Fielding Estate Winery 2007 Pinot Gris - 84 pts

Fielding Estate Winery 2007 Pinot Gris (Beamsville Bench) Ontario

Decanted: 0 hr

Cost: $18.95 (direct from winery)

Tasting Notes: Fielding makes some exceptional whites for reasonable prices. The Pinot Gris had peach and green apple on the nose. The palate was off-dry and peach fruit with a crisp finish.

Fielding has done an excellent job at marketing their products. As an Ontarian I love cottage country and Fielding seems to have this in mind with their Muskoka Chair label. I enjoyed many a good fielding wine while sitting in a Muskoka chair at my in-laws Ahmic Lake cottage. - HC

DD Leobard Winery NV Tansi - 80pts

DD Leobrad Winery Non-Vintage Tansi (Manitoba Prairies) Canada

Decanted: ohr

Cost: $14 (Private Wine Stores)

Date: August 9th, 2009

Tasting Notes: This is an oddity of a wine from Winnipeg's sole producer; DD Leobard Winery. This semi-sweet wine is made from fermenting the sap tapped from Manitoban Birch trees.

A nose of damp, freshly-cut wood and mild fruit notes precedes a palate of muted tropical fruits and short finish. Where this wine redeems itself is from its surprisingly advantageous pairing with food. The wine came alive when it was matched with spicy Indian samosas. The garam masala spice of the samosa unlocked the wine's chastity belt and made the drinking of it a worthwhile experience. This wine cannot handle the pressure of performing solo, it should only be served with food of a spicy nature. - LC

Fielding Estate 2006 Red Conception - 86pts

Fielding Estate Winery 2006 Red Conception (Beamsville Bench – Ontario)

Decanted: 0 hr

Cost: $19.00

Tasting notes: A very nice blended red. The nose is cherry, and caramel. The palate is smooth and tastes of cherry and vanilla with a full mouth feel. The finish was long and enjoyable.

Fielding is a great winery in the Beamsville Bench with exquisite views of vineyards, lake Ontario, and the Toronto skyline on the horizon. The whites were exceptional at this winery and reasonably priced. This red was one of their standouts and at $19 could be on the regular rotation. While there was not really an Icon Investment Grade wine in the flight, Fielding had a great list of quality wines and the staff at the winery were extremely nice. Definitely worth visiting. This wine was tasted twice at the Ahmic Lake cottage, both times with family and good friends. Once on the beach by itself while looking over the lake and the second time paired with apple pie and ice cream. Both pairings were great. - HC

Pilliterri Gewurztaminer - Riesling 2007 - 81pts

Pilliterri 2007 Gewurztraminer - Riesling (Niagara-On-The-Lake – Ontario).

Decanted: 0 hr

Cost: $13.00 (LCBO Liqour Store)

Tasting notes: A reasonable priced and decent white. The nose is leechee and pear. The palate is fruit forward and sweet. The finish is nectarine.

The winery was enjoyable and the tour was informative. Pillitterri has been an institution in the Niagara wine region and they are known for their ice wines. I enjoyed this wine with family at the cottage. We had just spent three days doing wine tours, family reunions, and other family functions. It was time for some relaxation. We paired this nicely with schnitzel while watching the sunset over the lake. The clouds in the sky were fluffy, the water calm and leaves russelling. The Great Lake Swimmers were playing in the background. What an awesome start to the vacation. 82 pts.