Essex Wine Review

Winemaker’s Notes:
There are conflicting reports over the internet who invented the Vidal Blanc variety. Some say it was John Louis Vidal and others say it was one of the commercially-successful hybrid products of prolific French hybridizer Albert Seibel. What is certain is that it is a cross of viniferia Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano) and an early French American hybrid Rayon d’Or (Seibel 4986). This first ever Vidal Blanc from Muscedere Vineyards is a light, clean, crisp white wine. This wine ehibits hints of citrus fruit and passion fruit. Enjoy with a summer salad on the patio or on its own as a cocktail wine.

BRONZE MEDAL: all Canadian Wine Championships.

Hand-harvested: October 12, 2009
Total production: 110 cases

VQA Ontario

12% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $14

Rate and review Muscedere Vineyards Vidal Blanc 2009.

Winemaker’s Notes:
A light-hearted, fruity wine that packs lots of refreshment.

The grapes were harvested in the month of September when they had reached 19 brix. They were fermented for a four-week period in temperature controlled steel tanks.

The reason this is one of our most popular wines is due to it being a great compliment to so many different foods. This wine is best suited to light cuisine such as poultry or seafood, or as a pleasantly dry aperitif. Serve well chilled.

GRAPES: 65% Vidal, 25% Riesling and 10% Geishenheim
BRIX: 19
ALCOHOL: 12%
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 8.7 g/L
AVAILABLE IN: 750 ml & 1500 ml bottles

VQA Ontario

Price: 750 mL $9.95

AWARDS:
DOUBLE GOLD – 2010 All Canadian Wine Championships

Rate and review Pelee Island Blanc de Blanc 2008

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
11.5% alc./vol
Sugar code: 2

Price: 750 mL $9.95

Rate and review Erie Shore Vidal 2008

Winemaker’s Notes:
Like the ’07 Vidal but a dry Vidal that is a refreshing wine. It is citrus to lemon. Light to Medium bodied, clean finish.

Pleasant floral-citrus bouquet. This one excels on a hot Essex County day! Great with appetizers, an aperitif, seafood, shell fish, white meats, pates, fruits and cheese.

VQA Ontario
11.5% alc./vol

Price: 750 mL $9.95

Rate and review Erie Shore Blanc de Blancs Vidal Blanc 2008

Colio Estate – Lake & River Series

Winemaker’s Notes:
Colour: Salmon pink
Bouquet: Candied cherry, melon and peach
Taste: Bing cherry and candy floss with a nice acidity
Serve at: 8º – 10º C
Brix at Harvest: 19.14
Fermentation: Stainless steel tanks
Aging: Stainless steel tanks
Residual Sugar: 30 g/l
Production: 1666 cases
Winemaker: Tim Reilly
Food Match: Thai, Seafood, Oriental, Mexican, Grilled Vegetables, Cheeses-mild

VQA Ontario

Blend:
Villard Noir 79.4%
Pinot Noir 15.3%
Vidal 5.3%

Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Sugar code: (3)

Price: 750 mL – $8.75

Rate and review Colio River Rock Rosé 2009.

Winemaker’s Notes:
An off dry blend of Chardonnay, Vidal and Icewine fermented in stainless steel to retain fruityness and freshness. Medium bodied, smooth white.

Vintner: Sal D’Angelo

11.8.0% alc./vol.
VQA Ontario.

Price: 750 mL $10

Rate and review D’Angelo Blanc de Blanc 2007

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, un oaked 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 Asian cuisine… or just enjoy a glass on its own.

VQA Ontario
12% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $12.95

Rate and review Sanson Late Harvest Vidal 2007.

Winemaker’s Notes:
Black currant / vidal blend (The hit of the summer)

11% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $13

Rate and review Smith & Wilson Night Shade 2008.

Winemaker’s Notes:
None yet.

Awards:
BRONZE – 2009 Ontario Wine Awards (Blended White Award)
BRONZE – 2009 “All Canadian Wine Championship”

VQA Ontario

11.4% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $12

Rate and review Smith & Wilson Vidal 2008

Sprucewood Shores Late Harvest Riesling Traminer Vidal 2007

Winemaker’s Notes:
Sprucewood Shore Estate Winery Late Harvest was crafted with the finest Vidal and Riesling grapes picked in late November 2007. This exceptional wine is bouncing with lychee, pear and apricot flavours, and finishes soft and sweet! Pair this at your next dinner party with cheesecake or vanilla ice cream and fruit.

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

Price: 375 mL $12.95

Rate and review Sprucewood Shores Late Harvest 2007.