Cuvee 2018 Program

Cuvée GRAND TASTING March 23-25, 2018 March 23, 2018

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Cuvée

GRAND TASTING | M a r c h . 2 3 , 2 0 1 8

7:30 p.m.

Grand Tasting Enjoy the winemakers’ favourite wines and samplings of signature dishes created at live cooking stations.

Cuvée

9:30 p.m.

Après Cuvée Party Enjoy the Icewine and sparkling bar, craft beer, cider | Mthe GRAND a r cnight h 2 3away , 2 0 to 1 8live and coffee TASTING while you dance music from The Associates.

Midnight Après Cuvée party concludes.

March 23 to 25 Cuvée en Route Taste, tour and shop your way along the wine route with your Cuvée en Route ticket serving as your passport at participating wineries.

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Cuvée milestones 1989

Victoria Park Restaurant hosts their first Cuvée.

Approximately 350 guests attend and 16 wineries participate.

1990

Cuvée en Route begins. First Experts Tasting is organized.

1991

Addition of General List Wine Awards.

1993

Wine writer Gerald Asher is appointed Honorary Chairman.

1994

Skyline Brock Hotel hosts Cuvée.

1995

Queen’s Landing Restaurant hosts Cuvée.

Addition of Sparkling and Dessert Wine Awards.

Six chefs contribute to the Cuvée feast.

1998

Cuvée’s 10th Anniversary.

2000

Addition of Limited Edition Red and White Wine Awards.

2001

Addition of Cuvée Awards of Distinction for restaurants with the best representation of Ontario wines on their wines lists.

2003

White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa hosts Cuvée.

2004

Niagara Community Foundation takes over the planning and production of Cuvée.

2005

Addition of the Gold Awards.

2006

His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond named Patron of Cuvée.

2007

Fallsview Casino Resort becomes hosting sponsor of Cuvée.

2008

Cuvée Award of Excellence in Viticulture is introduced.

2010

Savour Ontario is the culinary host.

2011

His Excellency David Johnston named Patron of Cuvée.

2012

Record 63 wineries entered into the competition.

2013

25th Anniversary Silver Celebration and the introduction of the Grand Tasting format.

2014

25th Anniversary of the first Experts Tasting.

Niagara Community Foundation announces the transition of Cuvée stewardship to Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI).

2015

Brock University’s CCOVI takes over the planning and production of Cuvée.

2018

Cuvée’s 30th Anniversary and introduction of the Cuvée Award of Excellence in Winemaking.

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chefs of Cuvée “Artisan Ontario”

The Righteous Monger and Niagara Food Specialties Hand, Duncan and Pingue – Locally made salumi and cheeses righteousmonger.com A culmination of local cheeses and hand-made chutneys brought together by The Righteous Monger, Chef J. Mark Hand and Chef Jim Duncan, with representation of cheese partners from across Ontario.

They are joined by Mario Pingue of Niagara Food Specialties — local artisan producers of traditional Italian inspired salumi. Using Ontario pork, they hand craft prosciutto crudo, capocollo, lonza (lombo), guanciale, pancetta, cotechino (“muset”), and fresh sausage, as well as doing custom meat cutting.

The Restaurant at Bench Brewery

3991 KING ST., BEAMSVILLE (OPENING JUNE 2018)

Chef Erik Peacock grew up around the food business. An early exposure to the food business, paired with the beautiful bounty of the Niagara food and wine region, shaped Erik’s future as a chef. After spending time in Australia, Erik returned to Ontario where he attended George Brown College in Toronto for Culinary Arts. Upon his return, the wine and food scene in Niagara was emerging. This opportunity delighted Erik. He formed relationships with winemakers and winery owners as well as local food producers. They inspired Erik to create a menu focused on local ingredients infused with international flavours.

Before long, Wellington Court Restaurant was one of the region’s dining hot spots. Along with his wife Dale and chefs Cait and Jess, Erik is always reaching for perfection. Erik’s latest adventure brings him to the Restaurant at Bench Brewery, which, like the wine industry, embraces local tradition and excellence. Enjoy a sneak peak of what to expect at the Restaurant at Bench Brewery and look for its opening in June of this year.

TASTING PLATES • Smoked wild boar tourtiere with parsnip purée • Nut and seed roast with a brussel sprout salad and carrot purée

Benchmark Restaurant

135 TAYLOR RD., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-641-2252 X4619

Proud to be a part of the Canadian Food and Wine Institute, Chef Alex White and the Benchmark Restaurant team serve up a globally inspired and locally driven cuisine in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. TASTING PLATES • Crispy mushroom arancini with onion purée, truffle oil and goat’s cheese • Smoked Cajun meatballs — andouille sausage balls with creamy celery root slaw and jambalaya sauce

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Centreplate, Scotiabank Convention Centre 6815 STANLEY AVE., NIAGARA FALLS, 289-241-0448

Executive Chef James Price is an inquisitive and well-travelled chef. He has spent time in kitchens in Canada, South America, the Caribbean and South East Asia, and now finds himself here at the Scotiabank Convention Centre.

TASTING PLATES • 57 ‘sauce’ – lamb with homemade miso and parsnip ‘grits’ • Funky Monk‘ey’ – Nate’s bacon, Craig’s mushrooms, butter

HobNob Restaurant

85 MELVILLE ST., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-468-6660

Executive Chef Adam Rapsey’s culinary journey began more than 25 years ago, when he graduated from Niagara College in Hotel and Restaurant Management and then became a chef’s apprentice at the Port Dalhousie Yacht Club. At the RimRock Hotel in Banff, Adam broadened his career path by working with chefs and aspiring chefs in a professional kitchen brigade. Eager to come back home to the Niagara region and to wine country, he started at the Pillar and Post in 2001 as a chef’s apprentice cook. After 10 years, he had advanced to Sous Chef, then accepted a promotion to Executive Sous Chef at the Prince of Wales. During his time at Prince of Wales, he continued to fuel his passion for the food, mystique and history of the storied hotel. In September 2017, Chef Rapsey accepted a new role as the Executive Chef of the HobNob Restaurant.

TASTING PLATES • Pan-seared, citrus-cured salmon underneath pickled fennel and cucumber slaw with dill vodka pearls • Icewine chicken liver parfait

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chefs of Cuvée Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate

2145 REGIONAL RD. 55, NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-351-1132

Born in Niagara, Chef Tim Mackiddie was introduced to the world of food and wine at an early age. Tim’s father is a vineyard manager in Niagara, so growing up he was surrounded by information and knowledge about winemaking and the grapes that are able to grow in our cool climate. His first summer job was in a winery cellar, where he learned that it took many steps to produce quality Ontario wines.

Having graduated from the Culinary Management program at Niagara College, Tim’s educational experience not only excited him but reconfirmed for him how privileged he was to work with the abundant offerings of both wine and food that the Niagara region had to offer.

After college, he worked as an apprentice at one of the local wineries, which was his first professional taste of the food and wine industry from the kitchen perspective. From there, Tim was mentored and inspired by Chef Erik Peacock at the Wellington Court Restaurant, St. Catharines. Erik taught him both the technical and personal aspects of the industry as well as sharing his strong knowledge of Ontario wines and unique wine and food pairings. Wanting to gain more international experience, Tim travelled throughout New Zealand for 14 months where he worked and gained great insight. During his travels, he worked extensively in the kitchen as well as farming livestock, garnering a new respect for the entire animal. This outlook eventually led Tim to discover the true art of curing and smoking meats as well as gaining a much better understanding of the world of charcuterie. These experiences led Tim to appreciate “honest food” and gain respect for top quality, fresh ingredients. Tim literally stepped off the plane right into the kitchens of Le Clos Jordanne, Jackson-Triggs and Inniskillin. He has evolved into his current position as Estate Chef for Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery and Inniskillin Wines where he is involved in creating and executing onsite culinary activities and many off-site events and festivals.

TASTING PLATES • Red wine smoked pork belly with “hominy grits”, house cured “lardo” and collard slaw • “Very fresh” black truffle mozzarella with roasted sun chokes and raw beet salad

Karma Kameleon Gastropub

1 FRONT ST. NORTH, THOROLD, 905-227-2233

Chefs William and Shannon Brunyansky have created the Karma Kameleon Gastropub in the heart of Thorold, where there is a true “flavour for everyone.” Here, they bring a lifetime of culinary knowledge and expertise that has been gained in two and three Michelin-starred properties in England, as well as four and five Diamond establishments in Canada and the USA. Together, they have developed a unique brand, blending contemporary French flair with southern flavours.

TASTING PLATES • Caramelized East Coast seared scallops “escabeche,” citrus marinated vegetables with a cilantro cream • Roasted butternut squash risotto with baby spinach, cinnamon chantilly and almond powder 7

Taris On The Water

200 DENISTOUN ST. APARTMENT 607, WELLAND, 289-213-4990

Chef Justin Upper has spent the majority of his culinary career in Niagara wine country. He began cooking under the guidance of Kevin Maniaci at On The Twenty in Jordan, Ont. After four years, he left to work in Toronto at numerous reputable establishments.

Justin found his way back to wine country and held sous chef positions at The Charles Inn, Kitchen 76 and Trius. Recently, he was given the opportunity to showcase his understanding of wine country fare as the chef de cuisine at Taris On The Water in Welland, Ont. Sophisticated yet simple, Justin’s food reminds us there’s no shortage of young talented chefs in Niagara.

TASTING PLATES • Steamed mussels with white wine crema, polenta topped with crispy proscuitto • Falafel crispy fried chick pea fritters, salsa vierge, pickled red cabbage and tahini. Vegan friendly

Treadwell Cuisine PO BOX 1211, 114 QUEEN ST., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-934-9797

British-born Chef Stephen Treadwell was trained in some of the finest kitchens in England, Switzerland and Sweden. From 1988 to 1994, he was Chef de Cuisine at Auberge du Pommier in Toronto, considered one of the finest French restaurants in Canada. After the restaurant was named “Patron’s Pick” as “Best Restaurant in Toronto 1994,” Stephen left Auberge du Pommier for Niagara-onthe-Lake, becoming Executive Chef at Queen’s Landing Inn. Over the next 11 years, Stephen established the Tiara Dining Room at Queen’s Landing Inn as one of the top hotel restaurants in Canada (named “Best Restaurant in Southern Ontario” by Stir Magazine) while also pioneering the concept of “Niagara Cuisine” with fellow chefs Michael Olsen, Mark Picone and Tony de Luca. Having built his reputation in the area, as well as numerous relationships with farmers in the region, Stephen opened Treadwell Farm-to-Table Cuisine in 2006. Stephen was inducted as a Fellow into the Ontario Hostelry Institute in 2005, named 2009 “Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, and recently was awarded the 2012 “Gold Award - Chef of the Year” from the Ontario Hostelry Institute.

TASTING PLATES • Fresh albacore tuna with pickled wild mushrooms from around Canada. Served with soy mayonnaise and porcini crisp • Beef cheek slider — slow-cooked “VG Meats” beef cheek on a house-made milk bun served with Upper Canada Niagara Gold, pickled onion and spicy mayonnaise

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chefs of Cuvée Zees Grill/Shaw Club Hotel

92 PICTON ST., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-468-6658

Chef Matt Tattrie has more than 15 years of experience in the culinary industry. He has worked at the Pillar and Post, Prince of Whales and Queens Landing over a span of 11 years in NOTL. He is a Niagara College Culinary alumni, who previously served as Executive Chef of the Riverbend Inn. Matt is now Executive Chef at Zees Grill, where he has served for more than four years. Zees has also received the Four-Diamond restaurant designation from the Canadian Automobile Association.

TASTING PLATES • Grilled and chilled chili lime shrimp • Mini rosemary Yorkshire pudding filled with wasabi aioli and roasted AAA beef striploin

Sweets Criveller Cakes

4435 PORTAGE RD., NIAGARA FALLS, 905-356-9441

Giovanni Del Priore and Leonardo Priore — Giovanni Del Priore left his hometown of Avellino, Italy with big dreams and a passion for natural foods and confections. In 1998, he and long-time friend Leonardo Priore acquired a well-known and established landmark called Crivellers — an elegant European-style pastry and chocolate boutique. Both men were mentored by classically trained, master pastry chefs from Italy. Today, thanks to the dedication, drive, and passion of these two men, Criveller Cakes is one of the most soughtafter establishments for weddings and other festive occasions.

Giovanni believes that quality can never be compromised and the satisfaction of the customer is his No. 1 priority. He lives by the credo: “If a man loves the labour of his trace, the gods have found him.”

TASTING PLATES • ‘Croque en Bouche,’ fresh bignes filled with flavoured custards • Assorted European tortes • Icewine truffles from a variety of Niagara’s premier wineries

Italian Ice Cream

5458 VICTORIA AVE., NIAGARA FALLS, 905-356-3866

Andrew Vergalito is the chef/owner of The Italian Ice Cream Company, in Niagara Falls, which was established in 1978. With more than 20 years of experience, Andrew enjoys creating new and classic gelato flavours for everyone to enjoy. His inspiration comes for the bounty of Niagara, local top chefs and ingredients from Italy.

Enjoy!

TASTING PLATES • Gelato Bar

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wines of Cuvée 13th Street Winery

1776 FOURTH AVE., ST. CATHARINES, 905-984-8463 13thstreetwinery.com WINEMAKER: Jean-Pierre Colas FAVOURITE WINE: Premier Cuvée 2012, $34.95 W I chose this wine because this is a real challenge for me. I was not a “bubbly” winemaker at the beginning, and I am struggling a lot even with the concept of elaborating a top line wine with those very suspicious unripe grapes. I am not even a sparkling fan as a consumer, so the only way to approach it was for me to think ‘blending’ and then I can pass through it. I played with different varietals and vintages, reserve wine and dosage (or no dosage) in order to create complexity and balance around an acid base frame, and I was always aiming for elegance in the equation. Come and taste the result!

FAVOURITE WINE: Whitty Vineyard Gamay 2016, $23.95 W This wine is one more step in 13th Street Winery’s journey with Gamay. We love Gamay on its own — as a single varietal. The major source of our grapes is a single vineyard at the new 13th street winery location, found on the Creek Shores sub appellation. Our site is a young vineyard, from our 20092010 plantation, which was propagated from cuttings-to-cuttings. To do so, we used a “selection massale” that has come from an already established “selection massale.” This means we have propagated our vineyards using exceptional old vines without any new commercial clones! It is a pure expression of the Niagara region and great example of its potential. Come try it for yourself!

Adamo Estate Winery

793366 3RD LINE, MONO, 519 942-3969 adamoestate.com WINEMAKER: Shauna White FAVOURITE WINE: Foxcroft Cabernet Franc 2015, $49.00 W O Our 2015 Foxcroft Cabernet Franc is true to varietal character with great depth and intensity. It is a serious Cabernet Franc with longevity and would benefit from ageing to soften and show the layers of secondary and tertiary characters. Foxcroft vineyard is a well-established vineyard that is fantastic to work with and has excellent concentration and focus.

FAVOURITE WINE: Willms Vineyard Chardonnay Oaked 2015, $31.00 W O Willms Vineyard is an awesome growing site for Chardonnay. The sandy, stoney and mineral-rich soil creates a unique profile in the wine made from it. This special site has similar wine flavours in hot years and cool years alike.

As it ages, the soil shines through the fruit and impacts the secondary and tertiary flavours. It is a gem in the Four Mile Creek appellation that we are lucky to work with!

Arterra

2145 NIAGARA STONE RD., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-468-4637 jacksontriggswinery.com WINEMAKER: Marco Piccoli FAVOURITE WINE: Arterra Chardonnay 2016, $29.95 W O As the name of this wine suggests, the concept of the ‘art of terroir’ is very symbolic here. Wines produced in small lots are reflective of how craftsmanship and proficiency are key elements in winemaking, and the Arterra Chardonnay is proof of that philosophy.

FAVOURITE WINE: Arterra Pinot Noir 2016, $29.95 W O As the name of this wine suggests, the concept of the ‘art of terroir’ is very symbolic here. Wines produced in small lots are reflective of how craftsmanship and proficiency are key elements in winemaking, and the Arterra Pinot Noir is proof of that philosophy.

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Burning Kiln Winery

1709 FRONT ST., ST. WILLIAMS, 519 586-9858 burningkilnwinery.ca WINEMAKER: Lydia Tomek FAVOURITE WINE: Cureman’s Chard (Chardonnay) 2016, $24.95 W All fruit that was used to make this Chardonnay was sourced from our winery estate vineyards. The 2016 vintage was clean, crisp and full of ripe flavours.

Our grapes were all hand-picked (on a total of four different pick days), hand sorted, and the whole clusters were gently pressed. Fermented and aged in only French Oak (ranging from new to five-year-old barriques and foudres).

The wine spent a total of nine months in-barrel, where it was lees- stirred bi-weekly. There is a soft, elegant balance between oak tones and fruit, and I am pleased with how the wine finishes soft and bright. A fun wine to pair at the dinner table.

FAVOURITE WINE: Prime (Kiln Dried Pinot Noir) 2016, $24.95 W My relationship with Pinot Noir can sometimes seem like a “bad romance.”

It is intriguing and seductive and then, just when you think you get the wine, it leaves you lost and searching. This wine started off as a ‘bad romance’ but later flourished into one of my most loved wines of 2016. Our pristine estate Pinot Noir was hand-picked, hand-sorted, and fermented with wild and commercial yeast strains. When making this wine, I knew I wanted to do something unique — not only for the winery but also for the region of Norfolk (an emerging viticultural area). My vision was a Pinot that was true to its terroir but also concentrated and ripe in flavour and weight. I wanted fruit, silk and a touch of that Ontario stoney raspberry finish that I appreciated over the years in many Pinots from Ontario. Eighty-five per cent of our estate fruit was put into kilns for 18 days, where we reached just over 28 Brix. The remaining 15 per cent was whole berry fermented. Fermentation was finished in oak for both lots. I loved making this wine because it taught me about the importance of being true and organic to the fruit. With that said, this is a wine that should be experienced and not just seen. The colour appears as a soft red and the flavours are made up of ripe stewed strawberries, cherry stone, raspberries and subtle floral tones. It’s definitely one of Burning Kiln’s most endearing wines.

Cave Spring Cellars

3836 MAIN ST., JORDAN STATION, 905-562-3581 cavespring.ca WINEMAKER: Angelo Pavan FAVOURITE WINE: Riesling CSV 2015, $29.95 W V In a recent article in Decanter Magazine, internationally renowned wine writer Ian d’Agata paid homage to this wine: “There’s probably no better estate than this in all of Canada, given its long track record for excellence, the large number of wines made and its willingness to innovate. The CSV is a benchmark Canadian Riesling which embodies the richer, riper but very mineral, peachy style typical of the Beamsville Bench.”

FAVOURITE WINE: Cabernet Franc Niagara Escarpment 2015, $17.95 GP In winemaker Angelo Pavan’s words: “There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Cabernet Franc is the Bordeaux variety best suited to Niagara’s terroir. With the right work in the vineyard and cellar, Niagara Cabernet Franc as a mono-varietal can reach the highest level of vineyard expression when compared with the other Bordeaux varieties.”

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wines of Cuvée Château des Charmes

1025 YORK RD., ST. DAVIDS, 905-262-4219 fromtheboscfamily.com WINEMAKER: Amelie Boury FAVOURITE WINE: Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard Equuleus 2014, $43.00 W O Our flagship wine, Equuleus, is only made in the best years — 2014 was one of those vintages. We’ve just released this wine as the follow up to the 2012 vintage, which earned ‘Red Wine of the Year’ at the 2017 Ontario wine awards. This blend is a perfect example of how Bordeaux varietals can flourish in the right vineyard sites in Niagara and deliver outstanding wines.

FAVOURITE WINE: Mèthode Traditionnelle Rosé Sparkling 2014, $32.95 W O Making sparkling wines is a labour of love, but what makes this particular wine truly special is the wonderful colour. The vibrant pink hue comes from using Pinot Noir as the dosage. This wine is bottle aged on the lees for a minimum of 18 months, and the team disgorges each bottle by hand just before it leaves our cellar. The practice of RD, or recently disgorged, is a sign of quality and attention to detail on the part of the producer.

Colaneri Estate Winery

348 CONCESSION 6 RD., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-682-2100 colaneriwines.com WINEMAKER: Andrzej Lipinski FAVOURITE WINE: Pensieri Merlot 2011, SOLD OUT, Cuvée Exclusive Nestled between two hot and dry vintages, the 2011 vintage displayed amazing and interesting characteristics with all of the wines. This Merlot is a perfect example of this complexity, and we are very excited to showcase such a beautiful wine from the Colaneri Family’s personal cellar. With countless layers from spice to chocolate and an incredibly long finish, it is a wine we cannot get enough of. It really had us at Merlot!

FAVOURITE WINE: Cavallone Pinot Grigio 2014, $21.95 W O Our unique Pinot Grigio has always been a favourite due to its peachy colour and surprisingly flavourful character stemming from the appassimento style.

This is the perfect wine for any occasion, as it pairs seamlessly with many foods and is enjoyed by all palates. You’ll be wishing for summer with this beautiful wine!

Cornerstone Estate Winery

4390 TUFFORD RD., BEAMSVILLE, 905-563-6758 cornerstonewinery.com WINEMAKER: Lukasz Orwinski FAVOURITE WINE: Cabernet Franc 2013, $29.00 W This Cabernet Franc is special to us for many reasons. Aside from 2013 being a great vintage, this wine is the product of both our former and current winemakers working together. It wonderfully presents both of their styles — the bold, bright 100 per cent appassimento style Andrzej Lipinski is famous for, married with the softness, smoothness, pleasance and elegance that Lukasz Orwinski brings to the table. Enjoy it today, or age it for a while — this wine is perfect for any occasion.

FAVOURITE WINE: Barrel Aged Sauvignon Blanc 2016, $35.00 W This 2016 Sauvignon Blanc spent three months in new French oak barrels after being hand-picked and hand-sorted from a reduced crop at the estate vineyard. The oak adds a wonderful roundness and a touch of sweetness to a varietal that tends to be more tart and crisp. It truly represents Lukasz Orwinski’s style of winemaking — beautifully balanced acidity and sugars. It is his personal favourite and has quickly become our best-selling white since its release.

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Creekside Estate Winery

2170 FOURTH AVE., JORDAN STATION, 905-562-0035 creeksidewine.com WINEMAKER: Rob Power FAVOURITE WINE: Broken Press Syrah 2015, $55.00 W For the past 21 years, we have been championing the success of great coolclimate Syrah, and we have been fortunate to tend one of the best Syrah vineyards in Ontario. Year after year, our Queenston Road Vineyard exceeds expectation and over delivers on fruit quality. Evolving from a Murphy’s Law style accident in 2004, this co-fermented style with Viognier has become one of our most cult-followed wines and one of my absolute favourites to vinify.

FAVOURITE WINE: ICONOCLAST 2016, $23.00 W Everyone has encountered that epiphany wine moment. You know that moment: when flavour, intensity and pure bliss overwhelm your senses? For me, it was an experience with a beautiful Bordeaux Blanc. Ever since that moment, I have been searching to re-create that same blissful sip. With the 2016 vintage came intense Semillon, unctuous Sauvignon Blanc and an unrivaled intensity that I had long forgotten. Our 2016 Iconoclast Semillon Sauvignon Blanc is my homage to the great Bordeaux Blancs I have longingly loved, but with our own irreverent Creekside spin.

Domaine Queylus

3651 SIXTEEN RD., ST. ANNS, 905-562-7474 queylus.shop WINEMAKER: Thomas Bachelder FAVOURITE WINE: Pinot Noir Grande Réserve 2013, $60.00 W O This Pinot Noir is the most chiseled, mineral, burgundy-like Grande Réserve that we have made. Perhaps paradoxically, due in part to the ripeness of the gentle, stoney tannins and the immense density of the suave fruit, it may appear to drink well young. In fact, it is a truly great, complex and classy Pinot Noir — one that will take time to show its true complexity.

FAVOURITE WINE: Pinot Noir Grand Réserve 2015, $60.00 W O This Pinot Noir hails from a year of fabulous maturity that has yet to show what it will become. It will give great pleasure while young and will likely have great longevity and complexity. This Grande Réserve is sure to live long and improve, and with time, display the local terroir indelibly!

Fielding Estate Winery

4020 LOCUST LN., BEAMSVILLE, 905-563-0668 fieldingwines.com WINEMAKER: Richie Roberts FAVOURITE WINE: Traditional Method Sparkling Brut NV, $36.95 W O I wanted to pour this wine because we make incredible sparkling wine in Niagara! The wine is non-vintage but is comprised of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, based on the 2014 vintage, and spent 30 months on lees.

FAVOURITE WINE: Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, $42.95 W O I think this wine is expressive enough to be enjoyed now, but it should also age for years to come. It shows a nice mix of savoury character with dark fruit and fine tannins, and it’s one of my favourite wines to drink at the moment.

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wines of Cuvée Flat Rock Cellars

2727 SEVENTH AVE., JORDAN STATION, 905-562-8994 flatrockcellars.com WINEMAKER: Dave Sheppard FAVOURITE WINE: Reserve Riesling 2014, $30.00 W This is a powerful and intense wine that showcases the true potential of Twenty Mile Bench Riesling. Sourced from our famous Nadja’s vineyard and the neighbouring block of our Weiss Clone 21, this dry Riesling is crisp and lively on the palate with refreshing citrus and mineral characteristics that stand up to and complement a variety of richly flavoured and textured dishes.

FAVOURITE WINE: Gravity Pinot Noir 2014, $34.95 GP W O The Gravity Pinot Noir is our opportunity to put forward what we feel is the most complex, intense and pure example of Pinot Noir from our estate vineyard in a specific vintage. No two years are alike, as we wish to showcase the nature of the growing season, the work we did in the vineyard that year, and trusting our intuition in the cellar throughout the wine’s life to make it our best. The 2014 Pinot Noir vintage was a fantastic one that is drinking beautifully now but will reward those with the willpower to hold on to it.

Fogolar Wines

4055 NINETEENTH ST., JORDAN STATION, 905-562-7080 fogolarwines.ca WINEMAKER: Marc Pistor FAVOURITE WINE: Cabernet Franc — Picone Vineyard 2015, $44.40 W I love Cabernet Franc. I have had the opportunity to work with some great vineyards in the past, but none provide the concentration, consistency and quality that I have seen from the Picone Vineyard. At slightly more than an acre, the vineyard naturally yields at low levels due to the age of its vines and the soils that they are in. The resulting wines demonstrate great depth and complexity, exemplifying the best of what we can do with Cabernet Franc in Ontario.

FAVOURITE WINE: Riesling 2016, $19.20 W For me, Riesling has always been a versatile variety, an opportunity, as a winemaker, to express some personal style while maintaining truth in the origin and vintage. The grapes for this wine are from the Hughes Vineyard in Vineland. The minerality, acidity and concentration of this vineyard lend well to the style of this wine. An arrested fermentation and extended lees contact yield a rich, complex and expressive nose with a balanced palate and long finish representative of my favourite style of Riesling.

G. Marquis

ONLINE, 1-800-461-9463 gmarquis.com WINEMAKER: Peter Rotar FAVOURITE WINE: G. Marquis The Silver Line Epic 2013, $29.95, V O This wine is always a favourite of mine. The rich softness of the tannins working in the background of this wine make it so comforting. The lively acidity gives it a refreshing quality, and the familiarity of the cabernet essence brings memories of decadent dinners enjoyed with family.

FAVOURITE WINE: G. Marquis The Silver Line Chardonnay 2016, $17.95 V This is a wine that exemplifies the change from winter to spring, and it is crafted with the utmost care. It has beautiful tropical flavours that make me yearn for warmer weather, but the notes of toast and oak are warm, like a jacket that I’m just not ready to take off yet.

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Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery 1469 PELHAM RD., ST. CATHARINES, 905-684-8423 henryofpelham.com

WINEMAKER: Sandrine Bourcier FAVOURITE WINE: Speck Family Reserve Cabernet-Merlot 2015, $39.95 V W The 2015 Speck Family Reserve Cabernet-Merlot grapes are all estate grown from one of the oldest blocks of vines with severe crop control, resulting in very low yields and overall concentration of aromas and flavours. This wine expresses the best of the three Bordeaux red varieties.

On the nose, this wine offers dense red fruit, cassis and red currants with a touch of vanilla, smoke and black pepper. A round, ample attack without edges continues to develop into a gradual increase of the perception of tannins on the palate.

FAVOURITE WINE: Cuvée Catharine Rosé Brut NV, $29.95 GP W O This is a particularly interesting wine to make, as each step is demanding and complex over a three-year process. Between harvesting, bottling tirage, aging and riddling/disgorging, anything can go wrong. The blend of these grapes (75 per cent Pinot Noir/25 per cent Chardonnay) is a great expression of the Short Hills Bench. The delicate and enticing colour reflects the expression of the fruit, which is further carried by the bubbles.

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ICELLARS Estate Winery

615 CONCESSION 5 RD., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 289-479-5969 icellars.ca WINEMAKER: Adnan Icel FAVOURITE WINE: Wiyana Wanda 2015, $75.00 W O This is the biggest and boldest red wine we have made to date. A reserve quality Bordeaux blend that ages in French oak barrels for 24 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

FAVOURITE WINE: Chardonnay 2016, $45.00 W O A barrel-fermented and 12-month French oak barrel-aged Chardonnay.

Inniskillin Niagara Estate

1499 LINE 3, NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-468-2187 inniskillin.com WINEMAKER: Bruce Nicholson FAVOURITE WINE: Inniskillin Discovery Series Legacy Pinot Gris 2016, $34.95 The Legacy Pinot Gris is easily one of our best single varietal white wines from 2016 and really showcases our Discovery Series and the creativity behind true artisanal winemaking.

FAVOURITE WINE: Inniskillin Sparkling Vidal Icewine 2016, $79.95 V W O The Sparkling Vidal Icewine is such a unique wine, in and of itself — what could be better than a fabulous Icewine made even better by a subtle effervescence? This wine really exhibits the incredible characteristics of the Vidal varietal at its best.

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wines of Cuvée Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate

2145 NIAGARA STONE RD., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-468-4637 jacksontriggswinery.com WINEMAKER: Marco Piccoli FAVOURITE WINE: Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Grand Reserve Entourage Sparkling Brut 2014, $29.95 V W O The Entourage Brut is truly a flagship wine for us. In my view, it’s an excellent representation of the quintessential Niagara sparkling wine using the traditional blend components of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The versatility of this sparkling wine makes it the ideal pairing partner and perfect for any occasion or celebration.

FAVOURITE WINE: Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Grand Reserve Merlot 2015, $24.95 W O I find immense pleasure in crafting wine with this varietal. We choose the best fruit from the vineyard and find that this is a malleable grape to work with, even under difficult harvest conditions. It inspires me to be creative in my approach, always yielding an innovative and unique expression of the grape variety.

Kacaba Vineyards

3550 KING ST., VINELAND, 905-562-5625 kacaba.com WINEMAKER: John Tummon FAVOURITE WINE: Reserve Syrah 2015, $44.95 W O The 2015 Reserve Syrah is a blend of the best barrels from our three Syrah Vineyards. Nearly one third of our vineyards are dedicated to Syrah, and it is on one of the oldest plantings in Canada. This Gold Medal-winning Syrah benefited from a very warm, dry summer and fall, producing a full bodied, ripe, intensely aromatic wine. Vintages such as 2015 come only once or twice a decade.

FAVOURITE WINE: Effervescence 2016, $29.95 W O This limited-edition sparkling sells out every year for the simple reason that it is consistently delicious. By blending Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a little Riesling, we are able to craft a cuvée that results in a sparkling that is consistently fresh and lively with tropical notes, kiwi and orange blossom with a hint of biscotti.

Karlo Estates

561 DANFORTH RD., WELLINGTON, 613-399-3000 karloestates.com WINEMAKER: Derek Barnett FAVOURITE WINE: Estate Grown Pinot Noir 2016, $65.00 W O This wine is a testament to our estate’s terroir and the red wine variety the county excels at. This Pinot Noir is complex with structure, balance and length. A deeper, darker, more full-bodied Pinot with notes of black cherry, black tea leaf and cigar box on the nose, this structured, complex wine has flavours of cranberry, cassis, dried cloves and dark chocolate truffle. We chose this wine because we think it’s awesome.

FAVOURITE WINE: Estate Grown Chardonnay 2016, $35.00 W O This is the first 100 per cent estate grown Chardonnay we’ve been able to produce, and it’s an excellent expression of our terroir. With waves of layers, our estate Chardonnay has a nose of créme brulée, hazelnut espresso, succulent yellow pear and banana pudding. Roasted nuts, toasted burnt caramel and vanilla are brightened by lemon meringue pie. We love the praise we’ve been getting from wine critics and we happen to agree with them.

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Konzelmann Estate Winery

1096 LAKESHORE RD., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-935-2866 konzelmann.ca WINEMAKER: Herbert Konzelmann FAVOURITE WINE: Riesling Old Vines Reserve 2016, $18.95 W O Herbert says: “The most mature vines were used to produce this elegantly dry Riesling. Though lower yielding, these vines produce fruit with exquisitely complex flavour and subtle minerality.”

FAVOURITE WINE: Cabernet Merlot Reserve 2012, $39.95 W O Herbert says: “‘This Cabernet Merlot blend was hand-picked, thinning throughout the growing season, using gentle crushing and aged in French oak (Allier) for 12 months. It has ripe cherry and vanilla aromas that are juicy on the palate with a well-integrated tannin.”

London Born Wine Company

3749 WALKER RD., BEAMSVILLE, 905-563-7256 londonbornwines.com WINEMAKER: William Hoare FAVOURITE WINE: The Docklands Marechal Foch 2015, $27.95 W O Our estate-grown Marechal Foch is as equally rich in flavour as it is in character. The vines are over 60 years old, infusing a unique earthiness to every grape harvested. Much like the Docklands in London itself, this big, bold red offers a bouquet of sweet tobacco and warm spice while greeting the palate with smooth notes of smoke and leather. Aged two years in mature American oak, I’m transported to the Docklands with every sip I take.

FAVOURITE WINE: Pinot Blanc Reserve 2016, $25.00 W O There’s nothing quite like cozying up to the fire on those still, chilly days while enjoying an equally warming glass of wine. Caramel and perfectly golden toast shine through the bouquet while the palate coats the mouth with notes of marmalade and lime zest, leading to an orange liquor finish. I took a slightly different approach with this Pinot Blanc Reserve by ageing it in neutral oak for 18 months, and I couldn’t be happier with the results.

Lundy Manor Wine Cellars

9941 LUNDY’S LN., NIAGARA FALLS, 905-354-6999 lundymanorwinecellars.ca WINEMAKER: Adam Kerns FAVOURITE WINE: Lundy Manor Wine Cellars — Riesling 2016, $24.95, W V (Sept) O and selected Hotels and Restaurants This Riesling captures the true essence of Niagara. A pale straw appearance with a nose of golden apple and Bartlett pear. A very clean, medium acidity with a long finish.

FAVOURITE WINE: Lundy Manor Wine Cellars — Chardonnay 2016, $25.50, W O and selected Hotels and Restaurants Our Chardonnay is a very clean, medium intensity with hints of white peach and a fresh vanilla cream nose. It features soft tannins with a medium acidity and a glorious long finish.

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wines of Cuvée Magnotta Winery

4701 ONTARIO ST., BEAMSVILLE, 1-800-461-9463 magnotta.com WINEMAKER: Peter Rotar FAVOURITE WINE: Meritage Limited Edition 2015, $19.95 W O My inspiration for choosing this wine is, quite simply, the way that it is drinking right now. The oak has mellowed, but the expression of fruit is still quite bold. That juxtaposition makes this an excellent wine for heralding the arrival of springtime.

FAVOURITE WINE: Pinot² Special Reserve VQA 2016, $13.95 W O I really appreciate the inventiveness of this wine. We get floral notes from the Pinot Grigio and earthy tones and textures from the Pinot Noir, so the overall effect of the wine is like a flower garden that has just sprung into bloom.

Malivoire Wine Co.

4260 KING ST. EAST, BEAMSVILLE, 905-563-9253 OR 1-866-644-2244 malivoire.com WINEMAKER: Shiraz Mottiar FAVOURITE WINE: Stouck Viognier 2016, $26.95 W O An explosive white wine from an exquisite vintage. The warmth of 2016 enhanced both the opulent aromas and gorgeous richness, making it one of the stars of the vintage.

FAVOURITE WINE: Stouck Meritage 2014, $24.95 W O The Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from the Stouck vineyard, grown by our resident cellar master Dan Stouck, always exudes intense fruit and deep texture. The pedigree of this fruit is amplified by this Meritage from the challenging 2014 vintage.

Megalomaniac

3930 CHERRY AVE., VINELAND, 905-562-5155 megalomaniacwine.com WINEMAKER: Sebastien Jacquey FAVOURITE WINE: Bespoke Series-Pinot Noir 2015, $49.95 W This wine is from the very top part of our block, where topsoil is very shallow and the vines’ roots are exposed to the dolomite mother rock. In order to showcase the specificity of this terroir, we picked it by hand, fermented and aged it separately from the rest of the block. This wine has been handled through a very gentle and long extraction on skin in tank and then aged for 16 months in French oak barrels, with only 20 per cent new. We found it expresses the minerality of the bench and the concentration of the vintage very well, but stays elegant and lively on its fruit expression.

FAVOURITE WINE: Frank 2015, $27.95 W and Licensee Our blocks of Cabernet franc are from 10- to-25-year-old vines and we found that our terroir has an affinity for this variety. Picked in early November to allow the grapes to get to their sugar and skin ripeness, we then fermented this wine at a fairly cool temperature to express the dark fruits and the floral components of this variety. We managed our extraction to be very minimal toward the end of the ferment and during post-fermentation in order to build a wine in finesse and concentration. We then aged this wine for 18 months in French oak barrels with 28 per cent new oak. This wine is revealing a bouquet of dark fruits with oak spices and notes of violet, the palate is powerful, but refined, with an elegant structure, and good fruit weight and a smooth texture.

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Niagara College Teaching Winery

135 TAYLOR RD., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-641-2252 X4070 niagaracollegewine.ca WINEMAKER: Gavin Robertson FAVOURITE WINE: Dean’s List Meritage 2012, $25.15 W O This blend of 45 per cent Cabernet Franc, 38 per cent Merlot and 17 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon shows off the hot vintage with great fruit concentration and depth. It was allowed to evolve into a rich, dark, full-bodied wine, with two years of barrel ageing in French and American oak barrels, and has softened with additional years of bottle ageing, showing complex fruit, wood and earth characteristics.

FAVOURITE WINE: Balance Viognier 2016, $19.15 W O I’ve had fun working with this white varietal, which is less common in Ontario than the usual suspects of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Gris. It shows a lot of the same great freshness and vibrancy in our cool climate, in most vintages, but can also offer some complexity with less work, barrel ferments and a bit of age.

Palatine Hills Estate Winery

911 LAKESHORE RD., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-646-9617 palatinehillsestatewinery.com WINEMAKER: Tim Reilly FAVOURITE WINE: Neufeld Vineyard Chardonnay 2012, $20.00 W O Chardonnay is one of the two flagship wines of the Neufeld Vineyard. It grows very well in our sandy loam soil, and a slight hint of minerality shines through, typical of Niagara wines. This Chardonnay has a rich creamy note, with a touch of lemon pith. Chardonnay (especially heavily oaked chardonnays such as this one) allows for me to indulge in a delicious full-bodied wine that pairs with simple dishes such as theatre-style popcorn, but also more elegant dishes such as roasted turkey and cranberry infused gravy.

FAVOURITE WINE: Neufeld Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2012, $25.00 W O Ontario grows fantastic Cabernet Franc. From the Neufeld Vineyard, the 2012 Cab Franc has notes of cherry and a slight earthiness that gives way to a long pepper-dominated finish. This Cabernet Franc has spent 18 months in French oak barrels, which allows for a subtle vanilla-oak flavour through the mid-palette. Cabernet Franc is my favorite wine to make, and my go-to wine to pair with game meat-based dishes, or pasta with roasted veggies. It is such a versatile wine for every occasion!

Pelee Island Winery

455 SEACLIFF DR., KINGSVILLE, 519-733-6551 peleeisland.com WINEMAKER: Martin Janz FAVOURITE WINE: Vinedressers Meritage 2016, $24.95 W This wine was chosen for its silky tannins and soft contours. It is exceptionally polished and inviting.

FAVOURITE WINE: Lighthouse Sauvignon Blanc 2017, N/A This is our newest Sauvignon Blanc. It is fresh and crisp with a light lemony finish.

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wines of Cuvée Peller Estates Winery

290 JOHN ST. EAST, NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-468-4678 peller.com WINEMAKER: Katie Dickieson FAVOURITE WINE: Andrew Peller Signature Series Riesling 2016, $29.95 W Our first Peller Estates Riesling to earn the Andrew Peller Signature — I am stoked about this wine! From our 29-year-old vines in Four Mile Creek, this wine is all about layers. It was harvested early in 2016 to retain bright acidity and later perfectly balanced with süssreserve.

FAVOURITE WINE: Andrew Peller Signature Series Cabernet Franc 2015, $48.95 From our Carlton Farm vineyard in Four Mile Creek, this is my favourite red of the 2015 vintage. The wine is structured and aromatic and, even with a cooler start to the growing season, boasts ripe tannins due to the warm fall and excellent harvest conditions.

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Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery

5600 KING ST. WEST, BEAMSVILLE, 905-563-0900 peninsularidge.com WINEMAKER: Jamie Evans FAVOURITE WINE: Vintner’s Private Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2016, $24.95 W Sauvignon Blanc has long been a favourite here at Peninsula Ridge, and in the best vintages we make a gently oaked version. I love the oak and fruit interaction and how this particular varietal expresses the vineyard in a different way when it is aged in oak.

FAVOURITE WINE: Reserve Syrah 2015, $24.95 W O Red varietals had a very good year in 2015, both on the Beamsville Bench and in Niagara Lakeshore, which are the two areas where we grow Syrah.

Complexity is key: the spice, dark and light fruit, and hints of leather and cured meat make the Reserve Syrah a fun wine to make.

Pillitteri Estates Winery

1696 NIAGARA STONE RD., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-468-3147 pillitteri.com WINEMAKER: Alex Kolundzic FAVOURITE WINE: Gewurztraminer Riesling 2016, $12.95 GP W O Our Gewurztraminer Riesling is one of our best selling and most popular wines. It has just received the Best Value Award from Intervin for the third consecutive year, and it is always our goal to ensure this wine over delivers in quality for a $13 aromatic white blend.

FAVOURITE WINE: Cabernet Merlot 2015, $20.00 W This is a barrel aged wine that offers excellent value for price. It has wonderful soft tannin and one of my favourite aromas of all my wines. I find it a very well balanced wine and when I was working on the blend I was very happy with how the aromatic flavourful Cabernet blended with the soft subtle Merlot.

Pondview Estate Winery

925 LINE 2 R.R. 2, NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-468-0777 pondviewwinery.com WINEMAKER: Fred DiProfio FAVOURITE WINE: Meritage 2013, $49.95 W O A remarkable Bordeaux blend for a challenging vintage like 2013. Our hard work in the vineyard allowed us to ripen our Bella Terra reds to a great level of ripeness and create a full-bodied red that is true to our vineyard and appellation. It is an expression of true commitment and dedication in crafting quality wines.

FAVOURITE WINE: Bella Terra Chardonnay 2015, $29.95 W O By using 100 per cent French barrels, we have produced a beautiful Chardonnay that is full bodied, smooth and well balanced. It is a very fine example of a quality cool climate Chardonnay.

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Reif Estate Winery

15608 NIAGARA PKWY., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-468-9463 reifwinery.com WINEMAKER: Roberto DiDomenico FAVOURITE WINE: Gewurztraminer Reserve 2015, $19.95 W O We have been growing Gewurztraminer on the farm since 1988 and tried various winemaking techniques to maximize colour and flavour extraction. In the last couple of years, we have left it on the lees a bit longer, which resulted in an exceptionally complex wine that expresses the terroir of this 30-yearold vineyard.

FAVOURITE WINE: Shiraz Reserve 2016, $26.95 W O It was really easy to pick a red from the exceptional 2016 vintage. This Shiraz is harvested from a 15-year-old farm across the street from our winery. We have been working closely with the grower over the past 10 years to take care of this tender varietal that is not always a great lover of Ontario’s cool climate.

Riverview Cellars Estate Winery

15376 NIAGARA PKWY., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-262-0636 riverviewcellars.com WINEMAKER: Alyssa Bator FAVOURITE WINE: Angelina’s Reserve Gewurztraminer 2016, $17.15 W O This wine is our flagship white, consistently producing high quality Gewurztraminer. From our first grapes planted in 1992, the maturity of this wine in combination with the location — planted in our blue clay loam soil near the Niagara River — produces a wine with strong flavours. The wine exudes peach, ginger, rose water and citrus on the aroma and palate.

FAVOURITE WINE: Salvatore’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, $29.95 W Our first red grapes were planted on our vineyard in 1998, where they were cropped low to help concentrate the jammy raspberry flavour they produce.

They were planted in our dense blue clay loam soil, which helps keep in nutrients provided to these grapes. This helps them ripen and develop bold Cabernet flavours with strong tannins.

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Rockway Vineyards

3290 NINTH ST. SOUTH, ST. CATHARINES, 905-641-5771 rockway.net WINEMAKER: David Stasiuk FAVOURITE WINE: Small Lot Cabernet Franc 2015, $24.95 W The 2015 Small Lot Cabernet Franc represents my take on classic Niagara Cab Franc — tight and focused yet ripe and juicy. Polished tannins and vibrant acidity with just the right amount of “savoury.” Bone dry and balanced. I love this vintage and this varietal.

FAVOURITE WINE: Small Lot Riesling 2015, $19.95 W The 2015 Small Lot Riesling is a focused take on the vintage and vineyard it was grown in. Ripe and concentrated flavour with finesse and balance came in 2015. Our Twenty Mile Bench site continues to produce rich mineral driven wines, and Riesling showcases this to a T.

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wines of CuvĂŠe Southbrook Vineyards

581 NIAGARA STONE RD., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-641-2548 southbrook.com WINEMAKER: Ann Sperling FAVOURITE WINE: Southbrook Estate Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2016, $39.95 This is the first 2016 Chardonnay release from our biodynamic vineyards, and I am enjoying how it expresses the essential ying/yang of our warmer site within the cool climate of Niagara. I love the richness of this barrel-fermented wine, accentuated by the warm vintage, in perfect balance with bright acidity and mineral structure. Limiting the contribution of new oak, choosing larger format barrels and adding a splash of Estate Semillon keep this powerful wine lively and refreshing.

FAVOURITE WINE: Southbrook Triomphe 2016, $29.95 W O This delicious red wine is evidence of the suitability of Merlot to Niagara vineyards, and is an example of how we collaborate with other organic farmers in Ontario. Sourced from the Saunders Vineyard in Beamsville and our farm in Four Mile Creek, I love the ripe, dark fruits and ample but fine tannins.

This is pretty seductive now, but will surely develop for a decade or more.

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Stratus Vineyards

2059 NIAGARA STONE RD., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-468-1806 stratuswines.com WINEMAKER: J-L Groux FAVOURITE WINE: Stratus White 2014, $38.00 W O I have always loved the complexity gained from sharing the diversity of our vineyard in one single wine. The grapes were picked from Sept. 1 through to mid-November (depending on variety) and then carefully aged, some in new oak and some in older barrels. After months of blind tasting, I arrived at what I believe is the best, most comprehensive expression of white wine from our vineyard.

FAVOURITE WINE: Stratus Red 2014, $48.00 V W O This assemblage of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah exemplifies our true belief in the sum being greater than the individual parts. Particularly in a cooler vintage like 2014, the art of assemblage fosters intrigue, structure and balance. A new release, this wine is enjoyable now, but will age for at least a decade.

Tawse Winery

15376 NIAGARA PKWY., R.R. 1, VINELAND, 905-562-9500 tawsewinery.ca WINEMAKER: Paul Pender FAVOURITE WINE: Quarry Road Chardonnay 2013, $36.95 V W O This is my favourite of our Chardonnays, and I am very proud of the Platinum medal it won at the National Wine Awards. This wine is a true representation of the Quarry Road vineyard with its unique minerality and citrus notes.

FAVOURITE WINE: Cherry Avenue Pinot Noir 2012, $48.95 W O Cherry Pinot Noir is the obvious choice as it is our flagship wine. I love the expressive nose of cherry and dried herbs. A truly classic Niagara Pinot Noir.

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The Hare Wine Co.

769 NIAGARA STONE RD., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-684-4994 theharewineco.com WINEMAKER: John Hare FAVOURITE WINE: Noble 2013, $120.00 W This is our most beautiful wine! We sourced a fully mature vineyard for Cabernet Franc grapes and carefully picked them by hand. We then handsorted the grapes and dried them at ambient fall temperatures for 30 days.

No expense was spared in the creation of our limited-edition, signature red wine. It is deep brick cherry colour with a complex nose of earthy leather, spice, sweet tobacco and dark berries. Big and bold with well-integrated tannin, this wine is velvety and supple on the palate with an extensive finish.

Just beautiful.

FAVOURITE WINE: Crownland White 2016, $18.50 W This was one of my favourite vintages to walk through the estate vineyard.

Just beautiful. We waited until Oct. 12, 2016 to pick the 18–year-old estate by hand. That was the opportune moment to pick the fruit to get a fresh acidity, but keep a harmonious balance with the natural grape sugar. The Gewürztraminer was sorted and left to cold soak on its pale pink skins to coax out some of the softer, juicier flavours. We paid extra attention to blending the two grapes to give us a delicately balanced white that is intensely fruity with aromatic floral notes, finishing with a refreshing zest.

The Lakeview Wine Co.

1067 NIAGARA STONE RD., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-685-5673 lakeviewwineco.com WINEMAKER: Scott McGregor and Thomas Green FAVOURITE WINE: Lakeview Cellars Viognier 2016, $17.95 W O “The Lakeview 2016 Viognier is my favourite white for many reasons. It is a unique varietal that is uncommon in Niagara and tends to produce a lush, full-bodied white that displays exceptional characteristics of orange blossom, tangerine and a hint of sweet peaches. I would pair this with a mildly spiced Pad Thai or a fresh grilled chicken salad topped with goat cheese and mango.”

— Scott McGregor FAVOURITE WINE: Lakeview Cellars Syrah 2015, $24.95 W O “The Lakeview 2015 Syrah is a full-bodied red with notes of ripe dark fruits, black pepper and spice. There’s a nice hint of mocha on the finish that makes every sip linger. This is my go-to weekend wine and you can probably find me pairing this robust red with a stuffed veal chop topped with roasted garlic and pancetta.” — Thomas Green

Thirty Bench Winemakers

4281 MOUNTAINVIEW RD., BEAMSVILLE, 905-563-1698 thirtybench.com WINEMAKER: Emma Garner FAVOURITE WINE: Thirty Bench Sparkling Riesling NV, $34.95 W Sparkling wine production has been a passion of mine since I became a winemaker and I am excited to share this Traditional Method Riesling! Its laser sharp acidity and intense flavours lend itself to being the perfect food wine or aperitif. With 12 months of lees aging and a back vintage dosage, this wine packs a punch of citrus and mineral notes.

FAVOURITE WINE: Thirty Bench Small Lot Cabernet Franc 2015, $47.95 W This wine is produced from the most northern part of our vineyard and happens to be farmed organically. Low cropping levels produce a wine that is intense and scarce. Eighteen months in French and American oak barrels help to contribute to the overall structure and focus — truly a wine not to be missed!

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wines of Cuvée Trius Winery

1249 NIAGARA STONE RD., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 1-800-582-8412 triuswines.com WINEMAKER: Craig McDonald FAVOURITE WINE: Showcase Oliveira ‘Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2015, $36.95 W This is a perfect example of a cool site in a warm vintage which marries power and richness with elegance and finesse. This is a special site and never fails to deliver an electric freshness that truly defines Lincoln Lakeshore as one of the coolest sub-appellations for distinct Chardonnay.

FAVOURITE WINE: Showcase ‘Red Shale’ Cabernet Franc 2015, $48.75 W This unique vineyard site in Four Mile Creek at our Clark Farm really amplified the density and richness of the fabulous 2015 vintage. I’ve always liked the intensity of this wine and, with such a great warm summer with low yields, it makes a bold impression. Fine tannins from extended time on skins in our wood fermenters ensure this Cab Franc will go the distance, too.

Two Sisters Vineyards

240 JOHN ST. EAST, NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-468-0592 twosistersvineyards.com WINEMAKER: Adam Pearce FAVOURITE WINE: Unoaked Chardonnay 2016, $39.00 W O The conditions in 2016 were perfect for Chardonnay. The fruit came in ripe, very clean and with ideal numbers. It allowed us to produce the kind of unoaked Chardonnay that is becoming particular to Two Sisters. Our grapes were cold soaked and then cold and slow fermented, which produced fragrant aromatics in the final wine that usually are not associated with this varietal.

However, with some extended lees contact in the mouth, the roundness and complexity usually associated with neutral barrel aging reminds you that this is a Chardonnay that is still alluringly fresh and bright.

FAVOURITE WINE: Cabernet Franc 2013, $49.00 W O Our 20 acres of beautiful estate-grown Cabernet Franc is held in special regard and, in some ways, it is the perfect fit for the cool climate of Niagara. The most winter hardy of the Bordeaux varieties we grow, it ripens consistently well in our riverside micro-climate. While Mother Nature threw everything it had at Niagara in 2013, our Cab Franc turned out to be a wine of marvel. Richly rewarded with two gold medals, the 2013 has seamless and supple aromas of fleshy red with dark fruit, spice and dried herb, and in the glass, dark cassis and raspberry, with smoky and savoury notes. Top Scoring red table wine at InterVin 2017.

Vieni Estates Wine & Spirits

4553 FLY RD., BEAMSVILLE, 905-563-6521 vieni.ca WINEMAKER: Mauro Salvador FAVOURITE WINE: Momenti NV, $13.95 V W Hailing from the region of Veneto, Italy, winemaker Mauro and the Charmat Method come to Niagara to give you this wine. Our most popular sparkling, it is always a crowd pleaser.

FAVOURITE WINE: Briganti Reserve 2014, $18.95 W O Our winemaker is bending the rules with this wine. A blend of hybrid grapes, Baco Noir and Foch, barrel aged in Canadian Oak. Briganti was a rebellious Celtic tribe, which is exactly what inspired this wine.

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Vineland Estates Winery

3620 MOYER RD., VINELAND, 905-562-7088 vineland.com WINEMAKER: Brian Schmidt FAVOURITE WINE: Elevation Cabernet 2015, $28.00 W With the Bo-Teek Vineyard coming into its own, our collective vine plantings from 1996 and 2006 are maturing well and are now beginning to show consistency with fantastic potential. Although winemakers are always grateful to have the opportunity to create small batch excellence, it is the larger bottlings showing the same excellence that really reflect the potential of our region.

FAVOURITE WINE: Elevation St. Urban Riesling 2016, $19.95 GP W The St. Urban Vineyard is fast approaching the 40th anniversary of the first planting, and it shows. The Riesling from this 40-acre parcel continues to inspire me every year to up our game by paying homage to the pedigree of the land and the vintages past. I always feel that it is a privilege to work with these venerable grapes. It is also a trust that I happily carry as this Elevation wine always has a great story to tell. We just make sure that we get out of the way and let it speak.

Wayne Gretzky Estates

1219 NIAGARA STONE RD., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-468-0099 waynegretzkyestates.com WINEMAKER: Jordan Kalinowski FAVOURITE WINE: Gretzky Estate Series Chardonnay 2015, $27.95 W The origins of this wine can be traced to a handful of our premium growers throughout the Niagara Peninsula. Working with Chardonnay grapes from a variety of sub appellations allows me to craft a wine that exhibits the distinct character of each vineyard, creating a truly delicious blend that exhibits wonderful texture and ripe aromas.

FAVOURITE WINE: Gretzky Estate Series Shiraz Cabernet 2015, $29.95 W The intensity and focus of this wine is exceptional, considering the cooler start to the 2015 vintage. Aged for 12 months in a blend of French and American oak barrels, this wine has a beautiful dark garnet colour and a powerful aroma of spice thanks to the generous portion of Syrah. I’ve always enjoyed and been inspired by Syrah blends from around the world and this wine is no exception.

Westcott Vineyards

3180 SEVENTEENTH ST., JORDAN STATION, 905-562-7517 westcottvineyards.com WINEMAKER: Arthur Harder FAVOURITE WINE: Estate Chardonnay 2016, $25.95 W O This Chardonnay is a great reflection of the amazing 2016 vintage and is our best Chardonnay yet!

FAVOURITE WINE: Estate Pinot Noir 2015, $30.00 W O This Pinot Noir is our newest release and a great showcase of the excellent 2015 vintage.

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Cuvée

GRAND TASTING | M a r c h 2 3 , 2 0 1 8

Pillars of Excellence

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Friends of the Vine

Lover of Wine

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Après Cuvée Party Craft Brewing partners of Après Cuvée Bench Brewing Company 3991 KING ST., BEAMSVILLE, (OPENING SPRING 2018) benchbrewing.com

Kame & Kettle Beer Works 25 PELHAM TOWN SQUARE, FONTHILL, 289-273-2550 kameandkettle.ca

Niagara OAST House Brewers

2017 NIAGARA STONE RD., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 289-868-9627 oasthousebrewers.com

Silversmith Brewing Company

1523 NIAGARA STONE RD., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-468-8477 silversmithbrewing.com

Craft Cider partners of Après Cuvée Rood Apples Cider (Creekside Estate Winery)

2170 FOURTH AVE., JORDAN STATION, 905-562-0035 roodapples.ca

Shiny Apple Cider

1242 IRVINE RD., NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 905-935-3535 smalltalkvineyards.com/pages/cider

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Fresh floral designs for any occassion!

www.bbblooms.com 905-682-5525 | bbblooms@cogeco.net 62 Welland Avenue, St. Catharines ON

Supporting wine making excellence and the CuvĂŠe Grand Tasting We are proud of our Brock Alumni who continue to help the local grape and wine industry grow.

Connect with us at

brocku.ca/alumni

Cuvée

GRAND TASTING | M a r c h 2 3 , 2 0 1 8

HOST Scotiabank Convention Centre FOUNDING SPONSOR Wine Country Ontario NIAGARA HOSPITALITY SPONSOR Niagara Casinos GLASSWARE SPONSOR Cuisivin VIP RECEPTION AND AWARDS SPONSOR LCBO GRAND ENTRANCE SPONSOR Sullivan Mahoney LLP EDUCATION ADVOCATE BASF Canada PRINT MEDIA SPONSOR Business Link Media Group VINES FLORAL DÉCOR SPONSOR BBBlooms Floral Studio CUVÉE EN ROUTE SPONSOR Niagara Vintage Wine Tours PILLARS OF EXCELLENCE AO Wilson Ltd. Brock University Alumni Association Farm Credit Canada Lakeview Vineyard Equipment Scotiabank FRIENDS OF THE VINE Canadian Tire Financial Services Stanpac Inc. Walker Industries LOVER OF WINE Cellar Tek Supplies Limited MNP Multi-Area Developments Nuance Ltd.

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Cuvée Vineyard of Excellence Award winner Sponsored by BASF Canada Inc. Albrecht Seeger

Tony Aspler Cuvée Award of Excellence winner Sue Ann Staff

Cuvée Winemaker of Excellence Award winner To be announced at Après Cuvée at 10 p.m.

Our gratitude to:

Participating wineries, chefs, craft breweries, cider houses as well as our many volunteers.

CUVÉE ADVISORY COUNCIL Brian Hutchings, Vice-President, Administration, Brock University Debbie Inglis, CCOVI Director Barb Tatarnic, Manager, Continuing Education and Outreach, CCOVI Anil Rebello, Cuvée Co-ordinator, Rebello Marketing and Event Services CUVÉE STEERING COMMITTEE Chris Colaneri, Colaneri Estate Winery Jim Duncan, Chef Thomas Green, The Lakeview Wine Co. Mark Hand, Chef Magdalena Kaiser, Wine Marketing Association of Ontario Nancy Kennedy, Creekside Estate Winery Ed Madronich, Flat Rock Cellars Erik Peacock, Chef Barb Tatarnic, Manager, Continuing Education and Outreach, CCOVI Anil Rebello, Cuvée Co-ordinator, Rebello Marketing and Event Services CUVÉE FOUNDING MEMBERS David Bergen, Cuvée Co-founder Debi Pratt CUVÉE EXCELLENCE IN VITICULTURE ADJUDICATORS Helen Fisher Kevin Ker Andy Reynolds Jim Willwerth CUVÉE EXCELLENCE IN WINEMAKING ADJUDICATORS Debbie Inglis Belinda Kemp Steven Trussler Christopher Waters Barb Tatarnic, Chair

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Cuvée

GRAND TASTING | M a r c h 2 3 , 2 0 1 8

Now celebrating its 30th year, Cuvée has become one of the most prestigious celebrations of Ontario wine. As the event has evolved, proceeds now go to support the industry it showcases.

Cuvée 2018

When CCOVI took over stewardship of Cuvée in 2015, a legacy fund was created with the proceeds. This fund allows the next generation of wine industry professionals access to student scholarships, which are pivotal to funding their journey as well as supporting research priorities identified by the grape and wine industry.

The Cuvée 2018 wine weekend will continue to endow this legacy fund to further support student scholarships and research programs.

Why it matters

The Ontario grape and wine industry employs more than 18,000 people and attracts 2.4 million visitors to the province each year.

It is an important driver of the provincial economy and contributes $4.36 billion to the Ontario economy annually, according to research completed by the Canadian Vintners Association.

CCOVI is committed to helping the industry continue to grow by training the next generation of industry professionals and providing applied research solutions.

About CCOVI

Located at Brock University in St. Catharines, an hour from the Toronto area, CCOVI is an internationally recognized research institute that advances the interests of the grape and wine industry by investing time and resources on its research priorities.

Established in 1996, CCOVI works in partnership with the Grape Growers of Ontario, the Wine Council of Ontario and the Winery and Grower Alliance of Ontario. Its network extends to external academic communities, federal and provincial research organizations, and regional grape and wine industry groups across Canada as well as cool climate wine regions around the world.

To learn more about CCOVI’s activities, visit brocku.ca/ccovi

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Cuvée en Route Your Cuvée Grand Tasting e-ticket allows you to visit all of the Cuvée en Route wineries:

Cuvée en Route Dining

Benchmark Restaurant at Niagara College Kitchen76 at Two Sisters Vineyards London Born Wine Company Restaurant Peller Estates Winery Restaurant Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery Restaurant Trius Winery Restaurant

Cuvée en Route Wineries

13th Street Winery Adamo Estate Winery Burning Kiln Winery Cave Spring Cellars Colaneri Estate Winery Cornerstone Estate Winery Creekside Estate Winery Fielding Estate Winery Flat Rock Cellars Fogolar Wines Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery ICELLARS Estate Winery Inniskillin Niagara Estate Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Kacaba Vineyards and Winery Konzelmann Estate Winery London Born Wine Company Lundy Manor Wine Cellars Magnotta Winery Malivoire Wine Company Megalomaniac Niagara College Teaching Winery Palatine Hills Estate Winery Peller Estates Winery Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery Pillitteri Estates Winery Pondview Estate Winery Reif Estate Winery Southbrook Vineyards Stratus Tawse Winery The Lakeview Wine Co. Thirty Bench Wine Makers Trius Winery Two Sisters Vineyards Vieni Estates Wine and Spirits Vineland Estates Winery Westcott Vineyards

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