charter

Cuvée (FR pronun: ​[kyve]) -  is a French wine term derived from cuve, meaning vat or tank (Wikipedia)

Happened: March 1-3, 2013, Niagara ON CAN

Happened for me: March 1, Cuvee Gala & March 2 Experts Tasting

This year the grand Friday evening Gala was programmed differently, or so am I am told bc I have never been before. The wines were chosen by Ontario winemakers and the Apres Cuvee party was pretty swinging -especially on the beer side of things, oddly. Not strange bc we make incredible craft beer in Ontario, but bc as soon as the band started and the beer was poured the real party started! I guess larger, refreshing samples of Niagara’s best brews was just what the Ontario wine gala needed to loosen their tie after an evening of palate abuse. Myself, included.

The following morning we were at Brock University (CCOVI) by 10am for the Bordeaux varietals theme at this year’s 2013 Experts Tasting. Now, this was something I had been to before.

This year was far more intimidating for me, however. My table housed two familiar and fellow OWS folk, but also Len Pennachetti of Cave Spring, Richie Roberts, Fielding and Matt Loney from Creekside… (*hand to forehead, as I am way out of my league*). So, I started to busy myself with what under-slept web marketers should be doing and started taking pics with my phone and tablet, listening for sounds bites I could crunch to 140 characters and general clickity-clack. This didn’t last long as I really try to avoid being overly active online when I am at particular events, and this one I really admire and am SO lucky to attend. 

we had 5 flights of 7 wines each, with possible ringers throughout. tough, yes. but with tons of laughs, too. Ron Geisbrecht, winemaker at Henry of Pelham, being the ring leader.

It is a true honour to sit among this annual patchwork that is our Ontario wine industry’s greatest creators, supporters, those that are really the essence of our current wine culture -reminding itself of its history on the trek forward.

This is smart. If the Wine Options flight by Peter Bodnar Rod was any indication, too, the Annual Brock Experts Tasting will no doubt become the great colloquium and touchstone for Ontario wine -if it hasn’t already.

Here are my favs, just note I fear I did not get a chance to try everything poured at the Gala. #mybad.

CUVEE GALA

• Le Clos Jordanne Claystone Terrace Pinot Noir 2009
• Kacaba Syrah Reserve 2010
• Bachelder Wismer Chardonnay 2010
• Ravine Reserve Chardonnay Barrel Select Unfiltered 2009
• Thirty Bench Small Lot Chardonnay 2010

**at some point during Apres Cuvee I had Stratus White 2009. YES.

EXPERTS TASTING - theme: bordeaux varietals.

A simple list of wineries that I thought showed Niagara has a handle on things, with respect to this year’s theme: 

• Malivoire
• Stratus
• Creekside
• Hidden Bench