WTN: 2006 Pelee Island Gamay Noir / Zweigelt (Ontario VQA)

13% alc. Coming from a less-than-ideal vintage for reds in Ontario, I was pleasantly surprised to find an extremely pleasant wine here. A blend of Gamay and Zweigelt, this wine is of an attractive, clear ruby-garnet colour and is transparent. Beautiful nose of red berries and Zweigelt's telltale white pepper aroma. On the palate, it's crisp and balaced with a firm though not harsh structure; expansive with good mid-palate presence and appetizing acidity. Excellent with food; I served this with rabbit cacciatore done in a homemade spiced tomato sauce. A bit of bretty pigeon-coop complexity shows up in the nose in occasional whiffs. Overall, a truly fine red for the table from Pelee Island, and one that I'll buy again.

Day two ... The wine is sound and well integrated and is all white pepper and red fruits on the nose. This wine, more than any in my recent tasting history, shows me not to judge a wine by its vintage - no matter how awful the latter may have seemed!

Paul, Speaking of blends; do you know of anyone blending Blaufraenkisch and Cabernet Franc in Ontario? It needs to be done.

Not sure, Bill; I do know that Magnotta once had a blend of Blaufränkisch and something, but I don't remember what. All I know is that I rather liked the wine.

Frankly though, I tend to think that a straight Blaufränkisch would be mighty fine. Here in Ontario, I think the Central European grapes do very well but their Germanic names are seen as a marketing liability. Why French names are okay but German ones aren't doesn't make any sense when you consider that French spelling is about as phonetic as English ...

Not sure, Bill; I do know that Magnotta once had a blend of Blaufränkisch and something, but I don't remember what. All I know is that I rather liked the wine.

Frankly though, I tend to think that a straight Blaufränkisch would be mighty fine. Here in Ontario, I think the Central European grapes do very well but their Germanic names are seen as a marketing liability. Why French names are okay but German ones aren't doesn't make any sense when you consider that French spelling is about as phonetic as English ...

Indeed Paul,
But, a BLUE FRANC (Or Lemberger, Blaufraenkisch, Kekfrankos) by any other name...