Tasting Ontario NJ, MO, VA & CA

It was my turn last night to host our monthly U3A Wine Group tasting. The full group of 10 were present.

I showed wines I'd brought back from recent trips to North America.
Apart from me, it was their first taste of wines from NJ, MO and VA and only one person had tasted a wine from Canada, an ice-wine. This was the first time they had encountered Gamay Noir Droit, Chambourcin and Norton.

At the end I asked for one vote from each for their favourite wine of the night, some had equal favourites but I insisted they choose one. There were two clear favourites..... Can you guess which ones?

These were the wines

1. Cave Spring
   Dry Riesling
   2012
   VQA Niagara Peninsula
   abv 11.5%
   
2. Chateau Des Charmes
   Gamay Noir ‘Droit’ 2010
   St Davids Bench Vineyard
   VQA St Davids Bench Vineyard
   abv 13%
   
3. Legends Estates Winery
   Malbec-Shiraz 2011
   Lizak Vineyards
   VQA Niagara Peninsula
   abv 12.5%
   
4. Malivoire
   Cabernet Franc 2012
   VQA Twenty Mile Bench
   abv 13.5%
   
5. Ridgepoint
   Nebbiolo 2008
   VQA Twenty Mile Bench
   abv 13.5%
   
6. Cream Ridge Winery
   Chambourcin
   Reserve
   New Jersey
   abv 12%
   
7. Strussione Cave
   Norton 2009
   St Genevieve, Missouri
   abv 13%
   
8. Loma Prieta
   Pinotage 2009
   Amorosa Vineyard
   Lodi, California
   abv 15.1%
   
9. Chrysalis Vineyards
   Norton 2009
   Sarah’s Patio Red
   Middleburg, Virginia
   (this is a semi-sweet wine)

Two wines got all the votes, Ridgepoint Nebbiolo (CAD $45 + 13% tax) had 3 votes, and

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.Cream Ridge Chambourcin (USD $16* + tax) scored 7 !!)

I was amazed, but the Chambourcin was just so deliciously drinkable.

I know nothing about Cream Ridge. It is the only winery on the list I've not visited, it was a wine I was given at the AWS National Conference last year. From their website it appears they make mostly fruit wines, they don't appear to grow grapes themselves and they don't currently list a Chambourcin so I estimated the price based on their list.
(**Edit on 7Feb - Richard Leahy tells me this wine cost $35 at winery. They made 6 barrels, 2 were better than others and it was these 2 barrels that were bottled as 'Reserve'. Also the vintage is 2010 tho' none is shown on label)

Very interesting! I've had Nos. 1 & 2 on a few occasions, but different vintages. Any feedback on the rest of the pack?

The Riesling was generally liked, one complained of a petrol taste on the finish (they are very inexperienced)

A couple are Beaujolais fans and the Gmay they found more peppery and denser than Beaujolais

The Malbec-Shiraz made a good impression on first taste but fell out of favour on retastes as it seemed empty in the middle and the sum of them offered less thatn the individual components

Cab Franc was good, as was the Norton.

The California was criticised for being too alcoholic

The sweet Norton, served chilled as suggested on the label, was nowhere as sweet as I feared and actually was a pleasant wine to drink on its own. They were puzzled by a lack of abv on the label. It uses the term 'Ligh red wine' which means its 7-14%, I though it was so they could use the same label year after year without getting COLA approval, but its got a vintage on it, so I don't know reason.

The Nebbiolo was knockout, really excelent wine that we all noticed developed in the glass. I'd buy more if I could.

But the Chambourciin was just so easy to drink, so full, silky, sweet fruit but not a sweet wine, no rough edges. Didn't need studying or working at, it was just a enjoyable wine. And since no one had ever heard of the variety* there were no preconceptions or prejudices.

*ref inexperience, one person was under the impression Cabernet and Franc were name of two different varieties blended togather.

Well that is a real surprise....Chambourciin!! I hope the Cave Springs was well liked?

Bob, it was.