Ilya Senchuk has been making wines in Niagara for a while now. He started off with Daniel Lencko, then went to Foreign Affairs, and then started his own virtual winery,…
Four affordable, lighter reds for summer smashing
Back to the UK and I’m working through some samples on a balmy summer evening. I’m really into lighter red wines at the moment and these four fit the bill…
Gamay 40, Leaning Post Wismer-Armbrust and Natural Gamays, Niagara, Canada
Two very interesting Gamays from boutique Niagara producer Leaning Post. They come from the same vineyard, but are made differently: one is whole bunch, no added sulphites, no filtering, and…
A weekend of Chardonnay in Niagara: the i4C 2018 edition
I first came to Canada in 2013 for the i4C, the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Conference (here’s my blog post on it). My trip then was to make a lasting…
Niagara: Flat Rock
Nice to revisit Flat Rock, which has one of the prettiest cellar door views in Niagara. On this stunningly clear day we could see over Lake Ontario to Toronto. Owner…
In Niagara, Canada: Hidden Bench
Hidden Bench is one of Niagara’s leading boutique wineries. Owner Harald Thiel bought the Locust Lane vineyard, where the winery is located, in 2003 after selling a successful audiovisual business…
Deliciousness at Bar Raval, Toronto
Had a lovely lunch yesterday at Bar Raval, Toronto. This is a beautiful tapas bar on College St, with a design that’s channelling Gaudi. We ate very well, including tinned…
Champagne Salon 1985
A real treat to drink this tonight after a lovely boat ride and swim in Muskoka cottage country. It’s mature and delicious. Thank you Steven Campbell for opening this. Champagne…
A mini tasting of five Gamays from Beaujolais
I’m hanging with a group on the lake in Muskoka, Ontario for a few days. Celebrated Canadian winemaker Thomas Bachelder is one of the party and he brought some Beaujolais…