Taste of the County Wines



Essex Wine Review, Wine of the Month, March 2010
Wine of the Month - March 2010
Aleksander Estate Chardonnay 2008

I can't help but think about how busy it must be at local wineries in the month of March as I enjoy this Chardonnay. Prunning is well underway as the wineries wonder what will be in store for the 2010 vintage.

Aleksander Estate Winery has been producing a lovely Chardonnay and this 2008 is no exception. I tasted this wine last May shortly afer it was bottled. It was quite good then and seems to be really improving as it sits in the bottle. Wonderful citrus notes greet the palate. There is a nice balance of acidity and sugar making this a nice quaffer.

Aleksander's 2007 Chardonnay sold out without much notice. If you haven't tried this one yet, get it before it's gone.

CLICK HERE to see reviews of Aleksander Estate Chardonnay 2008



Essex Wine Review







Wine Reviews - Lake Erie North Shore


Erie Shore Blancs de Blanc Vidal 2007 Review

Sat 31, Jan. 09
2 Reviews
0 Reviews
4.7 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
A crisp, refreshing, dry wine with pleasant citrus flavours. Medium bodied, clean finish. Pleasant floral-citrus bouquet. Great with appetizers, an aperitif, seafood, shell fish, white meats, pates, fruits and cheese.

Price: 750 mL $9.95

CLICK HERE to rate and review Erie Shore Blancs de Blanc Vidal 2007

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Sprucewood Shores Riesling 2006 Review

Thu 29, Jan. 09
2 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
Sprucewood Shores has produced a tropical Riesling, full of pear and ripe apricot flavours. This semi-sweet wine fills your mouth with suppleness while finishes with a lingering fruit finish. Enjoy now until 2009. This wine is perfect for spicy dishes.

Sugar code: (1)
Price: 750 mL $12.95

CLICK HERE to rate and review Sprucewood Shores Riesling 2006.

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Smith & Wilson CHERIEAU 2006 Review

Tue 27, Jan. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
4.8 overall score

Gewurztraminer, dry, award winning Bronze

Winemaker’s Notes:
Light straw yellow, with a pleasant fresh grapefruit aroma. This medium bodied wine is smooth and dry on the palate. Grapefruit and citrus are dominant, with a hint of roses and spice in the finish.

This is a versatile wine that tastes wonderful with a simple appetizer of crackers and smoked Gouda, or a creamy crab dip. It marries well with spices so is a natural for Asian based dishes and Indian curries. It would also complement boneless chicken in a Dijon mustard and cream sauce.

Price: 750 mL $13

CLICK HERE to rate and review Smith & Wilson Gewurztraminer CHERIEAU 2006.

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Aleksander Estate Shariz 2007 Review

Sun 25, Jan. 09
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
A great vintage year is the best reason to sip fine wine. 2007 was hot, dry and long with endless sumer days providing the ideal condition for rich, concentrated wines.

A deep ruby colour and the vibrant aromas of red currants, dark berries and earth make up the 2007 Shariz. Complete with a touch of spice, this full-bodied dry red wine marries best with grilled lamb, peppered steak, roast venison and smoked game meats.

Price: 750 mL $19.95

13% Alc./vol.

CLICK HERE to rate and review Aleksander Estate Shariz 2007

    Aleksander Estate Chardonnay 2007 Review

    Sat 24, Jan. 09
    3 Reviews
    0 Reviews
    5 overall score

    Winemaker’s Notes:
    A great vintage year is the best reason to sip fine wine. 2007 was hot, dry and long with endless sumer days providing the ideal condition for rich, concentrated wines.

    The unoaked Chardonnay is full-bodied and dry combining red apple and pear notes with a soft finish.

    Food Pairings:
    Sure to be a great match with pasta in a cream sauce, grilled salmon or crusty bread and cheese.

    Price: 750 mL $12.95

    12.7% alc./vol

    CLICK HERE to rate and review Aleksander Estate Chardonnay 2007

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    Smith & Wilson Pinot Gris 2007 Review

    Thu 22, Jan. 09
    1 Reviews
    0 Reviews
    5 overall score

    Winemaker’s Notes:
    Shimmering pale gold white wine. The bouquet suggests melon and pear. Warm and rich on the palate, our Pinot Gris has a pleasant mouth feel with core flavours of pear and honey.

    Try sipping our Pinot with a nice selection of appetizers. Tantalize those taste buds with liver pate, brie and camembert cheese, mini quiches and cheese straws. For a main course, try it with salmon, duck or Tex Mex dishes. It’s good with pizza too!

    Dry white dry

    Price: 750 mL $14

    CLICK HERE to rate and review Smith & Wilson Pinot Gris 2007

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    Colio Riesling 2006 Review

    Tue 20, Jan. 09
    3 Reviews
    0 Reviews
    5 overall score

    Winemaker’s Notes:
    This Riesling shows our winemaking team’s ability to stay true to varietals and create fruit forward, food friendly wines.

    Appellation: VQA Lake Erie North Shore

    Blend: Riesling 100%
    Fermentation: Stainless steel tanks
    Aging: Stainless steel tanks
    Alcohol Content: 11.5%
    Winemaker: Tim Reilly

    Tasting Notes
    Colour: Slightly green hue
    Bouquet: Honey, sweet tree fruit
    Taste: Honey, green apple and peach
    Serve at: 10º - 12º C

    CLICK HERE to rate and review Colio Estate Riesling 2006

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    Erie Shore Duet 2006 Review

    Sun 18, Jan. 09
    1 Reviews
    0 Reviews
    5 overall score

    Winemaker’s Notes:
    If you have liked our Duet in the past, you are going to love the new one! As in the past, it is still 85% Zweigelt, and 15% Cabernet Franc. It has wonderful smoothness, good tannins, and spiciness. Matched with grilled meats, white meats, roast meats, pork and pizza.

    Price: 750 mL $14.95

    CLICK HERE to rate and review Erie Shore Duet 2006

    RELEASED (January 2009)

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    Erie Shore Riesling 2006 Review

    Sat 17, Jan. 09
    3 Reviews
    0 Reviews
    5 overall score

    Winemaker’s Notes:
    A crisp, refreshing dry wine with apple and red grapefruit flavours and a pleasant fruity finish. It is great with turkey, pork, salmon, veal, fowl, lamb, fruit sauces and condiments, vegetables, pastas with cream and cheese sauces, dressed salads and cheeses.

    Price: 750 mL $11.95

    CLICK HERE to rate and review Erie Shore Riesling 2006.

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    Smith & Wilson C-K Chardonnay 2007 Review

    Thu 15, Jan. 09
    1 Reviews
    0 Reviews
    5 overall score

    Winemaker’s Notes:
    A very lightly oaked, transparent straw yellow white wine with the complex aromas of melon and linden blossom followed by a whiff of almond. Our silky Chardonnay is warm on the palate blending the delicate flavours of summer melons and peaches. The toasted French oak appears for a second on the nose and just briefly in the finish – a great fruit forward sip.

    Host a brunch with family or friends and serve it with fruit salad followed by a ham and mushroom omelette. It’s also wonderful with a fish fry of Lake Erie Perch served with lemon slices.

    Price: 750 mL $13

    Winning Silver, Chardonnay, Under $20 (All Canadian Wine Championships)

    CLICK HERE to rate and review Smith & Wilson C-K Chardonnay 2007.

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