Greetings!
It is the traditional time when the LCBO promotes wines from our own backyard. The Ontario wine industry has been growing in leaps and bounds over the past few decades.
Gone are the days of Bright’s Unleaded, and today we can enjoy the fruits of some very talented grape growers and winemakers. Ontario wine has the VQA designation now – informing consumers that the wine is made exclusively from Canadian grapes. BUT, the vines are relatively young and there is stiff competition from abroad.
Recently
overheard, “Why would I pay $17 for a bottle of so-so red from Prince
Edward County, when I can get a decent bottle of red from Chile for
$7?”
Good point, but if you want to support your local economy and try to consume as much local fare as possible and drink wine, then you must start trying the wines from Ontario! This is a great time to do so because 2007 was a stellar vintage in Ontario and wines made from those grapes are being released now.
Here are our picks:
WHITE WINE
129817 Oak Heights Estate Chardonnay 2007 (VQA) Niagara Peninsula $14.95
Distinct creamy buttery notes segue into a slight bitter edge. Oak is present, but not overwhelming – in fact we rather liked it. Upon further investigation learned that this wine is only aged in Canadian oak barrels! Another interesting tidbit about Oak Heights is that the winery is located in Northumberland (close to Peterborough). They sourced Niagara grapes for this wine. The boundary just expanded for those of you on the 100-mile diet!
RED WINE
143545 Le Clos Jordanne Talon Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007 (VQA) Niagara Peninsula $37.00
Absolutely delicious! Floral notes, plum and berries abound – but not overly. This is dry and still a bit tight – so laying it down for a few years will be rewarded.
76588 Montgo 2004 (Spain) $14.95
Huge tannins make this wine pack a bit of a punch – KAPOW! The nose offers earthiness, spice and blackberry. The palate moves us onto full, lush flavours of kirsch and blueberry.
687210 Memoria Primitivo di Manduria 2006 (Puglia, Italy) $14.95
Quite dry with strong baked plum and berry notes – but not a fruit bomb – definitely Old World.
68999 Finca Flichman Gestos Malbec 2007 (Argentina) $15.95
This is a very good Malbec. Cherry, light herbs and smooth silkiness are present.
14183 Cremaschi Furlotti Family Limited Edition 2005 (Chile) $17.95
Big, bold and full of interesting nuances of fruit, earth, leather & spice.
657601 Benmarco Malbec 2006 (Argentina) $19.95
Earthy, smoky, shtanky – deep purple with cherry tones.
125872 Chateau Brulesecaille 2003 (Bordeaux) $19.95
A super dry classic Bordeaux. It has some age and comes across as an elegant smooth wine. If you like the traditional taste of a dry French table wine – this one is for you.
ALP
Rose & Karen
PS – Don’t forget! The Vintages Value List can always be found at www.CEOTblog.com
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