1. LORON et Fils Bourgogne Blanc Chardonnay 2009, +167155 General List,
$12.95: in a new package and a new vintage. This straightforward
Chardonnay is near-perfect for summer patios and food activity. It
seems to go with everything I could throw at it on Canada Day.
Balanced, with nuances of lemon-apple minerality and even some vanilla. Nice long finish for a wine at this price point. Twist top, 13% ABV.
$12.95: in a new package and a new vintage. This straightforward
Chardonnay is near-perfect for summer patios and food activity. It
seems to go with everything I could throw at it on Canada Day.
Balanced, with nuances of lemon-apple minerality and even some vanilla. Nice long finish for a wine at this price point. Twist top, 13% ABV.
2. LORON et Fils Beau! Beaujolais 2009, +231811 General List, $11.95:
medium balance all the way, easy quaffer, fruity smooth, lingering
finish but few tannins. Best as a sipper. 12.5% ABV.
medium balance all the way, easy quaffer, fruity smooth, lingering
finish but few tannins. Best as a sipper. 12.5% ABV.
3. Underdog White 2009 VQA Niagara, +248476, $13.95: Mike Weir has
joined the Ontario blended white wine sweepstakes with this engaging
white from sauvignon blanc, riesling, auxerrois, and gewurztraminer
grapes from production partners Chateau des Charmes. Summer sippin' and
quaffing, expect apples, lemons, some peaches and a finishing acid. All profits go to supporting Canadian children in need.
joined the Ontario blended white wine sweepstakes with this engaging
white from sauvignon blanc, riesling, auxerrois, and gewurztraminer
grapes from production partners Chateau des Charmes. Summer sippin' and
quaffing, expect apples, lemons, some peaches and a finishing acid. All profits go to supporting Canadian children in need.
4. Underdog Red 2009 VQA Niagara, +248484, $13.95: Mike Weir has joined
the Ontario blended red wine sweepstakes with this engaging blend from
cabernets franc and sauvignon, merlot, pinot and gamay noir grapes from
production partners Chateau des Charmes. Summer sippin' and quaffing,
expect soft, approachable red fruit tones and lower tannins with a
finishing acid. Profits go to supporting Canadian children in need.
cabernets franc and sauvignon, merlot, pinot and gamay noir grapes from
production partners Chateau des Charmes. Summer sippin' and quaffing,
expect soft, approachable red fruit tones and lower tannins with a
finishing acid. Profits go to supporting Canadian children in need.
5. Chateau des Charmes Gewurztraminer 2008 St. David's Bench VQA,
$19.95 Vintages +453472: from 15 year old vines, done up in stainless
steel, 12.5% ABV, Alsatian style (concentrated fruit, off-dry on the
mid-palate, spicy and occasionally bitter finish). There's a little but
some bitterness on this finish.
$19.95 Vintages +453472: from 15 year old vines, done up in stainless
steel, 12.5% ABV, Alsatian style (concentrated fruit, off-dry on the
mid-palate, spicy and occasionally bitter finish). There's a little but
some bitterness on this finish.
6. Chateau des Charmes Cabernet Franc 2007 St. David's Bench VQA,
$25.95 Vintages +453415: 13.5% ABV, 10 months in French oak, maturing
nicely and loaded with black fruits and spices. Best in Show Award at
the 2010 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.
$25.95 Vintages +453415: 13.5% ABV, 10 months in French oak, maturing
nicely and loaded with black fruits and spices. Best in Show Award at
the 2010 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.
7. Pillitteri Estates Chardonnay 2010 www.why23.com VQA Niagara,
General List +64790, $9.95: one of the last remaining VQA wines for
under $10. Unoaked status. Expect melons, lemons and crisp apples.
General List +64790, $9.95: one of the last remaining VQA wines for
under $10. Unoaked status. Expect melons, lemons and crisp apples.
8. Pillitteri Estates Straight Up White 2010 VQA Niagara, $12.95
+219097 General List: this is Pillitteri's entry in the blended white
wine market, 12% ABV, SC=2. Nifty little package, if a little wordy on
the label. Expect off-dry orchard fruit tones, some tropicality.
+219097 General List: this is Pillitteri's entry in the blended white
wine market, 12% ABV, SC=2. Nifty little package, if a little wordy on
the label. Expect off-dry orchard fruit tones, some tropicality.
9. Pillitteri Estates Straight Up Red 2009 VQA Niagara, $12.95 +219089
General List: this is Pillitteri's entry in the blended red wine
market, 12.5% ABV. It is a blend of three grapes. Nifty little package,
if a little wordy on the label. Expect soft and velvet tones, useful
for patio reds. Wineries appear to be evenly split as to whether to
reveal the grapes or not (either on the label or on the website), and
if revealed, the proportions (either on the label or on the website).
It's all a game, but it allows the Ontario wineries to cash in on a
fad/trend, and, if successful, to create "field blends" every year.
General List: this is Pillitteri's entry in the blended red wine
market, 12.5% ABV. It is a blend of three grapes. Nifty little package,
if a little wordy on the label. Expect soft and velvet tones, useful
for patio reds. Wineries appear to be evenly split as to whether to
reveal the grapes or not (either on the label or on the website), and
if revealed, the proportions (either on the label or on the website).
It's all a game, but it allows the Ontario wineries to cash in on a
fad/trend, and, if successful, to create "field blends" every year.
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