People ARE talking about Ontario Wine. Those are the ads that we are hearing on the Radio as the LCBO celebrates it’s Go Local campaign. I love this time of year and along with the campaign the shelves are being filled with some fantastic new Ontario wines. I have been excited to find lots of great Varietal blends (both Red and White) where the price has been low but the quality has been very high. I have been asked whether or not Blends are lower in quality … I know a lot of Scotch drinkers look down their nose at blended whiskeys… but it is absolutely not the case. Look no further than France, some of the best wines in the world are blended in Bordeaux.
2011 Vinology Red – $18.95 – LCBO 305375 – I love it when you find something unexpected in the bottle. This is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Syrah. You can really taste the Syrah on this with a nose of Red Fruit and Cinnamon this has flavours to match. This is a wine that does benefit greatly from exposure to oxygen. It can be a little spicy out of the top of the bottle but as you work your way down it softens bringing out the Pinot Noir and Merlot characteristics. This is begging to be paired with Roast Beef seasoned with Black Pepper.
2010 Mike Weir Sauvignon Blanc – $14.95 – VINTAGES 686972 – Green Pepper… it took me more than a minute to finger the strong flavours in this Sauvignon Blanc but that’s what it is. The nose is Grassy with almost an Industrial smell… those two smells are not something you would expect in the same place but it works very well with this wine. Very dry with nice acidity makes this a great wine to go with Asian dishes both spicy and mild.
