89
County Cider Company Apple Cider
Prince Edward County, Ontario $6.05 (470898) 500 mL bottle 6.5% alcohol
Made from an eclectic blend of traditional cider apples, this is light gold in colour and pours with a light head of foam. The nose is an expressive mix of apple fruit and orange blossom. There’s a generous amount of fizz on the palate with a medium-full body and off-dry flavours of apple. Enjoy this with a plate of spicy pork chow mein. (Dave Isaacs)
89
Flying Canoe Hard Cider
Ontario $3.35 (499020) 473 mL 5.0%
Ottawa’s first and only hard cider, made from juice pressed from locally sourced McIntosh apples. This cider is refreshing uncomplicated. It appears cloudy in the glass, due to the fact that it is unfiltered. Both in nose and flavour, this cider invokes childhood memories of biting into McIntosh apples freshly picked from the tree. It is dry with a medium-light body, and is lightly carbonated. Wonderfully refreshing all by itself on a hot summer’s day. (Dave Isaacs)
• The following 2017 E & J Gallo ‘Longshot’ Pinot Grigio is $14.00 per bottle ($2.00 off the regular price) from now until August 18, 2019.
88
E & J Gallo ‘Longshot’ Pinot Grigio 2017
California $16.00 (633354) 13.0% alcohol
This is nicely textured and sourced primarily from pinot gris with 15% chardonnay. Aromas of honey and tropical fruit dominate the nose. It bathes the palate with flavours of lemongrass, green apple, piquant spice and tangy acidity. Palate-flavours persist through the lip-smacking finish while adding minerality on the aftertaste. Sip on its own or pour with ceviche or pan-seared fish under a squeeze of fresh lemon. (Vic Harradine)
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E & J Gallo ‘Longshot’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
California $16.00 (633347) 13.5% alcohol
Dark berry fruit and spice aromas provide segue for a medium-weight, nicely textured and concentrated river of bramble berry and late-season cherry flavours framed by plenty of dark ripe plum and underpinned by wisps of soft, ripe tannin. It finishes smooth and medium length. This is best paired with grilled back ribs mopped with spicy barbeque sauce. (Vic Harradine)
92
Creekside Winery ‘Rood Apples’ Cider
Jordan Station, ON $3.25 (557520) 473 mL 6.0% alcohol
This was sourced from five red apple varieties (‘Rood’ is Dutch for red) and there’s plenty to like in this medium-sweet, lightly charged, fully textured, full-flavoured hard cider. It opens with alluring aromas of apples, floral notes and hints of citrus. The palate’s treated to a gusher of flavour showcasing depth, concentration and oodles of charm. Palate flavours include sweet-tinged red apple and ripe pear juxtaposed with lemon zest while the finish is clean and refreshing. (Vic Harradine)
91
Shiny Apple Cider
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON $3.25 (407668) 473 mL 7.0% alcohol
This gluten-free and vegan-friendly cider is lightly carbonated, sold in tall cans and sourced from nine, Ontario red apple varieties. There are aromas of ripe apple along with hints of herbal notes and lemon citrus on the nose. This has good mouthfeel, deft balance and is medium weight. It bathes the palate with slight spritz and flavours of rich, red apple, caramel and a lovely infusion of lemon curd tang kicking in on the back palate persisting through the dry, mouth-watering finish and aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)
92
Shiny Apple Cider with Pinot Noir
Niagara-on-the-Lake $3.25 (515098) 473 mL 6.5% alcohol
This is 90% lightly carbonated apple cider and 10% pinot noir, presented in tall cans. Dark pink hued in the glass, it pours with very little frothy head. Aromas of apples and earthy notes give way to an alluring mouthful of sweet ripe apples adorned with hints of blueberry and strawberry that gradually take over on the finish and aftertaste. This is complex with a unique experience of starting out primarily cider and finishing with flavours from the small amount of Pinot Noir. There’s a slight and delightful hint of tannin on the dry, refreshing finish. (Vic Harradine)
91
Thornbury ‘Premium’ Apple Cider
Blue Mountains, ON $3.75 (688671) 5.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of hard cider and hints of apple pie precede a tang-laden mouthful of sliced red apple and ripe pear that blanket the palate carried on a wash of refreshing acidity. It’s medium bodied with generous mouthfeel and a lengthy, crisp, refreshing finish and aftertaste. There’s good flavour, beautiful balance and plenty of charm and pizzazz. Pour over ice, sip and relax. (Vic Harradine)
89
Thornbury ‘Wild Blueberry/Elderflower’ Apple Cider
Blue Mountains, ON $3.75 (688671) 473 mL 5.1% alcohol
This was sourced from a multitude of apple varieties with added blueberry juice sourced from Nova Scotia plus essence of Elderberry flower. Dark-purple hued in the glass, perfumed aromas of honeysuckle and blueberry dominate the nose. This is lightly carbonated with loads of texture and a definite semi-sweet tinge to palate flavours of apple pie filling along with blueberry and honey. It finishes with generous texture and replays of palate flavours on the finish. This serves as an aperitif when served on its own or as an accompaniment to fresh-fruit flan, pies and tarts. (Vic Harradine)