TAWSE 2017 PÉT-NAT

NIAGARA PENINSULA, ONTARIO

Situated on the lower slopes of the Niagara Escarpment, Tawse is a family-owned organic and biodynamic winery, voted Canada’s Winery of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2016. Uniting traditional winemaking techniques with state-of-the-art technology, Tawse is dedicated to producing terroir-driven wines of exceptional elegance, depth and character.

 The 2017 Pétillant Natural (aka Pét-Nat) is made using organic and biodynamic Chardonnay from their estate vineyards. This is the first ever Pét-Nat that Tawse has made, and I have to say, I think they knocked it out of the park!!!

This Pét-Nat was undisgorged, meaning the fermentation finished in the bottle. This ancestral method provides mellow bubbles and complex aromas of flint, citrus, and funky florality. The citrus element carries on to the palate, and compliments flavours of green apple, pineapple, and cantaloupe.

MUROS ANTIGOS 2018 ESCOLHA

MINHO, PORTUGAL

There’s a super common misconception that “Vinho Verde” refers to a style or type of wine, but it’s actually the name of the region in Portugal that the wine comes from. In English Vinho Verde literally translates to “green wine” but the translation is meant to be “young wine” and it’s typically released 3 – 6 months after harvest. Vinho Verde can be white, red or rosé and still, sparkling, fortified or late harvest, but in our market, we usually just get still or slightly frizzante whites with the odd rosé thrown in for good measure.

This particular cuvée from famed wine maker Anselmo Mendes, called Escolha (translated to “Choice” in English), is a blend of 40% Alvarinho aka Albariño, 40% Loureiro and 20% Avesso. Anselmo is known for his fresh, zesty, mineral driven style and this wine stays true to that. Aromas of delicate white flowers invite you in and then it’s brimming with notes of honeydew melon, grapefruit and lemon pith, both on the nose and the palate.

NIKOLAIHOF 2016 IM WEINGEBIRGE GRÜNER VELTLINER

WACHAU, AUSTRIA

Weingut Nikolaihof, Austria’s oldest winery, occupies the space that was once a monastery. First for the Celtic people of the Early Iron Age, then the Romans and finally the Germanic monks. The Romans cultivated grapes and made wine (as they did), but they also made detailed notes of their winemaking and about the specific vineyard sites. Due to these notes dating back to 470 AD, the Im Weingebirge vineyard where the grapes for this lovely Grüner were grown, is believed to be the oldest documented vineyard in all of Europe! Grüner Veltliner is likely indigenous to Austria and before the 1930’s, it went by the name Weißgipfler.

The naturally high acidity in Grüner makes this wine incredibly refreshing and bright, with aromas of Asian pear and lime. The palate is subtle, making it dangerously drinkable, with flavours of lemon drop candies, tangerines and a subtle hint of white pepper.

FORGERON CELLARS 2018 PINK RABBITS ROSÉ OF SYRAH

COLUMBIA VALLEY, WASHINGTON

Based in Walla Walla, Forgeron Cellars was founded in 2001. Since then they worked side-by-side Eastern Washington's best growers, who are focused on sustainability. Forgeron strives to produce site-specific wines that illustrate the diversity found amongst Columbia Valley’s different appellations.

The summer of 2018 was one of the hottest vintages on record in the Columbia Valley, luckily August brought slightly cooler temperatures allowing the grapes to develop freshness and complexity.

This wine comes from the Forgeron Artists series, featuring beautiful artwork from Belarusian street artist Julia Yu-Baba.

The colour of this 100% rosé of Syrah might lead you to believe it’s rather fruit forward, and while it is bursting with flavours of candy apples and field strawberries, it also has notes of blood orange, anise and a gorgeous herbaceousness that sneaks up on the lingering finish.

TESTALONGA 2018 FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS CARIGNAN

SWARTLAND, SOUTH AFRICA

This is the second August in a row we’ve featured a wine from Testalonga, a project run by Craig & Carla Hawkins, out of Swartland. Their farm, Banditskloof, is a two-hour drive from the nearest grocery store! When they first purchased the property, it was half derelict farm, half wildland. Angsty baboons and leopards live on the peaks above their home.

Carignan is a grape that originated in Spain, but is most well-known for expressions coming from France. While it does grow in several other regions around the world, it’s rather uncommon to find it in South Africa and accounts for only 1% of all land under vine. This particular vineyard was planted in 2001. The bush vines are farmed organically although some biodynamic preparations are also used. The fruit is fermented as whole-clusters giving it intense aromatics of sour cherry, tart raspberry and wild flowers. The palate is juicy with a subtle hint of allspice and chalky tannins. Drink this very light red chilled!

LONGVIEW VINEYARD 2016 YAKKA SHIRAZ

ADELAIDE HILLS, AUSTRALIA

Alright guys, I have good news and bad news. First, the bad news… Longview Vineyard is no longer being imported in Alberta, so we may never be able to get our hands on this wine.

The good news… this wine is absolutely delicious!

Longview Vineyard is a single estate winery located in Macclesfield, a small town, 45km south-east of Adelaide. The estate is owned and operated by brothers Mark and Peter Saturno.

This Shiraz was handpicked and saw daily pump overs during the fermentation process. It was then aged for 15 months in a combination of new and used oak barrels. The result is a voluptuous wine with tons of character. Aromas of freshly cracked black peppercorns, tobacco, olives, blackberries, plums and a hint of eucalyptus jump from the glass. The palate is bursting with generous flavours of blueberries, raspberry jam, milk chocolate, more black pepper and a hint of cinnamon.

-Erin Loader