My last trip to Niagara in 2017 included a stop at Megalomaniac. THIS is the visit I have been waiting for as the wines that are currently available at Megalomaniac are the first that have been made start to finish by Winemaker Sebastian Jacquey. The white wines available over the...
2011 Patrick Chan Sparkling Blanc de Blancs – Vintages 546291 – $29.95 – ****+ – This is a bottle worth picking up to enjoy while watching the Olympics. The nose offers a nice bready note with citrus. The flavours have some nice depth with apple and spice layered over lemon...
2016 Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay – Vintages 616466 – $29.95 – ****+ – This is one of the first wines I have had an opportunity to sample what the very warm 2016 summer has to offer from Niagara, and I was not disappointed. Aromas of vanilla and...
I recently had a chance to speak with Barb DiGiulio of Newstalk 1010 about evidence of some very old wine being made. I confessed that old wines don’t really do it for me. I’ll admit that I find it interesting seeing how wines evolve and change with time. These are...
Everyone these days seems to be enamoured with Prince Edward County. There is some fantastic, gritty winemaking taking place to the east of Toronto. There are a lot of reasons to pay attention to the County. But there is a renaissance taking place in Niagara. It started when Two Sisters...
2016 Megalomaniac Narcissist Riesling – Vintages 67587 – $18.95 – **** – There is nice balance to this riesling. There is a kiss of sweetness on the finish, and it’s met with nice acidity. The sweetness is enough to really let macintosh and golden delicious apple soar on the mid...
2014 Charles Baker Picone Vineyard Riesling – Vintages 241182 – $35.20 – ****+ – I love it when my Riesling has a hint of sugar. But sweetness needs balance and this is perfectly balanced. The sweetness brings some golden delicious apple to lemon drop. The mineral note adds even more...
A couple years ago I had the opportunity to sit down with Pieter Badenhorst or Fleur du Cap. So I was thrilled to have an opportunity to sit down with him again this year. The wines from Fleur du Cap always offer great value and high quality. The Chardonnay and...
It can be a challenge to redefine yourselves. One of the largest challenges facing the Canadian wine industry is gaining recognition on the world stage for more than just Icewine. The wineries of South Africa are facing a similar dilemma in that they are recognized internationally for great affordable bottles...
2015 Trius Red – Vintages 303800 – $24.95 – **** – This continues to be a benchmark for Bordeaux varietals in Ontario. It offers fantastic value and continues to be a staple to build a cellar. The nose on this bottle offers up raspberry, blackberry and a nice cocoa note....
I recently had an opportunity to sit down with Derek Barnett to taste through some of the new wines coming out from Meldville. I was very pleased to find that the portfolio has grown by a few bottles since inception. The red wines are something to truly enjoy but the...
2015 Strewn Terroir Pinot Blanc – Vintages 520205 – $18.95 – ***½+ – Well this is interesting, it’s not as if there is a ton of Pinot Blanc from Ontario that makes it to the shelf. Rarity aside this is an easy drinking bottle of wine that is meant to...
