A recent tour of the Niagara region brought Fran and I to the doorsteps of many (some might say too many) wineries. We concentrated on those wineries in and around the Niagara on the Lake area, as they are in close proximity to our "pied à terre".
Furthermore, my tasting focused on the whites of the region for many reasons not the least of which is I am a strong believer that Niagara is meant to produce whites and ice wines and dare I say not reds (In my humble opinion.)
Of the many many whites we sampled one stands out as exceptional. A wonderful gewurtz from a small producer, Palatine Hills. I am the first to admit I had never heard of them prior to my visit and thanks to our Inn keeper at Down Home Bed & Breakfast (www.downhomeniagara.ca),we were pointed in their direction.
Upon arrival at the winery and still in the parking lot we were greeted by sounds of glee and joy from within and thought "this bodes well for our visit".
We were warmly greed by Bry (pronounced Bree) who happily took us on our tasting adventure.
The third wine tasted was a 2010 Gewürztraminer and much to my delete it actually tasted like a gewürztraminer, unlike many of like-named wines in the region. To many producers tend to blend their gewurtz with other varietals such as riesling, but I say "let a gewurtz be a gewurtz". The tell-tale aromas of lychee were subtle but present and the flavors of melon and tropical fruit were wonderfully subtle as well.As is usual with me when I sample a gewurtz and as described in my blog intro, I was transported back in my mind to a small town in Alsace. This wine will be enhanced with food and will certainly go well with moderately spicy Thai foods.
Jeff Innes, the wine maker, was on site and we had a wonderful conversation about wine making and wine in general. He enjoys talking straight about his wines and appreciates all feedback.
The 2010 I tasted is not yet available (but I have a bottle now) but a previous Vintage is available at the LCBO.
For those of you looking for a reason to drive to Niagara on the Lake, I highly recommend a stop in at Palatine Hills Estate (www.palatinehillsestatewinery.com) for a tasting and chat with Jeff Innes.
Cheers,
Here's wishing you all wonderful "Liquid memories"
Allan
Saturday, 20 August 2011
Friday, 19 August 2011
August 20th release
August 20th , 2011 Vintages release.
This is a quick and dirty list as I am on vacation…..I thought a couple of Roses might be nice in this heat we’re having here in Ontario
REDS
Moncigale ‘Minéral’ Rosé Bandol 2010 AOC Bandol $18.95 (226670)
This is light on its feet with good balance, pairing well with pan-seared salmon, a mixed deli board or creamy cheese. Aromas of red berry fruit and spice-infused cherry provide segue for subtle flavours of rhubarb and pomegranate on the palate and a mid-length, crisp, refreshing finish.
Château de Fontenelles ‘Tenue de Soirée’ Rosé de Syrah Corbières 2010 AP Corbières $13.95 (225011)
A little darker-hued than most Rosé, this delivers a lovely bouquet of aromas—mixed spice, floral notes and berry fruit. It’s light-medium bodied and bone dry with a laser-like surge of racy red currant, strawberry and tangy, ruby red grapefruit persisting through the mouth-watering aftertaste. Lovely sipped on its own, it shines with pizza or chèvre
Quinta De Ventozelo Touriga Nacional 2007 DOC Douro $19.95 (657452)
This winery spent a fortune modernizing their plant and equipment. Coupled with old-vine, premium ‘Port’ grapes planted on prime sites, you’ve got a name worth following. Raisin, roasted herbs and dark berry fruit on the nose, there’s a glass full of rich, concentrated flavours—bramble berry pie, black currant and plum. It’s full bodied and generously textured, turning racy and gamy on the rustic, tannic finish. This a BIG red worth cellaring or having along with a rare steak or lamb…as it will require plenty of fat to smooth out the tannins.
WHITES
Cave de Hoen ‘Vieilles Vignes’ Pinot Gris 2009 AOC Alsace $17.95 (224261)
Peach-skin gold, this wine entices with attractive floral aromas and fruity intensity—tropical fruit, pear and cantaloupe. Off dry (so semi-sweet), medium bodied, it displays a lovely satiny weight on the palate and a refined balance of acidity, sweet fruit and spice. Notes of pear and golden apple linger on the extended finish. With an extra half star for value, this is a wine you can sip chilled on its own, or paired with spicy Thai foods of all descriptions
Gérard Bertrand ‘Réserve Spéciale’ Viognier 2009 Vin de Pays d’Oc $14.95 (147975)
Displaying a lovely classic character, appealing floral and fruit aromas, this medium-bodied Viognier is dry, yet creamy on the palate. Lively acidity frames stone fruit, honeyed pear, mango and notes of spice box. The focused finish is long and fruity with a tangy peppery bite. A great match with grilled salmon.
Chalone ‘Monterey County’ Chardonnay 2009 Monterey County $16.95 (80226)
Benefiting from the cooling effects of the Pacific air flow, this dry, medium-full bodied wine is lively on the palate while offering quite delicious aromas and flavours of roasted pear, rich apple and tropical fruit nuances. Buttery, creamy in texture, it’s mouth filling and luxuriously long on the finish. Enjoy it with a creamy chicken Caesar salad.
This is a quick and dirty list as I am on vacation…..I thought a couple of Roses might be nice in this heat we’re having here in Ontario
REDS
Moncigale ‘Minéral’ Rosé Bandol 2010 AOC Bandol $18.95 (226670)
This is light on its feet with good balance, pairing well with pan-seared salmon, a mixed deli board or creamy cheese. Aromas of red berry fruit and spice-infused cherry provide segue for subtle flavours of rhubarb and pomegranate on the palate and a mid-length, crisp, refreshing finish.
Château de Fontenelles ‘Tenue de Soirée’ Rosé de Syrah Corbières 2010 AP Corbières $13.95 (225011)
A little darker-hued than most Rosé, this delivers a lovely bouquet of aromas—mixed spice, floral notes and berry fruit. It’s light-medium bodied and bone dry with a laser-like surge of racy red currant, strawberry and tangy, ruby red grapefruit persisting through the mouth-watering aftertaste. Lovely sipped on its own, it shines with pizza or chèvre
Quinta De Ventozelo Touriga Nacional 2007 DOC Douro $19.95 (657452)
This winery spent a fortune modernizing their plant and equipment. Coupled with old-vine, premium ‘Port’ grapes planted on prime sites, you’ve got a name worth following. Raisin, roasted herbs and dark berry fruit on the nose, there’s a glass full of rich, concentrated flavours—bramble berry pie, black currant and plum. It’s full bodied and generously textured, turning racy and gamy on the rustic, tannic finish. This a BIG red worth cellaring or having along with a rare steak or lamb…as it will require plenty of fat to smooth out the tannins.
WHITES
Cave de Hoen ‘Vieilles Vignes’ Pinot Gris 2009 AOC Alsace $17.95 (224261)
Peach-skin gold, this wine entices with attractive floral aromas and fruity intensity—tropical fruit, pear and cantaloupe. Off dry (so semi-sweet), medium bodied, it displays a lovely satiny weight on the palate and a refined balance of acidity, sweet fruit and spice. Notes of pear and golden apple linger on the extended finish. With an extra half star for value, this is a wine you can sip chilled on its own, or paired with spicy Thai foods of all descriptions
Gérard Bertrand ‘Réserve Spéciale’ Viognier 2009 Vin de Pays d’Oc $14.95 (147975)
Displaying a lovely classic character, appealing floral and fruit aromas, this medium-bodied Viognier is dry, yet creamy on the palate. Lively acidity frames stone fruit, honeyed pear, mango and notes of spice box. The focused finish is long and fruity with a tangy peppery bite. A great match with grilled salmon.
Chalone ‘Monterey County’ Chardonnay 2009 Monterey County $16.95 (80226)
Benefiting from the cooling effects of the Pacific air flow, this dry, medium-full bodied wine is lively on the palate while offering quite delicious aromas and flavours of roasted pear, rich apple and tropical fruit nuances. Buttery, creamy in texture, it’s mouth filling and luxuriously long on the finish. Enjoy it with a creamy chicken Caesar salad.
Friday, 5 August 2011
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