Wines of Canada Archives

Wine Review: 2023 The Grange [Farmer’s Series] County Pinot Noir, and the 2023 Estate Series [Diana Block] Pinot Noir

2023 Farmer’s Series County Pinot Noir
VQA Prince Edward County

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Peppery, with full berry aromas, hints of spice and vanilla, along with an earthy undertone.
Palate: Vibrant and fresh, juicy acidity with light tannins.
Score: 87

This robust, terroir-driven County Pinot is part of The Grange’s Farmer’s Series, which celebrates the friendships with other farmers, growers, and vineyards across Ontario.

Other Details:
Alc./vol.: 12.0%
Residual Sugar: 0.2 g/L
Harvest Date: October 2023
Aging: 10 Months in French Oak (33% new barrel)

2023 Estate Series Diana Block Pinot Noir
VQA Prince Edward County

Tasting Notes:

Made with estate grapes from the Diana block, this elegant Pinot Noir displays a complex nose of cherry, strawberry, savoury beet, and earthy leaves, with a light, silky palate, chalky tannin and nice length and well-balanced.
Score: 88

Other Details:
Alc./vol.: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Estate Vineyards: Diana Block
Harvest Date: October 2023

The Estate Series wines are crafted from grapes from multiple blocks across the property. The estate vineyard spans 100+ acres of diverse, natural lands. The five vineyard blocks cover varied soils, ecology, and weather, offering unique terroir influences on the wines’ character and complexity.

For further details: https://www.grangewinery.com

The Grange of Prince Edward Winery Launches “Massey Hall Wine” Collaboration for 130th Anniversary

The Grange of Prince Edward Winery recently announced Massey Red, a private-label wine commemorating the 130th anniversary of Massey Hall. This collaboration with Roy Thomson Hall and Allied Music Centre highlights the synergy between wine and music.

Michael Leskovec, CEO of The Grange, emphasizes the shared cultural significance: “Massey Hall has been a beacon of Canadian creativity and culture for 130 years, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to honour its legacy with this special wine. Massey Red is a toast to the past, present, and future of this incredible institution and the artists it continues to inspire.”

Massey Red is crafted from grapes grown on The Grange’s 40-acre property in Hillier, Ontario, specifically from the Northfield, Victoria, and Diana blocks. This blend of Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Cabernet Franc offers notes of mocha, ripe berry, and on the palate tart cranberry, leather, and tea leaf, delightful acidity, and fine tannins – Overall: Bright, fruit-forward and approachable!

Score: 89

This release is part of The Grange’s Estate Series, showcasing the rich terroir of its vineyards. The partnership with Allied Music Centre and Roy Thomson Hall has featured Grange wines in hospitality spaces and events, celebrating the cultural legacy of Massey Hall.

Massey Red ($27) is available at The Grange of Prince Edward Winery, online at www.grangewinery.com, and at Allied Music Centre and Roy Thomson Hall.

Charles Baker 2019 Riesling VQA was selected by The Institute of Masters of Wine as the benchmark Riesling for Canada

The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) recently announced that the Charles Baker 2019 Riesling VQA Vinemount Ridge was included as one of 12 blind wines in the 2022-23 Stage One MW exam. The inclusion of this wine is a recognition that highlights the exceptional quality and character of Ontario VQA Riesling but also reinforces its status as a world-class example in the global wine industry.

“My pursuit of Riesling began as a sommelier and subsequently as a cellar hand in Jordan, Ontario. When I was part of the opening team at Stratus, I was already deeply committed to exploring the various sites of the Niagara Peninsula in pursuit of capturing its various personalities,” explained Charles Baker of Charles Baker Wines. “The Vinemount Ridge expression of this project has often been lauded as a stand-out Riesling, but to have it included as one of the first Ontario table wines at the Master of Wine exam is the ultimate honour. Expressions of Terroir include the people stewarding the land and as such, my endless thanks go to our growers, J-L Groux, Dean Stoyka and the entire team at Stratus for being part of this journey.”

“It’s truly an exciting time for Ontario’s wine industry — global recognition for the quality of Ontario VQA wine is rising rapidly — and having an Ontario VQA Riesling from the Vinemount Ridge sub-appellation included in the 2023 Masters of Wine exam as a benchmark example of Canadian Riesling reinforces the relevance of Ontario VQA Riesling on the global stage,” said Magdalena Kaiser, Director of Public Relations for the Wine Marketing Association of Ontario. “Congratulations to Charles Baker and the team at Stratus, who continue to be an integral part of Ontario’s VQA wine story.”