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Santi ‘Sortelese’ Pinot Grigio 2018
DOC Valdadige, Italy $17.95 (17366) 12.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of honeydew melon, floral notes and wisps of spun sugar abound. It dazzles the palate with a surge of lemon zest and Key lime pie melding with nerve, verve and plenty of pizzazz. It’s medium weight with a creamy smooth mouthfeel and persistence of flavour from cork pop to last drop. The finish layers on mouth-watering white grapefruit with a delightful snap of ginger root on the aftertaste. Pour with mussels steamed in a shallow bath of white wine, sliced leeks and garlic. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2019 Tawse Winery ‘Growers Blend’ Pinot Noir is a Vintages Essentials wine always found in select stores. This spent 12 months maturing in French oak.
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Tawse Winery ‘Growers Blend’ Pinot Noir 2019
VQA Niagara Peninsula $25.95 (130989) 12.5% alcohol
Red and dark cherry/berry fruit aromas mingle with sour and earthy notes on the nose. It makes its way over the palate with flavours of rhubarb and racy acidity to the fore. It’s medium weight with decent mouthfeel and layers on still-evolving tannin and more acidity on the back palate. Pour with pasta sauce and your favourite pasta. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Tawse Winery ‘Spark – Limestone Ridge’ Riesling - Sparkling Wine - Non-Vintage is a Vintages Essentials wine that is certified organic and was sourced from riesling vines on the estate Limestone Ridge Vineyard. The price-quality balance tips in your favour.
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Tawse Winery ‘Spark – Limestone Ridge’ Riesling - Sparkling Wine - Non-Vintage
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $20.95 (370361) 11.5% alcohol
Frothy mousse when poured, seemingly endless winding streams of fine-bead bubbles make their way from the bottom of the glass to the top of the liquid carrying with it autolytic aromas and hints of pit fruit—yellow plum and feint notions of ripe apricot. Bubbles explode on the palate bringing out flavours of lemon-lime and white grapefruit extending through the finish and aftertaste. It’s crisp, refreshing and lip-smacking good. Pour on its own as a welcoming or aperitif wine to get the gastric juices flowing or alongside freshly shucked briny oysters. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2020 Vineland Estates ‘Elevation - St. Urban Vineyard’ Riesling was sourced from some of the oldest riesling vines in Canada. They were approximately 41-years old when fruit for this wine was sourced. They were first planted in Ontario by Hermann Weis of Weingut St. Urbans-hof winery in Mosel, Germany and are now known generally as the ‘Weis clone’. An iconic viticulturist, Mr. Weis sadly passed away in 2020. We all owe him a doff of the cap and a sincere thank you as it’s now the most planted riesling clone in Canada having delivered myriad wine trophies and awards in competitions here and abroad. This also reflects a dazzling 2020 VQA Ontario vintage.
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Vineland Estates ‘Elevation - St. Urban Vineyard’ Riesling 2020
VQA Niagara Escarpment $17.95 (March 29 to April 26, 2021) (38117) 9.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of lemony citrus, buckwheat honey and notions of petrol precede a dazzling off-dry surge of lemon-lime cordial, a bowl of tropical fruit—pineapple, mango, rambutan—along with oodles of tangy pizzazz persisting from the first drop through the palate to the delicious, balanced and beautiful finish and aftertaste. This is quite special. Pour on its own or with spicy Asian dishes—General Tso’s chicken, moo shu pork or tikka masala. Drink now to 2028. (Vic Harradine)