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


Viewpointe Cabernet Merlot 2005 Review

Wed 3, Feb. 10
3 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
Aroma: Cassis, black cherry, black currant, spice, pepper, dark chocolate, leather.
Palate: leather and moderate tannins and acidity, notes of spice with a long finish.
Burgundy red in colour with colour to the rim.

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

Price: 750 mL $16.95

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Colio Shiraz Cabernet 2007 Review

Wed 13, Jan. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Colio Estate - VQA Varietals and Premium Blends

Winemaker’s Notes
Colour: Ruby
Bouquet: Cherry, cocoa and green pepper
Taste: Tart, dark fruit, pepper and tannin in the finish
Serve at: 15º - 18º C

VQA Ontario

Blend: Shiraz 56%, Cabernet 44%
Brix at Harvest: Shiraz 19.8, Cabernet Franc 22.4
Fermentation: Stainless steel tanks (7-10 days on the skins)
Aging: 8 months in oak
Residual Sugar: 2 g/l
Alcohol Content: 12.0 %
Production: 2440 cases
Winemaker: Tim Reilly

Price: 750 mL - $10.75

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Colio Shiraz Cabernet 2006 Review

Wed 5, Aug. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Colio Estate - VQA Varietals and Premium Blends

Tasting Notes
Colour: Ruby
Bouquet: Cherry, cocoa and green pepper
Taste: Tart, dark fruit, pepper and tannin in the finish
Serve at: 15º - 18º C

Winemakers Notes:
This Shiraz/Cabernet shows our winemaking team’s ability to stay true to varietals and create fruit-forward, food-friendly wines.

Appellation: VQA - Ontario
Blend: Shiraz 56%, Cabernet 44%
Fermentation: Stainless steel tanks (7-10 days on the skins)
Aging: 8 months in oak
Winemaker: Tim Reilly

Food Match:
Vegetarian, Veal, Pork, Pasta-tomato based, Mexican, Lamb, Game, Cheeses-strong, Beef-roasted, Beef-grilled

VQA Ontario
12.5 alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL - $10.95

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Pelee Island Cabernet Merlot 2008 (Stepped up to the Plate) Review

Sun 12, Jul. 09
2 Reviews
0 Reviews
4.4 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:

Pelee Girls Stepped up to the Plate series.

10% of the sales proceeds from this wine will be donated to the Ontario Association of Food Banks to help your neighbours facing hunger.

Every month, over 320,000 Ontarians are served by food banks, and forty percent are children. Buy local, Share local is a campaign in support of our neighbours, our local producers, our environment and our economy.

Alcohol: 13%
VQA Ontario

Price: 750 ML $14.75

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Mastronardi Cabernet Rosé 2007 Review

Tue 23, Dec. 08
2 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
Fresh pomegranate and red berry aromas followed by soft spices and a rush of strawberry on the palate. Match with everything summer.

Sugar Code: 2

Price: 750 mL $12

(1.5L also available)

CLICK HERE to rate and review Mastronardi Cabernet Rosé 2007.

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Erie Shore Summer Sun Cabernet 2007 Review

Sun 12, Oct. 08
2 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Winemake Notes:

2007 VQA Summer Sun Cabernet

We’re thrilled to have our very popular new summer wine: Summer Sun Cabernet now available. Summer Sun is a chilled red wine made of 100% Cabernet Franc, made with only minimal skin contact. The result is a delicate salmon coloured wine with a vibrant citrus nose with pronounced lime, fresh grapefruit with a dusting of sugar on the palate. It is matched with grilled vegetables, cold cuts, cheese, sole, oyster, snapper, salmon, quiche, burgers, ribs and hot spicy foods.

Price: 750 mL (1) $12.45

What do you think about this wine? Tell us what you think. You can post your comments and reviews HERE.

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