In Vino Veritas
If you are still deciding which wine to drink this Halloween weekend, you’ve come across the right article. So pick up a bag of your favorite childhood candy and join us in exploring the magical world of “Franken Wines,” or what muggles refer to as “wine blends.”
The process of blending allows the flavours of different grape varieties to come together and fashions a new experience for the palate. If you are looking to sink your teeth into a bold red, check out Danica, Sawyer, and Tom’s reviews for a broad range of local and international selections that will take you from Niagara to California to Bordeaux. For those who prefer an easygoing white blend, Alexa dishes on a new discovery that has bewitched her this month. Finally, if you are extra committed to staying on theme, skip to Reya’s thoughts on an intriguing orange wine.
You may notice that a few new names are featured in this month’s review. I’d like to also take a moment to introduce our 1L executive members: Reya Manerikar, Sawyer Peloso, and Tom Russell!
Danica Bennewies
The Foreign Affair The Conspiracy 2017
$19.95 at the LCBO
Looking for the perfect glass of wine to go with your favourite Halloween movie? Look no further than The Conspiracy 2017 from Niagara Peninsula winery, The Foreign Affair. This dry red wine is a blend of four varietals: cabernet franc (45%), cabernet sauvignon (35%), merlot (15%), and petit verdot (5%). This is your typical Bordeaux-type blend; however, the winemaking style adds an unexpected twist. The Conspiracy is made in the Italian Ripasso style, meaning that after the grapes are fermented and blended, the wine is passed over the dried skins and lees of Appassimento red grapes, adding an intriguing flavour and depth. The result is a dry, fruit-forward blend with a spicy finish. This wine is lighter than your typical Bordeaux blend, making it a versatile, easy drink that can transition flawlessly from appetizers to dinner. Pair with a margherita pizza and scary movie for a spooky night in!
Alexa Cheung
Flat Rock Twisted White 2017
$17.95 at the LCBO
As an eager newcomer to the world of wine blends, I decided to try my luck and pick up the first blend I found at my local LCBO. Luckily for me, I struck gold. This local Ontario white wine blend of Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Chardonnay is bright and cheery, which brings me back to sunnier days lounging in various parks in the city. The fruity notes and crisp taste of this bottle were almost enough to make me forget the grey, gloomy weather outside my window.
Upon opening the bottle, I noticed the delicious floral aromas of the wine. On the palate, the floral notes were less noticeable. The notes of lime and pear were the stars of the bottle, with a good balance of acidity and sweetness. The wine was extremely enjoyable on its own, but it would also go great with a meal or a snack. I enjoyed mine with a light dinner of grilled chicken, but I imagine it would also be good with a light salad with a vinaigrette. If you are feeling especially fancy, a charcuterie board with various cured meats, grapes, berries, and sweet, nutty cheeses like Emmental and Gouda would also be a great pairing.
Reyna Manerikar
The Audacity of Thomas G. Bright Orange Wine 2019
$16.95 at the LCBO
This fall, why not try a wine that matches the leaves? Orange wines have been making a comeback over the last couple of years. Originally from countries such as Slovenia, Georgia, and Italy, orange wines rarely use additives, which has made them popular in the recent natural wine movement. White grapes are fermented on their skins, which results in their orange hue, as well as their more robust, tannic taste compared to other white wines.
The Audacity of Thomas G. Bright is a blend of 50% pinot grigio and 50% gerwürztraminer that hails from Niagara, ON. This orange wine has warming honey and stone-fruit notes on the nose, yet the palate is dry and crisp, reminiscent of a granny smith apple. It is a fun wine to transition from the light whites of summer into the heavy reds of winter. I would pair this wine with a rich butternut squash soup.
Sawyer Peloso
Maison Ginestet Grand Vin de Margaux 2018
$42.95 at the LCBO
This wine is from the Bordeaux region in France, which is known for its red wine blends. It is a blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, cabernet merlot, and petit verdot, and comes from a vineyard known for its red-clay soil, which produces rich and fruity wines. It is slightly expensive, making it ideal for someone looking to celebrate an achievement, or impress a friend, peer, or significant other. Alternatively, you may just be looking to treat yourself with a glass of fantastic red wine courtesy of your Line of Credit! Either way, I promise it is worth trying.
When I uncorked it, I let it decant for one hour, and used that time to roast a leg of lamb. Bordeaux blends generally pair very well with lamb. Before the first sip, I took a second to get a whiff of the striking aroma characterized by lavender and rose petal. This mesmerizing aroma was a clear initial sign that the investment was likely to be worth it. The first thing I noticed upon tasting the wine was the textual intensity and boldness that is characteristic of most Bordeaux wines. I personally tasted hints of blackberry, raspberry, and cherry, and found that the striking aroma really added to the overall experience of this first taste. Beyond this initial bold first taste, there was an exceptionally smooth finish due to the fine-grained tannins. This smooth, pleasant finish makes it much more palatable for novice wine drinkers who may be off-put by a bitter finish.
Tom Russell
Ravenswood Vintner’s Blend Zinfandel 2017
$17.95 at the LCBO
Ravenswood was founded in 1976 in lovely Sonoma County, California. Their website claims they made the Zinfandel grape a staple of the California wine scene… I am not sure if I can fully attest to that just yet, but for now I’ll take their word for it.
The Ravenswood Vintner’s Blend Zinfandel 2017 is a mix of 76% zinfandel, 21% petite sirah, and 3% various red wine grapes. It is a smooth, full-bodied, extra-dry wine at three grams of sugar per litre and an alcohol content of 13.5%. Its colour is a see-through cherry red with a bit of a violet tint. It’s a smooth wine with notes of blackberry, vanilla, and cranberry. In terms of pairing, I would recommend anything from the meat aisle. If you’re going to try to pair it with poultry, I would recommend a heavier sauce. As a general rule, I would say this wine would be happiest with a hearty, savoury meal.
Read last Halloween’s IVV column here.
