The mystery wine

Thursday, July 3^rd: Ubered over to Craig and Shannon’s for dinner in St. Catharines. Craig opened a bottle of Dom Ruinart Rosé Champagne. Then Beaumont Chenin Blanc 2020 (from South Africa) and interesting Cave Spring Prova Riesling 2018, a skin contact Riesling aged in a Sherry cask under flor! With Florentine steak, Thirty Bench Wild Cask Cabernet Franc 2023 (Beamsville Bench), Château La Guilbonnerie 2014 (Blaye – which I brought) and Vitanza Brunello did Montalcino Riserva 2006.

With strawberries for dessert, a mystery wine simply hand-labeled 2007 (which turned out to be an 8-year-old fortified Vidal in an old French barrel.) Craig made it as a trial.

Friday, July 4^th: Dinner at neighbours, Monette and Peter, within walking distance. Their house overlooks Martindale Pond and Henley Island. Peter opened a bottle of Thirty Bench Sparkling Riesling for the charcuterie board. Next, Tornatore Etna Blanca 2024 (100% Carricante from Sicily). With the barbecued steak, he served Domaines André Aubert Visan Côtes du Rhône Villages 2023.

Saturday, July 5^th: Dropped into Malivoire to buy a case of Moira Rosé and have a grilled cheese sandwich with a glass of Ladybug Rosé 2023. At The Cheesy Guy’s truck we bought wedges of Grand Trunk (Farmstead Gruyère) and L’Ancetre Goat Cheddar Aged 1 year.

Sunday, July 6^th: To Southbrook for the winery’s Ode to Niagara celebration with the documentary premiere with canapés prepared by Chef Keith Pears, who placed 10^th at the 2025 Bocuse d’Or finale in Dijon. We started with Southbrook Triomphe Sparkling and progressed to Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Franc Rosé 2023.

Chef Keith Pears

Also tasted this week: Dobbin Chardonnay 2019 (Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara), Stratus White 2021 (Niagara-on-the Lake).