A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 923: Bachelder Gamay 2022 Tasting

Bill Redelmeier pouring

Saturday, April 13^th: Bill Redelmeier of Southbrook invited Deborah and me to a blind of Right Bank Bordeaux reds against two of his wines. All from the 2020 vintage.

Pre-sale Tickets for Legends Dinner NYC with José Andrés

We’re delighted to announce an exclusive pre-sale for tickets to our upcoming Wine Legends Dinner V chaired by José Andrés. Grapes For Humanity Global has partnered with José Andrés in order to raise funds to support Hôpital Albert Hospital. José will match the wines for dinner with an outstanding menu. In addition to the wines provided for the dinner each producer is donating a large format bottle, some with accommodations, dinners and tours.

As a valued member of the wine and philanthropy community, you have the opportunity to secure your spot before tickets officially go on sale to the public in 7 days.

To ensure fairness and because we have less than 40 tickets to sell, each person can purchase up to two tickets during this pre-sale period. Don’t miss out on this chance to join us for an unforgettable evening of delicious cuisine and great company,

Date: Wednesday, October 16^th
Time: 6:00
Location: The Bazaar By José Andrés, New York City

Visit https://gfhglobal.org/events/legends-dinner-v/ to access the pre-sale page. Please order today to reserve a seat.

A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 922: Westcott Vineyards Wines & Grapes for Humanity’s Fine Wine Auctio

Westcott Vineyard whites

Westcott Vineyards Butler’s Grant Old Vines Riesling 2022 (Twenty Mile Bench)
Pale straw colour; minerally, grapefruit nose with a floral top note; light to medium-bodied, crisply dry, lemon-lime and green apple flavours with great persistence on the palate. Can be opened now but with that acidity it will last for 8–10 years. (89–91)

Westcott Vineyards Estate Chardonnay 2021 (Niagara Escarpment)
Light golden colour; toasty, minerally, apple nose with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted and well-balanced with nicely integrated oak. Drink now and through 2025. (90)

Westcott Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay 2021 (Vinemount Ridge)
Bright straw colour; minerally, apple and peach nose with oak notes; medium-bodied, dry; lovely mouth feel; peachy, apple flavours, beautifully balanced. A seamless wine. Drink now and hold through 2025. (92)

Westcott Vineyards Reds

Westcott Vineyards Gamay 2022 (Vinemount Ridge)
Bright ruby in colour; toasty, cherry bouquet with vanilla oak notes; medium-bodied, dry, juicy cherry, red plum and cranberry flavours carried on a fine spine of acidity. Chillable. Drink now and through 2025. (90)

Westcott Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir 2020 (Niagara Escarpment)
Light ruby in colour; lifted, fragrant raspberry nose with a tealeaf note; medium-bodied, dry, mouth-filling flavours of raspberry and red plum. Very Burgundian in style, elegant and seductive. Can be opened now but will reward another year in bottle. (90)

Westcott Vineyards Reserve Pinot Noir 2020 (Vinemount Ridge)
Ruby with a tawny hue; violets and raspberries on the nose with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, elegant, beautifully balanced; firmly structured with ripe tannins and well-integrated oak. Flavours of raspberry and red plum. Great length. Drink now or hold for a couple of years. (91)

The Brunswick Four, in 1974

Wednesday, April 10^th: Our dear friend Adrienne Rosen invited us to “The Day of Pink” celebration at Toronto Reference Library’s Bluma Appel Room. The event celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the Brunswick Four arrest and the 25^th anniversary of the creation of the Trans flag.

A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 921: An Extraction and an Eclipse

Friday, April 5^th: Had a wisdom tooth extracted this morning. I think my IQ has dropped ten points. The dentist says no alcohol for “a few days.” Trying to parse what “a few days” means. Does it mean I can’t toast the eclipse on Monday? No chance.

Henry of Pelham’s new sparkling wine

Henry of Pelham Sparkling Wine (Ontario, $17.95)
I’m a great fan of HofP Cuvée Catharine, a sparkler made by the traditional method. This is the winery’s first venture into a Charmat process (tank fermented) sparkling wine. Pale straw in colour with an active mousse; green peach nose with a brioche note; light-medium-bodied, dry and crisp with green peach flavour. (89)

A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 920: Wining with the Easter Bunny

Emma Smalley, assistant winemaker at Niagara College Teaching Winery, and Allison Findlay, head winemaker

Monday, March 25^th: Allison Findlay, winemaker at Niagara College Teaching Winery, came by with a selection of wines for me to taste to get the Dean’s List designation. (Wine scoring 90 or above make the list.)

Niagara College Dean’s List Pinot Gris Rosé 2023
(Allison, I was going to use this descriptor for the colour, until I googled it: ‘The name œil de perdrix means ” partridge ‘s eye” in French, a reference to the pale pink colour of the eye of a partridge in death throes.’)
Light coppery-pink in colour; minerally, yellow cherry nose with a light floral note; medium-bodied, crisply dry, Rainier cherry flavour; elegant, with a lovely mouth feel and long on the palate. (91)