Niagara wineries, culinary schools, and local restaurants enthusiastically participate to showcase their products to an appreciative audience. Wineries pour their award winning wines, which are chosen by the winemakers of participating wineries.
Before awards, wine writers are given an opportunity to taste the wines submitted.
A few days prior to the Cuvee event the winemakers of participating wineries taste all the wines “blind” and choose the best in the following categories: red, white, limited edition red, limited edition white, general list red, general list white, sparkling, sweet, limited edition sweet, Tony Aspler Award of Excellence and Cuvee Gold.
On February 13, I along with my fellow writers tasted 46 wines in all categories. Most of the white wines were 2005 vintage, the reds ranged from 2002 to 2005 and the overall quality was much better that in the previous years. The overall improved can be attributed mostly to improved viticulture practices and modern technology.
Below please find my selection:
Fume Blanc, 2005, Peninsula Ridge Winery – excellent fruit with a touch of oak. Well made and balanced with a fine acidity and long aftertaste. $ 26.95 92/100
Beamsville Bench Reserve Chardonnay, 2003, Tawse Winery- lemon/citrus aromas waft out of the glass of this superbly crafted wine. A very refined and elegant, deeply flavored wine with a long and satisfying aftertaste. The best of white Ontario wines in the tasting. $ 42.00 94/100
Gamay Noir, 2004, 13th Street Wine Corporation – concentrated stone fruit aromas, spicy with a full-body and ripe tannins. Excellent value. $ 18.00 91/100
Pinot Noir, 2004, Flat Rock Winery – subtle strawberry aromas, mid-weight, with a fine balance and acid backbone. A wine to enjoy on its own or with roast rack of lamb. $ 29.95 91/100
Syrah Reserve, 2004, Lakeview Cellars Estate Winery- fruity, rich, opulent, full-bodied, powerful and flavorful $ 49.95 90/100
Broken Press Shiraz, 2004, Creekside Estate Winery- refined, fruity, vibrant, full-bodied, and powerful, with an excellent mouth feel and concentration. Contains five percent viognier. $ 32.00 90/100
Meritage, 2005, Calamus Estate Winery- a blend of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Opulent, fruity, well-extracted with a long aftertaste $ 25.00 91/100
Premier Vintage, 2002, Harbour Estate Winery – blended using classic Bordeaux grape varieties - cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, petit verdot and malbec. Excellent vibrant fruit, concentration, refined, full bodied and well balanced. $ 35.95 92/100
Cabernet /Merlot, 2002, Reif Estate Winery – ripe strawberry and raspberry aromas, bull-body, well extracted and balanced and perfectly barrel aged. $ 50.00 92/100
Meritage, 2002, Kacaba Vineyards – a wine of complexity and elegance with a full body and vibrant fruit $ 40.00 92/100
Gewurztraminer icewine, 2004, Royal De Maria – dried apricot, peach and apple aromas intermingling with typical gewürztraminer flavours of lychee nuts. Superbly balanced and refined. A wine to enjoy on its own and to contemplates life in general!
NOTE: Quantities produced of each wine are small, except those offered by the L C B O on the general list.
Limited quantity wines are available only at the winery or through the internet.
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
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