Gary Killops
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Growing up in Essex County most of life I really wasn’t aware that there were so many local wineries producing such good wine. My first introduction to an Essex County wine that I can recall was way back in the early 80’s when Colio wine was the only local winery that I had ever heard of. At weddings it was often Colio wine that was found on the table.
Several years ago Wanda and I took a tour of several wineries in the Niagara Region. This sparked our interest in Ontario wines. Up until that time my perception was that good wines only came from California, France, Italy, and maybe Australia. It didn’t take me long to find out that I was wrong. Grapes grown in Ontario produced some of the best wines I have ever tasted.
After the Niagara tour Wanda and I decided to check out the wineries in our own backyard. It didn’t take us very long to discover one of Ontario’s biggest secrets. Wines produced in Southwestern Ontario (Essex County) are just as good and often even better than wines we have tasted from around the world.
Reviews
Colio Girls Night Out Cabernet Shiraz 2007, Lake Erie North Shore
Ontario, Canada$12.95
An easy going wine that delivers for the value.
Nose was earthy, along with hints on plums and cherry. Green peppers dominated the taste. Hints of cherry and oak followed. Nice balance to this blend. Finish hung around for quite some time.
Would be good with any beef dish. An excellent value.
2.0 Stars
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Domaine Croze Granier Côtes Du Rhône Cuvée Réserve 2007, Ac Côtes Du Rhône
Rhône, France$13.95
Excellent!
Very complex, lots of flavours going on. Nose is very fruit forward. blackberry, dark cherry, along with some earthy notes. Taste is a rush of fruit, rounded with some vanilla. Lots of joy! Easy, smooth wine. Some bitterness near the end that some may not like.
2.0 Stars
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Lindeman's Bin 99 Pinot Noir 2008, South Eastern Australia
Australia$11.95
Those with the sweet tooth will like this one.
Very fruity (cherry) nose and fruit forward taste. Easy to drink. Nice drink for the price.
1.5 Stars
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Girls Night Out Merlot Chardonnay Rose 2009, Ontario VQA
Ontario, Canada$12.95
An odd blend of grapes make up this Rosé but who cares …. it blends well and taste good.
I was pleasantly surprised with this one. Of the three currently “Girls’ Night Out” wine releases this is the best. I picked this one up at the same time as the Girls’ Night out Merlot and recommend this one, the Rosé.
Mild notes of strawberries on the nose and in the taste. Finish is short, price is right.
It’s a nice social wine, easy to sip on.
This is a VQA Ontario wine. Good to see that Colio has decided to use grapes from Ontario, rather than make this a “cellared In Ontario” wine with 70% imported grapes.
1.5 Stars
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Colio Girls' Night Out Riesling 2008, Lake Erie North Shore VQA
Ontario, Canada$12.95
I can see why this brand of wine is so popular. It's actually pretty good stuff.
Aromas may not excite you. There is some citrus there but not a lot.
It has good acidity, sweetness and a little bit of minerality on the finish.
All round good sipper at a reasobale price.
1.5 Stars
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Camelot Chardonnay 2007, Sierra Foothills
California, Usa$13.95
(Tasted Feb 3, 2010)
Moderate nose, just not a lot there.
While the taste was not perfectly balanced my overall impression was very good.
Nice attack of apples and tropical fruits followed by a nice smooth mouthfeel in this medium bodied white. Near the finish the scidity picked up just a little too much, (minor flaw in my opinion). Finish was short.
Overall I enjoyed this chardonnay.
1.5 Stars
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Sue Ann Staff Estate Winery Baco Noir 2008, VQA Ontario
Ontario, Canada$14.95
Deep, concentrated purple colour. Fruit forward nose and palate. Strawberry, cherry, and blueberry.
Personally, would have liked more oak influence in this one. Baco and oak work together well.
1.5 Stars
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The Winery Of Good Hope Chenin Blanc 2009, Wo Stellenbosch
South Africa$13.99
Fresh and lively summer time sipper. Crisp acidity, citrus fruit notes. Simple and easy to drink. Just chill and serve.
1.0 Stars
Willm Riesling Réserve 2008, Ac Alsace
Alsace, France$15.95
Picked this one up at our local LCBO Vintages.
Big citrus / flowery nose.
Taste: opens dry, followed quickly zesty lemon flavours. Nice balance of acids near the finish. Finish is long lasting and sweet.
Overall expression ..... very good.
0.5 Stars
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Le Gravillas Sablet 2007, Ac Côtes Du Rhône Villages
Rhône, France$15.95
I have been drinking a lot of reds from Cote du Rhone lately. I have been enjoying them and usually pick up the latest rhne releases at Vintages every two weeks.
This one was very good, however compared so some of the the other recent Rhone released just didn't measure up.
The fruits were just a bit too ripe to fully enjoy.
0.5 Stars
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