Canadian Sommelier, On-Air (TV, radio) Wine & Spirits Somm, Valpolicella Wine Specialist
Ottawa, ON May 2018 Matt's review: Icellars Estate Winery's Sauvignon Blanc, sourced from the Twenty Mile Bench Wismer Homestead Vineyard, further demonstrates just how exceptional the wines from this boutique winery can be. In its inaugural vintage, this small production (120 cases) wine is beautifully structured with crisp acidity, great exotic and tropical fruit characteristics,... Continue Reading →
April 2018 Ottawa, ON Matt's review: Checkmate Artisanal Winery produces world-class Chardonnay and Merlot from their Golden Mile Bench winery situated in Canada’s wine capital, Oliver, BC. The 2013 End Game Merlot is an outstanding expression of ultra premium Okanagan Merlot. Sourced from the Osoyoos East Bench and Black Sage Bench, End Game displays a... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON April 2018 Matt's review: 2016 was the warmest vintage ever recorded in Niagara, which resulted in the grapes at Icellars' Icel Vineyard being able to hang on the vines until November 17 and be picked at 26.2 brix with full phenolic and flavour ripeness and great acidic structure. Icellars Cabernet Sauvignon is a... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON April 2018 Matt's review: Boom, this expressive red blend from Icellars Estate Winery in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, consists of 50% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, and a splash of Malbec to produce a beautiful balanced and well structured wine. Fragrant sweet spices, plum, black cherry, mocha, black tea, and pipe tobacco... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON April 2018 Matt's review: Icellars are producing some of Canada's finest wines, from their boutique Niagara-On-The-Lake winery. Their 2016 Chardonnay (130 cases produced), from their Icel (estate) Vineyard, displays a light gold colour, revealing baked apple, tart pineapple, melon, croissant, white floral aromas, and minerality on the nose. Medium bodied and remarkably fresh, this... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON April 2018 Matt's review: From the renowned Coonawarra wine region in South Australia, The Yearling Cabernet Sauvignon shows remarkable maturity and complexity on the nose with plum, mulberry, pepper, eucalyptus, leather and grilled brisket. The palate is dry with black cherry and fine grained dark chocolate persisting on the finish. Impressive structure that... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON April 2018 Matt's review: The Yearling Sauvignon Blanc, from South Australia's Coonawarra wine region, is a very ripe and refreshing wine that's perfectly suited for enjoying throughout the spring and summer. Very aromatic with sweet pear, lime, lemongrass, and a hint of minerality on the nose, while the palate offers mouthwatering acidity with... Continue Reading →
May 5 in Toronto, join four wonderful female wine personalities from some of the world's famous wine regions, including Champagne France, Napa California, Niagara Ontario, and Mendoza Argentina. I've had the pleasure of meeting Louise Engel of Featherstone Estate Winery as well as Megan Schofield of Robert Mondavi, and they're very dynamic and talented wine... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON Matt's review: Altivo Dão DOC white 2017: This fresh, fruity, and fragrant wine from one of the most storied wine regions in Portugal, the Dão DOC, is reminiscent of a tropical summer breeze. Very expressive with perfumed floral blossoms, sweet orchard fruit, and citrus notes, with a creamy texture that's kept lively by its... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON Matt's review: Wow! What an impressive and super value-priced wine ($17.95)! Did they get the price wrong? Seriously, I think they did! This big blend of Barbera and Nebbiolo from Italy's Langhe DOC region is chalked full rich dark fruit, currant, prune, chocolate, anise, graphite, and black tea. Fine tannins add further textural complexity... Continue Reading →
Quercus Vino 