Essex Wine Review

Winemaker’s Notes:
Tart, green apple and cirus notes abound in this flavourful softly effervescent Frizzante. Pair this with smoked salmon and capers, oysters on the half shell, chicken kebobs or with good friends as a delicious apertif.

What is Frizzante?
Italians refer to slightly sparkling wines as frizzante wines. In Spain, however, frizzante wines are known as Vino de Aguja. The French term for this type of sparkling wine is Petillant and the German term is Perlwein.

Frizzante wines have small bubbles that offer a refreshing tingle while helping to mask the wine’s sweetness. Frizzante wines are also considered to be slightly less effervescent than champagne. If you find champagne to be too “fizzy” for your tastes, frizzante wines are a great beverage choice for weddings, anniversaries, holidays, and other special occasions.

Although there are many different types of frizzante wines, Lambrusco, Gavi, Vinho Verde, and Moscato d’Asti are among the most common.

VQA Ontario
Alcohol Content: 11.0 %

Price: 750 mL – $9.75

Rate and review Colio Frizzante.

Winemaker’s Notes:Made from hand picked Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and barrel aged for a year, with this wine continues the tradition of excellence which began with the “Vinedressers” of Pelee Island Winery, to shine into the next millennium.

Tasting Note:
When it’s done well in Ontario, Cabernet Sauvignon can really shine, and shine this one does. Look for plenty of spicy fruit, cherry, plum, bramble, cassis, cedar and woodsmoke on the nose. The dry, tangy, medium-full bodied palate has a whack of youthful tannins with good layers of fruit. This is an excellent ’08 and will cellar for 2-4 years. Serve with rosemary-crusted rare steaks. (VINTAGES panel, Oct. 2010)

VINTAGES# 530576

ALCOHOL: 13%
VQA Pelee Island
Price: 750 mL $19.95

Rate and review Pelee Island Cabernet Sauvignon 2008.

Winemaker’s Notes:
Dry and slightly oaked blend of Viognier and Chardonnay. A complex treat.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
12% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $14

Rate and review Smith & Wilson Lighthouse 2009.

CEV Signature Series-Limited Edition Wines

Colour: dark garnet
Bouquet: Blackberry, cedar and dark chocolate aromas
Taste: Tart dark berry, toasted vanilla and pepper in a long smooth tannin finish
Serve at: 18º – 20º C

VQA Niagara Peninsula

Winemaker’s Notes:
Brix at Harvest: 21.1
Fermentation: Stainless steel tanks (10 to 14 days on the skins)
Aging: 18 months in European Oak
Residual Sugar: 4 g/l
Alcohol Content: 13.0 %
Production: 550 cases
Winemaker: Tim Reilly

Food Match: Pork, Pasta-tomato based, Beef-roasted, Beef-grilled

Price: 750 mL – $20.75

Rate and review Colio CEV Cab Franc 2007

Winemaker’s Notes:
Delicous & decadent, black currant dessert wine.

Fruit Wine
9.3% alc./vol.

Price: 375 mL $17

Rate and review Smith & Wilson A Currant Affair 2004

Winemaker’s Notes:
Lunch, lunch, lunch – oh ya, supper too. A bright, light partner for many occasions.

VQA Ontario
11.6% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $12

Rate and review Smith & Wilson Chambourcin 2008

Winemaker’s Notes:
Private Selection wine sold only to restaurants.

ALCOHOL: 13.5%
VQA Pelee Island
Price: 750 mL (Varies by restaurant)

Rate and review Pelee Island Private Selection Shiraz 2007.

Winemaker’s Notes:
None available at this time.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
13% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $14.95

Rate and review Viewpointe Pinot Grigio 2008.

Winemaker’s Notes:Nature gives us such a great Erie Shore Riesling. 2008 is apple and red grapefruit flavours, pear and peach with a pleasant fruity, clean 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.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
12% alc./vol
Sugar code: 1

Price: 750 mL $12.95

Rate and review Erie Shore Riesling 2008.