winingwithmel

Southbrook Estate Grown Small Lot Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2013, Four Mile Creek

Loved, loved, loved this delicious chardonnay from Canada's first biodynamic winery. It is called “Wild Ferment” because it uses naturally occurring wild yeast in the fermentation, which gives it an exciting flavour that isn’t at all run-of-the-mill. It is a beautiful golden yellow with incredibly unique aromas of vanilla, cinnamon, candied pineapple, pear, clove, banana yogurt, caramel and butter. Sounds delicious, right?

Flat Rock Cellars Riddled Sparkling 2010, VQA Twenty Mile Bench

This fabulous traditional-method bubbly spends a minimum 5 years on its lees, which lends beautiful brioche/biscuit aromas. On the palate, the texture is creamy, yet the bubbles are quite fine. I got a candied ginger on the palate, but Serge gave me a strange look when I said that, so who knows. My bizarre palate also revealed notes of almond, green apple, citrus and whiteflower. Perfect for your next special occasion!

Malivoire Rose Moira 2016, VQA Beamsville Bench

How I love this wine. To me, it is summer in a glass. The aromas are enough to make me swoon: light, floral and lovely. On the palate, it shows floral, cranberry and ripe strawberry notes. It also boasts incredibly high acidity, making it perfect for canapés or backyard summer sipping. One of my faves at Taste Ontario, March 2017.

Santo Wines Assyrtiko Organic 2016, Santorini Pdo

Gorgeous floral and citrus aromas. On the palate there is bright acidity, tart lemon drop, red apple, minerality, white pepper and a hint of the Aegean salinity. Picture yourself on the Greek Islands as you sip this one with appetizers or seafood.

Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc 2015, 50th Anniversary, Napa Valley

Lovely fumé blanc (an oaked sauvignon blanc) with beautiful aromas of stone fruit, citrus, vanilla and caramel. Rich, round mouthfeel with fabulous acidity for balance. Zippy citrus flavours, smooth stonefruit and rich oaky caramel on the palate. Delish wine, perfect for seafood dishes.

Sacred Hill Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2016

There's no mistaking that this is a Marlborough sauvignon blanc, with the addition of grapes from select Hawkes Bay parcels. Tons of grapefruit and tropical fruit and gooseberry on the nose. Fantastic, mouthwatering acidity from the outset, with orange, grapefruit, nectarine, subtle grassiness, pineapple...yum. This wine needs nothing more than a beautiful, sunny day, but would be a perfect match to seafood dishes, perhaps whitefish with a mango chutney.

Saint Aix Rosé 2016, Ap Coteaux D'aix En Provence

Gorgeous pale salmon colour that tastes like summer! Wild strawberries, rose water, the tartness of cranberry, a hint of lemon and very subtle minerality. A fantastic rosé from Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence!

Les Halos De Jupiter Côtes Du Rhône 2014, Ac

A prime example of a delicious everyday food-friendly wine from the Côtes du Rhône. Red cherry, raspberry, black pepper, baking spice and chocolate, structured by light tannins and racey, mouthwatering acidity. Juicy deliciousness! Pair with coq au vin, tomato-based pasta dishes or pizza.

Nyarai Cellars Viognier 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Beautiful stone fruit and citrus with a nuance of red apple. The mouthwatering acidity left me thirsty for more! Where do I sign up? I am a Nyarai convert!

Get the whole story at winingwithmel.com/taste-ontario-2016-part-deux

Domaine Saint Pierre Vacqueyras 2009, Ac

Beautifully rich ruby red that is practically opaque. Fruit explosion on the nose, thanks to a large bulbous glass, with dark fruit like cherry and berries, plum, fig, sweet spices, cassis and eucalyptus. On the palate, much of the same, plus prune, raisin, leather and smoke. Glad we cellared it for so long - the tannins have softened right out. 2016 is the perfect year to drink this one. It is gorgeous!