Post #18 – Sip & Savour Ontario (By Carlissa De Rose)
What better way to enjoy 100% local Ontario wines, than to attend the Annual Sip & Savour tasting (celebrating the Ontario Wine Awards) at the Pantages Hotel downtown Toronto! On Thursday June 17th, I was invited to attend a seminar and wine tasting event dedicated to Ontario VQA wines, local cheese and artisanal breads. A large group of wine enthusiasts gathered to learn about 24 featured Ontario wineries, a tradition that has been going on since Tony Aspler founded the Ontario Wine Awards in 1995, creating a venue for recognizing the quality, distinction and brilliance of local VQA wines.
I started the afternoon by attending a seminar on Ontario Rieslings called “Rieslings to Believe: Ontario’s Cinderella Grape” which was hosted by Natalie Reynolds, a winemaker at Thirty Bench Winery. We learned about the different clones of Riesling planted in both Niagara on the Lake (49B) and on the Niagara escarpment (21B); how the varietal continues to increase in popularity; and how Riesling is one of the least manipulated grape varietals at a winery. We then tasted four Rieslings:
• Thirty Bench
2008 Small Lot Riesling Steel Post Vineyard (2010 gold medal) $30.00
• Rosewood Estates Winery
2008 Riesling Reserve (2010 bronze medal) $25.00
• Flat Rock Cellars
2008 Riesling Twenty Mile Bench (2010 gold medal) $16.95
• Tawse Winery
2009 Sketches of Niagara Riesling (2010 silver medal) $18.00
Following the seminar, we tasted all four wines; each paired with a local pork and mushroom dish and determined, as a group, that the Flat Rock was the best pairing for this dish!
The afternoon event ended with an opportunity to independently sample some new releases, award winners and interesting blends. The size of the tasting room created a challenge for those attempting to focus on all aspects of the tasting process. I did however enjoy the opportunity to experience these local VQA wines.
White Wine of the Year went to Huff Estates Winery for their 2007 South Bay Vineyards Chardonnay ($29.95) and Red Wine of the Year went to Vineland Estates Winery for their 2007 Cabernet Franc Reserve ($40.00) – both well deserved awards!
Every year, this event definitely makes me remember why I like to go home to Niagara and visit wine country. Definitely don’t forget to visit at least one of Ontario’s awesome wine regions this summer and mark next year’s tasting event on your calendar!
Some of my Picks:
• Konzelmann Estate Winery
2008 Sparkling Riesling Methode Cuvee Close (2010 bronze medal) $16.00
• Creekside Estate Winery
2007 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc (2009 gold medal) $26.95
• Lailey Vineyard Winery
2008 Old Vines Chardonnay $40.00
• Southbrook Vineyards
2007 Whimsy! Cabernet Sauvignon, Lot 19 (2010 bronze medal) $34.95
• Peller Estates Winery
Andrew Peller Signature Series 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (2010 bronze medal) $38.00
• Chateau de Charmes Winery
2007 Late Harvest Riesling Estate Bottled (2009 & 2010 gold medal) $19.95
