Wines to discover at Terroir Wine Festival in The County
Posted by Debbie
Monday, May 14th, 2012
To prepare you for wine discoveries at next weekend's Terroir Wine Celebration, our Sommeliers share with you tasting notes of more Prince Edward County wines. Whether you enjoy white wine, red wine or are in the mood for a glass of Rose or sparkling wine, these wines will WOW you!
Huff Estates Vidalessco Sparkling VQA 2011
There is no better way to begin a dinner party (or any meal for that matter!) than with the pop of a cork of a bottle of bubbly! This unique wine is made with Vidal grapes. Vidal is often left on the vines to make icewine, yet at Huff Estates winemaker, Frederic Picard (originally from Burgundy France), decided to do something completely different – create a crisp & refreshing sparkling wine fashioned after the Italian Prosecco.
Savvy Sommelier Debbie interviews Frederic in the vineyard - watch the video
Savvy Sommelier Tasting Notes: Dry with fine mousse (winespeak: bubbles) elegant aromas & tastes of citrus (can you find mandarin or lime?) & toasted almond.
Suggested Food Pairings: For fun, serve sparkling wine with salty potato chips (the saltier the better!). The salt reacts with the bubbles & makes an even more lively sensation in your mouth – like fireworks!
The Grange’s Trumpour’s Mill Chardonnay VQA 2007
A visit to The Grange of Prince Edward County Winery is not only an opportunity to taste the wines, explore the vineyards and marvel at the historic restored buildings on site; a visit provides a Canadian history lesson too.
This month, we feature The Grange in our Savvy Selections wine of the month club. This Chardonnay impressed our Savvy Sommeliers. Chardonnay was among the first varietals planted on the Granger estate. A grape which lends itself to a range of styles, this exemplar is unoaked and displays the texture and complexity of extended lees contact.
Savvy Sommelier Tasting Notes: Offering tantalizing aromas of jasmine, honeyed stone fruit, pear and mango, this is a balanced creamy yet dry wine, weighty with flavourful fruit and kissed with a touch of toasted nuts. It finishes slightly warm and gently spiced.
Suggested Food Pairing: Enjoy this wine with pasta in a cream-based sauce, with crab cakes or lobster, or with savoury roast chicken.
Cellaring: Delightful now or over the next couple of years!
Karlo Estates Frontenac Gris Rose VQA 2011
Karlo Estates is a must visit as one of ‘The County’s’ wineries - housed in a heritage Loyalist barn. Owner & winemaker Richard Karlo has developed his career from being a wine judge to an amateur winemaker, then consulting winemaker & now winery owner.
Savvy Sommelier Tasting Notes: Last year’s Rose from Karlo was full of rhubarb & citrus aromas & tastes. This vintage boasts watermelon, tangerine & ruby red grapefruit. Crisp & refreshing, this medium bodied Rose feels delicious in your mouth & tastes wonderful too!
Suggested Food Pairings: This is a perfect wine to unwind with at the cottage, pack with a picnic or on enjoy while you soak up the sunshine in the backyard. Serve on its own or with spicy food.
Rosehall Run Cabernet Franc Cold Creek VQA 2008
Cabernet Franc is often used in red wine blends, yet in Ontario, this grape grows so well that winemakers keep it aside to craft outstanding Cabernet Franc wines. Rosehall Run Vineyards owner & winemaker Dan Sullivan found a parcel of land in The County – complete with a creek running through it - with outstanding Cabernet Franc grapes.
Savvy Sommelier Tasting Notes: Bright garnet red colour in the glass, bursting with aromas of ripe red berries, raspberry that packs an impressive punch of dark chocolate. On the palate it is dry, medium bodied with soft tannins reminders of sour cherry & cassis.
Suggested Food Pairings: The lingering finish makes this wine a perfect match for both light & heavy dishes from BBQ sausages, lamb chops, roast duck & even grilled salmon. Debbie loves this wine with a chunk of dark chocolate!
Stanners Vineyard Cabernet Franc PEC VQA 2010
Stanners Vineyard is one of the newest wineries to open in The County is run by the Stanner family & everyone in the family is involved! Located near the town of Hillier (about 20 mins away from Picton), they are surrounded by other neighbouring wineries. The Stanners made 2 Cabernet Franc wines – one all County while the other is a blend of Niagara & County. This one was the favorite at the recent County in the City wine tasting event in Ottawa. It was fun to try the 2 wines side by side - and this you can definitely do when you visit Terroir Wine Festival!
Savvy Sommelier Tasting Notes: Plum in colour, there are delicious aromas of blackberry, raspberry & plums too that fill the glass then continue into the taste. It is dry & well balanced wine with a medium long finish. A very impressive wine. Well done!
Suggested Food Pairings: An easy drinking red wine that would be good with grilled burgers, lasagna or even BBQed steak. Stock up for the summer!
We look forward to seeing you in The County at Terroir on Saturday May 26th!
