Canadian Sommelier, On-Air (TV, radio) Wine & Spirits Somm, Valpolicella Wine Specialist
Ottawa, ON June 2020 Matt's review: Burrowing Owl's 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the expressive and beautifully balanced fruit they're producing from their Black Sage Bench and Osoyoos vineyards in the south of the Okanagan. Savoury and mineral-driven, with refreshing dark fruits, fresh herbs, and subtle rustic notes, Burrowing Owl's 2017 Cabernet is a beautiful expression... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON June 2020 Matt's review: Featherstone's Rosé is loved by many each year given its expressive and refreshing style at a terrific price. The 2019 vintage blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Gamay Noir, and Merlot, sourced from Niagara Peninsula, highlighting the fragrant sweet and refreshing berry fruit that makes this such a quenchable wine... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON June 2020 Matt's review: Culmina Winery, Saignée 2019, Okanagan, BC, Canada. This impressive Rosé from Culmina's Golden Mile Bench vineyards is produced using the Saignée method where free run juice is bled-off the freshly pressed grapes after a short maceration to incorporate limited colour and capture maximum sweet and refreshing berry and herbal... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON June 2020 Matt's review: Jackson-Triggs' 2016 Entourage Grand Reserve Brut - A very impressive high quality sparking wine from this well known Niagara-on-the-Lake winery. At $29.95, Jackson-Triggs' Entourage Grand Reserve Brut has become a Sommelier favourite with each vintage given its consistent quality yet at a fraction of the price sparkling wines of... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON June 2020 Matt's review: With each and every vintage CheckMate Artisanal Winery is solidifying their reputation as one of Canada's leading wineries, producing world-class Chardonnay and Merlot from the south of the Okanagan Valley, in Canada's wine capital, Oliver, BC. CheckMate's 2015 Knight's Challenge (100% Chardonnay from the Sunset Vineyard along the Black... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON June 2020 Matt's review: Sourced from the Lawrence Vineyard in the Frenchman Hills of Columbia Valley, WA, Tender Hope Winery's Midnight Black Syrah shows savoury dark fruit, black cherry, prunes, menthol, and an earthiness on the nose. Great depth and struture, with dark fruit, blueberry, pepper and anise notes persisting on the finish.... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON June 2020 Matt's review: Sourced from Stone Valley and Les Collines Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley of Washington state, Tender Hope's Coral Syrah shows dense black fruit, bramble, cherry, woodspice and graphite on the nose. Medium-full bodied, the palate shows dark cherry, dark chocolate, with a velvety smooth finish highlighting the black... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON June 2020 Matt's review: Tender Hope Winery's Fire Dance Meritage is a ripe and balanced blend of 50% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14% Malbec sourced from the southern limit of Canada's pocket desert. This impressive red blend boasts rich dark fruit, blueberry, chocolate, wood spice, and sous-bois on the... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON May 2020 Matt's review: With each and every vintage CheckMate Artisanal Winery is solidifying their reputation as one of Canada's leading wineries, producing world-class Chardonnay and Merlot from the south of the Okanagan Valley, in Canada's wine capital, Oliver, BC. CheckMate's Attack is an expressive fruit and mineral-driven ultra premium Chardonnay from... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON May 2020 Matt's review: Winemaker's Cut Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from Deadman Lake Vineyard located between Canada's wine capital, Oliver, BC, and Osoyoos, BC, at the southern end of Canada's pocket desert, the Okanagan Valley. The south of the Okanagan Valley is renowned for producing big, ripe, and beautifully balanced reds, and where... Continue Reading →
Quercus Vino 