Uncorked Ontario

Although medal count is down this year compared to last year more GOLD and DOUBLE awards were handed out to several local wineries at the 2010 All Canadian Wine Championships. The ACWC was established in 1981 and is Canada’s oldest wine awards.

Wineries from seven provinces participated at this year’s competition. British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Price Edward Island and New Brunswick.

Eight wineries in Southwestern Ontario (Lake Erie North Shore and Pelee Island) were awarded a total of 18 medals including 4 double gold and 4 gold.

4 – DOUBLE GOLD
4 – GOLD
4 – SILVER
6 – BRONZE
18 total

Pelee Island Winery
2009 Blanc de Blanc – DOUBLE GOLD
2008 Late Harvest Vidal – GOLD
Chardonnay Unoaked – GOLD
2008 Cabernet- Merlot – SILVER
208 Baco Noir – SILVER
2008 Riesling Dry – BRONZE
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon – BRONZE

Black Bear Farm Estate Winery
2008 Elderberry – DOUBLE GOLD
2008 Golden Plum – Silver
2008 Red Raspberry & Purple Plum – BRONZE

Aleksander Estate Winery
2008 Chambourcin – DOUBLE GOLD
2008 Baco Noir – GOLD

D’Angelo Winery
Dolce Vita – DOUBLE GOLD

Sanson Estate Winery
2007 Syrah – GOLD

Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery
2007 Meritage – SILVER
2009 Riesling – BRONZE

Mastronardi Estate Winery
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon – BRONZE

Muscedere Vineyards
2009 Vidal Blanc – BRONZE

I attended the All Canadian Wine Championships 2010 public tasting event at the Caboto in Windsor. Noted these trophy winners as best best in their category. From Ontario, a sparkling wine and a fruit wine took top honours.

Best Red Wine of the Year
Desert Hill Estate Winery, BC
2006 Syrah Select $34.90

Best White Wine of the Year
Lake Breeze Vineyards, BC
2009 Pinot Blanc $17.90

Best Sprkling Wine of the Year
Huff Estates Winery, Ontario
2006 Cuvee Peter F. Huff $39.95

Best Dessert Wine of the Year
Vignoble du Marathonien, Quebec
2008 Vidal Vendange Tardives $28.00

Best Fruit Wine of the Year
Applewod Farm Winery, Ontario
Madrigal Meade $14.95

I will post some other local and Ontario results as soon as I sort through my notes.

Gary

WHITE WINES

PENINSULA RIDGE INOX RESERVE
CHARDONNAY 2007
VQA Beamsville Bench, Beal Vineyards

 TASTING NOTE: Spiced Granny Smith apple and yellow plum aromas provide segue to this valuedriven gem – always expect it to be under priced and to over deliver in character and flavour – it earned its final half star on value. Winemaker J. P.Colas hails from Chablis as this unwooded crisp and clean Chardonnay testifies … Sip on its own or pair with lighter appetizers … Score: HHHHJ (Vic Harradine, May 23, 2009)
007328 (D) 750 mL $18.95

ROSEWOOD ESTATES
NATALIE’S SÜSSRESERVE
RIESLING 2008
VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula

TASTING NOTE: Aromas suggest smoky peach, lime, mineral, McIntosh apple and nectarine. It starts out off-dry and then dries out nicely due to the brisk acidity. Medium bodied with a tangy/fruity finish. Almost Rheingau or Pfalz Kabinett in style. Try it with sushi or shrimp and sweet potato tempura. (VINTAGES panel, March 2010)
164483 (D) 750 mL $18.00

 RED WINES

JACKSON-TRIGGS PROPRIETORS’
GRAND RESERVE MERLOT 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula

David Lawrason gave this “very stylish merlot” a score of 90.
TASTING NOTE: Deep ruby coloured, impressively scented Merlot from the excellent 2007 vintage. Aromas of sour cherry, vanilla, raspberry, coffee bean are all on display here. Dry with a nice core of fruit surrounded by moderate tannins and pleasing acidity. Medium-full bodied with a lingering, refined finish. Age it 2-3 years, or try it tonight with a grilled porterhouse steak or calf’s liver with bacon and onions. (VINTAGES panel, March 2010)
563197 (XD) 750 mL $19.95

VINELAND STATES
ELEVATION CABERNET 2007

VQA Niagara Escarpment This blend of 70% Cabernet Franc and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon showcases aromas and flavours of blackberries, dark plum and hints of green pepper. Try this fruity wine from from the great 2007 vintage with grilled lamb.
173609 (D) 750 mL $25.00

VINELAND ESTATES MERLOT 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula

TASTING NOTE: Sour cherry, plum, mocha and woodsmoke dominate this Merlot from the fine 2007 vintage. Dry and fruity with gentle acids offering support. Ready to drink tonight with grilled steaks or bison burgers. (VINTAGES panel,March 2010)
657361 (XD) 750 mL $16.95

Dionysus 2010

Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 6:00pm – Midnight 
Location: Mastronardi Estate Winery

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO, A DOUBLE HEADER SHOW ON THE VINEYARDS OF MASTRONARDI ESTATE WINERY

And we are pleased to announce that this year’s concert will feature the 2010 Juno nominated amazing guitar Trio P.R.O. – “Pavlo, Rik Emmet, and Oscar Lopez!”

Their album “Trifecta” has been Juno nominated for “Best Instrumental Album of the Year”. Their incredible music chemistry, described as “Mediterranean Magic, Triumphant Fusion & Hot Latin Fire”, was born out of the joy, respect and friendship found in the making of great music! Three artists from widely different backgrounds have forged an intense cultural melting pot of their unique styles. Check out pavlorikoscar.com for more information.

-AND-

Pavlo returns with his world class band to perform the road show edition of Mediterranean Nights which has now been seen by millions of people across North America on both PBS and Bravo.

Of course, the party continues with the retro-alternative music of Last Minute…

Tickets are ON SALE NOW!!! And we are ALREADY 25% Sold. Call 519-733-WINE (519-733-9463) to guarantee your seats or buy online… VIP tickets and Hotel Packages are available in limited quantities.

More details can be found by downloading our spring newsletter here: http://www.mastronardiwines.com/newsletters/springsummer2010.pdf

Tickets can be purchased here:  http://www.mastronardiwines.com/estore/estore.php

***PROCEEDS OF EVENT TO BENEFIT BATTEN DISEASE RESEARCH***

Some interesting Ontario wines will be available in the LCBO Vintages section on May 1st.

BLACK PRINCE WINERY
RIESLING 2008
VQA Prince Edward County

A bracingly fresh Riesling with aromas of pear, lime and mineral. Dry, racy and crisp, this is an excellent palate-refresher between courses especially in an alfresco setting. It will be even better with 2-4 years in a cellar.
164236 (XD) 750 mL $18.95

CLOSSON CHASE CHARDONNAY 2007
VQA Prince Edward County,
Closson Chase Vineyard, Unfiltered

TASTING NOTE: If you ever need proof that Closson Chase’s winemaker, Deborah Paskus, is brilliant, then try this Chardonnay. Medium bright yellow. The nose is filled with baked apple, pineapple, fresh-baked bread and yellow plum. Perfectly balanced, this is a classic wine from a great vintage. Medium-full bodied with a medium-long finish, this wine will evolve and improve in a cellar (3-5+ years), or would make a delicious match now for grilled rosemary chicken with a shiitake mushroom sauce. (VINTAGES panel, March 2010)
148866 (D) 750 mL $29.95

ROSEHALL RUN VINEYARDS
CHARDONNAY 2006
VQA Ontario

TASTING NOTE: Fine Chardonnay with aromas of tropical fruit, coconut, butter, lemon zest and mineral. Dry, fruity, fresh and nicely textured overall. Ripe and round, pleasurable wine for grilled salmon or chicken in a light cream sauce. (VINTAGES panel, March 2010)
173203 (XD) 750 mL $15.95

VINELAND ESTATES
ELEVATION CHARDONNAY 2007
VQA Niagara Escarpment

A Gold Medal winner at the 2009 Cuvée Awards.

TASTING NOTE: This is a deeply impressive Chardonnay; one that is, surprisingly, unoaked. Surprising because there is a gentle toastiness to the wine that could easily be mistaken for oak ageing. In fact, this attractive quality is from lees contact. The aromas recall binned apple, mineral, grapefruit peel and that leesy toastiness. Dry, fruity, crisp and impeccably made – think fine Chablis. Medium-full bodied with a long finish. Enjoy it with grilled herbed chicken or pork roast. (VINTAGES panel, March 2010)
164459 (D) 750 mL $24.95

RED WINE

HENRY OF PELHAM GAMAY 2008
VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula

Gamay Noir is a somewhat under-appreciated grape variety, which is a shame because it grows really well in Ontario and makes for tasty, fruitpacked and food-friendly reds. The 2008 vintage in Niagara was cooler than the blockbuster 2007, but Henry of Pelham’s winemaker Ron Giesbrecht still crafted a Gamay with more stuffing than many of its lighter Beaujolais counterparts. Look for plush black cherry, flint and woodsmoke as well as a mellow earthiness. Dry, crisp and medium bodied, it makes a terrific match for vegetarian lasagna or veal chops.
291112 (D) 750 mL $14.95

TRUMPOUR’S MILL
CABERNET FRANC 2007
VQA Prince Edward County
(The Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards & Estate Winery)

TASTING NOTE: The 2007 vintage is going down in Ontario wine history as one of our best, and this fine Cabernet Franc provides a window into why. Raspberry pie, smoke, vanilla and bell pepper aromas dominate the nose. On the palate, the aromas replay nicely, with a fine overlay of cedar. Spicy fruit tones emerge on the mid-palate with well-typed tannins giving structure. Age it 2-3 years, or try it tonight with grilled lamb chops. (VINTAGES panel, March 2010)
173187 (D) 750 mL $17.95

ROSÉ WINE

CATTAIL CREEK SERENDIPITY
ROSÉ 2009
VQA Four Mile Creek

This wine is created by blending 35% Gamay Noir, 35% Pinot Noir and 30% Merlot. Each of the grape varieties were cropped at incredibly low levels and underwent aggressive leaf plucking throughout the growing season. The Pinot Noir was harvest on October 21, 2009 while the Gamay Noir was harvested on November 2, 2009 and the Merlot was harvested on November 13, 2009. Each grape was harvested much later than normal thereby taking full advantage of the ripening that occurred during the wonderfully warm and dry weather in September, October and November.

This drier style rosé wine exhibits a fruit salad of summer flavours with berry salad, Damson plums, cherry drops and cranberries with a bouquet of floral notes and just a touch of spice on the finish. An incredibly versatile wine, it is perfect sipping on its own but also goes will with crisp salads, charcouterie plates, roasted turkey with cranberry sauce, delicate white fish and BBQed meats. Drink now. Serve chilled.

118059 (D) 750 mL $14.20
 

ICE WINE

KING’S COURT
CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula

The Zimmerman family has been involved in winemaking in Germany’s Nahe region for seven generations. As Icewine specialists, they were interested in Ontario. In 1990, the youngest descendant, Josef Zimmerman, moved to Niagara and founded King’s Court. Since its first vintage in 2001, the winery has earned a reputation for making top-notch Icewines. This lively, strawberry scented Cab Franc is a fine example of the quality of wines they are capable of creating.
033274 (S) 375 mL $38.95

Windsor Regional Hospital hosted the All Canadian Wine Championship Passport to Canada public tasting for the first time in 2007. It was a new partnership with the All Canadian Wine Championships (ACWC) that takes place annually in the City of Windsor.

Canadian Wineries are invited to submit their wines for consideration. Wine writers, sommeliers and industry experts judge the wines and award trophies and medals that earn them bragging rights and marketing opportunities.

After the judging, approximately 750 wines were donated by the ACWC for a tasting as a fundraising opportunity, and to showcase the country’s best wines. The evening held at the Caboto was a resounding success – wines paired with artisinal cheeses, silent and wine auctions!

The 2010 event will support the Cornerstone of Caring Campaign for Western Campus Redevelopment. The project includes a complete renovation of the Regional Rehabilitation Program in the Tower Building, construction of a new 65 bed Mental Health Hospital and the creation of a 30,000 square foot Healing Garden.

Contact Danielle for more information
Phone: 519-254-5577 x 52656
Email: danielle_ramsten@wrh.on.ca

Visit www.canadianwinetrial.com or http://www.wrh.on.ca for the latest information and more details.
Entertainment by: Leah Harris Jazz Trio
Tickets: $30.00 each OR $25.00 each for groups of 4

From Yahoo News:

Wine accounted for 29 per cent of the dollar value of alcoholic beverages sold in Canada last year, up 11 per cent from where it stood in 1993 and a whopping 92 per cent from 1976 levels, Statistics Canada figures released Tuesday suggest.

Red and rose wines are particularly popular, accounting for 64 per cent of all national wine sales, StatsCan reported.

Beer still remains Canada’s beverage of choice, claiming 46 per cent of the country’s booze market, but the numbers show its popularity having sagged over the past 16 years.

The shifting national tastes are in part the result of Canada’s ever-broadening tastes, said Chris Layton, a spokesman for the Liquor Control Board of Ontario.

In litres of absolute alcohol – pure alcohol, free of water – the agency says the volume of sales of alcoholic beverages increased 1.6 per cent to 226.4 million litres.

But while beer by far remained the most popular alcoholic beverage in terms of both volume and dollar value, StatsCan says its market share declined.

In 1993, beer peaked at 53 per cent of dollar sales and wine accounted for 18; by 2009, the market share of beer had declined to 46 per cent, while wine had captured 29.

Beer stores and agencies sold 2.3 billion litres of beer in 2009, a 0.9 per cent increase from the previous year. Per-capita beer sales have dropped 28 per cent from their peak of 115.2 litres in 1976 to 83.5 litres in 2009.

The growth in sales volume of imported beer continued to outpace that of domestic products. The volume of imported beer sold increased 7.8 per cent in 2009, while domestic beer sales stayed the same.

By volume, imported beer has more than doubled its market share in the last decade. In 2009, imported beer had captured 13 per cent of the beer market in Canada, up from six per cent in 1999.

Layton said the numbers reflect a growing demand for quality and consumers who are becoming more adventurous in their beer choices.

“You will see people moving from larger-selling brands to the premium-style brands,” he said. “What we’ve seen, interestingly enough, is not only increased sales of imported beers but also in craft beers.”

That may also be partially driven by demographics, he added.

Baby boomers with money to spend are more willing to invest their spare dollars in exotic beers and wines that may have been beyond their means in their younger days, Layton said.

The agency says the net income recorded by liquor authorities, combined with other alcohol-related revenue such as liquor licences and permits, reached $5.4 billion in 2009, up 3.6 per cent.

Saskatchewan, Nunavut and Nova Scotia reported the largest increases.

Liquor stores and agencies sold $4.9 billion worth of spirits during the year ending March 31, 2009, up 2.9 per cent from the previous year. This gain was due mainly to a 5.6 per cent increase in vodka sales.

The volume of sales of spirits decreased 0.2 per cent in 2009 to 210.3 million litres.

Original article can be found here.

Black Bear Farms of Ontario Estate Winery

GOLD Elderberry – Elderberry, Red Raspberry, Strawberry 2008
GOLD OTHER Fruit Varieties – Red Raspberry, Purple Plum 2008
SILVER Raspberry – Papa’s Special Reserve, Purple Raspberry, Red Raspeberry 2007
BRONZE Raspberry – Bear’s Reserve Black Raspberry 2007
BRONZE OTHER Fruit Varieties – Black Currant 2007
BRONZE OTHER Fruit Varieties – Plum 2008
BRONZE Raspberry – Golden Raspberry 2007
BRONZE Blueberry – Mama’s Special Delight, Blueberry 2007
BRONZE Raspberry – Purple Raspberry 2007
BRONZE Raspberry – Red Raspberry 2007
BRONZE Strawberry – Strawberry 2007

Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery

SILVER Meritage – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot 2007
BRONZE Chardonnay – Barrel Reserve Chardonnay Chardonnay 2008
BRONZE Cabernet Sauvignon – Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
BRONZE Cabernet Sauvignon – Lady in Red Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot 2007
BRONZE Riesling – Riesling 2009

Colchester Ridge Estate Winery

BRONZE Cabernet – Cabernet Franc 2007
BRONZE Meritage – Meritage Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot 2007
BRONZE Merlot – Merlot 2007