I’m often asked if I know a lot about wine. It comes to some people’s surprise that my answer is “no”. Perhaps I have organically picked up on some things over the years but I still consider myself a novice on the subject. The best advice I have to give is something that has been passed on to me by several people in the industry over the years. Drink what you like. Disregard the varietal, the region, the vintage, and the price. There is a great cross section of flavors, and you’ll find something that appeals to you before long. My friend and client Rob Groh was always amused by my taste for cheap wine. He’d tell me I’m lucky that I prefer wines that are less expensive. I was always happier drinking a Merlot than I was a Bordeaux.
These days I’m really enjoying two products. Firstly, I’m a big admirer of Sir Winston Churchill. Among his more eccentric habits was to always enjoy champagne at lunch. Perhaps that’s why he so passionately came to the aid of the French in World War 2. In fact he once said “Remember Gentlemen, it’s not just France we are fighting for, it’s Champagne!” There is nothing like a glass of champagne for its refreshment, refinement, and visuals. The dancing frantic bubbles making their way up the glass are worth the price of admission alone. Secondly, I always enjoy red wine when the temperature drops. In Toronto this year we are experiencing a very cold January. As I write this I am looking at a forecast that has a -27C in it (factoring in windchill). Cycling through the different varieties I find myself drawn more and more to Pinot Noir from Oregon and Northern California. It’s light enough for my palette but at the same time it gives a unique flavor that I don’t find in other red wines. A couple of examples that have stood out for me are Christopher Michael Pinot Noir from Oregon available at Vintages or Rogers & Co. https://rogcowines.com/lcbo-releases/christopher-michael-northwest-winemakers-pinot-noir-2022/ , and Dutton-Goldfield Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley of California available at thevineagency.ca.
If you’ve stumbled upon this blog in the summertime I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the great Riesling product being produced by Cave Springs Cellars in Jordan Ontario. Visit https://www.cavespring.ca/wine. The Niagara Escarpment is the perfect location to produce this type of white wine. Full disclosure, they are a client. However, I make this claim with complete objectivity. Something about this wine strikes the right balance of sweet, dry, and tangy. Perfect on a warm summer day. No matter what else my wife and I try we always come back to this wine.
Teaser alert. Russ’s Photo Corner – coming soon to this website. Courtesy of our resident Operations Manager and Professional Photographer – Russell Ellsworth. We are all struck by what we see out on the road travelling this great province. However, Russ has a knack for capturing some of this magic. He will be posting pictures from the field for us to enjoy.
I’ll leave you with one more quote from the great Sir Winston Churchill. Mind you it has nothing to do with wine, but like wine it definitely stirs something in the soul. “This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense.”
Please feel free to leave a comment about what wines you prefer, and what you don’t prefer.
Until next time,
Yours, Alan.
Leave a Reply