In Vino Veritas
We know, we know! It will already be fall by the time you read this issue of Ultra Vires but just because we are slowly waltzing into autumn does not mean you cannot pick up a bottle and join us in keeping summer around a little longer.
Whether it is shared over patio drinks on a warm sunny day or enjoyed alone while bingeing Indian Matchmaking, here are our favorite summer wines this year. While Olivia and I spent the summer exploring what the Okanagan Valley had to offer, Angela shares a great Riesling recommendation that is bottled right here in Ontario. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous and are looking to experiment with a bold summer red, check out Kimia’s review at the end for some inspiration.
So, welcome back to another exciting year of wine reviews with In Vino Veritas and a very special welcome to the law school for those of you who may be coming across our column for the very first time.
Angela Gu
Tawse Limestone Ridge Riesling, 2017
This Riesling has remained my absolute favourite wine since I came across it a year ago. Even in my quest to drink more broadly, none have yet displaced Tawse’s Limestone Ridge. It is seriously crushable, very easy-drinking, wonderfully fruit-forward, and somehow manages to remain balanced with just enough acidity. It’s fruity on the nose, with scents of both tropical fruit and stone fruit (I detected pineapple and apricot). It is not deceptive, and it tastes just as good as it smells. Of Tawse’s Rieslings, this one has a lot more “oomph” compared to their Quarry Road Riesling of the same vintage; the Limestone Ridge is a velvety white wine with body. Although this wine is perfect on its own, I will note that it even works with the richness of duck confit. It’s a fun wine.
Amy Lin
This summer, with the tight restrictions on international travels, it seemed as if everyone was either visiting BC or knew of someone who was. I spent the entire summer in Vancouver and one of my favorite things about living on the West Coast was its wonderful wineries; with the Okanagan right around the corner, there was always something new to discover. While I had heard of the Nk’Mip Cellars before (they were the first Indigenous-owned winery in North America and have won many honours, including being named Canadian Winery of the Year), I only discovered their rosé this year.
Nothing quite captures the perfect summer day like drinking a glass of chilled rosé on a patio. On the nose, sweet aromas of field berries and grapefruit are immediately noticeable. The bright citrus notes are evenly balanced with hints of sweet berries that cascade into a crisp and clean finish. As someone who prefers a dry rosé, this wine was perfect for me.
For those of you who are into white blends, I recommend picking up a bottle of the Nk’Mip Cellars’ Dreamcatcher. This refreshing, fruit-forward white, which predominantly features Riesling and Sauvignon blanc, is enjoyable on its own or paired with a light summer salad.
Olivia Mazza
Lake Breeze – The Spice Jar, 2017
I spent part of this summer in the Okanagan Valley — arguably the best wine region in the country. After my two-week self-isolation period ended, I began visiting some of the wineries. My new-found favourite white wine is the Spice Jar from Lake Breeze, a gorgeous winery on the Naramata Bench. This is a fun blend of Gewürztraminer (30%), Ehrenfelser (30%), Viognier (20%), and Schönberger (20%) that has a lot of layers to it. It is a light, medium-bodied wine with notes of peaches and apples, but is more floral on the nose. It’s slightly spicy and it is recommended as the perfect pair for spicier dishes (hence the name), but you could also enjoy this on its own (the tasting guide referred to this as a “patio-pounder”). Unfortunately, this wine is not available at the LCBO, but if anyone would like to join me in writing a letter to the government to speed up the process of dismantling inter-provincial liquor restrictions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Kimia Veisi Nezhad
Filipa and William’s Estate Vineyards “Dinamica” Baga, 2018
If you are looking for a delicious and easy-drinking red wine to enjoy on a date night or over an interesting conversation with a friend, “Dinamica” is a great choice. This wine is from the Bairrada region in Portugal, and is made 100 percent out of the rich Baga grapes. The name “Dinamica” perhaps refers to the biodynamic and organic viticulture methods that Filipa and William have incorporated into their vineyard. The grapes are handpicked, fully de-stemmed, and fermented in tanks with minimal extraction. This results in a delightful red with earthy, intense aromas. The medium-bodied wine is vibrant, fresh, acidic, high in tannins, and slightly spicy. I purchased this wine from Paradise Grapevine, a local wine bar and shop on Bloor Street West that specializes in organic, natural, and expressive wines produced by low-intervention producers. You can pick your unique bottle out of their wide selection and enjoy it on their lush patio for a small corkage fee, or take it home for a relaxing night. I would pair this wine with a creamy Camembert or Brie and some fresh sourdough.
Looking for more wine reviews? Read IVV’s review of organic and biodynamic wines here.
