Niagara College Les Marmitons Gastronomy Chardonnay 2017 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely barrel-fermented Chardonnay from Niagara College Teaching Winery that I purchased at the winery during my visit to Niagara for the Icewine Festival in January 2020.

The Les Marmitons range of wines were created by Niagara College after being approached by members of Les Marmitons Niagara - the local chapter of an international gastronomic and social club for men interested in fine food, wine and the culinary arts. Although Les Marmitons wines were first launched in 2016, I only discovered them last January and enjoyed tasting all three wines bearing the Les Marmitons label - this Chardonnay, a Fumé Blanc, and a Pinot Noir. While the Chardonnay is sold out (apparently the price was reduced to $20 at some point), the other two wines are available for purchase and proceeds from the sales of Les Marmitons wines help to support student learning.

Tasting Note:

NIAGARA COLLEGE LES MARMITONS GASTRONOMY CHARDONNAY 2017 - VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $24.95 Sold out
From estate-grown Chardonnay that was wild and barrel-fermented, along with 11 months 'sur lie' in French barriques. Screw cap. Lovely butter, golden apple, pear, leesy, and lemon citrus aromas with touches of vanilla oak rising out of the glass. On the well-balanced, medium-full bodied palate it is creamy with nice concentration and fine acidity supporting the apple, pear, butter, and vanilla flavours. Leesy and yeasty characters linger on the finish, with very good length. Lovely! Score: 89 pts