Canadian Wino(s)

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.