Taste of the County Wines



Essex Wine Review, Wine of the Month, September 2010
Wine of the Month - September 2010
Sanson Estate Syrah 2007

A well deserved Gold award winning wine at the 2010 All Canadian Wine Championships.

This very well could be the finest syrah from Lake Erie North Shore priced under $20. Intense dark fruit, black pepper, and silky tannins.  A joy to drink! This wine is a MUST BUY when touring Essex County’s vineyards.

When this syrah is gone, there won’t be any more like it for a while. The vines from which the grapes came from to make this wine have been pulled out.  Get some before it’s gone.

This is the second time this year a Sanson Estate wine has been chosen as “Wine of the month” (May 2010 - Sanson Estate Riesling 2008) . They have been producing some fantastic wines lately.


CLICK HERE to see reviews of Sanson Estate Syrah 2007



Essex Wine Review







Wine Reviews - Lake Erie North Shore


Pelee Island Alvar Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Review

Thu 12, Aug. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

One of our four new wines in the “Alvar” collection. A subtle wine with lemon peel and tropical fruit aromas.

Winemaker’s Notes:
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.

A subtle wine with lemon peel and tropical fruit aromas. Lively with a rich palate and long finish. A superb food wine!

GRAPES: 80% Semillon, 20% Sauvignon Blanc
ALCOHOL: 13%
Sugar Code: (0)

VQA Ontario
Price: 750 mL $12.95

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Muscedere Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Review

Sun 27, Jun. 10
3 Reviews
0 Reviews
4.53 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
This wine offers earthy vharacteristics with a hint of melon and green tea. An engaging white wine that would be wonderully paired with srong cheeses, chicken, steamed fish or salad. Serve slightly chilled.

Hand-harvested: September 26, 2008
Total production: 80 cases

12.5% alc./vol.
Non VQA

Price: 750 mL $16

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Pelee Island Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Review

Sun 13, Jun. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
4.00 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
Sauvignon Blanc is a relatively new variety to the Island (planted in 1994), shows it’s typical grassy, herbaceous and green fruit aromas. This is a wine that is very cool fermented, which brings out citrus flavours that linger on the finish.

VQA Ontario

ALCOHOL: 12.5%

Price: 750 mL $11.45

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Colio CEV Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Review

Wed 9, Jun. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

Colio Estate Vineyards (CEV)-Ultra Premium VQA

Winemakers Notes: Damp spring weather in the Lake Erie North Shore provided ample moisture to carry through a very dry June and July, while the timely August rain and fairly dry autumn set the stage for a bountiful harvest of good quality fruit.

Colour: Light straw
Bouquet: Sweet Tropical fruit and fresh cut hay
Taste: Zesty citrus and lemongrass, soft mineral finish
Serve at: 8º – 10º C

Blend: Sauvignon Blanc 100%
Brix at Harvest: 20.5
Fermentation: Stainless steel tanks
Aging: Stainless steel tanks
Residual Sugar: 2 g/l
Alcohol Content: 13.8 %
Production: 500 cases
Winemaker: Tim Reilly

Food Match: Pasta-cream based, Fish – Light Flavoured, Chicken
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

VQA Lake Erie North Shore

Price: 750 mL – $15.75

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Colio Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Review

Wed 3, Mar. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
4.60 overall score

Colio Estate – VQA Varietals and Premium Blends

Winemaker’s Notes:
Colour: Light straw
Bouquet: Sweet tropical fruit, melon, lanolin, fresh cut hay
Taste: Tropical fruit, asparagus, lemongrass and minerals
Serve at: 8º – 10º C

VQA Lake Erie North Shore

Blend: Sauvignon Blanc 100%
Brix at Harvest: 20.5
Fermentation: Stainless steel tanks
Aging: Stainless steel tanks
Residual Sugar: 2 g/l
Alcohol Content: 13.8%
Production: 2000 cases
Winemaker: Tim Reilly

Awards & Reviews: Bronze medal winner at the 2009 Intervin International Awards
Food Match: Pasta-cream based, Fish – Light Flavoured, Chicken

Price: 750 mL – $10.75

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Colio Estate (CEV)-Ultra Premium Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Review

Sun 2, Aug. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

Colio Estate Vineyards (CEV)-Ultra Premium VQA

Tasting Notes
Colour: Light straw
Bouquet: Sweet Tropical fruit and fresh cut hay
Taste: Zesty citrus and lemongrass, soft mineral finish
Serve at: 8º – 10º C

Winemakers Notes:
A short warm spring in the Lake Erie North Shore was followed by a hot, relatively dry summer wich allowed for earlier maturation of white grape varieties.

Pronounced tropical fruit bouquet is followed by typical varietal citrus notes in the mouthfeel with exteneded fresh cut grass finish.

Appellation: VQA – Lake Erie North Shore
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc 100%
Harvest Date: Sept 29, 2006
Brix at Harvest: 20.5
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Fermentation: Stainless steel tanks
Aging: Stainless steel tanks
Alcohol Content: 12.2 %
Production: 1100 cases
Winemaker: Tim Reilly
Vintage: 2006

Food Match: Pasta-cream based, Chicken, Fish – Light Flavoured

CEV Sauvignon Blanc 2006 wins “Trophée Excellence” at VinExpo

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Sanson Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Review

Tue 30, Jun. 09
3 Reviews
0 Reviews
4.73 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
None yet.

VQA Ontario
12% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $15.95

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Smith & Wilson Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Review

Wed 24, Jun. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
Grassy and subtle. A great summer white

VQA Lake Erie North Shore

12.3% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $13

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Colio Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Review

Sun 22, Mar. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:

Colour: Light greenish hue
Bouquet: Lanolin, zesty lemon, melon and grassiness
Taste: Lemon, tropical fruit, firm acidity
Serve at: 8º – 10º C
Appellation: VQA Lake Erie North Shore
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc 100%
Brix at Harvest: 19.7
Fermentation: Stainless steel tanks
Aging: Stainless steel tanks
Residual Sugar: 2 g/l
Alcohol Content: 12.7 %
Production: 2750 cases
Winemaker: Tim Reilly

Food Match: Turkey, Seafood, Salmon, Fish – Light Flavoured

Price: 750 mL $11.75

CLICK HERE to rate and review Colio Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2007

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Muscedere Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Review

Thu 19, Feb. 09
2 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
This wine offers a fruit character with a hint of melon. An engaging white wine that would pair wonderfully with seafood or salad. We have dedicated this wine to our remarkable family and friends who helped hand-harvest this crop on a sun-drenched late summer morning.

Serve slightly chilled.

Hand-harvested: September 29th, 2007
Total production: 68 cases
12.5% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $16

CLICK HERE to rate and review Muscedere Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2007.

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