Wine Review July 13, 2013 – Tawse Sketches of Niagara Riesling 2012 – Kacaba Rebecca Rosé 2012

Tawse Sketches of Niagara Riesling 2012 – VINTAGES 89029 – $17.95 – There are certain wines that are benchmarks for quality and value in the Vintages section.  The Sketches Riesling is one of those wines.  Flavours of Apple and Peach with great acidity and a long finish.  There is just a touch of sweetness on the finish that keeps the fruit flavours on the tongue.  To say that this wine outperforms it’s price point is an understatement, coming from the great 2012 vintage the bar has certainly been raised in terms of quality and value.  This should pear great with grilled chicken or if you’re up at the cottage pair this with a fish fry. 

Kacaba Rebecca Rosé 2012 – VINTAGES 227025 – $14.95 – Who doesn’t love a great deal from the vintages section!  I love picking up a great wine under that twenty dollar mark (both wines this week fit that bill).  What is great about this wine is there is a certain herbaciousness off the nose and right on the palette when you take your first sip.  As the wine rolls down the back of your tongue the fruit flavours really pop on this… watermelon, slight rhubarb and very dry and crisp on the finish.  It’s truly going to be another pink summer this year with all these great rosé’s hitting the shelf.

I have to mention that the Cool Climate Chardonnay Festival is taking place in Niagara this weekend.  There are a whole bunch of events taking place but it would definitely be worth checking out the kickoff party taking place at Hillebrand or the BIG ONE “The Cool Chardonnay World Tour – Tasting & Dinner” where you will have a chance to taste great Ontario Chardonnay poured next to wines from around the world.  Events like this truly highlight that we are making world class wine in Ontario.  Whether you’re a diehard VQA fan or looking to broaden your horizons this is an event that you don’t want to miss. 

Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.coolchardonnay.org/