A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 895: The Foreign Affair, Flat Rock and More

Posted on September 26, 2023 by tonyaspler

The Foreign Affair white wines

The Foreign Affair Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (Niagara Peninsula)
Very pale in colour, almost water white; grassy, green plum bouquet with a green pepper note; light to medium-bodied, crisply dry, lemon, lanolin and green plum flavours. Drink now. (89)

The Foreign Affair Winery Viognier 2022 (Lincoln Lakeshore)
Pale straw colour; honeysuckle and white peach on the nose; medium-bodied, dry, aromatic, white peach and lemon flavours. Long fresh finish of lemony acidity. A well-balanced wine. Drink now and through 2024. (90)

The Foreign Affair Winery Sussreserve Riesling 2022 (Vinemount Ridge)
Pale straw colour; grapefruit zest nose with a light floral note; light-bodied, just off-dry with a honeyed grapefruit flavour, finishing on a note of lime and apple. Good length. Drink now or 2024/5. Will develop more complexity with age. (89) Continue reading →

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Fine Wine Auction 2024

Posted on September 20, 2023 by tonyaspler

September 20, 2023

Dear Patrons,

On this “National Tree Day,” Grapes for Humanity is thrilled to announce our renewed partnership with Waddington’s Auctioneers for our 2024 Fine Wine Auction. This annual virtual event is scheduled to take place in Toronto from April 12 to April 22, 2024, concluding on Earth Day. The auction aims to raise funds for climate action and to support communities around the world. This year, the primary beneficiaries of the auction will be The Halo Trust, Tree Canada, and The Nature Conservancy of Canada.

Since initiating its virtual fundraising events in 2020, Grapes for Humanity has successfully raised over $1.4 million, making it the most successful charity wine auction in Canada. We are pleased to continue our support of Tree Canada and The Nature Conservancy of Canada for 2024 to address the pressing issue of climate change and The Halo Trust, which primarily works to clear landmines and other explosive devices left behind by conflicts.

Your generous support enables us to continue our important work. We invite you to contribute wine, which is tax-deductible, to bolster our efforts further. During these difficult times, every contribution is invaluable. We will send a donation form to you at a time that suits you. If you’d like to donate an item for our upcoming auction, please contact Pauline Fortier at paulinefortier@sympatico.ca. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.

Please mark the date on your calendar. We will provide updates about the auction as it approaches. The event is set to feature an impressive array of items up for bid.

We thank you for your continued support and look forward to your participation in our 2024 Fine Wine Auction.

Sincerely,

The Board of Directors
Grapes for Humanity Canada

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 894: Kirby Estate and a Surprise

Posted on September 19, 2023 by tonyaspler

Scott Kirby pours his wines

London friends Allison and Richard visited us, and we toured some vineyards with them, beginning with a new winery, Kirby Estate, 548 Line 1, Niagara-on-the-Lake, owned by Scott and Marie Kirby. The K of their name is artfully woven into their label design which is a map of the vineyards varietals. Their wines are currently made at Cloudsley by Matt Smith. They grow Chardonnay, Merlot, Gamay, Pinot Blanc and Petit Verdot on 11 acres of their 17.5-acre property.

Kirby Estate Chardonnay 2019
Bright, golden colour with a greenish tint; light toasty, minerally nose of vanilla, apple and caramel; elegant, medium-bodied, dry, lovely mouthfeel with a crisp, lemony finish. (92) Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 893: Niagara College & Other Wines

Posted on September 12, 2023 by tonyaspler

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Winemaker Allison Findlay at Niagara College Teaching Winery sent me the following wines to be designated Dean’s List:

Niagara College Sauvignon Blanc Fumé 2020
Bright, straw color; grassy, green plum nose with a touch of oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted peach and green plum flavours with a hint of oak spice. (91)

Niagara College Gamay 2022
Purple-ruby in colour; cedary, cherry bouquet with a note of pepper; medium-bodied, dry, savoury, cherry flavour with well-integrated oak; great length on the palate. (90) Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 892: Naramata’s Roche Wines

Posted on September 4, 2023 by tonyaspler

“Deep roots in French tradition nourish our shared passion for soils, vines and wine. Dedicated to natural, artisanal farming and winemaking, we strive to reveal the intimate relation of wine and terroir. Each of our wines is the expression of one place, one exceptional Okanagan terroir. Hands-on farming is our first priority, and this artisanal scale is reflected in the very limited quantities produced. We strive to make wines of ever greater clarity and precision.”
—Pénélope and Dylan Roche

Roche Vig Schönburger 2022 (Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley)
Bright, light straw colour; reductive, melon bouquet with a floral note; medium-bodied, dry, aromatic lychee and melon flavours; beautifully balanced, rich mid-palate flavours carried on lively acidity. (90) Continue reading →

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