Vintages Release: December 11, 2010

It’s not too early to think of Christmas and here’s a dandy gift for wine-loving friends and acquaintances—a 3-pack of award-winning icewine, attractively packaged and priced. Individual wines are reviewed below.


Henry of Pelham Icewine Cabernet Franc – Riesling – Vidal 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula, 3 bottles each 200 mL $99.95 (94110) 9.5% alcohol
Cabernet Franc – Delightful and balanced with red berry and cherry flavours. This dances on the palate with lively ripe fruit flavours. Excellent moderating acidity allows this to be sipped on its own as dessert or accompany desserts with a dark chocolate component. (Vic Harradine)
Riesling – Elegant and alluring, it dishes up a beautifully structured and balanced mouthful of delectable nectar that’s not cloying or overpowering. Look for honeyed aromas and flavours of apple and tropical fruit. It’s a good size to share between 4 after a hearty meal. (Vic Harradine)
Vidal – Unctuous and palate-coating, this delivers a rich mouthful of flavour with mango, pineapple and orange peel marmalade in the mix. Generously textured and full flavoured, it’s got the weight to stand alone as dessert and the flavours to match up with light-coloured puddings and fruit flans. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: January 8, 2011

Jackson-Triggs Icewine Gewürztraminer 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula $34.95 200 mL (193326) 10.0% alcohol
Delicate aromas of exotic spice, floral notes and tropical fruit give way to a delicious and nicely balanced mouthful of pineapple, poached pear and spice-infused mango. This is mid weight and well textured with a lengthy finish adorned by hints of blood orange. Pouring well on its own, it also sips well alongside crème brulée. Can’t wait? Pick it up now at the winery. (Vic Harradine)


Jackson-Triggs ‘Silver Series’ Sauvignon Blanc 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (209577) 13.2% alcohol
Perfumed and lifted aromas blast from the glass with passion fruit, green nettles and traces of honeyed fruit to the fore. It’s racy and refreshing on the palate with a surge of crisp flavour—lemon-lime and bracing, white grapefruit predominant. The mouth-watering aftertaste delivers more of the same mingling with nuances of key lime pie. It pours well with pan-seared scallops or grilled prawns under generous squirts of freshly squeezed lemon. Can’t wait? Pick it up now at the winery. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: March 5, 2011

Rodney Strong ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay 2007
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California $34.95 (210039) 13.5% alcohol
Rich, aromatic and absolutely creamy smooth, this is worth every penny. Alluring aromas abound with sweet vanilla, tropical fruit and toasty notes among them. Layered waves of flavour caress the palate with butterscotch, pear, pineapple and fig to the fore. It’s medium-full weight, smooth and satin and brimming with balanced, fruit flavour on the long, refreshing finish. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: April 2011

Sebastiani Merlot 2006
Sonoma County, California $18.95 (219162) 13.5% alcohol
This is fully flavoured and value packed with a complex, rich and aromatic nose of mixed berry fruit, black plum, spice and toasty notes. It’s a delight on the palate dishing up a balanced and fruit-forward mouthful of flavour—black currant, cassis and good moderating acidity via ripe cranberry. It’s medium-full bodied with good mouth feel and a lengthy, smooth as silk, fruity finish. What’s not to like? Pick up a few. (Vic Harradine)