Carmela 2002 Dry Reisling

Carmela is no longer in business having sold out a few years ago. This Reisling is one of the reasons why it didnt do better. When we buy a Reisling, most of us expect crisp clean flavours. The Carmela Reislings were muddy and exhibited notes of barnyard and minerality.

Pairing: Chinese food, Pork (avoid pairing with delicate fish/seafood)

Recommendation: Pass

2011 Christmas Dinner Wine Suggestions

As Christmas approaches and we start to think about the menu for that fabulous turkey dinner, let us not forget a nice wine selection to enhance the feast. While the choices are mainly a matter of personal choice, there are some wines that typically pair well with turkey and the common accompaniments and side dishes.

I have chosen the following suggestions from the current offerings at the LCBO and/or wine retailers in Ontario.

1. Chardonnay - Most of your guests will prefer a white wine with their turkey. Probably your safest choice will be a dry, oaky Chardonnay. It will pair well with the bird and with the root vegetables.

White wine suggestion: Norman Hardie 2008 Country Chardonnay

2. Sauvignon Blanc - Also a good choice would be a Sauvignon Blanc. It is a little cleaner and lighter than the Chardonnay.

White wine suggestion: Colio 2009 CEV Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc

3. Reisling - A good Reisling or Gerwurztraminer would be another good choice. These are a typically a little sweeter and a little more acidic but favoured by folks who don't drink lots of wine.

White wine suggestion: Fielding 2009 Reisling

4. Pinot Noir - Some of your guests will prefer red wine and the Pinot Noir is a perfect selection. It is light enough not to overpower, yet fruity enough to enhance and not be overwhelmed.

Red wine suggestion: Quail's Gate 2008 Pinot Noir

5. Sparkling wine - A common assumption is that Sparkling wine goes with anything. This may or may not be true, but I have yet to find a food that sparkling wine doesn't agree with. Remember this is the season of celebration and nothing says celebration like a Champagne, Cava or Sparkling wine. They can be served as an aperitif, with the meal and/or with the dessert course.

Sparkling wine suggestion: Peller Ice Cuvee Rose

6. Dessert - a dessert wine is typically sweeter to enhance the sweetness of the dessert. An ice wine is an excellent choice as it can be sipped with or even poured over sweets.

Dessert wine suggestion: Inniskillin Vidal Icewine

Happy Holidays

Omemee Photowalk Sunday October 9, 2011 (10am)

We will be holding a photowalk in Omemee on Sunday October 9 (10:00am). Its completely free. Bring whatever camera you have - Pro, Point&shoot, single use, even cellphone cameras. All ages welcome. There will probably be a couple of pros participating so you might even be able to pick up a few tips and tricks!

Starting at the parking lot at the end of George St, we will wander north to King St (highway 7); east along King to Colbourne St; north on Colbourne to the Trans Canada Trail; then east on the trail to the field at the north end of Queen St; south through the field to Queen; and south again on Queen across King to Mary St; finally following Mary to Ruthland and back to the park.

Even at a very slow pace, we will only take about an hour.

Photos from the walk can be posted in a Flickr group for the event. Omemee Photowalk 2011 . This is an open group so all participants will be able to post and share, but you will need a free Flickr account if you are one of the 6 people on the planet that doesn't already have one.

Rose Hill 2009 Private Edition Chardonnay

A very decent albeit rather pale unoaked offering from a relatively new winery. Nicely balanced although I found it leaning towards the sweet side rather than the tart. Nice body and a generous finish. Available at the LCBO

Pairing: Chicken or fatty fish (monkfish, salmon)

Recommendation: Buy

Coyote's Run 2003 Old Vines Chardonnay

Decent attempt at a Chardonnay for a new Niagara winery. Lots of oak doesnt really produce the buttery flavours that I wanted and/or expected. Citrus notes and a long finish. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Pass

Creekside 2006 Headless Heinz

A so-so "blend" of 97% Shiraz and 3% Viognier. As far as I can tell the Viognier was added for volume only. It really didnt seem to bring anything to the party. Light-medium body. Decent with cheese. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Pass

Cave Springs 2004 Reserve Riesling

Decent Riesling leaning to the acid side but not overly "crisp." Predominantly green apple. Some flowery notes. Decently long finish. Not available to LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Muscedere 2006 Cabernet Franc

Interesting inexpensive Cab Franc from a small winery on the Lake Erie north shore. First glass was watery, little taste. Over the next 30 minutes, the wine opened up in stages, developing into a nice soft Cab Franc that tasted of sweet/sour bing cherries. Nice long finish. Later in the evening it developed an aftertaste with notes of chocolate. Light to medium body. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Pillitteri 2009 Cabernet Merlot

Pillitteri is a good winery often overlooked. This is a rather nice light bodied wine that shows excellent fruit. Quick finish with an aftertaste hint of fruit. Also a nice influence from the over 30% Cab Franc. Excellent with roast chicken or a light pasta (like a cheese ravioli perhaps?) Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Carmela Estates 2002 Dry Riesling

Admittedly past its prime, this wine has a beautiful golden colour, but is so heavily oaked it loses all its crispness. Not available in LCBO. Recommendation: Pass

Peller 2008 Private Reserve Pinot Gris

Absolutely lovely Pinot Gris. Beautiful colour. Well balanced. Nice citrus with some tropical notes. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Alvento 2004 Elige

A rather pedestrian blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It starts poorly, with harsh tannins that never mellows out. After waiting several hours, the wine never opened up. Not very complex. Ok fruit. Mediocre finish. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Pass

Henry of Pelham 2002 Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay

A decent Chardonnay if a little over-oaked. Decent fruit, but not particularly well balanced. Decent finish. Beautiful colour. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Okay

Tawse 2006 Pinot Noir

A very nice light Pinot with some nice complexities. Some earthiness, with nicely balanced fruit. Excellent long finish. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Carmela Estates 2001 Hubbs Creek

Upon opening this white blend, you will be struck by the complete absence of nose. Upon pouring you will be struck by the absolutely beautiful full amber colour but again, virtually nothing on the nose. Then comes the first sip, and the first gag. Terrible. The best that can said for it is that it tastes like peat. In fact if it were room temperature, one might mistake it for a watered down Scotch whiskey that somehow retained its colour. No fruit at all and a complete disappointment. I had come to not expect too much from this winery over the years but I never thought they would produce a complete dumper. Carmela has recently been sold and hopefully the new owner will make an effort to make Hubbs Creek a distant memory. If he has any of this in his library, he ought to dump it and destroy the labels. Frankly the bottle deposit is worth more than the contents. Not Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Dump it ... and if someone gives it to you as a gift, examine that friendship very closely.

Hernder 2001 Chardonnay

My first true special find ($9.95/btl). Now past its prime, this wine still has a nice balance of oak and fruit ... as long as you prefer a VERY oaky Chardonnay. Slightly longer finish. Awesome Golden colour and a medium to full body. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy it if you can find it.

Open 2009 Sociable Sparkling

A new offering from Vincor. Truly a throw-away sparkling wine. OK to mix in mimosas or sparkling wine cocktail where the mix will overwhelm the taste of the wine. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: PASS

Peller 2007 Private Reserve Chardonnay

Beautiful golden colour. Nice balance of oak and citrus. Medium body. Slightly lingering finish. A bit pricey. Not abailable at LCBO. Recommendation: OK to buy

Fielding 2006 Chadonnay Unoaked

A fairly smooth Chardonnay. OK on the balance. Decent to pair with chicken. Not available at LCBO. ecommendation: You can do better

Le Clos Jordanne 2006 Village Reserve Pinot Noir

A very earthy Pinot Noir. Some fruit, but very Old World Style. Fairly light. Not available in LCBO. Recommendation: You can do better