Canadian Sommelier, On-Air (TV, radio) Wine & Spirits Somm, Valpolicella Wine Specialist
Ottawa, ON June 2018 Matt's review: I must say between the look of the Port shaped bottle and the 16.8% ABV, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this 100% Lodi Zinfandel, but wow, what a treat! Coming from Rutherford Ranch Winery I should have know it would be a hit (especially for those that... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON May 2018 Matt's review: May 26, 2018, via Vintages throughout Ontario, Glenmorangie released their first single malt Whisky that was fully matured in American ex-Rye Whiskey casks. Labelled "Spios", which is Gaelic for 'spice', and pronounced 'spee-oss', it's the ninth release in their Private Edition Series which over the years have become collectors... Continue Reading →
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 →
March 2018 By Matt Steeves I attended the Vancouver International Wine Festival (VIWF) from February 28 to March 3 and like all media and patrons that attended I was treated to a wide array of tasty Spanish and Portuguese wines, in all styles, from dry whites and reds, sparkling, sweet fortified reds (Porto, Sherry), to... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON March 2018 Matt's review: Gorgeous! A blend of 90% Zinfandel and 10% Charbono, Mourvèdre, and Carignane sourced from the Brandlin Vineyard perched up high on Mount Veeder in Napa Valley. With layers of raspberry, blueberry pie, clove, and cedar, this premium Zin is perfumed and simply sensational! Showing a great harmony of... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON February 2018 Matt's review: For over 20 years Burrowing Owl has been producing some of Canada's finest wines, from the Wine Capital of Canada, Oliver, BC. Their 2014 Meritage is a blend of (31%) Merlot, (21.4%) Cabernet Franc, (21.4%) Cabernet Sauvignon, (10.7%) Malbec, and (10%) Petit Verdot that were hand picked and sorted,... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON February 2017 I love tasting wines (obviously!) and am always keen to taste new wines in the Ontario market so I can share any new personal favourite wine picks with fellow wine lovers on social media and via my wine segments on CTV. Well earlier this winter I had the pleasure of tasting... Continue Reading →
Quercus Vino 