Uncorked Ontario

It’s Valentine’s Day weekend and you are faced with the undoubting task of selecting a wine. With so many to choose from it may not seem easy but it can be.

Depending on the occasion here are a few of my Lake Erie North Shore and Pelee Island wine recommendations for Valentine’s Day.

A sparkling wine is good for any occasion. It’s light, refreshing, and pairs well with just about anything. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on Champagne either. Two local wineries recently released sparkling wines. Colio Estate Winery’s Frizzante ($9.75)  and Pelee Island Winery’s Secco ($15.75) should be considered.

Looking for a white wine? Consider picking up a Riesling or Auxerrois.  These wines are normally light and do not need a meal to be appreciated.  I recommend the following local white wines for Valentine’s Day.

Riesling

• Sprucewood Shores Riesling 2009 (12.95)
• CREW (Colchester Ridge Estate Winery) Riesling 2009 ($14)
• Sanson Riesling 2008 ($14.95)

Auxerrois

• Viewpointe Auxerrois 2008 ($14.95)

Or get the best of both from Smith & Wilson’s Vista del Lago 2009 ($13) It’s a deliciously crafted blend of Auxerrois and Riesling.

Red wines are all about romance. They can be rich, lush, sexy, and perfect for sharing with your Valentine.  The choice for reds is extensive, and really depends on your personal taste.

If you are looking for a big red with lots of body go for a Cabernet Sauvignon. Pairs well with beef too. Consider Muscedere Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 ($30). It shows incredible balance and complexity. Pair with beef steak or lambs for a real treat.

Pinot Noir is lighter, and a bit more earthy red wine that should also be considered. I often found Pinot Noir a bit too light and missing something until I discovered Pelee Island’s Alvar Pinot Noir 2008 ($14.95). This one has been blended with a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon giving the wine more body and structure.

The most important thing to remember as you celebrate Valentine’s Day with your love is to have fun and enjoy yourself  and enjoy the food, wine and conversation.

WHITE WINE

CALAMUS UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula

This wine won a Gold Medal at the All Canadian Wine Championships in 2010.

TASTING NOTE: Colour: deep straw. Nose: high toned, peach and citrus. Taste: well-extracted, ripe fruit – apple flavour with persistence. Drinkability: now. (Tony Aspler, winealign.com, April 6, 2010)
Vintages # 210062 750 mL $13.95

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES LATE HARVEST RIESLING 2007
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake

On top of winning Gold at the OWAs, this wine also garnered scores of 90 from Evan Saviolidis and Natalie MacLean.

TASTING NOTE: … this dessert wine is a fabulous expression of the vintage and the varietal. Luscious aromas of sweet tropical fruit – mangoes with a squirt of lime come to mind – ripe stone fruit and lemon delight pie. The flavours are consistent, with a honeyed texture that is well balanced with bright acidity. Sweet, but not too sweet, it’s harmonious with a beautiful heft. It’s a dream to sip with artisan cheese or a fruit tart. Score: HHHHJ (Susan Desjardins, winecurrent.com, Feb. 15, 2010)
Vintages # 432930 375 mL $21.95

FEATHERSTONE SELECT LATE HARVEST CABERNET FRANC 2008
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula

This wine took Double Gold, the highest honour in its category, at the 2009 All Canadian Wine Championships.

TASTING NOTE: Wow, this is one perfumed, succulent and refreshing mouthful of spiced red fruit with tangy raspberry, lively strawberry and pie cherry to the fore. The ripe, sweet fruit and moderating raciness is balanced on a pin and persistent throughout, finishing mouth-watering, crisp and refreshing … (Vic Harradine, winecurrent.com, Nov. 13, 2010)
Vintages # 210757 375 mL $19.95

FIELDING LOT No. 17 RIESLING 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula

This wine won a Gold Medal at the 2010 All Canadian Wine Championships.

TASTING NOTE: Another Riesling winner from Fielding Estate. There’s an array of fresh green apples, citrus and gentle waves of white peach to start things off. Love the power play between sweet-ripe and zesty-tart fruits in the mouth to go with peach, citrus and acid verve. Clean, focused Riesling and exactly what I look for in this amazing Niagara variety. (Rick VanSickle, winesinniagara.com, June 17, 2010)
Vintages # 203521 750 mL $25.95

LAILEY VINEYARD CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY 2009
VQA Niagara River

TASTING NOTE: This has a very generous, sweet, caramel, resin and lightly smoky nose from the Canadian oak barrels. Lively peachy, lemony fruit hits the palate and marries with the oak on the finsih. It’s mid-weight, brisk and racy with tart lemony acidity. Some minerality on finish. It is powerful wine; age it two years. Excellent length. Score: 88 (David Lawrason, www.winealign.com, Aug. 2010)
Vintages # 225474 750 mL $24.95

RED WINE

13TH STREET GAMAY NOIR 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula

This wine won a Gold Medal at the 2010 Ontario Wine Awards.

TASTING NOTE: … The nose is black cherry, raspberry and vanilla; an aroma that comes from the 12 months of ageing in 60% French and 40% American oak (of which 25% was new). Flavours are loaded with delicious black cherry … it should be in very high demand …(Michael Pinkus, Ontariowinereview.com, May 12, 2010)
Vintages # 177824 750 mL $17.95

ROSEHALL RUN CUVÉE COUNTY PINOT NOIR 2008
VQA Prince Edward County

This wine won a Gold Medal at the ARTEVÏNO Prince Edward County Wine Competition in 2010.

TASTING NOTE: The new vintage bursts with cran-raspberry fruit, spice, and light toasty notes in a typically light County style with good tannic grip. One of the best pairings is the widely available mild cheddar from Balderson (Winchester), which softens the tannin and accentuates the fruit … Score: 88 (David Lawrason, ottawamagazine.com, Summer 2010)
Vintages # 225748 750 mL $19.95

WAYNE GRETZKY No. 99 ESTATE SERIES CABERNET/MERLOT 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula

This wine won a Gold Medal at the Ontario Wine Awards, and at the Canadian Wine Awards, in 2010.

TASTING NOTE: a wow red here. Aromas of coconut, blackberry, smoke and cassis. The effusive smoky flavours dish up coconut, black cherry, and blackberry purée. Score: 90 (Gordon Stimmell, The Toronto Star, Aug. 21, 2010)
Vintages # 128652 750 mL $19.95