Palatine Hills Estate ‘Neufeld Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc 2010
VQA Niagara Lakeshore $19.95 13.5% alcohol
There are deep, rich aromas of balsamic, piquant spice and dark berry fruit galore. Tangy flavours of red and black currant wreathed in spice and notions of cassis bathe the palate in mid-weight, nicely textured waves. It finishes in a blaze with red cherry and dried currant interweaving with roasted herbs. Well paced, well priced and simply delicious. (Vic Harradine)


Palatine Hills Estate ‘Neufeld Vineyard’ Meritage 2010
VQA Niagara Lakeshore $29.95 13.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of cherry, mint, earthiness and cedar abound. A structured, balanced and tangy wash of red cherry and lively currant bathes the palate wreathed in good moderating acidity and piquant spice. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel persisting through the finish with a mellow, lip-smacking aftertaste layering on wisps of black plum and red currant galore. Good to go now with a mound of slow-roast pork. (Vic Harradine)

Niagara College Teaching Winery -The following six wines are from a truly unique institution—one that’s spawned many, possibly most, of the winemakers now practising throughout Ontario’s VQA wine regions. Nestled in the premium VQA sub-appellation of St. David’s Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake, they manage their wine and 40 acres of prime vineyards with fledgling winemakers under the tutelage of highly respected winemaker, Terence Van Rooyen, producing VQA, quality-approved wine. If down that way, Niagara College also boasts a student-run brewery and top-notch Benchmark Restaurant, the latter open for lunch and dinner. Winecurrent tasted the following with the Ottawa agent and Niagara winery manager at the popular Mekong Restaurant—renowned for their Asian cuisine, well-chosen wine list and good value—637 Somerset West near Bronson.

Order the following six wines by the case for daily home or office delivery, and/or participate in their Wine Club, by contacting Niagara College Teaching Winery.


Niagara College Teaching Winery ‘Dean’s List’ Cabernet Franc 2010
VQA St. David’s Bench $28.15 13.5% alcohol
It would be hard not to like this, it’s balanced, fruit-forward with complexity, structure and charm—it was difficult to spit. This is richly hued and brimming with aromas of black currant, baking spice and pipe tobacco. Medium-plus bodied with gorgeous mouth feel, palate-bathing flavours of dark berry fruit and black cherry interlace with wisps of roasted herbs. The finish is balanced with good acidity, oodles of ripe fruit and underpinned with ripe, fine-grained tannin. (Vic Harradine)


Niagara College Teaching Winery ‘Unoaked’ Chardonnay 2012
VQA St. David’s Bench $15.15 13.0% alcohol
An alluring nose of ripe pit fruit, Golden Delicious apple and citrus introduces a balanced, persistent river of luscious, grilled grapefruit, ripe pear and lemon curd on the palate, infusing the crisp, refreshing finish. It’s medium weight with a lovely, fleshy mouth feel and a boatload of charm. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour. Pour with roast chicken, pork or grilled seafood. (Vic Harradine)


Niagara College Teaching Winery ‘Dean’s List’ Chardonnay 2010
VQA St. David’s Bench $28.15 13.0% alcohol
Caramel toffee, exotic spice, green apple and vanilla aromas announce full-flavoured, fully textured waves of rich, delectable flavour with butterscotch, pit fruit and wisps of well-integrated oak and crisp citrus to the fore. It’s mid-full weight, good value, structured with complexity sporting a lingering, luscious finish, with each sip better than the previous. This flirted with 5 stars and deserves a spot at the table. (Vic Harradine)


Niagara College Teaching Winery ‘Dean’s List’ Pinot Noir 2009
VQA St. David’s Bench $25.15 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of beet root, spice and mixed field berry fruit precede a nicely balanced wash of cranberry, red currant and red cherry accompanied by sweeter, riper strawberry and raspberry. This is light-medium bodied with good texture and mid-length finish that’s nicely balanced with fruit and acid underpinned by still-resolving wisps of tannin. It pairs well with smoked duck or cubed beet root and chèvre salad. (Vic Harradine)


Niagara College Teaching Winery ‘Dry’ Riesling 2009
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $12.15 12.0% alcohol
Here’s a drink-me-now treat with good texture, terrific balance and an interesting tangy flavour profile at a very good price. A bouquet of petrol, key lime and wisps of mineral/flint provide segue to a balanced and silky smooth wash of palate-bathing flavour—tangy lime and white grapefruit mingling with notions of peach and crisp, green apple. It’s medium weight with a lovely mouth feel and refreshing mid-length aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)


Niagara College Teaching Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2012
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $13.15 12.0% alcohol
Lively, lifted aromas of citrus and gooseberry herald a surge of fully textured, luscious flavour with white peach, lemongrass and notions of green herbs. Light-medium bodied with a very generous mouth feel, it finishes in a blaze of balanced and beautiful zesty tang—what’s not to like. Pour with pan-seared trout under a squeeze of fresh lemon with a side of steamed, baby bok choy. (Vic Harradine)