WTN: 2007 Magnotta Dry Vidal (Ontario VQA)

This is consistently one of the best white table wines in all of Ontario, and I've been saying so since I tried the 2000 version some eight years ago. What's more, it sells for a mere $7.45 (plus a 20¢ bottle deposit) at the Magnotta retail outlet.

12.4% alc./vol. Intense, crystal-clear pale greenish-straw hue; plenty of tiny CO2 bubbles in the glass immediately upon pouring. Granny Smith apples, minerals, pineapple and mango on the nose; papaya emerges with swirling. Firm, lively yet perfectly balanced acidity on the entry; a lively and scintillating texture with more minerals and citrus rind. Dry and light-to-medium-bodied; extremely similar to Grüner Veltliner, minus the white pepper element. Very palate-cleansing; great as a food wine, but it works equally well on its own or as an apéritif.

Truly a fine humble wine, and a great value.

Paul, apart from the usual ice-wine suspects, all I can track down here is Magnotta Enotrium. No doubt, you have some insight?

No Bob, unfortunately I have zero experience with Enotrium! For that matter, I never even had my traditional once-a-year icewine this past Christmas ...

I may yet get some though, because I note that Magnotta's Vidal icewine is also a pretty good deal.