A good central location hotel for Niagara winery touring is the White Oaks (QEW at the Niagara on the Lake exit). The brochure says comfortable and sexy, to which I’d add friendly and reasonably priced. Luxurious but not too expensive. All kinds of activities including swimming, golf and tennis. Friendly staff and a lovely bright dining room for breakfast. www.whiteoaksresort.com
All posts tagged Niagara
Where to Stay in Niagara
Check Out the Cave
Fellow hikers! Summer is the time to check out the beauty of the Niagara Escarpment. And Cave Spring Cellars – situated in the sweet hamlet of Jordan – is a good place to start. The winery is offering a ‘moderate level hike along the picturesque route through wooded slopes to quiet ponds’ Saturday June 20 and June 27th from 11am to 2pm. Cost is $25 per person and includes the hike (of course), a tasting of their Rieslings in the vineyard and an in-depth pairing of Estate wines and artisnal cheeses at the winery after the hike.
Call to reserve. Should be lovely! 905.562.3581 x 304
Tasting Malivoire Wines
A few days ago I celebrated Martin Malivoire Day – my annual get together/tasting with the owner of one of Niagara’s top wineries (and organic too) at Gamelle restaurant.
As you might know, my reviews are based on independent tastings done either at my office or at trade events but I also welcome the opportunity to re-taste with a winemaker. It gives me a window on the personality, philosophy, and direction of the winery. What’s in the bottle is all about what’s in the head and heart of the owner.
Martin loves food, loves to travel, and for me, he’s bringing the French wine experience to Niagara. At least a version of it – which is how it should be. He’s committed to organics, to operating with style and to inviting customers to pay premium. The French way! The clincher is that Malivoire makes good wine and there’s value in every bottle. You decide where his wines might fit into your life and budget. Some are at the LCBO but most are available only at the winery.
I highly recommend the Pinot Gris, Ladybug Rosé and Gamay. The arty new labels are a welcome change from local Dullsville.
WHITES
Melon 08 ($9.95/375ml) is lean, tart and super-refreshing. Oyster wine. Ontario’s Muscadet! The half bottle size is perfect for aperitifs. Pinot Gris 08 ($18.95 Vintages) hits the mid-range between refreshment and something special. “Wine for drinking” says Martin. I suggest you get some and start doing it. You’ll have the best house wine on the the block. Chardonnay 06 Estate ($19.95 LCBO Essentials) is pretty, but a showstopper is the Chardonnay 06 ‘Moira Vineyard’ ($36) which is big, luscious and out to seduce. Gewurztraminer 08 ($24.95) is lively, lovely and exotic without being too cute. Something to sip in the shade. Another delightful experience can be had with half bottles of Chardonnay Musque ($11.95 Available at Vintages in 375ml for the June 20 release) which delivers lovely Muscat flavours and zest at a low alcohol level. Perfect for summer brunch – or whenever.
ROSÉ & REDS
Ladybug 08 Rosé ($15.95 available now at Vintages) is the perfect combo of zest and fruitiness. Wine that says ‘Let’s have some FUN’. The Pinot Noir 06 ($25 Available at Vintages in August) is light, tart and challenging. Very Burgundian – wine to partner with confit. My favourite red is the Gamay 07 ($17.95) which is totally unique. Lots of fruit, lots of vigour and an earthy quality that I associate with Italian reds such as Barbera. Rustic wine for hearty pastas, or BBQ’d white meats.
P.S. Gamelle restaurant is operated by Jean Pierre . . . who was making sauces as Martin and I sipped. His restaurant is a tiny, intimate French bistro. Very good, very romantic. Cute window tables on College, and also a backyard patio. www.gamelle.com
Malivoire Ladybug Rosé
Check this local hero out!
Malivoire 08 Rosé ‘Ladybug’, VQA Niagara 559088 $15.95 (Vintages)
Delicious fruitiness, some zest and a fun, drink-me-anytime feeling. Fun new label too. Always one of the best local dry Rosés. Was released this April.
FYI: Dry Rosé is a fantastic food wine….and superb with Indian food!
Check out my 5 Rosé picks from the June 6th Vintages too.
LCBO Vintages May 23, 2009
THE LOW DOWN: New Zealand reds are the feature and I found three to recommend. The style could be likened to our local reds – bright, lively and appetizing. South African Shiraz and Californian Zinfandel are my favourite BBQ reds – check out Linton Park and Ravenswood. Pelham’s Cuvee Catharine is inching its way towards Champagne in style and quality. Something to celebrate!
A lovely Niagara Pinot Gris, an exuberant Riesling from New Zealand and a knock-out Gewurz from Italy are the pick of the whites. Finally, I recommend you work a little cider refreshment into your summer with Clos Saint-Denis from Quebec.
Cheers!
Billy
P.S. Loved the wine name ‘Hazyblur’, too bad this Aussie red is not worth the $35 price tag.
Style: EVERYDAY NICE WHITE
MALIVOIRE 08 Pinot Gris, VQA Niagara 591305 $18.95
Lighthearted, everyday white. Crisp enough to refresh and pleasant enough to gulp. Stylish new packaging. Perfect hostess gift.
Style: EVERYDAY NICE WHITE
KIM CRAWFORD 05 Riesling ‘The Mistress’, New Zealand 90134 $24.95
Lemon fresh with delicious fruity sweetness. And the explosion of flavour that happens with aged Riesling. Rich and concentrated enough for supper, but also lively enough for the cocktail hour.
Style: RICH WHITE
CANTINA TRAMIN 07 Gewurztraminer, Alto Adige, Italy 117028 $19.95
Super rich Gewurz from the home of that grape. Gorgeous, exotic flavours. A late summer evening sipper. Sexy stuff.
FRESH SPARKLING
HENRY of PELHAM Brut ‘Cuvée Catharine’, VQA Niagara 616441 $29.95
Austere, stony dry in the Champagne style. ALmost no flavour but full of character – a high note that leaves you hanging and wanting more. Outstanding aperitif. Best batch yet of this wine – and possibly the best ever Brut out of Niagara.
REDS
Style: (ALMOST) RICH RED
COOPERS CREEK 07 Syrah, New Zealand 120808 $19.95
Fruity, peppery Syrah in the French style. Bright, lively, fun and very gulpable. Great Summer red. Moderate alcohol level.
Style: RICH RED
LINTON PARK 04 Shiraz, Paarl, South Africa 910844 $15.95
Juicy, peppery, lively and delicious Shiraz for the BBQ season. A little smokiness, a lot of yummy drinkability, and good value. Go get it.
Style: RICH RED
PALLISER 06 Pinot Noir, Martinborough, New Zealand 120766 $28.95
Spicy, sweet, seductive New World-style Pinot. A charmer for sure. Good with everything. Could spice up your life.
Style: RICH RED
CARRICK 06 Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand 919837 $39.95
Serious Pinot in the Burgundian-style. Bone dry, firm – traditional red wine character. Could use another year in the bottle.
Style: RICH RED
RAVENSWOOD 06 Zinfandel ‘Vintners Blend’, California 359257 $17.95
Big, bright, spicy Zin. Ton of flavour but not dense or weighty – could have some Beaujolais genes. Fun stuff for all your summer BBQs. Permanently available at all major LCBOs.
CIDER
Style: REFRESHING CIDER
CLOS SAINT-DENIS 07 Cider, Quebec 89490 $15.95
Dry cider that kicks in at 10 percent alcohol – a sipper. Refreshing appley flavours with the earthy character of Calvedos. The tartness would hit the spot on a hot afternoon. Lovely cheerful label.
Billy: Yikes! Clearly I didn't drink ENOUGH.
Thanks....
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