Essex Wine Review

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.

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

Winemaker’s Notes:
I think I detect a slight change of style this year. Previous vintages seemed to have a more defined oak influence but this one is really focused on fruit character – Baco fans can rejoice! Lots of that brambly elderberry and wild currant aroma and flavour backed by the lively, juicy acidity that purists love. There are still evident notes of wood to add complexity but this wine is like the old Tiger’s Stadium compared to that damned new “ballpark” they have – one for the purists.

VQA Ontario
12.5 alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $24.95

Rate and review Sanson Baco Noir Reserve 2008.

Winemaker’s Notes:
The Baco Noir is a dark smoky wine nestled in a medium bodied bed of blackberry. Smooth enough to enjoy on it’s own this wine carries an excellent finish to savor with any dish you choose to whip up, and well priced enough to enjoy any evening of the week!

Serve with duck, venison, stroganoff, root vegetables.

VQA Ontario
12.5% alc./vol.
Sugar Code: 1

Price: 750 mL $10.95

Rate and review Sprucewood Shores Baco Noir 2008.

Winemaker’s Notes:
Inspired by the Summer Sun, we released the second vintage of the Sellar Secret. Cobalt Blue bottle. Another popular chilled summer red wine made of 100% Chambourcin, “off the skins”. Red grapefruit, strawberry, mango, many tropical fruit flavours. Wonderful with summer foods, and appetizers, grilled vegetables, cold cuts, cheese, sole, salmon, turkey, white meats.

NON VQA
11.5% alc./vol
Sugar code: (2)

Price: 750 mL $9.95

Rate and review Erie Shore Sellar Secret 2007

Winemaker’s Notes:
This 2009 Riesling is made in the style as past Rieslings from Muscedere. We whole berry press our Riesling grapes, creating a light-bodied, clean, crisp, refreshing white wine with a hint of residual sweetness. An excellent sipping wine for the deck or poolside.

Pairs well with appetizers, salads and spicy foods. Serve slightly chilled.

Hand-harvested: October 20th, 2009
Total production: 100 cases

VQA Lake Erie North Shore

11.5% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $16

Rate and review Muscedere Vineyards Riesing 2009.

Winemaker’s Notes:
When I first opened this Syrah it was very firm and smoky but as it opened over the course of an hour the smoke and mineral receded and sweet notes of new leather, vanilla, cedar and ultra-ripe black cherry/currant came forward. Often Syrah can be hard and tightly-knit in its youth but this one is round and generous now. It is framed by some pretty firm tannins and has that characteristic syrah pepper edge. This one cries out for a leg of lamb marinated in rosemary, garlic and mustard… roast to just-past-rare and carved into thick juicy slices.

Awards:
Gold – 2010 All Canadian Wine Championships (Syrah / Shiraz Under $25)

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
13 alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $19.95

Rate and review Sanson Syrah 2007.

Winemaker’s Notes:
Our 2009 Rosé comes on the heals of our 2008 that was very popular for its drier characteristics. Like the 2008 it is made in a Southern French style where Rosé is not very sweet. Enjoy chilled on the patio or by the pool.

To make our Rosé we use grapes from our vineyard we use grapes that have been exposed to limited skin contact which gives the wine its light red colour. Made in our traditional style with a hint of residual sugar, this Rosé can be enjoyed in the summer sun as a sipping wine and with light hors d’oeuvres or salads.

Hand-harvested: September 26, 2008
Total production: 60 cases

VQA Lake Erie North Shore

11.5% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $14

Rate and review Muscedere Vineyards Rosé 2009

Winemaker’s Notes:
Another great Chardonnay! This unoaked dry white wine, is smooth, buttery, vanilla and lightly fruity. Nicely matched with most main courses including: chicken, beef, game, lamb, pork, vegetables, cream sauces course, most cheeses, pizza, Thai, and Chinese.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
12% alc./vol
Sugar code: (0)

Price: 750 mL $12.95

Rate and review Erie Shore Unoaked Chardonnay 2007