Providing a Unique & Affordable Selection of High Quality Red Wines and White Wines for Your Enjoyment. Also featured: Rosé, Port, Icewine, Champagne and Sparkling Wine for Special Occasions. Cheers!
Tonight's wine is the second in a series of wines from Southbrook Vineyards (first up was their Triomphe Cab Franc Rosé).
This red wine is certfied organic and biodynamic. In fact, the entire Triomphe line of wines has been certified organic since 2010. Furthermore, Southbrook was Canada's first certified biodynamic winery.
As this wine is a Vintages Essentials product, it is always available in the Vintages section. The 2012 version was featured as part of the Cabernet Sauvignon focus in the March 1 Vintages Release.
Tasting Note:
Stelvin screw cap closure. In addition to Cab Sauv, it contains 6.1% Petit Verdot, 3% Syrah, 2.3% Merlot, and 2.2% Cab Franc. Barnyard, vanillan oak, red currant aromas that also shows some meaty notes as it warms up in the glass. Medium-bodied with firm tannins. Flavour profile consists of sweet red currants, blackberries, subtle spice, and vanillan oak in the background. Good acids and a long finish that has hints of milk chocolate. Could be cellared another 2-3 years, but drinking well now. Has good crowd appeal. Score: 87 pts
Last night's wine is the first in a series of wines that I'll be reviewing from Southbrook Vineyards.
The roots of this winery began as a farm in the 1860s at the head of the Don River by the Patterson family. William Redelmeier, who is the grandfather of current owner Bill Redelmeier, purchased Don Head Farms in 1941. In the 1980s, Bill and partner/co-owner Marilyn evolve the business from a roadside stand into a thriving farm market, which led to the creation of "Southbrook Farms". In 1991, a boutique winery and event space was born.
Today, Southbrook Vineyards is one of the leading organic and biodynamic wineries in Ontario. Their hospitality pavilion was the first winery to receive Gold level of LEED status back in November, 2008.
This rosé wine is certified organic and also vegan-friendly. It has been in Vintages previously but is now part of the LCBO General List and is available in small quantities throughout the province.
Tasting Note:
Screw cap. Also contains 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Gamay. Nose seems rather closed but shows an earthy character with notes of cherry and wild berries. Medium-bodied palate with tart fruit, and cherry flavours. It's dry (i.e. not sweet), with good acids and a medium-length finish. Serve only lightly chilled. Will be enjoyed with spiced rotisserie chicken off the BBQ. Score: 87 pts
Join the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival for the 19th Annual New Vintage Festival this
June. I attended this event in both 2012 and 2013 and had a great time each visit! A family wedding followed by some much needed vacation time will prevent me from attending the Niagara Wine festival with the best weather this year.
Wine Country in Ontario presents a calendar of year round events and none is as highly anticipated as the Annual TD Tailgate Party. The 5th installment of the Tailgate Party is set to take place on Saturday June 21st from 5:30-9:30 pm in the 2013/14 Grower of the Year's vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Grape King, Wes Wiens represents the legacy of a Niagara grape growing family and invites guests to join the Wiens family in their vineyard for this special night.
The focus of this annual backyard style event is squarely wine and culinary and guests will experience the best food and wine that Niagara has to offer. Eight incredible chefs will serve up mouthwatering creations using the freshest local ingredients with an eye on culinary trends. The Dairy Farmers of Canada will be on hand to present a selection of artisanal cheeses that are unique and delicious.
And the TD Tailgate Party will host over 35 of Niagara's favourite wineries and a showcase of their latest releases and wines that are a perfect complement to summer entertaining. Join winemakers and wine industry personnel as they share their passion. From Vintage cars, to Vintage wines and incredible food and live entertainment, this is the kick off to summer that everyone is talking about.
In addition to the Farm to Table experience at the TD Tailgate Party, guests can also sample the freshness of the season with the ever popular Discovery Pass Program. Culinary offerings produced with the first produce of the season or locally sourced ingredients will be served with perfectly paired wines. The program takes place on June 14, 15, 21 and 22, 2014. The Discovery Pass is your ticket to 8 wineries from the participating 38 winery partners across the region. Here is the Official Festival Guide, so you can plan your visit ahead of time.
Discovery Passes are $40 and Tailgate Party tickets are $85 (plus HST). All are available by ordering online at www.niagarawinefestival.com or calling the Festival office at 905-688-0212.
Are you excited yet? Enter the contest below for your chance to win a pair of Discovery Passes!
The next LCBO Vintages release will be on shelves across Ontario on . This edition's main focus is on wines from Rhône, while the secondary focus is on crisp white wines - as summer is just around the corner.
Sixteen wines were featured in the Rhône roundup, and a quarter of them made my wine picks. The Valériane is a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah, from old vines that are between 30-40 years of age, while the Lafond Lirac is 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 5% Carignan, and 5% Mourvèdre. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 80% old vines Grenache,
10% Syrah,
5% Mourvèdre,
and 5% others. And finally, the Clos Bellane is an unspecified Grenache-blend. As you can see from the above, Grenache tends to play a large role in Rhône, with Syrah not far behind. Within the region, wine can be traced as far back 600 B.C., and many houses have long traditions dating back several generations. Personally, Rhône is one of my favourite wine regions and I am quite pleased with the selection available in this release.
All six white wines I've recommended below are from the secondary focus on crisp white wines. None of these wines are sweet, and five are the classic, cool French grapes - Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. The Sancerre is a Sauvignon Blanc, while the Chablis is an unoaked Chardonnay. If you want to try something different and off the beaten path, then check out the Picpoul de Pinet - it's made using the Piquepoul grape, meant to served well-chilled and pairs well with seafood and shellfish.
From the rest of the release, the 2012 Bila-Haut continues to be a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan (same as the 2011), while the Château Vincens is an Malbec/Merlot (80/20) blend. There are a couple of very ageable reds from the Iberian peninsula that would make worthy additions to your cellar. Both of these wines are made using only local grapes - the Castro Ventosa is a 100% Mencía, while the Meandro do Vale is 35% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca, 27% Tinta Roriz, 3% Sousão, 3% Tinta Barroca and 2% Tinto Cão. The Barolo is, of course, made with Nebbiolo, and can be aged for at least the next dozen years.
Enjoy my wine picks for this week and let me know if you try any of these! Cheers!
Red Wine:
M. CHAPOUTIER LES VIGNES DE BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON VILLAGES 2012 - AC, Midi, France (#168716) (D) - $14.95
DOMAINE LES YEUSES LES ÉPICES SYRAH 2011 - IGP Pays d’Oc, Midi, France (#177584) (XD) - $14.95
Saturday, May 31, 2014
