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Escarpment Magaz ine Winter
2012
Choosing 6 or 7 wines and boasting about them should be easy, I could talk about wine
all day if anyone would let me. However, there are so many beautiful expressions of
every varietal, it is in fact, very difficult to pick just a few and say only a little something
about them. Deciding to keep it simple, I am spotlighting reds and whites that are usu-
ally crowd pleasers, adding a few interesting points along the way. Note, these are ex-
pressly my own personal opinions and everyone’s palate is vastly different — just one of
the many reasons why the world of wine is so fascinating. No right or wrong answers…
unless of course, you are doing a blind tasting and writing notes to pass an exam. For
our purposes in this column - please... just consider and enjoy.
escarpment
EPICURE
TASTING WITH JENNIFER VIPOND
Cabernet Sauvignon
- everyone knows and lusts after this varietal and it could be said that it is the
world’s most renowned, dark skinned grape planted. Cabernet Sauvignon originated in Bordeaux where
much of the time the Cab Sauv will be blended. Now we see Cab Sauv in New and Old World, blended or
pure and consumers of Cabernet Sauvignon can now find great Cabs with great price points by considering
offerings from Chile and California.
Chile -
Most appellations in Chile are plain and simple - valleys soaked with sunshine and some wonderful
evening breezes from the Pacific Ocean create the Humboldt currents that make a grape’s life worth living!
Also the Andes Mountains effect on temperature keeps everything in balance for perfect conditions of this
luscious fruit. Valleys such as Maipo, Rapel, Central or Colchagua all produce some beauties with even ripen-
ing of the fruit due to all of the factors mentioned above. As Chile gains this well deserved popularity their
price points will mirror it in the very near future. Think dark fruit, blackberry, cassis, leather, dark chocolate!
$12.95 - $17.95
Concha Y Toro Marques de Casa Conche
, Region- Puenta Alto
Carmen “Classic” Cabernet Sauvignon
Maipo Valley.
California -
They may not have been growing grapes for as long as the OldWorld countries but we know they
have the right conditions and soil to make them produce world-class wines. California (in particular Paso Rob-
les) happens to be my very favourite due to their big bold muscular wines. (Zinfandel to be exact- I can chew
on one of these with great content- Black stone fruit, full bodied, high alcohol red like a zin should be with a
mocha coffee finish. In 1976, California got a nice little boost when their wines beat some of France’s best
in class in a blind tasting in Paris. Ever see the movie BOTTLE SHOCK? I highly recommend it. Great, feel
good story based on this very fact in the late 70’s. (I digress) - Zinfandels may be the state’s signature grape,
but we know all too well that Napa Valley produces some of the finest Cab Sauvs ever - $17.95 - $21.95
ought to do it. (We could easily spend more when we are discussing California Cabs that I do know.)
DeLoach Heritage Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
J Lohr 7 Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon
Pinot Gris/Grigio
- The grape is the same, where it comes from and how it is treated is the difference.
Grigio (Italy) Gris originated from France. (Burgundy) Understanding this, all I can say is — I tend to stay
away from inexpensive ones. For my palate, they can be quite insipid. So if you are going for a Pinot Gris/Gri-
gio. Spend the money; otherwise you may find yourself very disappointed.
LCBO - Malivoire Pinot Gris -
beautiful, crisp freshness with notes of green apple and melon. A Pinot Grigio from
the North, North East part of Italy is where I venture when I look for a good Pinot Grigio in the LCBO
(Alto Adige)
they are full bodied and aromatic.
A couple of my personal favourites for Pinot Gris may not be acquired in the liquor store but they produce
very small batches making it so. And again, these Pinot Gris’ are beyond delicious. Insipid they most certainly
are NOT. $15.95 - $21.95
Five Rows Pinot Gris - St. David’s Bench
Organized Crime Pinot Gris - Beamsville
Jennifer Vipond is the owner of Bruce Wine Bar in Thornbury and will be
completing the Diploma course with Wine and Spirit Education Trust