One question, are you on Twitter? There’s a dearth of good wine twitterers, and I’d love to follow you.

Thanks!

Mike Ferrier

Wow! So this is what you are up to in your spare time. Truly insightful and practical perspective from a true lover of all things wine, beer and food. Well done. Keep it coming.

Cheers,

Rob Antidormi

just detected that I did not send you the link for my Niagara wine region piece to which you contributed so much. Very sorry for that.

Keep the second bottle of the Chardy, one day I might come to Canada again (with some bottles Two Hills in my bag). Enjoyed your recent article on Le Clos Jordanne and the chicken dish and the Zuccini risotto.

All the best
Rainer

Thanks for the kind words. I like your blog — I read your article on screwcaps with interest. I’m a fan of them, no doubt, but they aren’t perfect either. As an industry I think we’re trying to sort out any defect issues for sure but alos some other more philosophical questions whish their use raises. Right now we’ve decided to use them on our aromatic varietals only (we’ve done some experimentation with chard and pinot noir too). The wines certainly age differently under screwcap vs cork — the former more slowly than the latter. This raises some interesting winemaking questions such as: should higher end riesling get the screwcap finish if it delays maturation (which many higher end riesling customers like)? Perhaps these same drinkers would even prefer a longer, slower evolution???

If you ever find yourself back in Niagara please feel free to look me up and I’ll arrange to tasting of some of these wines from the same vintage but under the different closures.

All the best,

Daniel Speck
Co-owner
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery

I’m so glad to hear that you love my blog. I try to write at least
once a week, so keep checking back when you can.

As for my 5 top Niagara wineries…so many good ones, however, I truly
feel that these wineries are on top of their game:

(in no particular order)…

1. Stratus – very modern facility and wine making…they are making
some great blends both white and red. This winery is located in
Niagara on the Lake. http://www.stratus.com

2. Flat Rock Cellars (great Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & Riesling, this
winery is growing grapes that do well with their microclimate and
soil). Winery is located in Jordan, right on top of the escarpment.
http://www.flatrockcellars.com

3. Tawse Winery – (amazing Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc wines) -
Another modern winery located on the Beamsville Bench. http://www.tawse.com

4. Henry of Pelham – They make the best hybrid wine, Baco Noir in
Niagara. They also make a great Gewurztraminer too. They also have
some older vines too. http://www.henryofpelham.com

5. Peninsula Ridge or Thirty Bench – both of these wineries are
close to each other on the Beamsville Bench. Thirty Bench is smaller
and has an excellent Pinot Noir and Rielsing. Peninsula Ridge does a
great Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot. http://www.thirtybench.com or
http://www.peninsularidge.com

I did not include Le Clos Jordanne as one of my top wineries as they
do not have a public winery built yet (Frank Gehry designed a building
but as far as I know it has not been built). Their wine is sold
direclty to the LCBO and restaurants.

Forward me your story when you are done, I’d love to read it.

Best,

Lorie

I found your blog through the tag surfer function of wordpress.

Congratulations it makes an interesting read.

Since you come from Niagara I have a question regarding the Niagara Wine Region: which of the 60 odd wineries would you rate the top five?

A Canadian friend of mine did a winery tour there and visited some. I plan to write about this visit and would welcome some background information, but only if you have the time.

Keep on blogging. Love your wine blog.
Yours
Rainer