Chardonnay, Cool Again This Year

By / Wine + Drinks / July 9th, 2014 / 1

You may have heard that next weekend in Niagara, Ontario there’s an event called the i4C coming to town (July 18 – 20, 2014).

It’s an International celebration of Chardonnay that brings Chardonnay producers together with Chardonnay-lovers; and that can only mean one thing: there’s gonna be a whole lotta Chardonnay-things going on.

Since Niagara is hosting, it seems only fair we look at some of the great cool climate Chardonnays from the region … next week we’ll highlight Chardonnay from the rest of the world.

Hidden Bench 2012 Estate Chardonnay ($28.75)

Aromas heavily influenced by the barrel: butter, vanilla, caramel but then along comes grilled peach. Palate has butter and vanilla on the main stage then peach and pear skin wrap themselves around the tongue with a nice spicy finish; good acidity and great length.

Southbrook 2012 Triomphe Chardonnay ($22.95)

Aromas and flavours that include grilled pear and peach with a vanilla seam running right down the middle, there’s a nice balancing act of fruit and barrel elements without one overpowering the other.

Tawse 2011 Robyn’s Block Chardonnay ($45.95)

Indulgent aromas of vanilla, crème caramel and apple; good acidic backbone on the palate in the form of lemon and green apple. Complex flavours include spice, citrus pith, lime cordial, green apple puree and butterscotch – it’s the depth of flavours that make this wine so appealing.

Mike Weir 2012 Limited Edition Barrel Fermented Chardonnay ($24.95)

Finesse and freshness all in one bottle: coconut, vanilla, tropical fruit, pear and apple with creamy notes, and great acidity for balance on the long pretty finish. The oak does not overwhelm the fruit; a real possibility in the hot 2012 vintage.

For more wine suggestions, see our other #WineWednesday posts.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael is an award-winning journalist: Promoting the Promoters Award Cuvée 2010 and Ontario Wine Awards Journalist of the Year 2012.  He is also a national and international wine judge - Ontario Wine Awards, All Canadian Wine Championships; Best of Riesling — Germany; Essencia do Vinho — "Top Wines of Portugal".  He is currently the President of the Wine Writers Circle of Canada and the wine columnist for Ottawa Life and Grand magazine as well as regular contributor to Tidings, and Grapevine ... his reviews have also appeared in the LCBO Vintages magazine. Michael has also added a YouTube channel to his activities where he reviews bottles of great Ontario wine on a weekly basis. In whatever he does, it is Michael’s desire to educate, inspire and encourage others to grow their own love and enthusiasm for wine – and to realize that it is their palate that ultimately makes the decision.

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