This morning Ms Eclectic sent me a review of five white wines that are readily available in Ontario. I know I have tried and liked several of them, but my palate is so untrained (i.e. I settle for most plonks and am happy) that I can't believe the things wine reviewers write about wines. Do they make this stuff up?
Here are just two that I have tried and enjoyed, but I had to look twice to make sure the write-up wasn't from The Onion.
2013 Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Black Series Riesling Gewurztraminer, VQA Niagara Peninsula (Ontario), #357129, $13.95.
Honeysuckle, crushed rose petal and orange blossom aromas lead to a silky-rich attack of ripe pear and grapefruit edged with crushed granite, white flowers and a certain salinity. Impressively balanced wine here offering more complexity, concentration and length than most $14 bottles. Sophisticated — and gastronomically versatile — wine for the money, made right here in Ontario.
Score: 90
014 Mike Weir Sauvignon Blanc, VQA Ontario, #686972, $14.95.ß
Enliven your palate with a sip of this tight, bright and sassy pour. Flavours of damp herbs and gooseberry wash over the palate before revealing a wet stone and sea salt underpinning that lingers. This is a great local go-to sauvignon blanc with power and finesse harnessed by impeccably balance and zippy acidity. Fabulous with a broad range of foods.
Score: 88+
Really? People who write things like this must have very vivid imaginations. I've noticed the same thing about descriptions of various scotch whiskies.
I really am a Philistine in many ways: I don't believe these descriptions, but I know what I like.
Addendum: But look at the fourth wine listed in that review. This sounds like the right wine for those of us on low-carb diets:
2014 Vinyasa White, VQA Niagara Peninsula (Ontario), #379131, $13.95.
Hands-down this is one of the most delicious offerings from Ontario for under $15. Best part? It’s also the lowest-calorie white wine from Ontario with only about 70 calories and zero carbs per 5-ounce pour. It sings with luscious peach, sweet apricot and cooked apple flavours laced with mouth-watering lime. I’ve recommended this wine before, but it definitely deserves a place on this list.