this wine is in a few years.-RM
‘…dense ruby/purple…full bodied…terrific ripeness…huge blackberry and cherry liqueur…licorice, garrique…espresso…’ – RP (WA) 130013

Tavel – Rosé

2008 Cuvee Tableau Tavel AC, $18.95

Drink now
Grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre + (White) Clairette, Bourboulenc; Picpoul
There are rosé wines from just about everywhere nowadays.  Why not try one from the benchmark appellation for rosé.  This rosé is made with a real Chateauneuf blend. -RM
‘…Electric pink colour…aromas of strawberry/rhubarb, orange peel, citrus mineral and pear drops…dry….good crisp acidity…try with pan fried fresh water fish… – Vintages 117309

Northern Rhone – Syrah

2005 Caves Dumazet Cuvee Charlemagne Cornas AC, $44.95     Cellar Pick

Drink now – 2018
Grapes: Syrah
91 – James Molesworth (WS)
Cornas is known for big inky dark full bodied Syrah capable of substantial cellaring.  Here is one from the great 2005 vintage.  Give it considerable decant time if opening now (1-2 hours).  This should be at its best at about 8-10 years of ageing. -RM
‘Mouthfilling with solid grip…olive, aged tobacco, macerated black cherry and spice flavors…solid version of the traditional style…’ JM (WS) 130054

2006 Ferraton Pere et Fils La Matiniere Crozes-Hermitage AC, $21.95

Drink now -2012
Grapes: Syrah
91 James Molesworth (WS)
Crozes-Hermitage surrounds the more prestigious appellation of Hermitage.  You get some of the character at often a much better price.  This Syrah should be a great value from a good year that will drink well now and over the next year or so. RM
‘…juicy, structured style…iron, lavender…black cherry and currant fruit…herb note marks the finish’ JM (WS) 127712

California – Zin

2007 Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel, Sonoma County, $28.95

Drink now – 2012
Grapes: Zinfandel
93 Tim Smart (WS)    #10 on Wine Spectator Top 100 for 2008
If you like Zinfandel or would like to try one here is a chance to do so and enjoy a wine from the top 10 on the Spectators 2008 100 list for under $30.  -RM
‘…seductive and vigorous…smoky black cherry and blueberry aromas…wild berry, sage and cracked pepper…’ – Vintages 942151

France –Bordeaux

2005 Chateau St. Georges, AC St-George-St-Emilion, $34.95

Drink now – 2013
Grapes: Right Bank blend

This is from a Right Bank satellite appellation (surrounding St. Émilion and Pomerol).  This is of the variety that tends to drink well over the first 10 years.  Expect a medium to full bodied wine with lots of smooth fruit up front. – RM

‘…aromas such as cherry and plum with fine tannins…’ – Vintages 125666

Italy – Piedmont

2007 Paolo Manzone Magna Dolcetto D’Alba DOC, $16.95

Drink now
Grapes: Dolcetto
.
Dolcetto is a variety grown in Piedmont that is great for drinking young.  It is medium bodied, smooth, with good fruit.  RM

‘…raspberry and citrus aromas and flavours…medium bodied and freshly fruity…excellent aperitif red or enjoy it with grilled chicken breast or poached salmon…’ – Vintages 117176

Piedmont – Barolo Bargain

2004 Patrizi Barolo 2004 DOCG, $29.95        Exceptional value

Drink now
Grapes: Nebbiolo
.
The Patrizi is a modern styled early drinking Barolo that is a great value at the price.  The last time I saw this Barolo was the 2000 vintage (in 2004).  Decant it and let it open up.  This wine should be full flavoured and smooth.  This is a great Barolo to drink while waiting for some of the more expensive 2004s (e.g. Pio Cesare, Paolo Conterno, etc.) to age.  RM

‘…rich yet very crisp Nebbiolo…rose, plum, leather and a hint of barnyard……’ – Vintages 653527

Cheers,   Ross