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Ontario Wine Review:  Quick Sips – Ontario News

Occasionally interesting things cross my desk that I would like to pass on
(Print a .pdf version of this newsletter .)

Hooray for Hudak … Niagara West-Glanbrook member of Provincial Parliament, Tim Hudak, took over the reigns of the Progressive Conservative party in late June.  What does this mean for Ontario wine lovers?  Well as with all things political time will tell, but Tim is a member of the Facebrook group Boycott Cellared in Canada Wine – could we see real change if he takes office … something to think about in 2011 when you cast your ballot.

And They Call it Democracy … The Cellared in Canada debate is heating up.  It started as just a rumble but now it seems that everyone is getting into the act and putting their two cents worth in.  Now it’s time for every Tom, Dick and Harry; Molly, Johnny and Billy to lend their voice to the fray … and trust me you want in on this topic.  Environmental Defense Canada has started a website where you can sign the petition to “Put the ‘O’ Back in LCBO ” – read it and put your name down, if we stir the pot enough we might just make some good broth.  This is one case where too many cooks in the kitchen spoiling the concocted soup would be a good thing.

The Call to Go Local, Now it’s Wines Turn … You can’t turn around and sneeze these days without someone throwing the word “local” at you.  “Go local”.  “Buy Local”.  “100-mile diet”.  “Eat what’s in your own backyard”.  It’s out there and they’re the buzz words of the 2009 (and for the future).  Now it’s time for the restaurants to look at their wine lists and do the same thing says Adam Pesce of Taste T.O. in his article “Where’s the Local Wine? ”  A very good question indeed Adam.  It’s time to step it up Toronto, wine country is an hour to an hour-and-a-half away (depending on traffic on the QEW), how much more local does it get?

No More Freebies for the LCBO … I don’t get my booze for free, and now the folks that sell us the booze won’t be seeing freebies either.  LCBO employees have been ordered to stop accepting freebies from distillers, brewers and other companies that do business with the Board.  The ban was actually tabled last August (2008) but was finally implanted in March (2009).  The LCBO audited the reports of 95 workers, mostly in sales and marketing, who work closely with suppliers.  Over an 18 month period each worker enjoyed at least one freebie a month (mostly in the form of tickets to events).  The report also identifies 268 suppliers as providing free meals and tickets, though only 10 account for the lion’s share, they include Diageo, Vincor, Mark Anthony and Corby.  The LCBO has also sent out letters to suppliers asking them to “stop tempting employees with no-charge tickets.”  Back in the good old days of radio they called this “payola”: a pay-for-play scandal that artificially made hits of records based solely on the money paid to the DJs to play it – the more money paid, the more they played.  Catch the inference, cause I ain’t saying anything else.

Scholarship Questioned … In the wake of the freebie enforcement, the LCBO is now going to look into the merits of keeping a scholarship that benefits their own; hmm, wonder how that’s going to turn out?  The LCBO is going to “review” as to whether or not they should be involved in a scholarship program sponsored by the Association of Canadian Distillers, a 12 year old scholarship, that gives the winner $3000 to “encourage young people to consider careers in the hospitality industry.”  But having the LCBO look into this matter would be like the fox investigating the henhouse.  Here’s something to chew on:  in 2004 LCBO president Bob Peter’s daughter won this very scholarship – now isn’t that ironic, as Alanis Morrissette might say.

Fruit Goes to Queen’s Park, Again … This is not my way of bashing some a politico with a questionable liaison (thou now that I re-read it that sure does sound like a headline in a San Francisco newspaper); this is actually about fruit wines once again taking their place at the table of the legislature.  While many of us believe our politicians are already drunk, on June 2 an after hours panel was formed to judge 18 Ontario fruit wines to determine the winner in three categories (Sparkling, Table and Sweet), the winner would then be served at official events.  Congratulations go to the winners:  Archibald Orchards and Estate Winery Hard Cider, Scotch Block Country Winery Black Raspberry and Applewood Farm Winery Iced Cider.  Many in attendance praised the wines they had just tried, so I ask:  If you are so proud and so happy with the fruit wine, what happened to Bill 132 ?

Popular Pratt … Public relations manager for Inniskillin Wines (Niagara), Debi Pratt, was recently hounoured with two, count ‘em, two inaugural awards “recognizing her outstanding contribution to Canada’s wine and tourism industry”.  The Ontario Wine Society, Niagara Chapter, Exceptional Hospitality Award and the Binational Tourism Alliance Summit’s 2008 Women in Tourism Award; this is the first time the award was not presented to a “dancer” named Trixie employed by near-the-airport Gentleman’s club … of course I am just kidding – and knowing Debi, she just might find that funny.  Congratulations Deborah on a job well done … may you continue to make us proud (tassels or not – wink).

Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss … And who is the new Boss?  Well as of March 2009 it is none other than Eric Morham – the new president of Vincor Canada who takes over the position from Jay Wright.  Eric is a Montreal native with more than 30 years experience in the beer and wine industry.  Eric’s former position was president of Constellation’s Icon Estates.  Seems the announcement of the all-VQA Esprit Olympic wine followed shortly after this announcement … maybe he’s not “same as the old boss”- time will tell.

Airport Flies High With New Investment … Back in June the federal and provincial governments committed 7.6 million to revamp the Niagara District Airport in Niagara-on-the-Lake.  You might have passed this airstrip on your way into the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake, St. Catharines MP Rick Dykstra promises, “the facility that you see today is not going to be the same facility that you see in a couple of years.”  Thank God for that, the current “airport” looks more like a landing strip drug traffickers use in South America (did anyone see Scarface?).  

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Grape Guy’s Picks of the Bunch:  Two reds for the Q – and two summer bonuses

See winery's individual website for details

Cave Spring Cellars 2007 Gamay - $12.95 (W)

www.cavespringcellars.com

Long have I been a fan of the Gamay grape – next to my passion for Cabernet Franc as Ontario’s red grape of choice, I think we do a heck of a job with Gamay – and it is so amenable:  you can oak it or unoak it, chill it or room-temperature it, serve it on its own or with food, you can bathe with it or in it … it’s just such a fun grape … and usually very well priced.  Check out this tasty treat from Cave Spring for instance, it hits all the marks for a good Gamay.  The nose is ripe with strawberry and cherry, while the palate delivers much of the same along with good acidity and a nice tannin balance.  Chill it to really bring out the cherry notes or leave it at room temperature for strawberry to dominate, either way it’s delicious and a real bargain.  Price: $12.95 – Rating: ****

 

Cattail Creek 2007 Cabernet Franc - $18.00 (W)

www.cattailcreek.ca

 

The red wines coming out of the 2007 vintage are built to impress:  deeper, riper fruit, richer colour, bigger flavours.  Something else that happened was longer barrel ageing than usual, to smooth out those robust tannins, and bottle ageing, for better integration.  While it doesn’t seem very long, this one resided in French and American oak barrels for 7 months, was bottled in August and released in December (2008).  The results are a wine with aromas that are pretty simplistic at this time, giving off cherry and floral notes.  But this wine really shines on the palate, where it really brings most of its umph!  A mix of raspberry, tobacco and smokiness – I also loved the very accessible price of $18 a bottle for a wine that delivers good flavour and value.  As for the finish, it lingers with smoke, tobacco and repetitive hits of red fruit (you pick the berry – and it’s in there).  Price: $18.00 – Rating: ****

 

Summer Selections – two wines to help you get the most out of summer
Peller Estates 2008 Private Reserve Pinot Gris (W)
Legends Estates 2008 Malbec Rosé (W)

 

Weekly Wine Notes and More:  2 from the County, A Canada Day surprise and more

The Grape Guy presents the "Weekly Wine Note"! A savoury selection of Ontario wines to impress, enjoy, or just plain drink!  A NEW Wine Selection is added every Tuesday or listen to the Podcast.

Here are the Weekly Wine Notes that were added to the Blog and Pod in the past two weeks:

Great News – Now you can listen to the Podcasts of your choice - individually

 

June 30, 2009 – Huff Estates 2007 First Frost Vidal (read ) (listen )
July 7, 2009 – By Chadsey’s Cairn 2008 Muscat (read ) (listen )

NEW Reports in the On the Road with the Grape Guy section:
Twilight in the Vineyard at Jackson-Triggs starring Chantal Kreviazuk
42 Wines, 21 Wineries, 1 Unforgettable Place
2nd Annual Pine Island Wine Tasting 

Hillebrand 2006 Trius White

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