Essex Wine Review

Winemaker’s Notes:
This Pinot Grigio has bright acidity and an opulent mouth feel of pear, green apple and honey dew melon. An essence of honey continues through to the crisp clean finish. The 2010 growing season produced exceptionally high quality grapes, which has contributed to the rosy gold colour of the Pinot Grigio. Pairs well with seafood, light pastas, and creamy cheeses.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
13.2% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL ($13 + $1.59 tax) = $14.69

Rate and review Mastronardi Pinot Grigio 2010

Colchester Ridge Estate Winery (CREW)

Winemaker’s Notes:
The shimmering golden hue and aromas of baked apple and apricot with a hint of orange blossom entices you aboard this flagship. This unoaked chardonnay has characteristics of Royal Gala apple, dried apricot, a hint of mandarin orange, combined with a buttery mouth feel.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
13.2% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL – $16.00

Rate and review CREW Flagship Chardonnay 2010

Colchester Ridge Estate Winery (CREW)

Winemaker’s Notes:
Our racy white chardonnay begins with an enticing nose of ripe green apple and orange blossom. Dry and crisp, this white wine follows through with a substantial hint of apple and pear, laced with lime. The firm minerality comprises a startlingly refreshing finish.

A citris and apple nose hearalds this fruit-driven unoaked Chardonnay that is refreshment in a glass. Honey Crisp apples and Bosc pear coupled with the palate pleasing minerality, balaces this crisp and bright white wine.

Pair with cream based dishes, summer salads, seafood and more.

VQA Ontario
13.2% alc./vol.
100 cases produced

Price: 750 mL – $13.00

Rate and review CREW Chardonnay 2010

Winemaker’s Notes:
A full-bodied, crisp, dry wine with golden apple and ripe pear aromas, coupled with underlying mineral notes.

Food Pairings:
A great sipping wine, this pairs well with Mediterranean dishes, roasted chicken and seafood.

VQA Ontario
12.5% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $12.95

Rate and review Aleksander Pinot Grigio 2010

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:
None available at this time
Stelvin cap

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
13.2% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $14.95

Rate and review Viewpointe Chardonnay 2010

Winemaker’s Notes:
None available.

NON VQA
12.5% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $12.95

Rate and review Aleksander Estate Riesling 2010

Winemaker’s Notes:
This 2010 Riesling is made in the same style as past Rieslings from Muscedere Vineyards. A light-bodied, clean, crisp white wine with a hint residual sweetness balanced by the backbone of acidity.

Pairs well with appetizers, salads and spicy foods.

Serve slightly chilled.

Hand-harvested: September 27, 2010
Total production: 120 cases

NON VQA
11.8% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $16

Rate and review Muscedere Vineyards Riesling 2010.