Did you know there’s an outdoor concert venue at the Jackson-Triggs Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake? Ontario’s best-kept musical gem takes centre stage this summer as Canada’s most talented take to the vineyard for a night of song and wine.

“We are incredibly lucky to have a concert theatre right in the middle of our vineyard,” said Rich Fortin, Marketing Manager for Jackson-Triggs. “It seems only fitting that as Canada’s most awarded winery, we invite some of our country’s most awarded musicians to take part in such a unique experience.”

Now in its 12th year, the open-air, Roman-style space has been home to many memorable nights and this year is no exception. Kicking off the packed calendar of performances is Sam Roberts Band on June 16, followed by a summer of stars that includes Arkells on July 20 and Chantal Kreviazuk on August 17. Despite the caliber of talent, tickets remain at reasonable price ranging from $49-$99 per person.

“We really wanted to make the concert series an experience so people could spend their entire evening with us from a glass of wine, to dinner, to concert performance time,” said Fortin.

There is no shortage of food offerings for those looking to indulge in some top-notch noshables before the show. In addition to a wide array of gourmet concessions – ranging from sausage and wood oven pizza to grilled corn on the cob and the Jackson-Triggs Burger Bar – interested guests can also indulge in an exclusive barrel cellar dinner for a more upscale four-course tasting menu.

Complete Concert Line-up:

June 16      Sam Roberts Band

June 23      Steven Page

July 7       Johnny Clegg, in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music

July 14      Jarvis Church

July 20      Arkells

July 21      Adam Cohen with the Niagara Symphony

July 28      Kathleen Edwards

August 17    Chantal Kreviazuk

August 18    Raine Maida

August 25    Sarah Slean and Royal Wood with the Niagara Symphony

September 7  David Usher

Since 2006, the awards have recognized individuals who consistently promote VQA wines through education and/or promotion in various areas such as retail, hospitality, media, education, Promoter-at-Large and Lifetime Achievement.

The awards were announced Saturday, March 3 at the Experts’ Tasting, hosted by Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI). The awards are meant to celebrate promoters of VQA wines at a gathering of their peers and in front of representatives of the wine industry that benefits from their efforts. The Experts’ Tasting is celebrating 23 years of wine education to the industry.

“VQA Ontario congratulates CCOVI on the Experts’ Tasting and VQA Promoters’ Awards,” said Laurie Macdonald, Executive Director of VQAO. “The Experts’ Tasting plays an important role to increase awareness of VQA appellations and the wines that come from these distinct terroirs, and the Promoters’ Awards recognize the unique individuals who promote them.”

The 2012 winners in each category are:

LCBO: Astrid Brummer, Ontario Wines Product Manager. Her breadth of understanding, dedication to product knowledge and commitment to academic pursuits make her an expert on the local wine scene.

Hospitality: John Maxwell and Allen’s on the Danforth, Toronto. Promoting VQA wines for more than 30 years, he prides his restaurant on serving exclusively Ontario VQA wines.

Promoter-at-Large: Angelo Pavan, Vice-President and Winemaker at Cave Spring Cellars, Jordan Village. A tireless promoter of the Ontario industry for more than 25 years, he maintains an active role in support of industry initiatives, including the last two successful Riesling Experience conferences and as a committee member and Chair of the Standards Development Committee of the VQAO.

Lifetime Achievement: Ken Douglas, co-founder of Cuvée, original legal counsel for setting up the VQA, founder of 13th Street Winery in St. Catharines. He has spent much of the last 30 years helping to develop and promote VQA wines and also assisted in the establishment of the Canadian Wine Library at Brock University.

Palatine Hills Estate Winery
Proprietor’s Reserve Merlot 2007

*****

Limited Edition Red Wine / WINNER
sponsored by Sun Media Niagara Publishing Group

Angels Gate Winery
Mountainview Pinot Noir 2009

*****

White Wine / WINNER
sponsored by Scott Laboratories

GreenLane Estate Winery
Riesling 2010

*****

Limited Edition White Wine / WINNER
sponsored by Vines – Sun Media Niagara Publishing Group

2027 Cellars
19th Street Chardonnay 2010

*****

LCBO Red Wine / WINNER

Creekside Estate Winery
Shiraz 2009

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LCBO White Wine / WINNER

Hillebrand Winery
Trius Sauvignon Blanc 2010

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Dessert Wine / WINNERS
Sponsored by Bruni Glass Packaging Canada

G. Marquis Vineyards
Riesling Icewine 2009 1ST PLACE

Inniskillin Wines
Sparkling Vidal Icewine 2010 2ND PLACE

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Limited Edition Dessert Wine / WINNERS

Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery
Riesling Icewine 2007 1ST PLACE

Diamond Estates – The Winery
Dan Aykroyd Signature Series Vidal Icewine 2006 2ND PLACE

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Sparkling Wine / WINNERS

Tawse Winery
Spark Rosé 2009 1ST PLACE

Featherstone Estate Winery
Joy Sparkling Wine 2008 2ND PLACE

Peller Estates Winery
Ice Cuvée Rosé NV 3RD PLACE

*****

Chardonnay / WINNERS

Stoney Ridge Cellars
Excellence Chardonnay 2009 1ST PLACE

Tawse Winery
Robyn’s Block Chardonnay 2009 2ND PLACE

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Riesling / WINNERS

GreenLane Estate Winery
Riesling 2010 1ST PLACE

Hinterbrook Estate Winery
Riesling 2010 2ND PLACE

Cave Spring Cellars
Riesling CSV 2009 3RD PLACE

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Gewürztraminer / WINNERS

Konzelmann Estate Winery
Gewürztraminer Late Harvest 2010 1ST PLACE

Riverview Cellars Winery
Gewürztraminer 2010 2ND PLACE

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Sauvignon Blanc / WINNERS

Peller Estates Winery
Private Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2010 1ST PLACE

Featherstone Estate Winery
Sauvignon Blanc 2011 2ND PLACE

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White Blend / WINNERS

Stonechurch Vineyards
Riesling Gewürztraminer 2009 1ST PLACE

Rockway Glen Estate Winery
Chardonnay/Riesling 2010 2ND PLACE

Diamond Estates – The Winery
Hat Trick White 2009 3RD PLACE

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Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris / WINNER

Fielding Estate Winery
Estate Bottled Pinot Gris 2010

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Viognier / WINNERS

Fielding Estate Winery
Viognier 2010 1ST PLACE

Creekside Estate Winery
Reserve Viognier 2010 2ND PLACE

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Cabernet Sauvignon / WINNERS

Peller Estates Winery
Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 1ST PLACE

Lakeview Cellars
Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2007 2ND PLACE

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Cabernet Franc / WINNERS

Fielding Estate Winery
Cabernet Franc 2010 1ST PLACE

Vignoble Rancourt Winery
Cabernet Franc 2007 2ND PLACE

Niagara College Teaching Winery
Dean’s List Cabernet Franc 2009 3RD PLACE

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Meritage / WINNERS

Kacaba Vineyards
Reserve Meritage 2007 1ST PLACE

Vineland Estates Winery
Cabernet Merlot Reserve 2007 2ND PLACE

Tawse Winery
Meritage 2008 3RD PLACE

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Pinot Noir/ WINNERS

Angels Gate Winery
Mountainview Pinot Noir 2009 1ST PLACE

Niagara College Teaching Winery
Dean’s List Pinot Noir 2009 2ND PLACE

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Merlot / WINNERS

Palatine Hills Estate Winery
Proprietor’s Reserve Merlot 2007 1ST PLACE

Kacaba Vineyards
Reserve Merlot 2007 2ND PLACE

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Gamay Noir / WINNER

13th Street Winery
Gamay Noir Sandstone Old Vines 2010

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Red Blend / WINNERS

Colaneri Estate Winery
Insieme 2009 1ST PLACE

Diamond Estates – The Winery
Hat Trick Red 2010 2ND PLACE

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Syrah / Shiraz / WINNERS

Creekside Estate Winery
Broken Press Syrah 2008 1ST PLACE

Colio Estate Wines Inc.
CEV Small Lot Shiraz 2008 2ND PLACE

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Tony Aspler Cuvée Award of Excellence / WINNER
sponsored by Tony Aspler

Ron Giesbrecht, Winemaker, Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery:
For consistently producing fine wines across Henry of Pelham’s
portfolio for 22 years.

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Cuvée Award of Excellence in Viticulture / WINNER
sponsored by BASF Canada Inc.

Duarte Oliveira Sr., Oliveira Vineyards

The Cuvée Wine Awards are the only awards in Canada where the winning wines are chosen by the winemakers. The judging process upholds strict criteria for the award winners and the wines selected for pouring at the Gala. This year, 51 winemakers tasted over 264 wines from 64 wineries to determine the winners.
Each participating winery enters four outstanding wines into the competition and can also present two wines distributed through the LCBO to compete in the Best LCBO Red Wine and Best LCBO White Wine categories. The Cuvée Award Winners are provided on the attached sheet.

Wineries sell the coveted award winning wines at their winery boutiques over the Cuvée weekend, where they traditionally sell out within a matter of days. Consumers can shop for these wines and experience special tastings during Cuvée en Route, the weekend passport program that takes place at participating wineries Friday March 2 through Sunday, March 4. Details can be found on the Cuvée web site, www.cuvee.ca and passports can be purchased for $30.00 at participating wineries this weekend.

Proceeds from Cuvée Weekend go to the Niagara Community Foundation and are used in its work with community groups across the region.

No reservations are require to take the Ferry across to the island unless you plan on bringing you car, then advance reservations is recommended.

We took the 10am Ferry from Kingsville, arrived on the Island around 11:30. From the dock we walked to Pelee Island Winery. They do offer shuttles, the driver told us that the first trip was full and that he could return and pick us up. It’s less that a 10 minute walk. Wine (by the glass or bottle) can be purchased and consumed on the property. We bought a bottle of dry Pelee Island Winery Riesling, grilled our burgers, and took the tour and headed back to catch the 4PM ferry back to Kingsville. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon at Canada’s southernmost winery.

A visit to the Pelee Island Winery pavilion is a “must do” when visiting Essex county. The photos of the vines and grapes in this video where taken on August 20th, 2011. The vines are located at the front of the pavilion.

Double Gold
Aleksander Estate Winery 2010 Vidal
D’Angelo Vineyards Estate Winery 2008 Baco Noir
SMITH & WILSON ESTATE WINES 2008 PINK CADILLAC

Gold
Colio Estate Wines Inc. 2007 CEV Cabernet Franc
Colio Estate Wines Inc. 2006 CEV Meritage
Pelee Island Winery 2008 Alvar Cabernet Merlot
Pelee Island Winery 2010 Blanc de Blanc

Silver
Black Bear Farm Estate Winery 2007 PAPA’S SPECIAL RESERVE
Muscedere Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
SMITH & WILSON ESTATE WINES 2007 RALEIGH VINES

Bronze
Aleksander Estate Winery 2010 Raspberry
Aleksander Estate Winery 2010 Chardonnay
Black Bear Farm Estate Winery 2009 STRAWBERRY & RED RASPBERRY
Black Bear Farm Estate Winery 2009 BEAR’S SPECIAL BLEND
Colio Estate Wines Inc. 2010 Girls’ Night Out Chard. / Merlot Rose
CREW-Colchester Ridge Estate Winery 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
CREW-Colchester Ridge Estate Winery 2008 Cabernet Franc
Pelee Island Winery 2010 Cabernet Franc
Sanson Estate Winery 2010 Autumn Harvest Vidal
SMITH & WILSON ESTATE WINES 2007 DOUBLE BARREL
SMITH & WILSON ESTATE WINES 2010 Pinot Gris
Viewpointe Estate Winery 2010 Auxerrois

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Awards listed by Winery

Aleksander Estate Winery 2010 Vidal (Double Gold)
Aleksander Estate Winery 2010 Raspberry (Bronze)
Aleksander Estate Winery 2010 Chardonnay (Bronze)

 
Black Bear Farm Estate Winery 2007 PAPA’S SPECIAL RESERVE (Silver)
Black Bear Farm Estate Winery 2009 STRAWBERRY & RED RASPBERRY (Bronze)
Black Bear Farm Estate Winery 2009 BEAR’S SPECIAL BLEND (Bronze)
Colio Estate Wines Inc. 2007 CEV Cabernet Franc (Gold)
Colio Estate Wines Inc. 2006 CEV Meritage (Gold)
Colio Estate Wines Inc. 2010 Girls’ Night Out Chard. / Merlot Rose (Bronze)

CREW-Colchester Ridge Estate Winery 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Bronze)
CREW-Colchester Ridge Estate Winery 2008 Cabernet Franc (Bronze)

D’Angelo Vineyards Estate Winery 2008 Baco Noir (Double Gold)

Muscedere Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Silver)

Pelee Island Winery 2008 Alvar Cabernet Merlot (Gold)
Pelee Island Winery 2010 Blanc de Blanc (Gold)
Pelee Island Winery 2010 Cabernet Franc (Bronze)

Sanson Estate Winery 2010 Autumn Harvest Vidal (Bronze)

SMITH & WILSON ESTATE WINES 2008 PINK CADILLAC – (Double Gold)
SMITH & WILSON ESTATE WINES 2007 RALEIGH VINES (Silver)
SMITH & WILSON ESTATE WINES 2007 DOUBLE BARREL (Bronze)
SMITH & WILSON ESTATE WINES 2010 Pinot Gris (Bronze)

Viewpointe Estate Winery 2010 Auxerrois (Bronze)

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.

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

13TH STREET CUVÉE 13 ROSÉ 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Traditional Method
Debbie Trenholm was the sommelier for the private luncheon held in Ottawa for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on Canada Day in 2010. She selected the 2007 13th Street Cuvée 13 Rosé as “a delicious way to begin [the] celebration.”
TASTING NOTE: This rare sparkling Rosé made with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a splash of Syrah is extraordinary – dry, crisp with delicate aromas of wild strawberry, juicy red cherry with an elegant mousse that lingers as it refreshes. (Debbie Trenholm, winesavvy.ca, June 30, 2010)
Vintages # 147504 (D) 750 mL $24.95

WHITE WINE

FLAT ROCK CELLARS SWEET REVENGE
VIDAL ICEWINE 2007
VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula
TASTING NOTE: Shows light bright lemon colour. Very lifted aromas of peach-mango with lemon and a touch of plasticine that should fade with more bottle age. The whole thing has a light airy feel to it with a sense of purity despite some youthful bottling aromas. It has found icewine’s acid-sugar key. Excellent length. Score: 91 (David Lawrason, winealign.com, March 2009)
Vintages # 047803 (S) 375 mL $34.95

FLOURISH VIDAL ICEWINE 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula
TASTING NOTE: A very enchanting yellow-gold colour in the glass. Honeyed pear, mango, apricot and wet stone on the nose. Deliciously balanced, with the sweetness expertly counterpointed by crisp acidity. Smooth and mouthfilling, with plenty of apricot and honey on the palate. Medium-full bodied with sweet fruit and a hint of nutmeg on the medium-long finish. Try with bread pudding and French vanilla ice cream. (VINTAGES panel, Dec. 2010)
Vintages # 222356 (S) 200 mL $18.95

LE CLOS JORDANNE
LE CLOS JORDANNE VINEYARD
CHARDONNAY 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Twenty Mile Bench

TASTING NOTE: Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard Chardonnay is just great, with flint, mineral and smoke notes, well integrated oak and lovely acids plus alcohols balance, I’d drink it now and years from now on. (Zoltan Szabo, zoltanszabo.org, Nov. 11, 2010)
Vintages # 033910 (XD) 750 mL $40.00

RED LEAF VIDAL ICEWINE 2006
VQA Niagara Peninsula
TASTING NOTE: Wine Style: white, sweet, medium-bodied. Appearance: deep lemon-gold. Nose: honey, citrus, apricot, floral. Taste: sweet, vibrant acidity, medium alcohol; balanced, luscious, honeyed. Score: HHHHJ (Tony Aspler, tonyaspler.com, June 2, 2010)
Vintages # 179705 (S) 200 mL $17.95

STRATUS RIESLING ICEWINE 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula
TASTING NOTE: Wine Style: white, sweet, mediumbodied. Appearance: medium straw. Nose: floral, lime, citrus, marmalade, melon. Taste: medium intensity, low to medium alcohol, underlying acidity; clean, minerally, bright. Score: HHHHK (Tony Aspler, tonyaspler.com, Oct. 17, 2009)
Vintages # 056671 (S) 200 mL $39.95

VINELAND ESTATES
SAUVIGNON BLANC 2008
VQA Niagara Escarpment
This is a light, crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc that will pair wonderfully with sautéed shrimp in a butter sauce. Its ripe, lemony citrus and melon flavours are well balanced by a laserfocused acidity, and joined on the finish by a bright minerality. If you are feeling the mid-winter blahs, this wine brings a taste of summer sunshine back to the table.
Vintages # 551168 (XD) 750 mL $16.95

RED WINE

PILLITTERI ESTATES
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula
Cabernet Sauvignon can do extremely well in Ontario when the climate cooperates, and it cooperated brilliantly in 2007. The fruit was harvested when it was both phenolically and sugar ripe (exactly what a winery is looking for in any grapes at harvest). The result was a wine with fine balance. This 100% Cab Sauv is filled with cassis, raspberry, eucalyptus and hints of black pepper. Dry with very good fruit tones supported by fine tannins, it’s cellarable 3-4+ years. It can also be enjoyed tonight with a rare steak frites.
Vintages # 349233 (D) 750 mL $19.95

SANDBANKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY
SELECTION BACO NOIR 2009
VQA Ontario
TASTING NOTE: A crowd-pleasing red that’s chockfull of charm and rich, fruit flavour, it jumps from the glass with a whoosh of sweet vanilla and concentrated, dark field-berry aromas. Palatecoating flavours of black currant jam, plum compote, some spice and hints of dark chocolate persist through the lingering, lip-smacking finish. It’s medium-full bodied and looking for a hearty companion – grilled steak, osso bucco or leg of lamb … Score: HHHHK (Vic Harradine, winecurrent.com, Dec. 8, 2010)
Vintages # 211318 (D) 750 mL $19.95