08
Jul
2009
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Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
I rarely cross-pollinate the What I’m Drinking with On the Road , but this story is just too interesting not to tell in two places.
Tonight, it was the 2nd Annual Pine Island Wine Tasting (Pine Island is located on Lake Nipissing, south of North Bay … in what should be South Bay I am told). Invited by my cousins, I lead the 15 friends gathered in a tasting of wines from California (in honour of it being July 4 – and, for added authenticity, we have three Americans in attendance). The wines numbered 8, and they were: a Chardonnay (Wente Morning Fog), Merlot (Sterling), Pinot Noir (Robert Mondavi), Cabernet Sauvignon (Liberty School), a Syrah (Cline) and a Shiraz (R.H. Philips) - a majority spotted the difference - and two Zinfandels (organic vs. regular - the organic [Bonterra] won over everyone’s taste-buds). And despite tasting, and polishing off, the 8 bottles of wine from the honoured country, the real winner of the night was not from our neighbours to the south, it was from Portugal. (Read more)
To read about more interesting adventures thru the world of wine check out the On the Road With the Grape Guy blog.
03
Jul
2009
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Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
The iyellow wine club had an interesting idea: why not bring the 21 wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake to Toronto for a tasting. You know, those wineries that put on such events as Taste the Season, Wine and Herb and Wine and Chocolate . Well Ange and Pax (the folks behind the iyellow club) arranged for those 21 wineries to come to Toronto to present 2 wines each, hence 42 wines from 21 wineries. The event was held at the Toronto Board of Trade in downtown Toronto and was perfect for bringing the beauty of Niagara wines to the heart of the city. Now you can read some of my reviews of such wines as Hillebrand’s 2008 Showcase Ghost Creek Riesling ; Palatine’s 2007 Gewurztraminer and Marynissen’s 2007 Bottoms Up blend, that were at the show and all featured in a newsletter at some point in the past few months. You’ll also see in the coming weeks reviews for such wines as the Cattail Creek 2007 Cabernet Franc, Maleta 2005 Cabernets and Peller’s 2008 Private Reserve Pinot Gris … keep checking the wine reviews section of the website or sign up for the newsletter to stay updated. But there is one winery from these 21 that I would like to single out for some special mention and a plea or sorts. I met up with winemaker Jamie Evans, of Stonechurch, who was pouring barrel samples of the Ontario Wine Awards Gold medal winning, 2007 Syrah Reserve and the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, both are stunning wines from the equally stunning vintage of 2007: “the best red vintage ever in Ontario”. Problem is, the winery went into receivership a few months ago, Jaime was trying to drum up interest in these wines so they will hopefully see the light of day under the Stonechurch label (meaning: get bottled for consumer purchase). If there is any justice in the world, financing will find a way into place to that these wines will indeed be labeled and sold under the Stonecurch name and Jaime will get the credit he so richly deserves for creating these beauties. I will now step off my soapbox.
As for the 42-21-1 event, both wineries and consumers agreed that this was an excellent showcase for the wines, the venue worked well, the food was delicious and the attendees were interested in the wines being poured; but most of all, that the event should be repeated again next year … and I am in full agreement there.
To read about more interesting adventures thru the world of wine check out the On the Road With the Grape Guy blog .
