May 26, 2006
When a decade ago my fellow wine writer and connoisseur David Lawrason mentioned the region for the first time, few knew about it.
Prince Edward County's terroir is marginal with cold winters (- 15 to - 25 C) and a short growing season (160 to 165) days. However, it is in marginal regions that the best wines are produced but only in exceptional vintages. For example Burgundy produces fine wines four to five times in a decade and extraordinary wines only twice.
In Prince Edward County when the season is hot and yields are kept low, the wines can be revealing, particularly riesling, chardonnay, pinot noir and hybrids specially developed for cool climate regions.
Vines have to be buried before winter sets in, and unearthed again in April to protect them from super low temperatures that kill the plant. Prince Edward County has two distinct growing regions - the west resembles Burgundy, and the sheltered east-southeast facing limestone region around Waupoos winery looks like Rheingau in Germany.
While most growers favour riesling, chardonnay, pinot noir and cool climate hybrids, some planted St Laurent, a red hybrid developed in Alsace and popular in Baden (Germany) and Austria, vidal, de chaunac, Geisenheim, gamay noir, and pinot gris.
Presently, close to 500 acres (200 hectares) of vineyards feed 10 wineries (Black Prince, Waupoos, County Cider Company, Rosehall Run Vineyards, Closson Chase Vineyards, Carmela Estates Winery, The Grange Estate Winery, Sandbanks Estate Winery, Long Dog Winery, Chadsey's Cairns Winery and Estates and Domain Calcaire.
Over the past five years, I had the opportunity to taste several Prince Edward County wines. I strongly believe that the future success lies in riesling, chardonnay and pinot noir. Low yields will contribute to concentration, and skill of winemaking to elegance.
Every famous region in the world is successful because it projects to the public a signature wine. In the case of Prince Edward County it can be pinot noir and riesling.
The region is close to Toronto ands there are now many good restaurants and well-managed small hotels. A trip will convince you how beautiful this idyllic region is at the doorstep of the biggest city in the county.
Wineries are happy to have you try their wines!
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