Taste of the County Wines



Essex Wine Review, Wine of the Month, September 2010
Wine of the Month - September 2010
Sanson Estate Syrah 2007

A well deserved Gold award winning wine at the 2010 All Canadian Wine Championships.

This very well could be the finest syrah from Lake Erie North Shore priced under $20. Intense dark fruit, black pepper, and silky tannins.  A joy to drink! This wine is a MUST BUY when touring Essex County’s vineyards.

When this syrah is gone, there won’t be any more like it for a while. The vines from which the grapes came from to make this wine have been pulled out.  Get some before it’s gone.

This is the second time this year a Sanson Estate wine has been chosen as “Wine of the month” (May 2010 - Sanson Estate Riesling 2008) . They have been producing some fantastic wines lately.


CLICK HERE to see reviews of Sanson Estate Syrah 2007



Essex Wine Review







Wine Reviews - Lake Erie North Shore


CREW Chardonnay 2009 Review

Thu 2, Sep. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

Colchester Ridge Estate Winery (CREW)

Winemaker’s Notes:
Our racy white chardonnay begins with an enticing nose of ripe green apple and orange blossom. Dry and crisp, this white wine follows through with a substantial hint of apple and pear, laced with lime. The firm minerality comprises a startlingly refreshing finish.

VQA Ontario
13.2 alc./vol.
100 cases produced

Price: 750 mL – $13.00

Rate and review CREW Chardonnay 2009

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Pelee Island Alvar Chardonnary Gewurztraminer 2008 Review

Thu 26, Aug. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

One of our four new wines in the “Alvar” collection. A crisp , balanced wine with the fresh flavours of lychee and mandarin oranges.

Winemaker’s Notes:
This crisp balanced wine opens with the fresh flavours of lychee and mandarin oranges; the citrus influence continues with an intense tangerine flavour; the presence of Gewurztraminer complements
the wine with a closing note of spice.

Ideal with seafood and grilled meats.

GRAPES: 50% Chardonnay, 50% Gewurztraminer
ALCOHOL: 12.5%
Sugar Code: (0)

VQA Ontario

Price: 750 mL $12.95

Rate and review Pelee Island Alvar Chardonnary Gewurztraminer 2008.

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Muscedere Vineyards Vidal Blanc 2009 Review

Sun 22, Aug. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
There are conflicting reports over the internet who invented the Vidal Blanc variety. Some say it was John Louis Vidal and others say it was one of the commercially-successful hybrid products of prolific French hybridizer Albert Seibel. What is certain is that it is a cross of viniferia Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano) and an early French American hybrid Rayon d’Or (Seibel 4986). This first ever Vidal Blanc from Muscedere Vineyards is a light, clean, crisp white wine. This wine ehibits hints of citrus fruit and passion fruit. Enjoy with a summer salad on the patio or on its own as a cocktail wine.

BRONZE MEDAL: all Canadian Wine Championships.

Hand-harvested: October 12, 2009
Total production: 110 cases

VQA Ontario

12% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $14

Rate and review Muscedere Vineyards Vidal Blanc 2009.

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Erie Shore Zweigelt 2006 Review

Thu 19, Aug. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
This Austrian bred grape produces a medium bodied wine with good acidity, soft tannins and a distinctive red colour. Flavours include black pepper and currants.

If you have liked our Duet in the past, you are going to love the new Zweigelt! 100% Zweigelt. It has wonderful smoothness, good tannins, and spiciness. Aged in French Oak Barrels for 18 months. Matched with grilled meats, white meats, roast meats, pork and pizza.

This very popular Austrian grape is well suited to Lake Erie North Shore and our climate.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
12.5% alc./vol
Sugar code: (0)

Price: 750 mL $14.95

Rate and review Erie Shore Zweigelt 2006.

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Sprucewood Shores Lady In Red 2007 Review

Tue 17, Aug. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
This year’s wine is quite the elegant lady. Her perfume is like licorice and raisin, and you taste the cherry when your lips meet hers. She’s bold and medium bodied, with a soft and gracious finish. Serve with tomato based sauces, veal, and cuts of well marbled steak.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
12.5% alc./vol.
Sugar Code: 0

Price: 750 mL $14.95

Rate and review Sprucewood Shores Lady In Red 2007

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Pelee Island Alvar Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Review

Thu 12, Aug. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

One of our four new wines in the “Alvar” collection. A subtle wine with lemon peel and tropical fruit aromas.

Winemaker’s Notes:
Alvars comprise a small percentage of the Earth’s ecosystems by land extent; although some 120 exist in the Great Lakes region, they comprise only 0.2% of the land area there. They provide a natural habitat for many rare birds, butterflies, plants and trees. The hop tree is one of them. A rare tree found in such Alvars along the shores of Lake Erie.

A subtle wine with lemon peel and tropical fruit aromas. Lively with a rich palate and long finish. A superb food wine!

GRAPES: 80% Semillon, 20% Sauvignon Blanc
ALCOHOL: 13%
Sugar Code: (0)

VQA Ontario
Price: 750 mL $12.95

Rate and review Pelee Island Alvar Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2009

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Viewpointe Colchester Cuvée Premiere Vintage Review

Mon 9, Aug. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
The wine within this bottle is the culmination of twelve years of research and development. Three unique grape varieties blended together, provide you our customer with perhaps the first and only wine from our province made with homegrown sustainable cultivars. Disease resistance and cold hardiness are the hallmarks of these varieties. Please enjoy Essex County’s own wine, Colchester Cuvée.

GRAPES: A blend of three varieties, presently known as HG01, HG03, and HG04 (HG = Harrow Graft).

Non VQA
13.3% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $17.95

Rate and review Viewpointe Colchester Cuvée Premiere Vintage

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CREW Riesling 2009 Review

Mon 2, Aug. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

Colchester Ridge Estate Winery (CREW)

Winemaker’s Notes:
A crisp pear nose leads into a surprisingly smooth and delicately sweet mouth-feel. The taste is reminiscent of mandarin oranges while the balanced acids result in a clean finish, with lingering pecan.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
11.6 alc./vol.
100 cases produced

Price: 750 mL – $14.00

Rate and review CREW Riesling 2009.

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Pelee Island Alvar Pinot Noir 2008 Review

Thu 29, Jul. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
One of our four new wines in the “Alvar” collection. Pinot Noir’s flavours are reminiscent of sweet red berries, plums, tomatoes and cherries.

It is well-suited to pair with poultry, beef, fish, ham, lamb and pork. This wine should play well with creamy sauces, spicy seasonings and may just be one of the world’s most versatile food wines.

GRAPES: 85% Pinot Noir, 15% Cabernet Sauvignion
ALCOHOL: 13%
Sugar Code: (0)

VQA Ontario

Price: 750 mL $14.95

Rate and review Pelee Island Alvar Pinot Noir 2008.

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Pelee Island Alvar Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Review

Tue 27, Jul. 10
2 Reviews
0 Reviews
3.10 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
One of our four new wines in the “Alvar” collection. A full-bodied wine characterized by plum, cherry, blackberry, vanilla and tobacco flavours.

Alvars comprise a small percentage of the Earth’s ecosystems by land extent; although some 120 exist in the Great Lakes region, they comprise only 0.2% of the land area there. They provide a natural habitat for many rare birds, butterflies, plants and trees. The hop tree is one of them. A rare tree found in such Alvars along the shores of Lake Erie.

Cabernet Sauvignon is often referred to as the “King of Red Wine Grapes”. This wine is full-bodied characterized by plum, cherry, blackberry, vanilla and tobacco flavours.

Try with red meats, heartier tomato- based pasta’s, lamb, strong-flavoured cheese and dark chocolates.

GRAPE: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
ALCOHOL: 13%
Sugar Code: (0)
VQA Ontario

Price: 750 mL $14.95

Rate and review Pelee Island Alvar Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

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