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Niagara wine reviews for Wildass, Flat Rock, Nyarai; plus news on Speck brothers, ProWein and Dillon’s

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It’s a tiny Niagara wine release at Vintages this weekend but I do have some reviews to share of upcoming and current releases from various local wineries.

Following on the heels of the Wildass Red 2011 release from Stratus early this year, the Wildass White and Wildass Riesling have both hit the shelves at LCBO Vintages stores. Also for consideration is virtual winery Nyarai’s Veritas 2010 from winemaker Steve Byfield, possibly his best yet, and a couple of new wines from Flat Rock Cellars.

There is also a pile of Niagara and Ontario related news in this post.

The new releases of Stratus’s Wildass collection at Vintages stores across Ontario now include the Wildass White 2009 and Wildass Riesling 2012.

The White is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Gewurztraminer and Riesling that sees 100% of the fruit aged in French oak for 593 days.

Wildass-Riesling-N1108_XLWildass White 2009 ($20, 90 points) — Like a baby Stratus White at half the price, with a nose of orchard fruits, vanilla, spice, oak, herbs and a squirt of grapefruit. It has lovely texture on the palate, flavours of peach, apricot and citrus fruit and tasty spice through the finish. This wine is already nicely aged and drinking beautifully.

Wildass Riesling 2012 ($18, 88 points) — The expressive note shows a basket of summer apples with peach, citrus, lanolin and subtle minerality. The fruit is crisp and refreshing on the palate with tart citrus, apple and zippy acidity.

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May releases from Flat Rock Cellars

 

photoflatFlat Rock The Rusty Shed Chardonnay 2011 ($25, May 10 release at Vintages, 89 points) — The 2011 Rusty Shed was left on the vine until Oct. 7 to fully ripen. The nose show pretty floral notes to go with pear, citrus, soft vanilla, spice and minerals. It has lovely finesse on the palate with a balanced approach to the fruit and spice. A tasty Chard.

Flat Rock Pinot Noir Rose 2013 ($17, May 10 release at Vintages, 88 points) — The nose shows bright and lively raspberry and cherry fruits on the nose that are pure and fresh. It’s made in dry style with beautiful red fruits that wash over the palate and lead to a clean refreshing finish.

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Nyarai Cellars Veritas 2010 ($27, only at Coffin Ridge Winery or online here, 92 points) — This reserve red from virtual winemaker Steve Byfield, who makes the wine at Georgian Bay’s Coffin Ridge Winery, is a blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Syrah. It is a beauty, perhaps his best yet, with deep, rich aromas of blackberry, plum, mocha, currants and a hint of black pepper and spice. It is focused and balanced on the palate with enticing dark fruits, integrated spices, supple tannins and bright acidity.

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Niagara wines being released at Vintages stores
in Ontario this Saturday (no reviews for these wines):

Tawse Spark Limestone Ridge Riesling Sparking Wine 2012 ($20)
Malivoire Musque Spritz 2013 ($20)
Malivoire Riesling 2012 ($16)
Greenlane Estate Cabernet 2011 ($16)
Legends Estates Terroir Mabec/Shiraz 2011 ($20)

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Speck brothers win Ziraldo Award

Ziraldo Award Wine tasting challenge 2014

(From a news release sent to Wines In Niagara)

At the 10th anniversary awards ceremony of the Wine Tasting Challenge, held at the Liberty Grand in Toronto recently, there was no “Sibling Rivalry” as Donald Ziraldo presented Paul, Matthew and Daniel Speck, the brothers behind Henry of Pelham winery in Niagara, with the Ziraldo Award.

Awarded for innovation, development and inspiration in the promotion of the food and wine industry, prrevious winners have included Chef Jamie Kennedy and Bill and Marilyn Redelmeier of Southbrook Winery.

“My brothers and I are particularly honoured by this award,” said Paul Speck. “Coming from Donald, who has done so much for the industry and has been a mentor for all of us.”

The Tasting Challenge, which was attended by over 300 wine professionals, sommeliers and amateurs, at the Liberty Grand also awarded the following 2012 Tasting Challenge Winners:

Professional Challenge
Grand Champion:  Nelson Abreu

2nd Place (tie):  Lorie O’Sullivan
2nd Place (tie):  Ilya Rubin
Amateur Challenge
1st Place: David Eng

2nd Place: Madeleine Sodtka
3rd Place: Philip Belitsky
CCOVI-VQA Challenge
1st Place:  Kathy Nunes
Spirits Challenge
1st Place:  Paul Mitchell

The Wine Tasting Challenge commenced in 2004.  An annual event that highlights Canada’s brightest talent to compete at the highest level of competition, while sharing in the spirit and fellowship of the vine. The Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) at Brock University was appointed as the organizers and auditors to the event.

Possibly one the largest prize purse of its kind there are upwards of $100,000 in prizes including cash, wine, trips to wine regions  around the world, stemware and scholarships.
The complete list of award winners can be found on the challenge’s website here.

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Grape Growers of Ontario re-elect Bill George as Board Chair

(From a news release sent to Wines In Niagara)

Debbie Zimmerman, CEO of the Grape Growers of Ontario announced that Bill George has been re-elected as Board Chair for 2014-2015.

George has served the Board of Directors for the past 8 years and is a respected member of the grape and wine industry. He resides in the Town of Lincoln with his wife Leslieann and their two children, and farms an 80-acre wine grape operation where his family has been growing grapes for over 100 years.

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Matthias Oppenlaender has been re-elected Vice Chair of the Grape Growers of Ontario Board of Directors, and lives and farms over 400 acres of wine grapes in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Steve Pohorly of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Jim Morrison of Lincoln, and Debra Marshall of Prince Edward County were all re-elected to the Board of Directors. Kevin Watson and Trevor Falk, both of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Bill Schenck of St. Catharines and Brock Puddicombe of Winona are all mid-way through their three-year terms as Directors.

The Grape Growers of Ontario is the official organization that represents almost 500 actively producing growers on 17,000 acres in the province’s three viticulture areas: Niagara Peninsula, Lake Erie North Shore and Northern and Eastern Ontario that includes Prince Edward County.

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Dillon’s brings home gold

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(From a news release sent to Wines In Niagara)

Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers from Niagara won double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits competition recently.

Dillon’s Unfiltered Gin 22 won the coveted trophy in what is best described at the Stanley Cup of the spirits industry.

To celebrate, Dillon’s is offering everyone free shipping on any order that includes the award-winning Gin 22 until the end of April.

Use Promo Code: GIN22

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ProWein 2014: Canadian Pavilion
A Popular Destination

(From a news release sent to Wines In Niagara)

Canada’s wine industry was one of the 4,830 exhibitors from 47 countries that showcased its national wines for more than 48,000 international trade visitors from March 23-25, 2014 at ProWein.

The Canadian wine pavilion was a popular destination at ProWein in Dusseldorf, Germany. Twelve Canadian wineries from Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec and Nova Scotia joined together to exhibit at the first “Canadian Pavilion” at the 20th Anniversary of ProWein 2014.

Canada’s wine producing regions are small and remain somewhat undiscovered internationally for the high quality of its table and sparkling wines as well as Icewine. ProWein provided an opportunity for the 48,000 trade visitors to discover Canadian wine and talk to the producers in person.

ed“One of the reasons to showcase Canadian wine in a national pavilion at ProWein was to let the world know that Canada makes great wine. I think we achieved that goal,” said Ed Madronich, President of Flat Rock Cellars.

“Before coming to ProWein, I was hoping to come away from the show with 5 solid leads for potential importers in Malivoire’s target markets and I’ve already identified at least that many,” said Stephen Gash, Managing Director, Malivoire Wine Company, on his first day at Prowein.

On opening day of the show, the Province of Ontario hosted a reception at the Canadian Pavilion where trade and media visitors had the opportunity to taste exciting cool climate wines and meet the producers. Producers showcased red and white wines along with Icewine to highlight the diversity and quality of Canadian wine. The reception was well attended with great enthusiasm from all attendees. Canada will have a national pavilion at ProWein 2015 that takes place from March 15-17 in Dusseldorf, Germany.

List of importers and wineries participating in the Canadian Pavilion at ProWein 2014:

WINEDELIGHT, a German importer of premium Canadian wines presented wines from five Ontario producers:

Creekside Estate Winery, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits (Dan Aykroyd Wines, Lakeview Cellars) Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Flat Rock Cellars, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Pillitteri Estates Winery, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Vineland Estates Winery, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario

Kanadalachs is a Swiss importer and presented Canadian wines from:

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
St. Hubertus Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Maniakadis Organic Orchard, Franklin Centre, Quebec

Devonian Coast Wineries was founded in 2011 by Carl and Donna Sparkes as a platform from which to acquire, develop and grow select Nova Scotia wine brands.

DCW has three wineries in Nova Scotia:

Jost, Gaspereau and Mercator. Jost Vineyards

Four Ontario producers were present to represent their wines:

Hidden Bench Vineyards & Winery, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Malivoire Wine Company, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Pelee Island Winery, Lake Erie North Shore, Ontario
Pillitteri Estates Winery,