Great Canadian Wines – For All Year Round
So Canada Day is here again, eh? What a fabulous long weekend: smack in the middle of summer (eeek – already?!?!) this weekend almost guarantees fabulous weather and – even better – it is generally comes with a slew of invitations to cottages, barbecues and pool parties. All good things in our book.
Even though we drink Canadian wine all year long, and are quite happy to do so, this is one of those occasions where it’s almost sacrilege not to imbibe is some home-grown vino. And lucky for you, if you’re not already a local wine lover, after sipping on a few of these gems you soon will be.
13th Street “Cuvée Rosé” Brut, VQA Niagara Peninsula NV
$24.95 Vintages 147504
A top notch fizz coming out of 13th Street. Done in the traditional method with equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and aged 18 months in bottle, this offers red berries, toast and creme brûlée with a subtle mineral backbone. Creamy mousse, and bright acidity with both power and finesse. A joy to drink.
Flat Rock Cellars “The Rusty Shed” Chardonnay, VQA Twenty Mile Bench 2010
$24.95 Vintages 1552
Fermented in barrel and aged another 10 months in new and used oak barrels, this is richly textured with flavours of candied orange peel, warm baking spice and that telltale limestone minerality. Voluptuous but still bright with a fine seem of acidity, try this with mushroom stuffed roast pork loin, crab cakes or seared scallops with corn coulis.
Hidden Bench “Locust Lane Vineyard” Pinot Noir, VQA Beamsville Bench 2010
$48 hiddenbench.com
A really elegant and silky Pinot showing aromas of red cherry and warm spice. Fantastic depth on the palate with fine tannin and flavours of cherry, clove, cinnamon, red raspberry and subtle mocha. Try this with grilled lamb chops or beef carpaccio.
Wild Ass Merlot, VQA Niagara Peninsula 2011
$16.95 Vintages 376822
Despite the cutesy name, this is a fairly serious wine coming out of Stratus. Great drinking with aromas of cherry, smoke and fresh tobacco, the palate is full and juicy with chewy tannin and flavours of black cherry, liquorice, baking spice and mocha/coffee. Pair with grilled Italian sausages, barbecued ribs or cheeseburgers.
Keint-He “Voyager” Pinot Noir, VQA Niagara Peninsula 2012
$17.95 Vintages 373407
Keint-he makes two Pinot Noirs: one with Niagara fruit, one with Prince Edward County, both are excellent, but the Voyager, the one sourced from Niagara (on the left in the picture) takes the slight edge. Pouring slightly tawny brick in colour, with aromas of roasted nuts, prune, and black tea, the palate is medium bodie,d powerful and rich with grippy tannin and toasty notes alongside flavours of red and black berry. Quite impressive and at a fantastic price!
Chateau des Charmes “Cuvee D’Andree” Rose, VQA 2013
$14.95 chateaudescharmes.com
A fantastic rose, that, this vintage, was made from Pinot Noir grapes sourced from several of the Bosc family vineyards. Aromas and flavours of cranberry, pomegranate, red cherry, and tangerine, there’s a subtle spiciness to this wine, which offers interest and depth. With character that goes well beyond a simple “think pink” summer sipper, at this price it’s worth loading up the cottage cellar.
Kacaba Cabernet Franc, VQA Niagara Escarpment 2011
$18.95 kacaba.com
A cooler year in Ontario, this 2011 Cab Franc is more focused and lean with spicy aromas of cedar, cigar box and tobacco leaves alongside cassis, black cherry and currant. The palate is medium bodied with fine tannin and balanced acidity and flavours of black beery, baking spice and crushed peppercorn. Try with simple steak frites, or even roasted, herb-stuffed chicken.
Burning Kiln “Horse and Boat” Riesling, VQA Ontario 2012
$19.95 LCBO 373571
A very good Riesling coming out of Norfolk Country’s Burning Kiln winery. Crisp, clean and focused with a typical nose of petrol, lemon-lime and flint, the palate shows zippy acid, with citrus, green apple, and wet stone flavours with a bitter grapefruit finish. A great, low alcohol (10.8%) wine to pair with summer salads like Asian chicken or bitter greens with crab.
Norman Hardie Riesling, VQA Ontario 2013
$21 Vintages 131169
A low-alcohol (10%) sipper that 60% Niagara fruit with the remaining coming from Prince Edward County. Gorgeous precision on the palate with flavours of lemon-lime, mineral and ripe peach notes. Slightly off dry with zingy acidity to keep things snappy. Try with spicy sushi, ceviche or fish tacos.
Mission Hill “5 Vineyards” Chardonnay, VQA Okanagan Valley 2012
$15.95 LCBO 281212
A really nice summer time Chardonnay that shows great balance. Ripe peach, smoke and yellow apple on the nose with a medium bodied palate that’s round and ripe with mild tropical notes and stone fruit flavours. A fantastic crowd pleaser for dock parties and an excellent pairing for grilled shellfish, mushroom risotto or seafood paella.
Southbrook “Triomphe” Organic Cabernet Franc, VQA Niagara Peninsula 2012
$19.95 Vintages 279117
The colour of wedding party pink, this vegan-friendly wine has aromas of red berries, lime peel and faint white pepper on the nose. The palate is juicy, fresh and slightly off dry with flavours of earthy red raspberry, lime, crushed pepper and tart cherry. Try with fresh tomato and bocconcini salad or grilled eggplant and with blistered Halloumi cheese.
Inniskillin “Reserve” Cabernet Franc, VQA 2012
$24.95 inniskillin.com
A truly impressive cab franc, this one was a real standout for its nose of ripe, rich dark fruit, fresh earth, and subtle leafiness. The palate has fantastic structure with ripe tannins and balanced acidity and dense flavours of cassis, smoke, black cherry and savoury herb. Terrific length. This is a wine to enjoy now with short ribs or duck breast, or buy a few extra bottles and sock away for the future as this should likely go for another 5-7 years.