January 22 - Vintages

warmest vintages, it’s often like ginger/
pear, and cooler years it delivers
ginger/key lime aromatics.”
Ageing gracefully
The best structured Rieslings from
these same lower-yielding, older
vine sites age longer than any other
commonly grown white variety (the
first Niagara Riesling producers like
Vineland, Cave Spring and Henry of
Pelham all have older vintage libraries
as proof). Henry of Pelham’s Daniel
Speck predicts their 2008 Riesling
Reserve, harvested from vines planted
in 1984, will develop secondary
characteristics and improve with
3 to 8 years cellaring. As it ages, the
characteristics will include aromas
of honey, apricot, perhaps even
caramel. The wine also will begin
to taste drier as it matures.
The Age
of Reason
It’s an age-old belief: White wines
don’t tend to age as well as reds.
But Riesling often proves to be an
exception to this rule. Thanks to
its relatively high acidity and an
array of complex flavour compounds,
Riesling has enough
structure and backbone to age
beautifully, becoming rounder and
more graceful over time. Typically,
Ontario Rieslings can be laid
down for 3-8 years; the very best
vintages will reach their peak
after 20 to 50 – yes, 50 – years.
the
finer
points
JACKSON-TRIGGS
PROPRIETORS’ GRAND
RESERVE RIESLING 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula
210112 (D) 750 mL $17.95
A richly textured Riesling offering
lime, mineral and fresh marjoram.
Long, crisp, appealing finish.
CREEKSIDE ESTATE BUTLER’S
GRANT RIESLING 2008
VQA Twenty Mile Bench,
Niagara Peninsula
220293 (XD) 750 mL $15.95
Dry with expressive honey and lemon
notes. Silver Medal winner at 2010
Canadian Wine Awards.
HENRY OF PELHAM RESERVE
OFF-DRY RIESLING 2008
VQA Short Hills Bench,
Niagara Peninsula
557165 (MD) 750 mL $15.95
Delicate and lively with peach,
apricot, citrus and honey aromas.
Silver Medal at the 2010 Ottawa
Wine Challenge.
For complete tasting notes
see pages 34 & 35.
VINTAGES 29