Wine Varieties

As it was mentioned before, we delight in variety and encourage members to try new things. Below please find a list of all the different types of wines we can make. There is a brief description given for each of the varieties.



Kit Wines: (Based on Kit availability)

Please click here for a listing of all the Kit wines we can make.

Note: this listing will be updated periodically based on in-store selection.

From the Vine: These discriptions come from one of our local suppliers and are made from 100% juice from grapes - (Based on seasonal availability)

Reds

Cab Franc One of the classic Bordeaux varieties. Usually blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and/or Malbec. It is now becoming a very popular stand alone varietal in Ontario. It ripens a little earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon and is cold hardy in comparison to most other red vinifera. Fully ripened it produces wines with tremendous red fruit (particularly raspberry), pepper and slight herbal tones.
Cabernet Sauvignon One of the main Bordeaux varieties. Ripens a little later than Cab Franc and blends well with Cab Franc and Merlot. Requires aging but is a classic. 
Merlot One of the main Bordeaux varieties with limited quantities. This is a tender variety but ripens well in Ontario. Great as a single varietal or in a meritage blend.
Gamay Noir An unsung hero of the vinifera family, we recommend fermenting this grape in a more intense style. Long maceration with a yeast that promotes intense fruit and reduces vegetal notes (i.e. BM45). You will be amazed at the outcome (think Ontario Chianti)!
Pinot Noir This variety is a challenging grape to grow and vinify but when done right, there is nothing like it. Cropping is the key to this grape as is fungal control. The grape does not take well to green harvesting as it tends to pump its full crop water in to the remaining crop, resulting in the opposite to what the grower was setting out to do. The key to this grape is in the pruning and spacing.
Syrah Also known as Shiraz, this grape makes an outstanding wine across the spectrum. A great blender but fantastic on its own when made into a full-bodied wine. It is a little tender (doesn't seem to be as weak as Merlot) but will ripen in Ontario. It produces a wine that has sweet blackberry and spicy/peppery overtones. Ours has produced toffee aromas and flavours in the hot 2002 year. 
Marechal Foch From some of the oldest vines in the region, this grape is a cult classic. Those who love it can't get enough of it.
Baco Noir This grape is a joy to grow and ferment. When fully ripened you get intense black fruit, smoke and spice. It's a great wine with food or by itself. It tends to have higher acid than other reds but this can be managed out with good vinification practices. We suggest a long hot fermentation with a yeast that enhances its natural flavours (RC212 or BM45 are always good). Baco sometimes needs the addition of tannin to fill in the "middle" and this can be done with grape tannin powder or a generous amount of American oak.



Whites

Chardonnay Grows well in Ontario, ripens well and is cold hardy. Oaked, unoaked or as a champagne style.
Riesling Unrivalled in its versatility and in our mind is the most overlooked grape. We have the GM239 clone which tends to have a more apple, apricot and honey tones. In lucky years we get some botrytis (noble rot) and the flavours are so intense its like a party in your mouth. Dry, semi-sweet, sweet, late harvest, ice wine or sparkled....it can't be beat.
Traminette This is a fairly new hybrid that comes to us from Cornell university. It's parentage is Gewurztraminer and you can not mistake it. It has all the characteristics of a good Gewurz but is much more tolerant of our climate. Also, the sugar/acid balance is always good. Great on its own or as a blend (it is a major component of our Vineridge Blend).
Gewurztraminer Spicy, bold and aromatic. This Alsatian grape adds to any germanic style blend or is great on its own as a crisp and refreshing sipper.
Vidal This very fruity and flexible grape has very thick skin and hangs well. It is a great wine for sipping and is consistently a good wine to vinify. It blends well and we have tasted some outstanding examples that have been put through malolactic fermentation (believe it or not).
Vineridge Blend A blend of Traminette, Geisenheim and Vidal, this juice makes wine that is complex and different than anything you will find anywhere. It has won numerous medals in still, sparkling and ice wine style categories.

Note: All of our grapes are supplied by Vineridge Estates Winery


Specialty Wines (Based on seasonal availability)

Elderberry Wine Deep, dark and bold, this elegant and very rare fruit wine ranks amongst the top for taste and character.
Mulberry Wine Smooth deep berry tones with a fresh crisp acidic after taste. This fruit wine is both rare and excellent on a hot summer day.
Serviceberry Wine Smooth rich flavours and a fresh crisp finish. This rare fruit wine can either semi-sweet or dry.
Strawberry Wine Fresh and crisp this is a summer time favourite. This fruit wine has a very strong strawberry taste with a smooth flavourful finish.
Blueberry Wine A deep, dark, full bodied fruit wine - this is a crowd pleaser. Excellent as an aperitif or on its own.
Pear Wine Light, crisp fruit wine with a smooth after taste. Semi-sweet on the palette.
Plum Wine Light refreshing taste combined with a smooth enjoyable finish.
Raspberry Wine Strong raspberry flavour accompanied with a delightful finish. This is an excellent wine for both desert and the patio. Semi-sweet.
Peach Wine Soft, fruity wine with refreshing finish. Delicious cold. Most enjoyable semi-dry.
Black Cherry Wine Deep fruitful taste. Can be either oaked or un-oaked. This semi-sweet wine has a very unique robust cheery flavour.