Redtail Vineyards

IN NOVEMBER’S THREE-PACK:

Prince Edward County’s Redtail Vineyards is giving you a taste of both the County and Niagara in this month’s club box. A sultry pinot noir and chardonnay from Hubbs Creek fruit, and a smooth pinot noir and chardonnay from Niagara grapes. That’s right, you’ll receive a bonus fourth bottle of wine in your pack.

Enjoy this head-to-head tasting and let us know which region was your favourite!

 

2020 Hubbs Creek Vineyard Chardonnay
VQA Prince Edward County

Smooth and seductive, this County chardonnay is a great ambassador for the region. It has resplendent yellow fruit on the nose and palate — think ripe pear and golden delicious apple — with a pleasing salinity and a hint of smoke. In keeping with a growing tradition in the region, it was fermented using wild yeast.

Pair it with walnut kale pesto over fettuccini, Dungeness crab cakes with a smoky aioli, and herb-roasted chicken with cannelloni beans.

 

2020 Hubbs Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir
VQA Prince Edward County

This sophisticated pinot conjures notes of black cherry, blackcurrant jam, and strawberry shortcake with a tiny edge of black pepper. The wine was cold soaked and wild fermented in oak cuvées, and then aged in Burgundian oak for 18 months. Nicely concentrated and with an ample mouthfeel, there is a pleasant hint of smokiness reminiscent of the Hubbs Creek Chardonnay.

A delectable pairing with roast duck with plum sauce, salmon wellington, and pear and gorgonzola pizza.

 

2017 Pinot Noir
VQA Niagara Peninsula

This pinot noir was also crafted by winemaker, Renan Theilloux, at Redtail Vineyards and aged for 18 months in French oak barrels — but 100% of the fruit came from Niagara which makes it a different tasting sensation from the Hubbs Creek pinot. Rich blackberry and cassis reign supreme in this pinot. It’s lean yet delicate with beautiful acidity; a nod to excellent structure.

Partner alongside baked camembert with blackcurrant sauce, Shanghai fried noodles with shiitake mushrooms, and herbed lamb chops.

 

2017 Chardonnay (bonus bottle)
VQA Niagara Peninsula

The amazing folks at Redtail Vineyards are offering CityNews Wine Club members a true County vs. Niagara wine tasting, so the bonus bottle is a chardonnay made with Niagara grapes. This wine was fermented in French oak but aged in stainless steel, preserving gorgeous aromatics of ripe orchard fruit like pear, peach, and orange citrus. It has a lovely balance; it’s crisp and focused but also fruit-driven and generous.

A real treat matched with raw oysters on the half shell, Chinese orange chicken, and creamy broccoli soup with Gruyere cheese.