Intriguing choices and rare offerings poured at Cuvée Grand Tasting
This past week Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute held the 30th annual Cuvée Grand Tasting with a record crowd of more than 800 guests at Friday’s event in Niagara Falls.
The word Cuvée refers to a particular blend of wine, and typically of more than one grape variety and is sometimes it’s used to indicate a wine of superior quality or a special reserve.
Well before the night began, I had already decided it would be a sip and spit kind of night, and I set out to taste a maximum of five or six wines.
It was challenging, wandering between the stations, my glass dangling in my hand as I pondered which wines to try from the 40 wineries pouring about 80 different wines.
It reminds me of being captain of a team, eyeing each candidate to make up the best possible team.
And while you might feel intimidated, it was nice to see there were wines from $12.95 to $120 that were available for pouring.
Most interesting was a selection from Colaneri Estate Winery which offered up a 2011 merlot “Pensieri” that is sold out.
I admit I was at first a bit confused. Why would you bring a wine that is unavailable to the general public? I thought.
Their reasoning was simple, to bring something fun, something that they’re proud of and has had time to develop.
Brilliant choice, a deep luxurious wine built with a portion of dried grapes.
A beautiful spirit and way to start Cuvée.
A second wine that intrigued me was the Adamo Estate Foxcroft Cabernet Franc 2015.
I was already a fan of the Pinot Noir from the Hockley Valley winery, so a taste of the Cabernet Franc (using Niagara grapes) was a given.
Still a bit tight, and youthful, regardless, it showed the potential for this wine from what some consider a “sleeper year”.
Moving through the stations, I visited Peninsula Ridge Estates where I tried both the Vintner’s Private Reserve Sauvignon Blanc and Reserve Syrah, but it the former that pleased me the most.
Some time in barrel for the Sauvignon Blanc adds complexity while still delivering the fruit that you would expect from the varietal.
Following the Sauv Blanc, was a visit to G. Marquis where they were pouring the Silver Line Epic, which is a Bordeaux-style blend.
The nose had an interesting note of peach or stone fruit, something I would not normally attach to a red blend. Very interesting, with nice acidity to keep your mouth salivating.
And I could not pass by Stratus which was pouring both the Stratus white and red.
The red, a blend by winemaker J.L. Groux is lively from what was a cooler year. Lot’s of red fruit and balanced acidity that makes it a joy to drink. Pour it now, or let it sit for a couple of years for a full reward.
I walked away from the event wishing I could have spent more time, and tried more from the 40 wineries, many of which I have yet to visit.
That’s the beauty of an event like this. You can sample from a variety of wineries and talk to many of the winemakers all in one place. You can try things you can’t find in the LCBO, and wines that winemakers don’t often bring out.
Cheers to Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute for a great night out.