Where would we be if........

If it weren't for the innovators of Niagara where would we be? If it weren't for those brave enough to stick it out when all around them were saying they were foolish to even consider seriously the notion of Niagara being a legitimate wine region, where would we be?

I'll tell you where. We'd still be producing wines from Concord grapes. Not that there's anything wrong with concord grapes. I too love Welch's grape juice. (I suddenly feel like I'm in a Seinfeld episode.) We'd still be producing foxy wines and not in the sexy kind of way. I mean foxy, a term used in the wine world, as in off taste, funky smell.

If not for the innovators the possibility of our Niagara region being like Newfoundland where the kids leave home for employment elsewhere would be a reality. Yes we'd still have our fruit farmers but to what degree. It certainly wouldn't be as it is today.

Yes, those innovators have created a dynamic and thriving industry in our Niagara region. Those innovators with their strength of character and beliefs that would not be broken have made it possible for the "Judgement in Montreal" to happen.

If you are not familiar, this was most recently a re-enactment of sorts of the "Judgement in Paris" when the wine world was shaken at its core.

In a blind tasting of wines (meaning the only thing you know about the wine(s) is what you see in the glass) a number of judges took to assessing white and red wines in France to decide a winner. The wine world was shocked to discover that not only was the chosen winner not French, it was of all things "American". C'est terrible!. Not only American but from fantasy actor land "California". (You need to rent the movie "Bottle Shock" which tells the story.)

The "Judgement in Montreal", Canada was similar. The only difference was that unbeknownst to the judges a canadian wine had been "pirated" in, meaning, it was snuck into the competition and no one knew about the canadian entry.

Guess what, Canada won!! Yes, Le Clos Jordanne 2005 Chardonnay is now the new "Queen of the Castle" (being a girl I prefer the title of Queen). I have to tell you that I have tasted this wine and I distinctly remember saying to myself, " Now this is a nice wine! It has character, nuance, old world styling". It is finesse, intrigue, elegance and subtlety in a bottle. I think of it as an introvert. Once you get to know it you have discovered the best kept secret.

Well a secret no longer!

So were it not for those innovators we wouldn't have Le Clos Jordanne, Tawse, Southbrook, to name a few.

Now you say, Jacqueline, who are those innovators that you speak off?

That's my next BLOG!! So read on my friends!!

Cheers

Jacqueline

p.s. grab a glass of something special--say perhaps something Niagaraish as you read on!! Le Clos Jordanne if you can get your hands on any......do let me know if you do!!!!

p.p.s. Do you know who these Canadian Innovators are on this page? Write me!! (in the first picture only one of the men is the innovator (in my opinion.....mmmm which one??)

Pause for Tawse

Tawse of Niagara

If you haven't heard of Tawse Winery let me tell you that you need to know about it! Tawse is in our very own backyard here in Ontario, Canada. It is in the heart of our Niagara region. I had heard so much about this winery and finally last summer I actually was able to venture down for a first hand visit. From the moment we turned onto the property you knew that there was something special going on here.

As you can see from the photo the grounds are absolutely beautiful. They are beautiful in part due to the philosophy Tawse have taken on as protectors of their environment. By that I mean they farm biodynamically. They follow the principles of caring for their vineyards and all of the resulting bi-products in an environmentally and eco-friendly manner. The most famous user of these principles is Domaine Leroy of Burgundy and her wines are the top echelon of prestige for wine collectors.

At the beginning of the 20th Century Rudolph Steiner was the man famous for putting forward this idea of biodynamic farming which includes organic agriculture's emphasis on manures and composts and exclusion of the use of artificial chemicals on soil and plants. From the photo above you can see what I mean. No you are not imagining things. Yes, actual sheep have been "Hired" as they say at Tawse for the purpose of canopy management (meaning they eat the leaves thereby exposing the growing grapes to the much needed sunlight and air circulation). As a result of the sheep dining in the vineyards they leave behind special gifts which when used biodynamically aid in the healthy fertilization of the vineyards. They use cover crops ( in the photo are other plants growing within the rows of the vines) which also aid in the vines and the vineyards healthy promotion and growth.

To further their philosophy of biodynamic farming this year Tawse will have 2 horses working plowing the land . Ah yes, this too reminds me of someone else in Burgundy by the name of Marcel Pariaud who still to this day uses his horse "Hermine" to do the plowing. As he says "you've got to learn to listen to nature, because she rewards those who love her".

Well at Tawse mother nature has spoken and the resultant wines truly speak for themselves. They are magic! I most recently had their Cabernet Franc and all I can say is "Look out Loire Vally, 'cos here comes Tawse of Niagara Canada!

Cheers

Jacqueline

p.s You must visit their website at http://www.tawsewinery.ca/ and then head right down. There is so much more to learn about Tawse Winery and all that they do to achieve these amazings wines. I have only touched the surface. That pond out front! Mmmm... Have I peaked your interest? The roses all around the grounds...mmmm.....What do they mean to the vineyard? I could tell you all about it but you really must experience it first hand just as I did. You won't be disappointed. Tell them Jacqueline from DiVine Indulgence (my wine company) or Notes on a Vine Blog sent you!!

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner!

I started this blog because I am crazy about wines and spirits and I want to share my love of it with you all. Hopefully you too will "Catch the Fever" as I like to call it!

Over the years I have met many of the world's producers of wines and spirits and have encountered some of the most passionate as well as the most interesting of characters along the way.

What started out simply as just a job at the local shop has turned into my life's passion. I am the epitome of irony. I simply at that time did not like wines and spirits. In fact I hated them. That is how strongly I felt. Yes I could sell them but I most definitely did not like them.

My journey into drinking wine happened quite by accident. I had run into a very old friend that I hadn't seen in many many years. He had recently married and wanted to introduce me to his new wife. I was invited over for dinner. I asked "Can I bring anything?" "Just bring yourself" my friend instructed. And so I did just that.

When last I saw my friend we were imbibers of the hops beverage as they say. Yes we were beer drinkers! And proud of it! No, no we would never drink anything else! Beer was where it was at!

Upon arrival at his home I was introduced to his new wife. Lovely girl. Of course then the question "What can I get you to drink"? I said "I'll have a beer thank you". I noticed a slight twitch in my friend's face which I took to mean oh oh, he forgot to go to the beer store. He then said " I'm afraid I don't have any beer, can I offer you a glass of wine"? Being a polite guest I responded " Oh yes absolutely". Beneath my cool exterior I was all in a dither. Trying not to show my dismay that my friend had now betrayed what was our ritual drink and had gone over to the other side, I was also deeply worried that I would not be able to pull this one off. As I mentioned I truly despised wine. Now was going to be my finest hour.

As I was handed this glass of white wine many thoughts were going through my head. Can I do this? My friend has changed. Who is this woman who has now converted my friend from beer to wine? As I put the wine to my lips and introduced this spirit to my palate I was treated to a very pleasant surprise. Could this truly be wine? Could I possibly like it? Was my friend tricking me?

He was not. My introduction into the world of wine was none other than.....Blue Nun! Yes Blue Nun the German wine which if we are all honest with ourselves is where we all began. I could not believe that I,me, who did not like wine was now a convert too! My friend had converted me!

We did manage to polish off a few bottles and I was somewhat tipsy as you can imagine. I was not used to higher alcohol contents. Not that Blue Nun is high but it is higher than a typical bottle of hops!

We had a wonderful evening and my world had changed. Who knew! The very next day when I went to my "just a job" job, I headed straight for the German section! On my road to becoming a certified sommelier! Who knew!

So you see, I am the epitome of irony. My friends and family laugh at what has become of me!

With this blog I hope to inspire you and invite you to journey with me into the world of wines and spirits. As my tag line says "The Spirit of Adventure". It is so much fun!

Cheers
Jacqueline

p.s. Thanks Al for inviting me to dinner!