“I’m interested in exploring all the different types of sparkling wines, from all over.”

I recalled these words of Jonas Newman as I wandered into his Hinterland Winery (here in the County) today – I was greeted by flying corks and the loud noises of disgorging. The process of ‘exploding’ the dead yeast out of bottles of sparkling wine. Stand back!

Jonas’ newest contribution to sparkling is his version of Bugey-Cerdon, a favourite with the locals in the Jura mountains in eastern France. Which is produced by methode ancestrale, a short-form of Champagne that produces a slightly sweet, low alcohol wine. Ideal for lunches, summer patios or ‘whenever’. Jonas used Gamay so his Ancestral so it’s pink – the perfect colour for this fun drink. Closer to off-dry than sweet. Get some while you can and put County fun in your life.

HINTERLAND ‘ANCESTRAL’ Sparkling, Prince Edward County $23 (direct from winery,  www.hinterlandwine.com  613-921-7003)

Travel with me this OCTOBER 16 to 24

Cafés, culture, architecture, gardens, beaches, wine,  food and FUN!

Besides good looks Lisbon has a personality that seduces you and keeps you wanting more.

We’ve worked hard to design an itinerary that is incredible. Staying in an restored Art Deco hotel in the heart of one of the most beautiful cities on earth….full of vistas set against a beautiful river. And taking many day trips to gardens, galleries, castles, the sea, and wineries (of course!). ALL dinners WITH WINE,  breakfasts,  most lunches and transportation are INCLUDED. Wine and cooking classes too!

PLUS we’ve designed the trip dates around an inexpensive DIRECT Air Transat flight so nothing could be easier! October is a beautiful time to be there – not touristy and still beautiful day temperatures.

Hope you will come on board. Read all about it HERE!

Congrats to Ravine for developing a truly local, and stylish wine experience. While it’s not everyday priced I think you’ll see the value in the experience.

RAVINE 10 ‘Sand & Gravel’ York Road, VQA Niagara 260414  $16.95

Will DEFINITELY do it again. Make sure you sign up to my newsletter to get the news.

Now to recuperate.

FRANCE in PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY

Closson Chase has just released two very stylish wines. An elegant, mid-range Chardonnay with the refreshing feeling of Chablis. Smart aperitif/first course wine. A great ambassador for the County.

The Pinot Noir is also very French. Bone dry, lightish and tart with wonderful earthy realness. A Fall day feeling. Age a year.

I really like the clear focus at Closson Chase – high quality Chard and Pinot Noir. There is a strong connection between the sensibility displayed at the winery – the arty/rustic barn and the garden – and what’s in the bottle. Understated but self assured. Makes you feel like you’re in the French Countryside.

CLOSSON CHASE ‘CCV’ 09 CHARDONNAY, VQA County $24.95

CLOSSON CHASE ‘CCV’ 09 PINOT NOIR, VQA COUNTY $39.95

I was taking the County back roads from Point Petre to Waupoos when I stumbled on Exultet Estates. Talk about being in the middle of nowhere. This small winery is housed in a charming old dairy building with the vineyards out back. Are they ever anywhere else!

I tasted two Pinots – a lightish and charming 08 ($35), and a more concentrated, impressive 09 ($55). I purchased the 08 because if its current drinkability, and because I wasn’t mentally prepared to spend $55 on a bottle of wine. While I realize that the economics of operating a small winery dictate these steep prices I feel there is also a need to earn them. In the first few years it’s best to bait customers with something reasonably priced. We’ll return for the big fish once we have more confidence in the winery. I mentioned this to owners Gerry and Lia Spinosa and was delighted to hear that they are in complete agreement. Look for a friendly priced Pinot next season.

P.S. The farm just to the east of Exultet has the best free range eggs I’ve ever tasted. And Long Dog Winery is lust around the corner. Three attractions in the middle of nowhere.

P.S.S. If you’re coming to the County on the long weekend, check out VICKI’S VEGGIES HEIRLOOM TOMATO FESTIVAL. It is awesome. Taste over 100 varieties of tomatoes. www.vickisveggies.com

EXULTET ESTATES 1106 Royal Road, Milford, Prince Edward County
www.exultet.ca

If you haven’t entered my fabulous STRATFORD contest NOW is the time – it closes AUGUST 29th.

Click here to get to the page! And good luck!

In its early years the winery was criticized for high prices but all the wines I tasted one afternoon offered value for money.

Fans of white Burgundy would love the earthy character of 07 ‘Bella’ Chardonnay $28. Mature, lush and lovely. If you think that the 08 Rosé tastes like a light Pinot, you’re correct. That’s what it is – a great value at $18. Barrel Select 08 Pinot is fresh, fruity and a lovely summer red at $28. Top Dog 08 Pinot at $36 is more classic with a little ‘farmyard’. Okay, now for the expensive stuff, ‘Otto’ 08 Pinot Noir is $50.

It could be the most concentrated and profound Pinot in Canada – and would certainly be twice the price if it hailed from Burgundy. www.longdog.ca

Long Dog is located in the south of the County and I highly recommend you combine it with a visit to the Waupoos region – home of County Cider (great lake view), Fifth Town Cheese (amazing cheese and architecture), Waupoos Winery (lakeside restaurant), and the world’s best display of hollyhocks. Afterwards take Bongards Crossroad up to #7 and head to Lake on the Mountain restaurant/patio for a very French countryside experience. Complete your day with live music at the Acoustic Grill in Picton. www.theacousticgrill.com

Thanks to Michael Potter (chef at Angeline’s Restaurant, Bloomfield) for this perch recipe.

REPORT FROM THE COUNTY

I’m starting my County Report with a list of the best high-end restaurants with a commitment to supporting local farmers. Cafés/bars, and wineries to follow.

HIGH END RESTAURANTS IN PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY

ANGELINE’S, Bloomfield . . . old Victorian house setting. Rooms too.

CARRIAGE HOUSE, Bloomfield . . . small and contemporary cooking. Bakery take out too.

BLUMEN BISTRO, Picton. . . garden setting, on the edge of town. Generous portions.

CLARA’S AT CLAREMONT, Picton . . . old-world atmosphere. Manor house with luxury suites.

THE RESTAURANT AT MERRILL INN, Picton . . .charming small hotel. Many awards for food.

AMELIA’S GARDEN at THE WARING HOUSE, Picton. . . a County institution. Inn and popular pub too.

EAST & MAIN BISTRO, Wellington . . . the new hot spot. High quality casual. Foods to go too.

DEVONSHIRE INN, Wellington . . .lake-side with patio. A few rooms.

MILFORD BISTRO, Milford . . . quaint, country village atmosphere.

WAUPOOS WINERY, Milford . . . winery restaurant in gazebo setting by water.

If you’re browsing through this year’s Wine County Travel Guide you’re sure to enjoy the stunning photography and be enticed to make some visits. However, not all wineries are included; some smaller ones are missing because they choose not to pay membership fees to Wine Country (formerly the Wine Council) and some large wineries (Inniskillin, Hillebrand, Peller, etc) who have had a falling out with the organization.

Too bad that a government subsidized publication is not more inclusive.

winesofontario.org

Peller’s Rosé is also a solid character for the supper table. Produced from Pinot Noir this might be the best local Rosé I’ve tasted – but having enjoyed so many I might be losing track! Not at all overpriced at $18.95. Get yourself to a Vineyards Store (or the winery, where you must treat yourself to chef Jason Parsons’ tasting menu).

Here is Peller winemaker, Lawrence Buhler pouring the above mentioned Rosé (accompanied by winery colleague Laurie).

PELLER ESTATES 10 Rosé ‘Private Reserve’, VQA Ontario Vineyards Stores/Winery $18.95

Here in Prince Edward County, Norm Hardie has gone all out with a stone-built oven that could be on the cover of Cote Sud. A picture postcard for sure. Took over a year to construct. Fortunately the pizzas take a lot less and are orgasmic. Served on weekends. Norm’s 09 County Pinot is both delicious and refreshing – lightly chilled. A nice Summer splurge at $35.

SOUTHBROOK Winery, 581 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara on the Lake
NORM HARDIE Winery, 1152 Greer Road, Prince Edward County

The past two decades has seen the decline of many town centres all over the world. Blame the malls, the suburban sprawl, the car culture, the whatever – but I’m witnessing a return to the old downtowns. And a return of the institutions that made downtown the place to be. Such as the coffee shop. The gathering place of the community. The opportunity to socialize, get news and network face to face – and for things to just happen.

Main Street Gananoque is having a revival thanks to the Socialist Pig Coffee House which is housed in a beautiful old stone building overlooking a park. AND it’s licensed. Who wouldn’t want to have this as their second living room!

THE SOCIALIST PIG COFFEE HOUSE http://www.axleworks.info

Don’t be planning anything for the first half of September because you may be tempted to join me in Ireland!

THE FULL REPORT IS NOW POSTED HERE.

Hope you can join me in Ireland.

Slainté.

Add to my recommendations of April 9.

Cattail Creek 09 Riesling $15.95
Delish fruitiness and force ten refreshment. Excellent Niagara Riesling.

Colaneri 09 Sauvignon Blanc ‘Fumaso Biano’ $24.95
Amazing flavour concentration and richness due to partial drying of the grapes. Sunset on the patio sipper.

Coyote’s Run 10 Pinot Gris ‘Red Paw’ $17.95
Lively, lovely summer sipper.

Hillebrand 08 Trius Grand Red $55.20
A Bordeaux blend with the elegance and charm of Pinot Noir. Delicious NOW. Do not cellar!

Inniskillin 09 Pinot Noir ‘Winemakers Series’ $19.95
Light, fruity, spicy Pinot for BBQ’d white meats.

Jackson-Triggs 06 Sparkling Brut ‘Entourage’ $22.95
Austere, elegant Champagne styling for a fraction of the price. Smart new label too. I’m stocking up.

Lailey 10 Sauvignon Blanc $20
Lighthearted Savy with a ‘let’s be happy’ feeling. Gorgeous summer party drink.

Peller Estates 10 Rosé ‘Private Reserve’ $17.15
Seriously dry, earthy Rosé. Best with food.

Pondview 10 Pinot Grigio ‘Dragon Fly‘ $18.15
Wonderful freshness, delicate flavours and way better than Santa Margarita.

Ravine 08 Meritage $24.95
Light, lively and a lovely edition of the Bordeaux blend. Very gulpable, very bistro-ish.

Reif 09 Shiraz/Pinot Noir ‘The Magician’ $19.95
Made with kiln-dried grapes. Slightly sweet, concentrated and great with a platter of sticky ribs.

Southbrook 07 Cabernet/Merlot ‘Triomphe’ $22.95
Gutsy, rustic and very Old World. Food wine.

Stonechurch 09 White ‘Quintet’ $20.15
Multi-grape blend that hits all the pleasure points. Excellent summer sipper.

Stratus 09 White ‘Wildass’ $19.95
Stratus 08 Red ‘Wildass’ $19.95
White drinks like an upscale Pinot Grigio. Good with everything. Red is rustic with an amazing range of flavours. Very bistro-ish, very good.

A winery friend was visiting from BC and I wanted to send him home with some of Ontario’s finest cheeses. We were having dinner in TO’s west end so naturally I headed down to the city’s cheese Mecca, The Cheese Boutique on Ripley Ave. “What do you carry from Fifth Town in the County?” “Sorry, nothing.”

No worries I thought, my old town of Stratford will do fine. “What do you carry from Montforte? “Sorry, nothing.”

A fine selection of cured meats caught my attention so I thought of saving the day with some of Mario Pinque’s prosciutto. “Sorry, we don’t carry that.”

As I drove back up Ripley I thought, “I’ve just had a ‘believe it or not experience.”

I’ve been recommending Calamus multi grape blend white for several years and the 2010 vintage is once again one of the best ‘house whites’ you can buy. The zest of Riesling, a hit of Chard richness and a whiff of the exotic flavours of Gewurztraminer. Everyday white doesn’t get much more delicious.

Most days I’d take a glass of Calamus SSLH Vidal over Icewine. Lovely but also lively, and lighthearted – delicious to sip anytime. Especially after an alfresco summer lunch.

You gotta love a sparkling wine called StarStruck. Made from Riesling it is very refreshing with delicate flavours – the feeling of being at a posh event. Off-dry, lightly bubbly, it would perfect for weddings, or Summer events of any kind. Handy beer-cap closure.

CALAMUS 10 White $13.20

CALAMUS 09 Special Select Late Harvest Vidal 375ml/$23.10

CALAMUS 07 Sparkling ‘StarStruck’ $19.95

My theory on Starbucks is that they have paved the way for all the greatly improved, and exciting independent coffee houses that we enjoy today.

Fred Eaglesmith was here at the Acoustic Grill (Picton) last week and I liked his response to people who diss Starbucks ‘corporate’ coffee “So you’re driving a homemade car now?!”

Speaking of independents my trips to TO are more pleasant since I discovered End of the Thread in Brighton. Great espresso and even better home-baked goods – located in an antique/retro emporium. Be careful or you might be buying a lot more than coffee! Tell Steve I sent you. That’s him stepping out for a smoke.

END OF THE THREAD, 15 Main Street, Brighton  endofthethread.com

Location is the beautiful Crystal Palace at the Picton fairgrounds. There are now over 30 wineries in the County so be prepared for lots of tasting.

Book a hotel or bring a tent. Tickets are $30 at the door, or $25 in advance here.