Essex Wine Review

Winemaker’s Notes:
I really don’t think I have ever visited Sanson Estate without someone coming in during my time there and buying a couple of bottles of this wine. It seems to be a staple for Essex County locals.

Vidal is actually a hybrid grape that was designed to survive Canada’s inclement winters but it found a niche as icewine – actually celebrating those same cold months. Harvested a little late in the fall, after the fruit has had time to accumulate extra ripeness this wine shows round, honeyed aromas of pineapple and peach that carry to a soft, round, full palate. It’s simply an easy-to-drink, slightly off-dry, unoaked wine that is great on its own or will compliment a surprising range of foods – anything from pan-fried fish to roast fowl to spicy. The packaging for the 2008 has changed – the old cork has been replaced with a new a new Stelvin cap closure.

Non VQA
11.5 alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $12.95

Rate and review Sanson Autumn Harvest Vidal 2008.

Colchester Ridge Estate Winery (CREW)

Winemaker’s Notes:
This extremely easy drinking Riesling has very fruit forward tones of mandarin and pear on the nose which leads to the flavours bursting on the palate. Wonderful sipping on its own or with poultry,turkey , salads with fruit and nuts and pork.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
11.4% alc./vol.
200 cases produced

Price: 750 mL – $13.80

Rate and review CREW Riesling 2010

Winemaker’s Notes:
Our well-known and medaled Vidal is a lovely off-dry white wine with delightful floral-citrus bouquet, mild citrus on the palate, with apple, pear, kiwi, pleasant finish. Matched with appetizers, seafood, shell fish, white meats, pates, fruits and cheese.

VQA Ontario
12% alc./vol

Price: 750 mL $9.95

Rate and review Erie Shore Vidal 2009

Winemaker’s Notes:
Rich, full-bodied, deep, dark, dry red.

This rich dark full-bodied wine was made from the oldest vines on the property, planted in 1984. Fermented on its skins for seven days, barrel aged for 18 months, this wine is drinking now but will improve with age. Cellar potential, up to three to five years.

Vintner: Sal D’Angelo

Non VQA
12% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $12

Rate and review D’Angelo Old Vines Foch 2008

Winemaker’s Notes:
A dark intense wine with a slightly higher acidity, compliments spicy foods.
DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNER AT THE 2011 ALL CANADIAN WINE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Vintner: Sal D’Angelo

VQA Ontario
12.6% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $20

Rate and review D’Angelo Baco Noir 2008

Winemaker’s Notes:
The marriage of two noble varietals has created this wonderful wine of distinction, style and taste. Aromas are chocolate covered cherries with hints of vanilla. Flavours of ripe spicy berries shine through the lively tannins followed by a long finish. Enjoy with game, grilled fare and robust cheeses.

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

Price: 750 mL ($19.95 + $2.59 tax) = $22.54

Rate and review Mastronardi Merlot Cabernet 2008