Gary Killops
|
Followers (1)
|
|
|
Following (0)
|
Reviews (280)
|
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
Ortas Tradition Rasteau 2008, Ac Côtes Du Rhône Villages
Rhône, France$17.95
This is a very good wine. (Tasted Jan 9th, 2009 - release date)
Very smooth with a nice velvet mouthfeel. Cherry and pepper taste. Paired very nice with the big old juicy BBQ burger that I had.
Good value for $15.
0.5 Stars
(0)V
St. Stephan's Crown 3 Puttonyos Tokaji Aszú 2005
Hungary$19.95
This is an interesting sweet wine from Hungary. Tokaji is the national wine of Hungary. The wine is made from grapes that have botrytis which increases the sugar concentration resulting in a candied fruit taste.
Golden colour in the glass.
Open with dessert and taste the sweet candied pear and apricot and honey flavours that swarm the palate. The sweet flavours linger for quite some time.
(tasted June/ 2011)
0.5 Stars
(0)V
Henry Of Pelham Reserve Chardonnay 2007, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$11.70
Another excellent oaked chardonnay. The second one I had this past weekend that was excellent.
Not overoaked like some of the Californian "oak Bombs". Just right and well balanced with the fruit and acidity.
Nice med body to give it a nice smooth mouthfeel.
0.5 Stars
(0)G
Elderton Friends Vineyard Series Shiraz 2008, Barossa, South Australia
Australia$17.95
I don't remember buying this one but glad I found it in a box of wine I had set aside.
A very good to excellent Shariz from Southern Australia. Jammy fruits, some cherry and blueberry hit the palate. Good body in this one. A slightly hot finish.
0.5 Stars
(0)V
Marcel Deiss Pinot D'alsace 2004, Ac Anjou
Alsace, France$17.95
I wasn't sure what to expect when this bottle was shown to me along with a story about the Winemaker's organic style of growing grapes.
Apparently the yeast is all indigenous too which I found very interesting.
The result is a wonderful wine loaded with peach, orange peel, and mineral. Excellent acidity. What a great price too.
0.5 Stars
(0)V
Lillet Blanc
Bordeaux, France$23.45
This one didn't lasttoo long on the shelves of our local LCBO. It is a popular local favourite and when word gets out that it has arrived, it flys out the door.
Very tropical, banana, kiwi aperitif. Good thick body gives it a nice smooth mouthfeel.
0.5 Stars
(1000+)V
Chateau Des Charmes Riesling Estate Bottled 2008, VQA Niagara On The Lake
Ontario, Canada$10.20
This one is a treat to sip on. Typical citrus nose. Tase is where it's at. Lots of tree fruits such as apple, lemon, pear. Very complex.
0.5 Stars
(0)G
Ruhlmann Cuvée Jean Charles Riesling 2009, Ac
Alsace, France$16.50
Light body, floral nose and taste on the attack. Peach fruit dominate, crisp acidity, clean finish.
(tasted 13 March, 2012)
0.5 Stars
(0)V