A West Coast Sip of Erie’s Shores

Catching the news that Oxley Estate Winery’s 2013 Chardonnay won best local white award at Ontario’s 2014 Shores of Erie Wine Awards is something that not too long ago would have gone fairly unnoticed waaay over here in Vancouver. How refreshing it is though, ever since Bill C-311 passed allowing the inter-provincial shipment of wine, and with an increasing amount of provinces getting in step with the spirit of the new law, that I was able to find out what all of the fuss is about!

A tidy package arrived on my doorstep a couple days back, and I’d be lying if I said that my actions weren’t akin to a kid on Christmas morning, tearing apart the packaging with gusto. After the wine spent a little bit of time in the freezer (sometimes I’m not a very patient person), I cracked it open and poured.

White flowers, tropical fruit and honey sailed out of the glass. On the palate, it charmed. The tropical fruit on the wine’s aromatics stayed around, with passionfruit, papaya and kiwi coming into clearer focus. Fresh and clean with bracing acidity, this is a card-carrying cool-climate Chardonnay with a zippy, citrusy finish that’s begging for seafood or poultry.

Yup, it’s quite a treat that nowadays I can learn more about some of the far-flung (from me) wine regions of our country a little easier. While it’s enjoyable learning about the Lake Erie North Shore region from afar, I must say I’m a little envious of those able to attend the Shores of Erie Wine Festival this September 4-7th.

For those lucky enough to be heading down to Ontario's southernmost wine-making region, please have one (or two) for me!

 

Kurtis Kolt is a Vancouver-based wine consultant, writer, competition judge and enthusiast. He’s not half as fancy/boring as that sounds. He Tweets and Instagrams @KurtisKolt.