It’s Worth the Drive to Niagara – Part 1

Just down the picturesque QEW, Niagara awaits...

Now that it is fully summer - finally a string of hot, sunny days uninterrupted by rain, local strawberries and cherries in markets, flowers bursting with scent and bees drinking it in and of course, humidity that turns my hair into an unmanageble nest (hello, ponytail) - I am ready to write about rosé wines.

The three I've chosen are local blushing beauties for which you are going to want to get in your car and head to wine country!

PONDVIEW ESTATE WINERY 2016 Rosé

$16.95

Made from Cabernet Franc, this is a lovely fresh wine with notes of strawberries and watermelon on the nose and palate. It is a fair bit drier than their last vintage, which appeals to me. The wine is crisp and fruity with great acidity that makes it a perfect food wine, although it is a super sipper on its own too. The only problem with this wine is that it disappears far too quickly and a second bottle should always be in the fridge at the ready! Serve this with everything summery - especially backyard-sitting with friends.

LEANING POST 2016 Rosé

$20

On the other edge of wine country, Leaning Post is one of the closest wineries to Toronto and consistently produces a yummy rosé. This year's is 74% Gamay and 26% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has pretty luscious fruit, strawberry and raspberry, but with some savoury herbal notes as well, along with nicely balanced acidity to keep it fresh. This wine has a bit more structure than you might expect and will stand up to summer barbeque like a superstar.

RAVINE VINEYARD  2016 Rosé

$22

Made from 75% Cabernet Franc, 25% Pinot Noir the 2016 offering from Ravine is a study in balancing ripeness and elegance. Grown at higher yield to retain acidity, Ravine also lets the fruit hang later to capture full, ripe flavours and they pick the fruit depending on its acidity. This attention to detail results in a gorgeous, balanced and very gluggable wine. This is also barbeque appropriate but I would keep it lighter with fish, seafood or poultry and don't kill this wine with too much spice.

All of these wines are available through the wineries or online, but I encourage you to make the trip to visit all three of these wineries as they are small, sweet and run by lovely people making lots of great wine right in our backyard.

Until next time, enjoy your wine.

Anjana