We are thrilled to present the 2006 Crystal Cork Awards to the following wineries:
Best Red: Sanson Estate Winery 2001 Cabernet-Merlot
Best White: Erie Shore Vineyards 2003 Vidal
Best Sweet: Pelee Island Winery 2004 Late Harvest Sheurebe
Best Fruit: Moon Shadow Estate Winery Strawberry Shortcake
We want to thank the hundreds of voters who cast their ballot and we congratulate the winning wineries and their accomplishments!
Before I start to tell you my selections, let me say that I loved all the nominees; here’s where I get to use the old Hollywood hokum “you’re all winners just for being nominated”. But since I forced you to make a decision as to your favourite(s) it’s only fair that I am held up to the same standards and accountability; though I cheated a little by giving you my Silver and Bronze finishers for each category in this little piece I call:
Best Red: Sanson Estate Winery 2001 Cabernet-Merlot
Best White: Erie Shore Vineyards 2003 Vidal
Best Sweet: Pelee Island Winery 2004 Late Harvest Sheurebe
Best Fruit: Moon Shadow Estate Winery Strawberry Shortcake
We want to thank the hundreds of voters who cast their ballot and we congratulate the winning wineries and their accomplishments!
Before I start to tell you my selections, let me say that I loved all the nominees; here’s where I get to use the old Hollywood hokum “you’re all winners just for being nominated”. But since I forced you to make a decision as to your favourite(s) it’s only fair that I am held up to the same standards and accountability; though I cheated a little by giving you my Silver and Bronze finishers for each category in this little piece I call:
“My Picks for 2006”
The Grape Guy’s selections from the 2006 Crystal Cork Nominees
The Grape Guy’s selections from the 2006 Crystal Cork Nominees
Best White: Norman Hardie Wines 2005 Riesling
I have consumed three bottles of this wine since it’s release in the early summer, and each time I am enthralled by the smells and tastes that eminate from the glass. Norm, who is situated in Prince Edward County, used Beamsville Bench (Niagara) grapes for this wine, taking special care from start to finish. He visited “his grapes” throughout the 2005 growing season, then he sat the wine on it’s lees for a longer period of time than usual, literally allowing the wine to soak in it’s flavours. Then he finishes it off with a screwcap to seal in freshness, so each bottle is as delicious and flavourful as the next.
Silver goes to the Fielding Estate 2004 Riesling Semi-Dry, which sold out quickly and for good reason, it was a true taste treat of the liquid variety. Bronze: Flat Rock Cellars 2004 Rusty Shed Chardonnay, probably one of the most interesting tasting Chards of the year and I loved it.
Best Red: Chateau des Charmes 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon (St. David’s Bench)
Taking nothing away from the ’01 Sanson, which was a delicious wine, this Chateau des Charmes was my red of choice this year, hands down, and it would seem that many who chose to vote with their wallets agreed. During an October visit to the winery Michele Bosc informed me that the wine was selling out quickly at the boutique (the LCBO also took quite a few bottles for their stores, so this one is readily available – for now). This big, brawny red; even with it’s $25 price tag, did not deter wine lovers. Satisfying to drink now (with a little time in decanter), but those who bought a few bottles are lying them down for a length of time (minimum of 5 years) to soften those rich tannins and allow the great dark fruit to shine through. If you’re one who picked up a bottle or two for the cellar, you’ve got yourself a thoroughbred down there, good for the long haul.
My silver selection goes to Hillebrand Winery Trius 2002 Cabernet Franc, you know I love a good Franc and this ’02 was beautiful. I hand the bronze to Jackson-Triggs 2002 Proprietors’ Grand Reserve Meritage, another ‘02 with great ageing potential and great flavours.
Best Fruit: Moon Shadow Estate Winery Strawberry Shortcake
Now it would seem that you and I agree on this puppy. As probably the most interesting and unique wine out there at this time Moon Shadow uses good old Canadian maple syrup, as its sweetener of choice for all their wines, and are surprisingly, Ontario’s first Maple Syrup winery (although licensed as a fruit winery); but not makers of the first “Maple Wine”. This winning wine has got great Strawberry flavours and it’s not cloyingly sweet on the palate. Plus you have to hand it to a wine that brings you back to your childhood and makes you think of a breakfast cereal: Frankenberry anyone?
A fact of life seems to be that sweet fruit wines will win out over the dries 9 times out of 10. My second place finisher in this category is Cox Creek Cellars Spiced Iced Russet, so close to apple pie that it’s scary, and the secret blend of spices - making it the Kentucky Fried Chicken of wines. A playfully fun wine to sit around with friends trying to guess them all. In third - Muskoka Lakes Red Maple – who would have thought that cranberries and maple syrup could meld so well together.
Best Sweet: Pelee Island Winery 2004 Late Harvest Sheurebe
A tough category for judging because icewine usually ends up being king … but in my opinion a good late harvest is worth its weight in gold and Pelee pulls off a beauty using a rare grape at that. Since trying this wine I have served a few bottles to friends and family, each time I get amazingly positive reactions, and best of all you can polish off a bottle without the worry of going into diabetic shock.
Silver: Mountain Road Wine Company 2004 Botrytis Affected Riesling; if I had a taste for price scale this would be rated as a steal … and in a 750ml bottle to boot. Steve Kocsis (winemaker/owner of Mountain Road) how you pulled it off I am not sure, but please do it again. Bronze: Peller Estates 2004 Cabernet Franc Icewine, who not only made me believe in icewine again but solidified my opinion about Cab Franc being Ontario’s grape.
Parting Thoughts and Announcements for Next Year …
In closing I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to vote … the turn out was amazing and it makes me look forward to next year’s awards which will be bigger and better. Over the past year I have noticed the rise in quality of Ontario Rieslings and many of you think it should be Ontario’s star grape. Myself I see great things from our Cabernet Francs. Looking at the results from the most recent Canadian Wine Awards held by Wine Access magazine in November, I noticed that Ontario dominated these categories, taking 9 of 12 in Riesling and 7 of 8 in Cabernet Franc – which is why next year the Crystal Cork Awards will expand by two categories Best Riesling and Best Cabernet Franc. Looking forward to seeing your votes in November 2007.
About the Award itself and a Thank you:
We have commissioned the design of our award to a wonderful new artist, Yanik Falardeau (who is also my webmaster and good friend - her tireless work on this site goes mostly un-noticed, except by me. I would publicly like to thank her here for all her hard work on this project). The award itself will be unveiled in the spring and delivered to the respective winners.
