wine review: Foreign Affair Winery – The Conspiracy 2020

Ottawa, ON

September 2024

Matt’s review: Foreign Affair winery is known for their use of the ancient appassimento method of winemaking, whereby grapes are carefully left to wither for weeks before pressing which results in wines with terrific concentration, texture, and flavour complexities. Conspiracy is produced in a manner similar to the much-loved Ripasso wines from Valpolicella, in that the base wines are poured over the pressed appassimento skins thereby picking up some of that additional complexity, body, and richness from the dried grapes. 2020 was a great vintage in Niagara and this wine highlights that with delicious fruit and structure. Conspiracy is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 15% Petit Verdot, and 7% Cabernet Franc where the base wine is re-passed over their appassimento Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes after they’re pressed. This ultimately boosts the wine’s body, flavours, and textures, producing a wine with impressive complexity for the price. Look for rich dark fruits, dark cherry, raspberry tarts, herbs, and graphite minerality. Medium-full bodied with a creamy texture, this wine over-delivers on price and quality. Enjoy with BBQ fare, beef tacos, pizza, and hearty stewed dishes too. Tasted September 2024. 90+ points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

Available at LCBO or winery-direct $21.95 (and $3 off ($18.95) until October 13th).