Sparkling Wine

Order the following two wines, in the very near future, by the case for daily home or office delivery directly from 2027 Cellars. 


2027 Cellars ‘Queenston Road Vineyard’ Sparkling Non-Vintage 
VQA St. David’s Bench $30.00 12.0% alcohol 
This single vineyard, limited production—under 100 cases—gem was fashioned Méthode Traditionelle with 28 months on its lees and no dosage. A profusion of richly-hued, fine-bead bubbles fill the glass followed by aromas of white peach, mango and mineral, yeasty notes. It bathes the palate with weighty, creamy smooth flavours of ripe orchard fruit—nectarine, pear, green apple—and Meyer lemon. This finishes balanced and beautiful with more ripe flavour and texture than most—unique and outstanding with oomph to pair with roast fowl and most seafood. (Vic Harradine)

Table Wine

2027 Cellars ‘Wismer Vineyard-Fox Croft Block’ Chardonnay 2012 
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $30.00 13.0% alcohol 
Delicate, alluring aromas of buttered toast, mineral notes and green apple presage a glorious, creamy mouthful of tang-laden flavour with peach, pear and lemon citrus to the fore. It’s medium weight, deftly balanced and stylish, even at this early stage. Flavours persist through the lingering aftertaste, focused and pure. Drinks beautifully now, will improve in bottle—consummate food wine, pour with pan-seared scallops or tuna, roast pork and more. Owner/winemaker Kevin Panagapka adds to his sterling reputation. (Vic Harradine) 

Order the following two wines by the case, can be mixed, for daily home or office delivery direct from Fielding. 


Fielding Estate Winery Cabernet-Merlot 2010 
VQA Niagara Peninsula $35.15 12.5% alcohol 
A delicious red blend—42% Cab Franc, 33% Merlot, 25% Cab Sauv—bottled unfined and unfiltered after 24 months in French and American oak. Mocha, espresso roast and oodles of dark berry fruit aromas on the nose, it settles on the palate with a solid core of delectable, structured and balanced flavour with red cherry, ripe mulberry and plenty of charm. It’s medium-full bodied with generous texture and supple tannin underpinning—it has mellowed beautifully since tasting in September. The finish lingers. (Vic Harradine) 


Fielding Estate Winery ‘Tufford Road Vineyard – Rock Pile Red 2012 
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $20.15 13.0% alcohol 
This red blend—62% Merlot, 38% Cab Sauv—dishes up savory, dark berry fruit and mocha aromas before spilling over the palate with an array of tang-laden laden, spice-infused flavour with red currant and sour cherry to the fore. It broadens out on the finish and aftertaste layering on riper mulberry and dark cherry tones. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel and underpinned by still-resolving tannin. Pour now after a three-hour aeration/decant alongside pasta puttanesca or spaghetti Bolognese. (Vic Harradine) 

Order the following two wines by the case for daily home or office delivery from Kacaba. 


Kacaba Cabernet Franc 2011 
VQA Niagara Escarpment $18.95 13.5% alcohol 
Savory herbs, smoky bits and pencil shaving aromas herald a rip-roaring river of black currant and juicy black cherry coating the palate adorned with lip-smacking acidity and a solid tannin underpinning. On the powerful finish there’s oodles of fruit, complexity and good length. It’s very good now after a two-hour aeration decant with promise of much more by opening in a year or two. (Vic Harradine) 


Kacaba ‘Rebecca’ Rosé 2013 
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (227025) 11.4% alcohol 
This stylish red blend—Syrah, Pinot Noir, Cab Franc—jumps from the glass with lifted aromas of strawberry jam, cherry syrup and spice-infused red berry fruit. It bathes the palate with oodles of fabulous, well-balanced flavour—tangy red grapefruit, red cherry and red currant jelly. It’s a lovely package—balanced, complex with structure, charm and just plain delicious. Clean crisp and refreshing, the aftertaste is lip-smacking good. Pick up a few for summer/fall enjoyment; it pours well with a deli platter, soft or blue cheese, duck or chicken. (Vic Harradine) 

Order the following three wines by the case for daily home or office delivery from Thirty Bench. 


Thirty Bench ‘Triangle Vineyard’ Small Lot Riesling 2012 
VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula $30.00 10.9% alcohol 
Floral notes, notions of petrol and citrus aromas herald a delectable river of lemon-lime, pineapple and grapefruit flavours garnished by tangy apple and yellow plum flavours. It’s medium bodied with a very creamy mouth feel, nicely balanced, zippy and refreshing. Pour on its own or pair with spicy Asian dishes. (Vic Harradine) 


Thirty Bench ‘Steel Post Vineyard’ Small Lot Riesling 2012 
VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula $30.00 10.8% alcohol 
This is a majestic wine for Riesling aficionados and just plain wine lovers—kudos to winemaker, Emma Garner. Exotic spice, orange blossom, lime cordial and minerality on the nose, it washes over the palate with nerve, verve and lip-smacking tang—lime sherbet, Meyer lemon and notions of Granny Smith apple. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel and a deliriously wonderful aftertaste, tangy, refreshing and mouth-watering. Delicious now, better in 4-5 years. (Vic Harradine) 


Thirty Bench ‘Red’ 2011 
VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula $24.00 13.4% alcohol 
Aromas of earthiness, dark berry fruit and wood smoke open this structured red blend—48% Cab Sauv, 42% Merlot, 10% Cab Franc. Gorgeously textured waves of briary berry, black currant, mocha and mixed spice wash over the palate, infusing the balanced, lengthy finish. The involved aftertaste is fruity and flecked with spice and notions of pipe tobacco. (Vic Harradine)