March 5th I had the chance to stop by Graham Rennie’s vineyard. I have had a chance to check out the wines at Malivoire in my last few visits. Last year I had the chance to taste the Halo wine from Rennie “G” at an Italian/Ontario tasting and what was...
2013 Fielding Gewurztraminer – Vintages 146753 – $18.95 – ****+ – This is your textbook Gew from the Ontario. The aromas are Soft and Floral but distinctly rosy. The flavours on this wine are tropical with Lychee taking over. The finish offers up some very nice spice notes and the...
The Cuvée Grand Tasting 2016 took place March 5th at the Scotiabank Convention Centre. Every year I set out with the goal of tasting every wine at the event and every year I fall short. This year there were 48 wines in attendance. This year was also interesting because we...
2014 Tinhorn Creek Gewurztraminer – Vintages 904185 – $18.95 – ****+ – Let me get the food pairing out of the way immediately with this note. This is not a review to tell you to pair this with Asian cuisine — even though it does pair very well. This is...
2012 Heritage Reserve – Winery Only – $30.15 – ****+ – I have made no secret of my disdain for the term Meritage so I had to chuckle a bit opening this bottle from Konzelmann to see it called “Heritage”. The Meritage does rhyme with Heritage if you are saying...
2010 Henry of Pelham Carte Blanche Blanc de Blancs – Vintages 315200 – $44.95 – ****1/2 – I look forward to this wine with every release. The price puts it at the top of the pile for Ontario sparkling but I assure you the price is completely worth it. The nose is...
2012 Two Sisters Cabernet Sauvignon – Winery Only – $62.00 – ****+ – This is the first of the 2012 Red wines to be offered from Two Sisters. The vines are still quite young from the winery but the bottle doesn’t know that. The nose is rich and heavy from...
I love “Taste the Season”. It’s a passport event hosted by the wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake and it takes place weekends in November. I’m going to let everyone in on a secret. If you’re ready to take your wine geekdom to the next level the best time of the year to...
2011 Featherstone Joy Premium Cuvée Sparkling – Vintages 310334 – $34.95 – ****1/2 – Joy is a perfect name for a sparkling wine. Try to open a bottle and not smile, I dare you. Made purely from Chardonnay and sealed with a crown cap this is one of my favorite...
2013 Reif Estate Reserve Gewurztraminer – Vintages 360255 – $18.95 – ***1/2+ – This wine is definitely defined by its texture. This leans more towards an alsatian style of Gewurztraminer with a nice almost oily texture that grips the tongue. This varietal is one of my favorites in Ontario, it...
Both of these wines are approachable and easy drinking. Made to pair with food and unpretentious. I realize I have been saying this a lot lately but not all wines are meant for the cellar sometimes you just want something crowd pleasing and affordable. Lot 74 fits the bill. 2014...
Tasting my way through California definitely opened my eyes to a world of wine that isn’t making its way to the LCBO. Beautiful Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and elegant Zinfandel all very reasonably priced. As I said in a tweet halfway through the dinner there is always room in my glass...
