Uncorked Ontario

Wanda and I decided to take the Pelee Island Ferry (called the Jiimaan) from Kingsville to Pelee Island on a summer afternoon to check out Pelee Island Winery pavilion. It is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon touring the winery, sipping on a glass of wine and BBQing burgers on one of the many grills they have.

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.

The 2009 “All Canadian Wine Championship” was held last week in Windsor Ontario. Wineries from British Columbia to Nova Scotia entered over 1100 different wines in the championship.

The “Best of the Best” trophy winners were:

Best Red Wine of the Year
Church and State Wines, BC 2006 Quintessential $50.00

Best White Wine of the Year
Lang Vineyards, BC 2007 Riesling Farm Reserve $19.90

Best Sparkling Wine of the Year
Peller Estates Winery, ON Peller Estates Ice Cuvee Rose $35.00

Best Dessert Wine of the Year Sponsored by Ontario Viniculture Association
Pentage Winery, BC 2007 Ice Wine $55.45

Best Fruit Wine of the Year Sponsored by Ontario Viniculture Association
La Face Cache de la Pomme, PQ 2007 Frimas Ice Cider $39.87

Wineries in Southwest Ontario appellations (Lake Erie North Shore and Pelee Island) won 29 Medals of Merit.

GOLD
Colchester Ridge Estate Winery – 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Colio Estate Wines Inc. - 2008 CEV Pinot Grigio
Pelee Island Winery – 2007 Pinot Noir
Pelee Island Winery – 2008 Riesling Dry
Viewpointe Estate Winery – 2005 Balance Pointe
Viewpointe Estate Winery – 2006 Ideal Pointe

SILVER
Colchester Ridge Estate Winery – 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Colio Estate Wines Inc. - 2007 CEV Pinot Noir
Colio Estate Wines Inc. - 2008 Girl’s Night Out Chardonnay
D’Angelo Vineyards Estate Winery – 2006 Vidal Icewine
Pelee Island Winery – 2007 Pinot Noir Reserve
Pelee Island Winery – 2008 Cabernet Franc
Pelee Island Winery – 2008 Late Harvest Riesling

BRONZE
Colchester Ridge Estate Winery – 2006 Cabernet Franc
Colchester Ridge Estate Winery – 2007 Riesling
Colio Estate Wines Inc. – 2008 CEV Pinot Grigio
Muscedere Vineyards – 2004 Vidal Icewine
Muscedere Vineyards – 2007 Syrah
Muscedere Vineyards – 2007 Baco Noir Reserve
Pelee Island Winery – 2006 Cabernet Merlot Reserve
Pelee Island Winery – 2008 Eco Trail White
Smith & Wilson Estate Wines – 2008 Riesling
Smith & Wilson Estate Wines – 2008 Smith’s Vidal
Viewpointe Estate Winery – 2005 Focal Pointe