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Annual Dinner - March 25 (Monday), 2002 Annual Dinner at the Patriot Restaurant, 131 Bloor St. W.

The Best of Canada - May 6 (Monday), 2002 Compare Ontario's best to B.C.'s and others'. David Lawrason will lead us in the tasting.

Wine Tour in the Niagara Peninsula - May 26 (Sunday), 2002  We will visit Pillitteri, Inniskillin and Creekside. This will be a joint adventure with the Australian Wine Society!

Tasting Gold - June 2002 Featuring gold medal winners from the Air Ontario Awards.

Barbecue - August 2002  

Before and After Dinner Wines - September 2002  

Riedel Glass Tasting - October 2002  

Ontario Rieslings vs the world - November 2002  

Mail: P.O. Box 519, Station K
Toronto, Ontario
M4P 2G9

Voice Mail: 416 921 9798

E-mail: contact@ontariowinesociety.com

Web: www.ontariowinesociety.com

This tasting featured wines from an eclectic group of wineries stretching across southern Ontario from Waupoos in Prince Edward County south of Belleville to Amherstburg near the Detroit River. The featured wineries were Waupoos Estate Winery, Waupoos; Ocala Winery, Port Perry; Willow Springs Winery, Stouffville; Colio Estate Winery, Harrow; and D'Angelo Estate Winery, Amherstburg.

Irwin Smith of Ocala, Mario and Julie Testa of Willow Springs and Hugh Johnstone and Doug Beatie of Colio spoke on the challenges of operating wine businesses outside of the Niagara area.

The wines tasted proved that it can be done at a quality level that matches Niagara. Some of the favourites of the evening were the Waupoos Estate's 2000 Vidal, with a surprisingly citrusy aroma and racy acidity on the palate, Willow Springs' 1999 Seyval Blanc which had a wonderful floral bouquet, Colio's full bodied 1999 CEV Cabernet Franc, D'Angelo's earthy, spicy 1999 Old Vines Foch Reserve and Ocala's raspberry dessert wine with a just-picked raspberry bouquet.

The Ice Wine Weekend commenced with check in at the Kittling Ridge Winery Inn on Saturday. Each guest had a luxurious room with either a king size bed or two double beds and a whirlpool tub. At approximately 5pm we set out for Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery. The sun was setting as we made our way up the driveway past the historic 1885 William D. Kitchen House, which is now the Restaurant at Peninsula Ridge, and the Coach House where we would later dine. At 5:30pm we assembled in the winery lobby and were greeted by Benjamin Simmons who took us on a tour of the winery. Wine Society members could easily see what Peninsula Ridge is doing different from the other wineries to raise the quality bar.

Following the tour we gathered in the gift shop/tasting room for a tasting of some of Peninsula Ridge's premium wines.

We then made our way to the Carriage House, which gave us a panoramic view of the lush vineyards, the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario. While the Coach House is new, it has been reconstructed on its original 1885 footprint.

The cuisine known as "French Niagara" is rooted in classical French techniques, using the finest quality ingredients from neighbouring Niagara farms and orchards. There was a tasting portion of specially selected wines served with each course.

Wine Society members had preselected their dinner, which consisted of:

Following dinner, members returned to the Kittling Ridge Inn and the Society Hospitality Suite where Icewine and various cheeses were served. Members went to their rooms fully satisfied with good food, good wine and good fellowship.

The next morning a huge brunch was served at the Inn, following which, members departed for home.

Sixty members and guests attended a dynamic wine tasting and discussion of the wines of Chateau des Charmes led by winemaker Pierre-Jean Bosc. After the 2000 Sec Sparkling wine set the mood, the flambouyant and outspoken Bosc talked of the superior viticulture techniques at Chateau des Charmes. Jean-Pierre outlined the unique characteristics of the St. Davids wines versus the neighbouring Paul Bosc estate. The stylistic differences in the Chardonnays from both vineyards were dramatic.

The mystery wine, a 1995 Paul Bosc estate Pinot Noir, didn't fool Pierre-Jean. He was the only one to correctly guess the grape type and vintage.

The group appreciated the uniqueness and value in Chateau des Charmes' late harvest Sauvignon Blanc and encouraged him to try it again in 2002.

The award winning Riesling Icewine capped off the 10 wine horizontal tasting and clearly demonstrated, if anyone needed convincing, that Chateau des Charmes is a quality leader in the production of commercial wines in Ontario.

Pierre-Jean Bosc and OWS Members at the Featured Winery, Chateau des Charmes, Tasting, Feb. 26, 2002, Tasting Rooms Restaurant, Toronto

What's In a Name - March 9, 16, 23, & 30, 2:00pm
Gamay, Gamay Noir, Gamay Beaujolais are all names which classify the same grape variety. Seminar will focus on the history and character of this variety followed by a tasting of various styles from the `98, `99 and `00 vintages. Please call 905 562 3581 for reservations. $5.00 per person.

Out of the Ordinary - March, daily, 11:00am to 4:00pm
"Experience Creekside at it's best. Join us in the Barrel Cellar for a sneak preview of our "Reserve 1999 Signature Collection". Complemented with a selection of gourmet cheese and dried fruit." Reservations are recommended. $5.00 per person.

Chardonnay Down Under - March 30, 2002, 12:00pm to 4:00 pm
Visit Creekside's unique Underground Barrel Cellar for a vertical tasting of "1999 Chardonnay", "2000 Chardonnay", and soon to be released "1999 Signature Chardonnay". Easter Saturday only. Reservations required. $3.00 per person.

St. Patrick's Day " Swing Time Dance Band" - March 17, 2002, 5:30pm
Come out to Hernder Estates and dance to the tunes of Miller, Basie, Ellington, & Sinatra. Open Bar and Corned Beef on a Bun with "Green" Wine, of course!

Band 6:30pm - 10:00pm. Cover Charge $5.00 per person. Please call 905 684 3300.

H.A.T.S Springtime Dance with Special Guest Chris Irwin - March 23, 8:00pm
Introducing "H.A.T.S." Spring Time Dance with Special Guest, Chris Irwin, "Canada's Own Horse Whisperer". Held in conjunction with the 2 Day Clinic with Chris Irwin. Casual Dance starts at 8:00pm along with a Silent Auction raising funds for Therapeutic Riding.

Cold Buffet at 10:30pm Tickets are $15.00 per person. For more information please phone Victoria Baago 905 329 6730 or Anna Elvidge 905 899 2811.

The Grass is always Greener after a Sauvignon Blanc - Saturday, March 30
Vineyard Managers Donna and David Lailey talk about what they learned in New Zealand and brought back to the vineyard in Niagara. Winemaker Derek Barnett talks about his longtime love of this variety. Tasting of 2000 and 2001 vintages of Lailey Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc served with classic food companion hors d'oeuvres. Comparative tasting of international Sauvignon Blanc competitors. $15 per person inclusive. For reservations e-mail tonya@laileyvineyard.com or 905 468 0503.

Take a Break and Create! Spring Flower Garden Classes and High Tea - March 10 & 24, 1:00pm to 3:30pm
March 10 - Plant spring bulbs in a decorative container.

March 24 - design a spring flower basket for your door.

Includes instructor, materials, High Tea, glass of wine and wine tasting at your leisure in our retail boutique. Reservations required. $40.00 + taxes per person, per session.

Irish Stew and Green Ice - March 17, 12:00pm to 3:00 pm.
Celebrate St. Patty's day at Stonechurch! Irish style lunch by Echelon Catering. Irish Stew or Beef and Guiness stew in an Irish soda bread bowl with Colcannon potato salad. Sweet ending of Green Ice! $9.95 + taxes per person.

Bin End Promotion - March
Stoney Ridge Cellars is offering their annual Bin End promotion. This promotion features VQA whites and reds and great savings. All wines featured are low inventory products and include wines like The Civart winning 1997 B.F. B.A. Gewurztraminer Icewine for $59.95 or the 1999 Reserve Riesling for $9.95. For more information or for a full listing, visit www.stoneyridge.com and click on the Bin End icon.

Bacchus to the Future - May 23 to 25, 2002

A major international conference on wine will be held at Brock University. It is expected to draw hundreds of participants and will focus national and international attention on Ontario wine and wine regions.

A number of leading wine specialists have been invited to make presentations at Bacchus to the Future. To date the following leaders in their fields have confirmed their intention to participate in Bacchus to the Future:

• Tim Hanni - MW, an internationally recognized innovative researcher in flavour and taste and educator in the theory and practice of wine and food pairing.
• Ann Noble - PhD, University of California, Davis, developer of the Wine Aroma Wheel and the world's leading sensory oenologist.
• Larry Lockshin - PhD, Director of the Wine Marketing Research Group, University of South Australia. He is a specialist in long-term wine marketing strategies and was prominent in developing 'Strategy 2025' for the Winemakers' Federation of Australia.
• Richard Smart - PhD, author of Sunlight into Wine. He is known as the 'flying vine doctor' for his worldwide advising work on wine quality and vine yield.
• Patrick McGovern - PhD, research scientist at The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology who specializes on the identification and analysis of ancient wine and beer. He is co-editor of The Origins and Ancient History of Wine.

Bacchus to the Future will be linked with an international symposium on wine and health. Participants at that symposium will speak at the wine conference on latest research on wine and health.

Bacchus to the Future will be held at the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) and elsewhere on the campus of Brock University. For more information go to www.bacchustothefuture.com.

2001 Inniskillin Icewine Harvest Finally Arrives!! Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario - February 4, 2002

Icewine harvests at Inniskillin Niagara were pushed into the end of January and the beginning of February 2002.

Karl Kaiser started harvesting his Icewine on February 4th at 6pm with reported temperatures of -12 Celsius. He started at the Montague Vineyard with Riesling and Vidal, then proceeded to the Brae Burn Vineyard at the winery site. Picking continued throughout the week. Previous years reflect harvest times as early as December 5th and as late as February 15th.

Karl had been kept guessing by Mother Nature with an unusually mild winter so far, in Ontario. The grapes have had some degree of dehydration which contributes to a high quality. Gerald Klose, Vineyard Manager, commented, "After many close calls we are thrilled that the opportunity finally presented itself."

After netting the vines in October to protect them from the hungry birds, the naturally frozen grapes are picked by hand. The water content of the juice is retained in the berries in the form of ice crystals during the pressing of the frozen grapes. During the pressing, these crystals pierce the grape skins liberating additional aromatic scents for which Icewine is cherished. The highly concentrated juice is slowly fermented keeping the alcohol and natural sugars and acids in balance and harmony. The end product is an intensely sweet wine with layers of rich, full flavours, bountiful exotic fruit aromas, and a long, lingering finish on the palate.

The harvesting dates listed below show the range of this challenging type of winter harvest.

Vintage Harvest Dates

• 2001 Feb. 4, 2002 - Initial picking
• 2000 Dec. 13, 2000 - Initial picking
• 1999 Jan. 13, 2000
• 1998 Dec. 22/98 & Jan. 1 - 12/99
• 1997 Dec. 31/97 & Feb. 15/98
• 1996 Dec. 20,31, 1996
• Jan. 1,11,12,16,17,18,19, 1997
• 1995 Dec. 11-13, 1995

Peninsula Ridge

Peninsula Ridge Estates Launches New Wines in LCBO Stores, February 2002

Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery has just launched its first two general list wines -- Chardonnay 2000 and Cabernet 2000 -- in over 100 LCBO stores across Ontario.

Peninsula Ridge Estates is a new state-of-the-art winemaking facility in Niagara specializing in Bordeaux-style reds and Burgundy-style Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The winery, which is located on the Beamsville Bench and includes a fine dining establishment called The Restaurant at Peninsula Ridge, has set new standards for quality in Canadian winemaking.

The 2000 vintage represents the first true vintage for winemaker Jean-Pierre Colas, who was the former head winemaker for Domaine Laroche in Chablis, France. Jean-Pierre joined the winery when it was first inaugurated in the summer of 2000. The production for 2000 was 13,000 cases with approximately 30% in white wines and 70% in red wines.

"The debut of our wines in LCBO is a great opportunity for us to access consumers throughout Ontario who may not have the opportunity to visit our winery on a regular basis and purchase our wines," said Norman Beal, President of Peninsula Ridge Estates.

Here is a description of the wines:

Peninsula Ridge Estates Chardonnay 2000 VQA is a classic Chablis-style Chardonnay with stainless steel fermentation to highlight the crisp flavours and mineral notes of the wine. Jean-Pierre Colas' expert use of French oak barrels has added structure and complexity to this Niagara Bench Chardonnay with its lively fresh fruit and bright acidity. $12.95, CSPC: 594200, 12.5% alcohol.

Peninsula Ridge Estates Cabernet 2000 VQA features equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, each aged 50% in French oak barrels. The wine offers deep complexity with notes of vanilla, cherry and plum. The wine's tannins are well integrated resulting in a rounded structure that complements the luscious fruit with a hint of mint. $14.95 CSPC: 598748, 12.5% alcohol

**If Peninsula Ridge Estates wines are not available in your local LCBO store, please ask for the wines and the store will order them for you. Please also refer to the recent insert on Ontario wines in The Toronto Star, February 7, and The Globe and Mail, February 8, newspapers featuring our Cabernet Franc 2000.

For more information, please visit our web site at www.peninsularidge.com.

The Wine Queen Cometh to Canada

By John Allemang, The Globe and Mail, January 5, 2002

Canadian wine regions merit little more than one page in British wine expert Jancis Robinson's revised World Atlas of Wine. But, she tells JOHN ALLEMANG, that's a 300-per-cent increase over the last edition space.

"Do you know milk thistle?" Jancis Robinson asks toward the end of the meal, and, as you're chasing down obscure Australian winery names in your cabernet-soaked brain, she volunteers the answer like an eager A-student. "It's a homeopathic hangover remedy. And it actually seems to work."

Milk thistle capsules, and the head-clearing relief they promise, are much on the English wine writer's mind. She's only a day into her North American tour, combining promotion for the newly revised classic The World Atlas of Wine with a trip to the promising Niagara wine region and a Manhattan get-together hosted by one of her adoring readers: the claret-swigging novelist Jay McInerney.

The joint effects of jet lag and a celebratory dinner thrown by her publisher the night before still grip her, and she's in no mood for the heavyweight Barolos and Brunellos the restaurant's owner offers her as she nibbles her balsamic-flavoured liver.

Ontario earns just a page in her new Wine Atlas and B.C. merits just two paragraphs -- "That's 300 per cent more than in the last edition," says Robinson, deftly spin-doctoring, "the biggest increase of any country".

But the woman who's tasted far too much of the same old thing in her time is clearly intrigued by the idea that something different is happening here. Her great hope is to find new sources of pinot noir and riesling, her favourite white grape to the point of being an obsession.

Her major complaint, as it is with all wine drinkers trying to sort out Canadian good from Canadian bad, is with the wines made from imported juice that can call themselves product of Canada. "That really should be fought against," she says curtly.

Ask her about icewine, the one great Canadian success in the global market, and she qualifies her praise. "I think," she begins hesitantly, "that it's a . . . jolly . . . useful . . . thing to drink young. As long as it's not too expensive. I don't think I would claim complexity or ageability for it. I wouldn't put it into the same category as a great sauternes -- and that's not just because sauternes is French.

And then, sensing that her sober scholarly side may have taken the upper hand, she relents. "But I enjoy drinking them, and that's what it's all about."

Jancis Robinson tasted widely on her recent visit to the Niagara region, and while she is impressed with the pace of the industry's development, she says that "average" wines in Ontario could do with "more concentration and personality." But she singled out the Temkin-Paskus Chardonnay '97 as a "big" wine that matched up well against a Coche Dury Meursault Rougeot.

Other wines that impressed:

• Thirty Bench Barrel-Fermented Riesling '99
• Cave Spring Rieslings (especially the CSV '00)
• Vineland Riesling Reserve '00
• Peller Estates Dry Riesling '00
• 13th St. Sandstone Chardonnay '98
• Vineland Chardonnay Reserve '98
• Malivoire Gewurztraminer Moira Vineyard '00
• Vineland Pinot Blanc '00
• Pillitteri Riesling Icewine '99
• Kacaba Cabernet Franc '99
• Stoney Ridge Cabernet Franc '98 Reserve
• Pillitteri Cabernet Franc Reserve '98
• Jackson Triggs Merlot Proprietor's Grand Reserve '98
• Daniel Lenko Meritage '99
• Vineland Cab/Merlot/Cabernet Franc '98
• Inniskillin Pinot Noir '99
• Cave Spring Gamay Reserve '99
• Malivoire Old Vines Foch '99

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• Vines Magazine - Special Subscription Offer

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Vines Magazine, Canada's leading wine magazine, has a special offer for members of the Ontario Wine Society.

As a member of the OWS, you can subscribe to Vines Magazine for only $8.00 for a year (6 issues). If you are already a subscriber, you can renew your subscription at the discounted rate.

Don't miss another issue of Vines. You can subscribe by calling 1 888 883 3372 or e-mail wsendzik1@cogeco.ca. Be sure to mention that you are a member of the OWS.

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• New Member Drive Continues

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In an effort to increase the membership in the Ontario Wine Society, the executive is undertaking several initiatives. One of those initiatives is an incentive program for new members and existing members.

Here are the details.

• Every new member will be entitled to one free tasting event.
• An existing member will be entitled to one free tasting event for every two new member referrals.

So, here's an opportunity for you to help us promote the Society. Good Luck! Make sure that the people you refer note your name on the form when they submit their application. Applications can be obtained by leaving a voice message at 416 921 9798, or writing to The Ontario Wine Society, P.O. Box 519, Station K, Toronto, Ontario, M4P 2G9. Or, you can apply through the web site at www.ontariowinesociety.com.

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• Help Wanted

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The Ontario Wine Society's board of directors needs more board members to help run the organization. If you have some time to help in marketing or planning events, please get in touch with Bruce Barber, President of the Ontario Wine Society, at 416 239 3835.

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