Featherstone Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2009
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $16.95 (64618) 12.3% alcohol
Dark berry fruit, graphite and mixed savory spice on the nose, the racy flavour rides a stream of crisp refreshing acidity. Red currant, sour cherry and hints of pomegranate wash over the palate replaying on the mouth-watering finish. This is truly showcased when poured with meat-laden spicy pizza or spaghetti Bolognaise. Available by the case ordered directly from Featherstone. (Vic Harradine)
Featherstone Estate Winery Gamay 2009
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $19.95 (89011) 13.5% alcohol
This premium family-owned Niagara winery is meticulous in handling their fruit and wine practicing eco-friendly sustainable agriculture. Fresh and lively aromas of red cherry and sandalwood abound. This Gamay was hand picked, hand sorted and fermented in small 1/2 tonne vats. Tangy and balanced flavours wash persistently over the palate and through the lip-smacking finish—juicy black cherry, racy red currant and spice. Slightly chill and sip on its own or pour with a mixed deli platter, burgers or pasta in spicy meat sauce. Available by the case ordered directly from Featherstone. (Vic Harradine)
Featherstone Estate Winery Gewürztraminer 2010
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (64592) 13.5% alcohol
Spice-driven perfumed aromas of rosewater and musk presage a gorgeous mouthful of flavour—spiced and honeyed citrus, ripe pineapple and yellow plum. It’s medium weight with a generous mouth feel and an off-dry, sweet and tang aftertaste that’s versatile—perfect when chilled and sipped on its own as an aperitif or paired with spicy Asian cuisine like Pad Thai or butter chicken. Available by the case ordered directly from Featherstone. (Vic Harradine)
Featherstone Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2010
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (89011) 13.5% alcohol
The lifted aromas are full of verve and excitement—lemon chiffon pie and dazzling tropical fruit notes. There’s good tension between the ripe fruit—citrus and tropical—and the tangy acidity. It sports a gorgeous mouth feel and brims with flavour layering on nervy lemon-lime and a delightful wave of grapefruit on the crisp, lip-smacking finish. The perfect summer sipper and more—it pairs well with pan-seared fish, prawns and scallops. Available by the case ordered directly from Featherstone. (Vic Harradine)
Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery ‘AJ Lepp Vineyards’ Pinot Gris 2010
VQA Niagara Lakeshore $17.15 13.0% alcohol
Expressive on the nose with aromas of green apple, honeyed citrus and slate, the focused flavours of lemon-lime, Granny Smith apple and spice ride a lip-smacking stream of acidity throughout. It’s medium bodied and nicely textured with a crisp refreshing aftertaste of grapefruit and hints of peach. It’s paired perfectly with pan-seared fish under a squeeze of fresh lemon. Pick up at the winery or order on-line for home or office delivery from Peninsula Ridge. (Vic Harradine)
Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery ‘Wismer Vineyards’ Sauvignon Blanc 2010
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $20.15 (116475) 13.5% alcohol
This is well defined and nicely focused—fashioned by one of Niagara’s young top-gun winemakers, Jamie Evans. Alluring aromas waft from this crisp refreshing gem with ripe citrus and peel marmalade to the fore. The racy ripe flavours of grapefruit, lemon-lime and pineapple are well balanced and enveloped in a silky smooth texture. The clean crisp aftertaste is lengthy and luxurious. A classy summer sipper to be sure, it also pours well with green salad topped with crumbled chèvre. Pick up at the winery or order on-line for home or office delivery from Peninsula Ridge. (Vic Harradine)
Southbrook ‘Connect - Organic’ Vidal 2010
VQA Ontario $14.95 9.6% alcohol
This is a drop-dead gorgeous glass of Vidal. Certified organic, this struts its stuff with eco-friendly, thoughtful viticulture and winemaking, from organically grown fruit to egg-white fining and Ontario-sourced lightweight glass bottles. Lime, mineral and pit fruit on the nose, there’s a lovely wash of tangy balanced flavour on the palate—lemon chiffon pie filling, ripe pineapple and citrus zest. It’s mid weight and nicely textured sporting a crisp refreshing aftertaste that melds sweet and tang to perfection. Pick up at the winery or order direct for home or office delivery from Southbrook at 1 888 581-1581. (Vic Harradine)
Southbrook ‘Connect - Organic’ Rosé 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.95 12.5% alcohol
Tasted this organic and partially bio-dynamic gem, appropriately, on ‘Earth Day’ and was bowled over by its charm and complexity. Aromas of strawberry tart, rhubarb pie and mixed herbs provide an alluring segue to a weighty mouthful of racy tangy flavour—ruby red grapefruit, pomegranate and sour cherry. It’s beautifully textured… almost muscular, and delivers a dry lengthy lip-smacking aftertaste. 100% Cabernet Franc—it’s the best Rosé tasted in a long while and it’s versatile—serve chilled on its own or with roast chicken or mixed deli platter. Pick up at the winery or order direct for home or office delivery from Southbrook at 1 888 581-1581. (Vic Harradine)