What does going local mean to you? Food lovers have embraced the local movement with open arms. Restaurants are jumping on the bandwagon featuring “farm to table” and “locally inspired” and “seasonal” fare. But how far away can the purveyor be and still be called local? That question has as many answers as questioners. Perhaps the 100-Mile Diet shows the way. But I think back to growing up in Newfoundland where virtually nothing was local. It’s hard to grow veggies and raise livestock on a hunk of granite! Living in Niagara it’s the exact opposite.
Somewhere along the way many people have forgotten that wine can also be local. My husband Paul and I have been fortunate to have traveled to several other wine regions around the world. One thing I noticed was that wine which has been grown locally dominates the restaurant wine lists and the shelves in local shops. Even as close to home as British Columbia you see this local pride. Why not here in Ontario? It seems like common sense to me that locally grown produce or locally raised meat or fish would simply taste better with a locally grown wine. People in France, Italy, Germany, California, South Africa, Chile and many other wine regions certainly do.
If you are still not convinced that buying local wine is a good thing consider these facts:
Every bottle of Ontario VQA wine sold in Ontario contributes $11.50 in added value to the Ontario economy (Source: KPMG Study, May 2008)
Total number of Ontarians employed in wine industry-related jobs is approximately 6,000 people (Source: winecountryontario.ca/Media-Centre/Fact-Sheet)
Go to page 2 for the local wine selections!
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Here are a few local selections available at the LCBO to help you get started. Maybe one will be your new “house wine”!
Wine: Riesling, Estate Bottled
Producer: Château des Charmes
Vintage: 2008
Price: $12.55 (with bottle deposit)
LCBO #: 061499
“The wine world continues to grow and quality continues to rise. Much of the excitement lies in the values category, which today offers an unprecedented array of flavours (that are sure to please). Off-dry, this white delivers peach, apple and ruby grapefruit notes, matched to a lively structure, with a nice mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2014.”
- Bruce Sanderson, The Wine Spectator’s Top 125 Global Reds and Whites, September 2010
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Wine: Connect Red
Producer: Southbrook Vineyards
Vintage: 2008
Price: $14.95 (with bottle deposit)
LCBO #: 249565
“A great value Niagara offering at under $15. A typical Bordelaise blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon. Quite ripe with a hint of spicy dried herbal notes, coffee, plum and sour cherry. Medium to full-bodied with zesty, orange peel acidity and plump, juicy wild berry flavours on the palate. Tannins are smooth and mild making this perfect for immediate enjoyment. Tasted August 2011."
- Sara d'Amato, Wine Align
Wine: Cabernet Merlot
Producer: Pillitteri Estates Winery
Vintage: 2009
Price: $12.95 (with bottle deposit)
LCBO #: 349191
“Here’s a smooth delicious mouthful of ripe dark fruit that’s nicely balanced with a long crowd-pleasing fruit-filled aftertaste earning its final ½ star on value. Cherry/berry spice-infused aromas on the nose, it coats the palate with sweet ripe cherry and cassis persisting through the long finish. It’s medium-full bodied with a generous mouth feel and a balanced fruity finish. 4.5/5 stars.”
- Vic Harradine, www.winecurrent.com
Wine: Red Paw Vineyard Pinot Noir
Producer: Coyote’s Run Estates Winery
Vintage: 2009
Price: $24.95 (with bottle deposit)
LCBO #: 79228
“The boys at Coyote’s Run make such good Pinot Noir year in and year out that it’s almost criminal, but they also have a peculiar feature to their wines that makes them quite unique. They have two kinds of clay soils on their property, red and black, and they separate the grapes that grow in each to make separate batches of wine – and believe me when I tell you it sure does prove that soil does make all the difference. The Red Paw vineyard is the pretty, floral and red fruited one, delicate and delicious with cranberry, raspberry, strawberry and beet notes, a real palate pleaser.”
- 4.5 Stars, Michael Pinkus, Ottawa Life, Jun11
Wine: Sauvignon Blanc
Producer: Trius
Vintage: 2010
Price: $13.95 (with bottle deposit)
LCBO #: 221804
“4 out of 5 - "The new vintage of Trius Sauvignon Blanc is more focused and fruity than last year's award-winning effort. A brisk lemony flavour takes centre stage, making this a stellar white for the summer."
- Christopher Waters, Calgary Sun Today, June 21, 2011.
To find an LCBO store near you with stock of any of the above wines go to www.lcbo.com and enter the LCBO # in the product search area.
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