• The following Tawse wines, and those from the previous June 7 newsletter, are available by the case for daily home, office or restaurant delivery online at Tawse Winery or for pick up by the bottle or case at the winery at 3955 Cherry Ave, Vineland ON.

  
Tawse Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine 2014
VQA Niagara Peninsula $34.95 200mL 11.0% alcohol
This nectar of the gods is unctuous without being cloying and truly stunning. Aromas of strawberry jam and spice abound. It coats the palate with a smorgasbord of flavour with fresh strawberry, red plum compote and red raspberry to the fore. It’s fully textured and creamy smooth with the lingering finish providing enough balancing acidity to make this an enjoyable experience, sip, after sip, after sip. Serve well chilled. (Vic Harradine)

  
Tawse ‘Unoaked’ Chardonnay 2015
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $19.95 12.5% alcohol
If you still fly the ABC flag—anything but Chardonnay—prepare to meet your Waterloo. Fragrant notes of white flowers, pear, golden apple and quince drift from the glass. Vivacious and fresh, the acidity sings while mineral notes tease and lovely ripe fruit flavours caress the palate with silky texture. This is a well-crafted, value-laden, balanced gem that finishes with a juicy, slightly pithy note. Chill and sip on its own, or pour with chicken Caesar salad or fish. (Susan Desjardins)

  
Tawse ‘Spark’ Brut Sparkling 2014
VQA Niagara Peninsula $24.95 (384966) 12.0% alcohol
This Chardonnay/Pinot Noir/Pinot Gris blend is a finely crafted ‘traditional method’ sparkling wine with extended lees aging. Delicate notes of brioche intermingle with citrus notes and tree fruit aromas. The vibrant texture and fine-bead mousse precede mouth-cleansing acidity. There’s depth and breadth to the tangy fruit flavours with an elusive mineral character and a note of grapefruit zest lingering on the lengthy finish. Sip well chilled on its own or with light appetizers. (Susan Desjardins)

• The following three ‘natural’ wines showcase the innovative side of Tawse, winemaker Paul Pender and his progressive team in their never-ending search for healthier wines with less chemical additives and, when advisable, less human interference in the process. The estate fruit was farmed following organic and biodynamic practices, hand-picked, fermented with indigenous yeasts, unfined, unfiltered and bottled without addition of sulphites.

• These should be drunk within six months of bottling given the lack of added sulphur.

  
Tawse ‘Unsulfured/Unfiltered’ ‘Quarry Road’ Chardonnay 2015 
VQA Vinemount Ridge $35.95 12.0% alcohol
This is fresh and lively with clean, bracing acidity throughout. With a little spritz upon pouring, it’s a bright yellow gold in the glass—it briefly saw100% new French oak barrels. Piquant spice, herbal notes, marzipan and hazelnut aromas herald a mid-weight stream of lemon-lime tang with wisps of tart Granny Smith apple and wisps of honey on the palate persisting through the lengthy, delicious, lip-smacking finish. This would be an inspired pairing with prawn and scallop ceviche. (Vic Harradine)

  
Tawse ‘Unsulfured/Unfiltered’ ‘Redfoot Vineyard’ Gamay 2015 
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $28.95 12.5% alcohol
Earthy notes, pipe tobacco and gamy aromas on the nose—it settled briefly in only seasoned French oak barrels—this washes over the palate silky smooth and medium bodied. Beetroot with tangy tart red currant and notions of kirsch liqueur bathe the palate. The dry, lingering finish and aftertaste replay palate flavours along with delightful pie cherry tang and charry notes.

   
Tawse ‘Unsulfured/Unfiltered’ ‘Quarry Road Vineyard’ Pinot Noir 2015 
VQA Vinemount Ridge $35.95 12.5% alcohol
This saw a brief time in 50% new and 50% used French oak barrel. It opens with aromas of charred toast, tobacco leaf and cedar before unleashing a creamy-smooth, medium-weight river of sweet-tinged red berry fruit, pomegranate and blueberry on the palate. It finishes with great élan and a tart tang bite on the aftertaste. Pour with smoked duck breasts. (Vic Harradine)

• The following cider from Tawse is available only to licensee holders, e.g. those who hold a liquor license - restaurants, hotels. They are available only in Key Kegs—allows cider on tap/cider by the glass—of 20L and 30L @ $120. and $150. respectively. Produced from a blend of five Ontario apples—McIntosh, Empire, Northern Spy, Red Delicious and Gala. An extra-dry, bottle-fermented, 750 mL sparkling cider will be released this summer.

Sparkling Hard Apple Cider
Product of Canada 20L @ $120.00 and 30L @ $150.00 5.5% alcohol 
Crisp, clean and refreshing and full fruited, aromas of fresh-cut apple and yeasty notes introduce a flavour-laced stream of ripe, sweet-tinged red apple and McIntosh tang. There’s lively bubbles with plenty of racy tang leaving the palate refreshed and wanting more. Cider is quite versatile at the table pairing with salads, fish and chips, ceviche, crispy-skin poultry, soft cheese, pork and much more. (Vic Harradine)