All posts tagged Cabernet Franc

Love This Rustic Local

by Billy on January 12, 2012 in Wine Picks with No comments

IF YOU LIKE RUSTIC YOU’LL LOVE THIS LOCAL

I’ve just had an amazing local red. Not anything that would score big with Mr Parker and followers, nor impress on steak night, nor make your weekend party friends giggle with pleasure. This was a wine of the earth, a soulful drink, an honest drink with the rustic qualities found in old-fashioned Bordeaux reds.

So often local (and elsewhere) winemakers feel the need to soften/sweeten/tame the wild character in Cabernet Franc, but not Charmes. This is the real thing. A wonderful true expression that’s at peak right now. Best with any simply roasted/grilled meat.

Unfortunately there isn’t much remaining of this Vintages release. Do the store search by clicking on the wine name at http://www.lcbo.ca/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=453415&ITEM_NUMBER=453415&language=EN

CHATEAU DES CHARMES 07 Cabernet Franc ‘St. David’s Bench Vineyard’, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara
453415 $25.95

Best Local Winery

by Billy on December 18, 2011 in Billy's World, Wine Picks with No comments

BILLY AWARDS 2011

BEST LOCAL WINERY – The People’s Award

One of the major Canadian magazines has given their Winery of the Year award to Tawse. For the second year in a row. I’m in total agreement because this Beamsville winery has produced a huge array of stunning wines over the past few years. If you buy wines in the $20-$45 range Tawse delivers the goods as well, if not better, than anyone on the planet. Be sure to include it on your next Niagara trip.

Now, for my People’s Winery of the Year award. The winery that delivers the most excitement at everyday prices, and which scores for availability at the LCBO is Pelee Island. Pelee is a large scale producer with lots of experience in blending fruit from all over Ontario and offering good tasting, low priced wines. If you get out of urban centres and travel around the province you’ll see how Pelee has probably converted more people to ‘local’ than any other winery.

Over the past few years, however, Pelee has upped-the-ante with their ‘Lighthouse’ and ‘Alvar’ lines which offer fabulous varietal character plus. Amazing wines for $12–$15. To top it off Pelee’s ‘Secco’ is a great Ontario edition of Prosecco. It’s about time that GM/original winemaker, Walter Schmoranz, got some recognition for decades of great work in our local industry. Go Pelee!

Terrific Cab Franc from Strewn

by Kato on November 25, 2009 in Travel Notes, Wine Picks with No comments

cabfrancSTREWNHere’s a terrific $30 red. But it’s not for everyone. Strewn 07 Cabernet Franc is crafted in a very dry style of traditional Bordeaux or Chianti. Rustic and gutsy, as opposed to rich and smooth. A classic food partner for roasted or grilled meats – working harder to flatter food more than you. Suggests a little formality. Maybe decant.

Strewn produced several other $30 reds from the 07 vintage but none have the assured quality of the Cab Franc. Which is Ontario wine at its finest – a bit reserved and more dinner table than party time.

Strewn 07 Cabernet Franc, VQA Niagara only at the winery $32
strewnwinery.com

 

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