 |
||
|
|
‘Yours to discover’ is blazened on our license plates.
Ontario has renowned historic sites, natural beauties, parks, city
attractions and cultures, yet a hidden gem that is often undiscovered in
Ontario is our growing wine industry and its fine wines. Ontario boasts four main wine regions: Niagara Peninsula,
Lake Erie North Shore, Pelee Island and Prince Edward County. In just a
little over a decade, the number of wineries has increased from 20 to over
100, all producing wines made from grapes or other fruits. It
is the quality of the wines, rather than the quantity, that will convince
you that Ontario wines are ‘yours to discover’ and worthy of the many
international awards. The majority of Ontario’s vineyards lie in the centre of
the world’s wine belt, between 41° - 44°N. Approximately 6,250
hectacres (15,000 acres) of vineyards are now found in Ontario. This is the largest grape growing region in Canada. The
warm breezes off the Great Lakes, provides microclimates that are ideal
for growing premium grape varieties which in turn, produce fine wines.
Ontario wine regions share wine growing geographic characteristics similar
to other distinguished wine regions such as Burgundy and Bordeaux. Now let’s pop a cork and begin this discovery. As for red wines, the names, Baco Noir, Cabernet Foch,
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay Noir, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Zweigelt
sound regal and noble. A
number of these grape varieties are fermented alone to produce wines of a
single variety or in combination to create a memorable blended wine. In each case, the wines will age in either French or American
oak barrels between six months to several years before the winemaker
decides that the wine is ready for bottling.
A number of Canadian winemakers
have studied and worked abroad providing them with ‘hands on’
experience of growing grapes and a variety of winemaking techniques.
Also, winemakers are leaving the vineyards of Australia,
California, France, Italy, New Zealand and South Africa to participate in
the expanding Canadian wine industry. The result is a diversity in wine
styles, making the discovery of Canadian wines unique and exciting. At the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) stores, a
wide selection of wines may be found, and it sometimes leaves people
wondering where to start. The
following are a selection of white and red wines (all are Vintner Quality
Alliance - VQA) that can be found regularly at the LCBO and are a good
starting point for your discovery: Whites: ·
Chateau des Charmes Riesling - $9.95 ·
Pelee Island Premium Select Chardonnay - $10.95 ·
Pillitteri Estates Gewürztraminer Riesling blend - $9.95 ·
Stoney Ridge Bench Reserve Riesling $9.95 ·
Vineland Estates Semi-Dry Riesling - $10.95 ·
Willow Heights Chardonnay Sur Lie - $11.95 Reds: ·
EastDell Estates Black Cabernet Baco Noir Cabernet Franc
(blend)- $11.95 ·
Henry of Pelham Baco Noir $12.45 ·
Hillebrand Estate Winery Trius Red (blend) - $19.95 ·
Jackson-Triggs Proprietor’s Reserve Meritage (blend) -
$12.45 ·
Reif Winery Cabernet Merlot - $13.95 However, the LCBO does not stock all of the wines that
Ontario produces, or all Canadian wineries for that matter.
When talking to David Johnston, proprietor and winemaker of
Featherstone Winery of Beamsville Bench (Niagara Peninsula) at a recent
winemaker’s dinner that I hosted, David explained, “of the 11,000
wines produced in Ontario, the LCBO stocks up to 210 at any one time.”
For example, there are no Prince Edward County wines available yet at the
LCBO, as they do not have the production capacity yet to supply all of the
LCBO stores. As this and other Canadian regions grow in size, this will
surely change. But don’t despair as there are several ways to continue
your discovery of Ontario wines: 1. Visit the winery - Yvonne Jefferies’ travel
article this month, gives you many reasons to explore the Niagara region
and stop at some wineries along the way.
Plan a visit to Prince Edward County, Lake Erie and Pelee Island
too. You will find that each winery has a lot to offer including wine
tastings, winery tours and planned events. 2. Phone the winery directly – Each winery will
deliver your order (does not have to be a full case) to your door.
Phone numbers are listed on each winery’s web site and some have
toll free numbers. Not sure where to start? www.wineroute.com
has a list of the majority of the wineries in Ontario. 3. ‘Winery to Home’ – This new service enables
you to order online a variety of wines from different wineries and have
them delivered to your home by Canada Post. More info at www.winerytohome.com Wines that I recently enjoyed and would recommend ordering
direct from the winery are: Featherstone Estates Winery, www.featherstonewinery.ca Lailey Vineyard, www.laileyvineyard.com Malivoire Wine Company,
www.malivoirewineco.com Peninsula Ridge, www.peninsularidge.com Pillitteri Etsates Winery, www.pillitteri.com On our discovery of Ontario wines, we have only scratched the surface. There are many Roses, Sparkling and Icewines still to discover. Meanwhile, I encourage you to visit your local LCBO where a wine consultant is available to help you choose Ontario wines, or order directly from the wineries…tell them that I sent you! Should you have wine stories,
favorite wine recommendations to share, questions to ask, feel free to
email me on debbie@thesavvygrapes.com
Until next time….”Cheers!” Debbie Trenholm is an Accredited
Sommelier who hosts fun winemaker’s dinners and wine tastings in
Ontario. ------------ If you would like to re-publish this article or would like The Savvy Grapes to write in your publication, contact Debbie directly. Cheers! |
Copyright © 2004 The Savvy Grapes Inc.
All rights reserved. OUR
PRIVACY POLICY: The Savvy Grapes will
not sell or distribute your contact info.
|
Fifty-Five
Plus Magazine, September 2004 
