  Peller Estate Winery 2010 Family Series Cabernet Franc is a bargain bottle that is shaping up to be a go-to summertime red. Its ripe, juicy fruit character makes it stand out from the crowd. peller.com. |
Growing up in the Niagara region, most summer road trips involved loading up on whatever fruit was in season and local wines to bring along to family members living in Montreal and Michigan.
The Niagara care package was a tradition established by my grandfather, who used to bring bottles made by Jordan and Bright's to relatives' homes. A public relations pioneer, he was an ambassador for the modern grape and wine industry from its earliest days.
As a result, Ontario wines have always been synonymous with celebration for me. They're part of the family, so to speak.
This isn't the case for everyone, especially the farther you get from the province's grape growing regions. But I think toasting the country with homegrown products this long weekend is part of the patriotic package. Canada Day and Thanksgiving are the two major holidays where Canadian wine is an essential ingredient, right up there with ice cream or turkey.
The good news is there's much more selection than the bottles of Golden Diana and Autumn Harvest that my grandfather used to foist upon receptive family members. The bounty of truly enjoyable, truly exciting Canadian wines these days is unparalleled.
The greatest outlet for finding the best homegrown bottles is direct from the source, making winery tours an ideal long-weekend activity. Many wineries also offer delivery to one's home or work.
Outside of wine country, many outfits across the country continue to offer a diverse array of local producers and wine styles. Here are three flavourful wines that I'll be collecting in preparation of the long weekend, including a new sparkling wine that's great value and the best possible way I know to toast the country on its 144th birthday.
Wines of the Week:
----
Flat Rock Cellars 2009 Estate Pinot Noir
Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula
ON $19.95 (001545)
Telltale Pinot Noir cherry and savoury notes mark the aroma of this generous red wine. Riper berry notes flesh out the palate, making this Flat Rock's best Estate Pinot to date. flatrockcellars.com (LCBO Vintages)
----
Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate 2006 Entourage Silver Series Méthode Classique Brut
Niagara Peninsula $22.95 (234161)
Entourage is a new label from Jackson-Triggs, which continues its winning ways with classically made sparkling wine. Fresh and appealing on the nose, this is made in an easy drinking style that's focused and flavourful. jacksontriggswinery.com (LCBO Vintages)
HHHH
Peller Estate Winery 2010 Family Series Cabernet Franc
Niagara Peninsula
ON $11.95 (582833)
It's not often that you can get excited about Cabernets from Niagara that retail for less than $15. This bargain bottle is shaping up to be a go-to summertime red. Its ripe, juicy fruit character makes it stand out from the crowd. peller.com (LCBO)
