From France's Loire Valley, Henkell's Crémant de Loire 2016 is a blend of Chenin (60%), Chardonnay (20%), Pinot Noir (15%), and Cabernet Franc (5%), crafted in the traditional method to produce an elegant, refreshing, and very approachable sparkling wine which is perfect for any occasion. With several years of bottle age it's shinning now with great aromatic, flavour, and textural harmony. Inviting baked apple, pear and orchard fruit characteristics with a fine creamy mousse making this vintage 2016 Crémant de Loire a great choice to enjoy now and over the next couple years with autumn dishes, Lox bagel, canapés, and spicy Asian cuisine. Tasted September 2023
wine review: La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir 2019
2019 Monterey Pinot is very approachable with impressive complexity on the nose and palate, something you don’t always get that this price point. Look for cherry, raspberry, plum, fragrant herbs with a subtle earthiness and flinty minerality on the nose and palate. Ripe, refreshing, and polished, it’s showing beautifully now and will be great over the next few years paired alongside braised grouse with bacon and sage, grilled pork tenderloin with a cherry compote, or wood-fired Margherita pizza. All great pairings with this value-priced Pinot. Tasted September 2023. 92 points.
wine review: Tom Gore Farmer’s Blend (red) – this might become your go-to wine for under $20
A wine I suspect many will love given it's profile and price. Highly recommend checking out this new release from Tom Gore Vineyards and see for yourself. $19.95 at LCBO.
Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Tasting
When it comes to premium Pinot and Chardonnay in the Okanagan, I've always found the vineyards in the centre of the Okanagan, along the Naramata Bench and in Okanagan Falls, consistently produce the finest expressions. One of those top producers in Okanagan Falls is Meyer Family Vineyards. Last fall I had the pleasure of visiting JAK Meyer and the team at Meyer Family Vineyards in Okanagan Falls, British Columbia, Canada. It had been ~5 years since I last visited so it was a real treat to be back in Okanagan Falls sampling JAKs wines from their OK Falls and Naramata Bench vineyards.
wine review: Rosehall Run Righteous Dude Riesling 2022, Nedelko Vineyard, Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario
Rosehall Run's single vineyard 'Righteous Dude' Riesling hails from the Nedelko Vineyard on the Twenty Mile Bench of the Niagara Peninsula. A cold winter saw a reduction of crops in 2022, but those low yields brought great concentration, structure, and balance to the 2022 vintage. Fresh and expressive, this Riesling shows fragrant stone fruit, pear, lychee, and honey on the nose. Repeat on the crisp and off-dry palate with honey, pear, and refreshing minerality persisting. A terrific single vineyard Riesling which will complement a wide range of dishes, especially spicy fare, hors d'oeuvres, Autumn fare, and artisanal cheese boards. Enjoy now and over the next five years. Tasted August 2023. 91 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
wine review: Hidden Bench
First impressions of this single vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from @hiddenbench … wow! Béton (as in concrete vessel fermented and aged) and sourced from the Rosomel Vineyard on Ontario’s Beamsville Bench. Expressive, lovely lemon grass, pear, lemon meringue, floral, flinty minerality, and superbly balanced. Certified organic, and absolutely delicious! Bravo @hiddenbench ! Tasted August 2023. 93 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
wine review: Cloudsley Cellars Twenty Mile Bench Pinot Noir 2018
Cloudsley Cellars has crafted a wonderful Pinot Noir that showcases the best of the region's terroir and winemaking expertise.
World-Class Canadian Wines to Celebrate Canada Day
CTV Ottawa Morning Live June 29th, 2023 Theme: World-Class Canadian Wines to Celebrate Canada Day Overview: Today on CTV Morning Live, Sommelier Matt Steeves is showing a line-up of his top rated wines from across Canada. The selection of high-quality Canadian wines represents the pinnacle of premium wine production in Canada and exemplifies the remarkable... Continue Reading →
wine review: Poplar Grove The Legacy 2018, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
Poplar Grove’s The Legacy is a highly esteemed red blend that showcases the greatness achievable in Canada’s Okanagan Valley.
wine review: Featherstone Black Sheep Riesling 2021
2021 Black Sheep Riesling shows crisp yellow apple, pear, wildflower honey, and impressive minerality with subtle petrol notes on the nose. Medium bodied, the palate is creamy with lively acidity, a faint hint of sweetness on the mid palate (a key element of Black Sheep's food pairing magic) disappears as the refreshing and textured orchard fruit and mineral finish persists. This versatile wine makes pairing spicy or tangy foods a breeze whether its BBQ ribs, wings, Pad Thai, or Sweet Chili Heat Doritos - this Black Sheep is a spicy food pairing super star. Enjoy over the next couple years. Tasted June 2023. 90 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
