COLIO ESTATES WINERY – HARROW, ONTARIO
by Professor Hrayr Berberoglu.

January 5, 2008


Colio Estate Winery is one of the best, if not the best winery, in the second largest wine region of Ontario, the Lake Erie North Shore. Located in Harrow, about 2 ½ hours from Toronto and 45 minutes from Windsor, Colio produces over 200,000 cases a year in a recently upgraded, modern winery under the direction of winemaker Carlo Negri, a native of Friuli in northern Italy.

Located in Canada’s southernmost wine region, Colio boasts 65 hectares of vineyards and buys from contract growers.

The CEV (Colio Estate Vineyards) line fruit originates from owned vineyards and used exclusively for premium and ultra premium wines, which are consistently, fine products. In poor years CEV fruit goes into regular blends, but around Harrow the terroir yields consistently good to outstanding quality.

Master winemaker Carlo Negri was named Winemker of the year in 2005 at the Ontario Wine Awards and was awarded the prestigious Tony Aspler Cuvee Award of Excellence by his peers.

Carlo Negri has been producing fine wines since his arrival in Ontario in 1980, and has helped Colio to establish a fine reputation and expand.

His wines are always well made, reflect varietal character, and well balanced.

His CEV Merlot, 2002, 25th Anniversary Edition is an excellent example of the terroir and ability to coax maximum flavour from the fruit. This wine, tasted in December 2007, redolent of black cherry fruit aromas, of medium body, elegant, balanced, reflecting underlying smoke. Supple tannins as a result of 26 months of aging renders this wine smooth. The after taste is long and satisfying. Ready to drink now with roast rack of lamb, grilled veal cutlets, roast loin of pork, or to enjoy on its own.

Colio’s Lily Blanc de Noirs has been a consistently good sparkling wine since its inception a few years ago. Excellent for toasts and to enjoy with or without food.

CEV Merlot Reserve 2006 shows good colour, depth and weight. Black cherry aromas waft out of the glass along with leathery, earthy and smoky undertones. It has good length.

CEV Gewurztraminer 2002 smells of lycheenuts, and spice, along with a bouquet of fruit aromas. The wine possesses a fine mouth feel and would go very well with Thai specialties or Alsatian plat de charcuterie (sausage platter).

Hrayr Berberoglu took early retirement after lecturing on restaurant management and conducting wine, beer and spirits seminars for over a quarter of a century.

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

Hryar Berberoglu www.littlefatwino.com