February 22, 2006
This award is unique in that the wines are judged by peers in following categories: Best white, best limited quantity white, best red, best limited quantity red, best general list red, best general list white, best sparkling , best sweet white, best limited quantity sweet, and Cuvee gold.
The award ceremony attracts 800 avid gourmets to taste delectable food offered by a number of local restaurants and the Niagara College Culinary students under the guidance of chef instructor Mark Hand. Winemakers and winery staff pour all award-winning wines.
Wine writers are invited to a tasting of all award-winning wines before release on March 6th.
Recently, during a sit-down tasting I had the opportunity to taste the 48 award winning wines, which represent the crème de la crème of Ontario wines. These efforts deserve the support of all Ontarians and people living in Canada.
You can buy them and proudly present to your business associates abroad or entertain them here with the best this province offers.
They will be available in winery boutiques starting March 6.
Riesling, 2004 13th Street Wines - $ 16.00 - Fine fruit, minerally flavours with great depth, balanced, and a long finish. 91/100
Limited Yield Riesling 2004 Thirty Bench Vineyards $ 18.00 Refined aromas of peach, minerally flavours, superbly balanced and smooth, with a long satisfying aftertaste 90/100
Gewurztraminer 2004 Malivoire $ 26.00 Perfumey with lychee nuts, elegant, medium-bodied. A refined wine for sipping or to pair with light foods. 90/100
Founder's Reserve Chardonnay 2003 Inniskillin $ 16.95 - Excellent apple/pear aromas, full bodied, refined and elegant, creamy texture, balanced with a little oak in the background. A truly fine wine from a difficult vintage 91/100
Chardonnay Reserve 2002 Mountain Road Wine Company $ 25.95 Pineapple/pear aromas waft out of the glass, creamy texture, full-body, and superb length and depth 90/100
Merlot Reserve 2002 Peninsula Ridge $ 35.00 Aromas of plum with an excellent spicy mid-palate, restrained and elegant. Long finish. A food wine par excellence. 91/100
Syrah Reserve 2004 Lakeview Estate Winery $ 69.95 Beautiful sweet ripe berry aromas, chocolaty flavours in mid-palate, spicy. A Rhone-style wine that would age gracefully for at least four years. 92/100
Cabernet Franc Family Reserve 2002 Pillitteri Estate Winery $ 43.00 Sweet ripe berry aromas, full body, spicy with depth. Long finish 91/100
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 Kacaba Vineyards $ 35.00 Brilliant captivating crimson, perfumey, spicy mid-palate with fine ripe tannins. Excellent, long and elegant finish. 90/100
Three Terroir 2002 Strewn Winery $ 28.95 Appealing fruit aromas, fine acid-backbone, refined with a long finish. A wine to match with roast leg of lamb or roast rack of lamb.
Meritage 2004 Coyote's Run Estate Winery $ 24.00 Brilliant red, earthy, smoky smells, medium to full body, Balanced and elegant 89/100
Stratus Red 2002 Stratus Vineyards $ 35.00 Finely balanced and brilliantly blended from a number of varieties. A refined mid palate, succulent and intriguiging wine. 91/100
Cabernet Franc Icewine 2002 Birchwood Estate $ 65.00 375 ml Concentrated strawberry aromas, with fine acidity that makes this superbly balanced sweet wine elegant. 91/100
Vidal Icewine 2004 EastDell Estates $ 39.95 375 ml Honeyed aromas intermingling with dried apricots and peaches. Long finish 91/100
Vidal Icewine 2004 Lailey Vineyard $ 28.00 375 ml- Honeyed aromas of ripe fruit. Medium body with an excellent succulent texture. Balanced and refined. 89/100
Now he consults and writes to increase wine, beer and liquor awareness. He conducts seminars and would be pleased to consider your requests. To peruse the list of his published books and order please contact him at hirayrberberoglu_3@sympatico.ca
www.littlefatwino.com