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	Thirty Bench Winemakers 2006 Riesling The 2005 Thirty Bench Riesling became a model for all to follow – a blend of Riesling grapes from 3 of their vineyards. Then Thirty Bench made more expensive and more expressive single vineyard Rieslings using the best grapes plucked from those vineyards. I’m not surprised to see them do the same thing this year, because it proved to be wildly popular, not just with Riesling drinkers, but with all wine drinkers because it gave them a something-for-everybody selection. This ’06 is another tast... Hits: 1285
	Smith and Wilson Estate Wines 2006 Viognier While some yahoo out in Niagara believes he can get $49 for his 2006 Viognier, let me tell you there’s a better option for much less money; the one drawback is its further away from Niagara – not such a drawback if you’re in the area or willing to make the drive. In Blenheim, 50km east of Leamington, lies Smith and Wilson, and they make the only Viognier in the Lake Erie North Shore area, from their own 4 year old vines. An aromatic white that has luscious apple and peach on the nose with flav... Hits: 802
	Erie Shore 2004 Summer Sun Cabernet Rose This wine came as quite a surprise – we chilled it right down, as you should with any good rose, popped the cork, poured and … nothing. Faint smell of sweetness and very little taste - the long faces of everyone involved showed their disappointment. Then it was suggested we move on and try it after it warms a bit and voila - what a difference 20 minutes makes! Vibrant citrus nose with pronounced lime, while on the palate it delivered fresh grapefruit with a dusting of sugar. Moral of the sto... Hits: 897
	Munro’s Meadery Raspberry Melomel Mead is wine made from honey – probably one of the oldest alcohol-based drinks in the world, according to John Bryans, owner and mead maker of Munro’s Meadery in Alvinston, Ontario (west of London between Hwys 401 and 402 in Southwest Middlesex county). John has not only won a few awards for his mead (at the International Mead Festival held annually in Denver, Colorado), but he has researched the product quite extensively, so he knows of what he speaks. “Melomel” is the term given to Mead that... Hits: 1077
	Flat Rock Cellars 2006 Twisted The percentage blend changes annually, but the enjoyment factor does not. Each year Flat Rock’s Twisted has been a favourite of visitors – partly due to its reasonable price and partly due to its “yum-factor”. This year the blend goes something like this: 46% Gewurztraminer, 29% Riesling and 25% Chardonnay and each grape adds something to the mix. We get lots of peachy, lychee and rosiness on the nose, with apples, pears and peaches on the taste … perfect for patio-prattle or those down-by-t... Hits: 1217
	Angels Gate 2006 Sussreserve Riesling Angels Gate has made this wine for as long as I can remember, though the past few vintages have not lived up to what I remember it being the first time I tried it; thankfully, this one brings me back to those good old days when the mere mention of this wine got my heart all aflutter, and my salivary glands working overtime. This one is a very palate friendly white that is ripe for the summer months ahead, made in a low alcohol, sussreserve, Germanic-style. Sussreserve, means that a little of t... Hits: 757
	Erie Shore Vineyard 2005 Duet Erie Shore Vineyards continues to impress me with their wonderful wines and great hospitality – I always walk out of their small wine boutique feeling like one of the family, and with the slightly pleasurable, yet guilty notion that I have tasted a secret family recipe. The Duet this year is a little different than previous year’s releases. This time, it’s a two-thirds/one-third blend of Zweigelt to Cabernet Franc, (it is usually the other way around). This is mainly due to the great abundanc... Hits: 1273
	Dan Aykroyd 2005 Cabernet-Merlot Now this is more like what I was expecting from a man who claims to love Bordeaux (“I like the big, bold monster Bordeauxs …” Dan Aykroyd). This blend is 45% Franc, 25% Sauv and 35% Merlot from the hot 2005 vintage; 13 months in French and American oak have given this wine some real heft. Currently, the nose is spicy oak and cedar with some leatheriness and herbaceous undertones. The taste is dark fruits and oak dominated, but should smooth out and start showing more fruit over the coming yea... Hits: 1386
	Sanson Estate Winery 2002 Bird Dog Red This wine is classic Sanson, and classic Ontario 2002: big flavours with a complex nose. Bird Dog is a typical Meritage blend of Cabernet Franc (40%), Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) and Merlot (20%), made from an exceptionally good year for grapes in Ontario, and by a very deft hand. Sanson continues to be one of those quiet wineries that’s making quality wines with a very loyal following – as our 2006 Crystal Cork Awards proved. I have met Dennis Sanson on a few occasions and his winery reflects ... Hits: 998
	Riverview 2003 Fontana Dolce Smooth and supple tannins, a wonderful nose of sweet cherry and strawberry, and a taste of figs and plums with a byng cherry finish that’s medium long – are all features of this delicious sweetie. It enters the mouth sweet, but ends on a dry note. The Fontana Dolce is made from 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 20% Baco Noir from domestic and imported fruit. A claimed 3 on the sugar code makes it sweet, but not sickeningly so. It coats the mouth with its subtle sweetness, before ending ... Hits: 1143

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