Essex Wine Review

Winemaker’s Notes:
Reflections of 2008 include all the gamuts of the weather spectrum occurring at the appropriate time.

The 2008 Baco Noir offers depth in both colour and flavour. This full-bodied wine is intense with dark berry undertones and black pepper aromas. The flavours of black cherry are followed by a creamy finish. Pair wiith game meats, beefsteak or hearty stews.

12.8% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $14

Rate and review Aleksander Estate Baco Noir 2008.

Winemaker’s Notes:
This wine has lots of vitality. Quite tangy, dry and refreshing so it really livens the palate and makes you hungry. These grape varieties produce a wine with a bright, cheerful character.

The Gamay Noir grapes were harvested in early October when the brix had reached 21.4 and the Zweigelt in mid-September, when the brix had reached 20. They were then left for four to six days in a temperature-controlled rotor fermenter under partial pressure.

This wine is an excellent companion to red meats and game without sauces.

GRAPES: 50% Zweigelt, 50% Gamay Noir
ALCOHOL: 13%
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 4.1 g/L
Sugar Code: (0)

Price: 750 mL $10.95

VQA Ontario

Rate and review Pelee Island Gamay Noir Zweigelt 2008.

Winemaker’s Notes:
One of our fullest reds, with the warmhearted character that Merlot fans enjoy. A good balance of richness, mellow sweet flavours and the essential bite for food. Delicious now but could be aged a year or two.

These grapes were left on the vine until early October.

This wine would be excellent slightly chilled and served with a beef or lamb dish. A superb choice for the summer BBQ or dinner table.

GRAPES: 85% Merlot - 15% Zweigelt
ALCOHOL: 13.5%
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 3.0 g/L
Sugar Code: (0)

VQA Ontario

Price: 750 mL $12.95

Rate and review Pelee Island Merlot Reserve 2008

Winemaker’s Notes:
Not quite a dry wine, Gewurztraminer is a pleasant afternoon glass by itself, and has enough weight and length to match well with spicy dishes, seared scallops or veal scallopini.

GRAPES: 100% Gewurztraminer
Alcohol: 12.5 %
Sugar Code: (1)

VQA Ontario

Price: 750 mL $14.95

Rate and review Pelee Island Gewurztraminer Reserve 2006

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

Colchester Ridge Estate Winery (CREW)

Winemaker’s Notes:
This intriguing wine begins with an apple nose.Upon tasting, sour cherry flavours envelop the palate finishing with a refreshing orange zest. Light and refreshing but still possessing some depth and character, this is a delightful pair with many dishes.

Blend of Merlot and Riesling wines.

VQA Ontario
11.5 alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL - $13.80

Rate and review CREW Red Sky At Night 2007

Colio Estate - VQA Varietals and Premium Blends

Winemaker’s Notes
Colour: Pale straw
Bouquet: Green apple, mango and citrus
Taste: Green apple, banana and citrus
Serve at: 10º - 12º C

VQA Ontario

Fermentation: Stainless steel tanks
Aging: Stainless steel tanks
Alcohol Content: 12.7 %
Winemaker: Tim Reilly

Food Match: Vegetarian, Seafood, Fish - Light Flavoured, Chicken, Cheeses-mild

Price: 750 mL - $10.75

Rate and review Colio Chardonnay 2008.

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

Rate and review Colio Shiraz Cabernet 2007

Colio Estate - VQA Varietals and Premium Blends

Winemaker’s Notes:
Colour: Deep garnet, Bouquet: Dark, ripe, wild berries, tobacco
Taste: Blackberry, blueberry, pepper and cocoa

Serve at: 10º - 12º C
Food Match: Mexican, Lamb, Cheeses-strong, Beef-roasted

VQA Ontario

Blend: Baco Noir 100%
Brix at Harvest: 19.2
Fermentation: Stainless steel tanks
Aging: Stainless steel tanks
Residual Sugar: 2 g/l
Alcohol Content: 12.4 %
Production: 2222 cases
Winemaker: Tim Reilly

Price: 750 mL - $9.35

Rate and review Colio Baco Noir 2008.

Wine for people who enjoy a robust, rustic wine. The feeling of a cottage in the woods and a campfire.

Winemaker’s Notes:
The grapes were harvested in September when they had reached 19.6 degrees brix. They were then fermented for eight days in a temperature controlled stainless steel tank.

Due to this wine’s full body, it is ideally suited with game meats, roast beef or steak. Some specific dishes that we would recommend with this wine would be pastas with tomato meat sauces, pizzas and backyard barbecues.

GRAPES: 100% Baco Noir
ALCOHOL: 12.5%
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 4.9 g/L
Sugar Code: (0)

VQA Ontario

Price: 750 mL $10.95

Rate and review Pelee Island Baco Noir 2008