Canadian Sommelier, On-Air (TV, radio) Wine & Spirits Somm, Valpolicella Wine Specialist
Ottawa, ON June 2019 Matt's review: With its elegant fancy pink colour, the 13th Street winery 'Pink Palette' has a remarkable bottle appeal as it glamorizes any table. The visual appeal is complemented with inviting aromas of ripe sweet red fruit, cranberry, apple, and sweet cherry-rancher candy aromas. Refreshing with a creamy smooth... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON May 2019 Matt's review: 2017 was the first vintage of Arterra Pinot Gris, which happened to be a stellar year to make its debut. Incredibly aromatic, with sweet orchard fruits, honeysuckle, wildflower honey, and lemon curd on the nose. Those inviting aromas are met with a very crisp and refreshing mineral-driven palate where... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON May 2019 Matt's review: This aromatic and textured Chardonnay shows an expressive bouquet of baked apple, Asian pear, floral blossoms, limestone, and hints of sweet perfume on the nose. The palate offers refreshing orchard fruit with a remarkable mineral-driven texture and finish. A very impressive cool-climate (Niagara) Chardonnay with Chablis traits that... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON April 2019 Matt's review: 2017 Arterra Pinot Noir benefits from a touch of appassimento winemaking where a portion of the grapes were carefully set aside and left to dry for a period of time after harvesting, similar to what they do in Valpolicella (Italy) with the iconic Amarone wines, before the partially dehydrated... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON March 2019 Matt's review: Iconic Canadian winery, Inniskillin, is renowned for their luxurious Icewines as they consistently deliver the most impressive style of sweet, full bodied, richly textured, and incredibly refreshing (dessert) wine that's sought after in the finest dining establishments around the world. Their 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine, a first for... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON November 2018 Matt's review: 2017 Chateau des Charmes' estate grown and bottled Sauvignon Blanc is a fantastic example of the fine mineral-focused Sauvignon Blanc being produced by this iconic Ontario winery. Herbaceous, with fresh tropical and exotic fruits on the nose and palate, the impressive minerality which persists on the finish resembles that... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON October 2018 Matt's review: Icellars 2016 Pinot Noir, 150 cases total production from the Icel (estate) Vineyard in beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake. Inviting sweet spice box aromas with fresh herbs, plum, and cherry notes showing the complexity of the wine from this special vineyard that has been producing nothing short of exceptional wines with each vintage.... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON October 2018 Matt's review: Featherstone's Four Feathers blends four cool climate white grapes: Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and a splash of Gewürztraminer, in one fragrant, creamy, and refreshing wine that's both super versatile and super value priced. Pale straw in colour, it's loaded with sweet orchard and tropical fruits, fragrant floral blossom, and... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON October 2018 Matt's review: Icellars Wiyana Wanda is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc, all from their Icel estate vineyards in Niagara on the Lake. Deeply coloured, the nose shows rich dark fruit, dark plum, cassis, black cherry, sweet spices, cedar, and graphite. The palate offers fleshy ripe... Continue Reading →
Saskatchewan, Canada August 2018 Matt's review: Featherstone's Cuvée Joy Rosé is a fine example of the mineral-driven premium traditional method sparkling wines that Featherstone Winery is producing on the Twenty Mile Bench. Delicate strawberry, cherry, and rhubarb notes are supported by refreshing red fruit acidity and limestone minerality on the finish. Paired beautifully with watermelon, feta,... Continue Reading →
