Hi Everyone …as we look forward to celebrating this great country’s 144th Birthday, why not do so with some of the great wines produced so close to home. I have selected 4 reds and 4 whites and offered food pairing for each. Give them a try and let me know what you think.
Have a safe and happy Canada Day Weekend …Greg
RED WINES
Jackson Triggs Delaine Vineyard Cabernet/Merlot 2007, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada
989269; Rating – 90; $22.95
Ontario, Canada
989269; Rating – 90; $22.95
From the great 2007 vintage year which was hot and dry. A Bordeaux style wine with excellent length that is drinkable now, but will get better over the next 2 to 3 years. Pair with grilled butterflied leg of lamb.
Alvar 2008 Cabernet Merlot 2008, Ontario VQA
Ontario, Canada
435321; Rating – 89; $13.95
Ontario, Canada
435321; Rating – 89; $13.95
This is a lovely blend from the Pelee Island area of Ontario. A mid-weight wine with very good length. Good value for the price. Pair with burgers and grilled red meats on the BBQ.
Wayne Gretzky Estates No. 99 Meritage 2007, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada
75689; Rating – 89; $15.95
Ontario, Canada
75689; Rating – 89; $15.95
A Bordeaux style blend that is light to mid-weight. It’s smooth with very good length and is drinkable now. A pleasant price and will pair well with a grilled rib-eye steak. Recipe here: http://www.thechefupstairs.com/Grilling_The_Perfect_Steak.html
Inniskillin Varietal Series Pinot Noir 2009, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada
261099; Rating – 88; $14.95
Ontario, Canada
261099; Rating – 88; $14.95
A light to medium bodied Pinot with good character. Appealing and easy to drink this wine will pair well with roast pork, grilled salmon or roast chicken.
WHITE WINES
Ontario wineries have produced top notch, world class Chardonnay and Riesling wines for the last decade and now we are starting to see some very good Sauvignon Blanc wines as well. Here are my three top picks in each category, plus a great value wine.
Cave Spring Chardonnay Estate (V) 2008, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada
256552; Rating – 90; $18.95
Ontario, Canada
256552; Rating – 90; $18.95
A medium weight Chardonnay with elegance and intense flavours. Drink now through 2013. Very good length and will pair well with Roast Chicken and grilled lemon pepper salmon.
Jackson Triggs Proprietors’ Reserve Chardonnay 2008, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada
526251; Rating – 88; $10.95
Ontario, Canada
526251; Rating – 88; $10.95
Why choose Fusion or Yellow Tail when you can pick up this nice bottle for just over $10. The palate is full bodied creamy and rich with the oak supporting the rich fruit. Very good length with good focus. Pair with grilled salmon or a grilled chicken breast.
Malivoire Guilty Men Sauvignon Blanc 2009, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada
186254; Rating – 89; $16.50
Ontario, Canada
186254; Rating – 89; $16.50
Malivoire has created a wonderful Sauvignon Blanc to rival similar value wines from New Zealand. This medium bodied, with a fragrant nose and very good length. Pair with grilled scallops.
Vineland Estates Dry Riesling 2008, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada
167551; Rating – 88; $13.95
Ontario, Canada
167551; Rating – 88; $13.95
This is one of the best value Rieslings from Ontario. It is light and fresh, smooth on the palate with very good length. Pair with lemon sole or roast chicken.
Co-Owner
The Chef Upstairs
516 Mount Pleasant Rd.
Toronto ON
M4S 2M2
416.544.9221
All of them are sounds great! I love to taste all of that. Thanks for sharing all of that selections of white and red wines. I appreciate it all!
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