So after a week of about 42 wines I was ready for a Friday. The event at the Toronto Board of Trade was such a success- and it was sold out to boot. I am sorry for all the last minute ticket people who wanted tickets - guess that just means you will all have to get your tickets early next time!
During the course of the evening I was able to try many white wines, but unfortunately never got around to trying the reds [insert sad face here]. Fortunately, I was sent home
with a bottle of Bottom's Up Red from Marynissen and come Friday night I decided to pour myself a glass last night to celebrate the end of the week.
After looking at the bottle I realized it was an unfiltered red, from Niagara on the Lake and it was called "Bottom's Up", the bottle seemed to fit my mood [I like the Bottom's Up mantra] and I never say no to an unfiltered red. The back label told me to decant the wine and also let me know that there is potential for this wine to age to 2020. Before even tasting the wine I was excited to get it into my mouth. It was a 2007 (one of the best vintages in Niagara yet) and the varietal breakdown on the wine was 35% Cab Franc, 26% Syrah, 26% Merlot, 9% Cab Sauv, 2% Gamay, 1% Malbec, and 1% Petite Sirah. Typically you don't find too many blends in Niagara like the above but blended wines are coming back in style (see my writeup on Henry of Pelham's Sibling Rivalry).
So, I Poured myself a glass and tested it out... It was unlike anything I had tasted from Niagara before. It was beautiful, full bodied with great balance, a hint of dark blueberries and blackberries and potential to age for quite some time - but still can be enjoyed today.
The back label read - "The greater the challenge...the greater the Reward. This wine is a result of patience, hard work, and little serendipity...After blending the bottoms of the all the tanks, a careful and long process of separating the lees, from the wine has provided us with a wine this fruit forward and full bodied and ready to drink upon release. With your patience though this wine will reward with enjoyment past 2020."
This wine is a must try. I also believe highly in its mantra - even though it isnt always easy to believe in, it is one for the memory books!
During the course of the evening I was able to try many white wines, but unfortunately never got around to trying the reds [insert sad face here]. Fortunately, I was sent home
with a bottle of Bottom's Up Red from Marynissen and come Friday night I decided to pour myself a glass last night to celebrate the end of the week.After looking at the bottle I realized it was an unfiltered red, from Niagara on the Lake and it was called "Bottom's Up", the bottle seemed to fit my mood [I like the Bottom's Up mantra] and I never say no to an unfiltered red. The back label told me to decant the wine and also let me know that there is potential for this wine to age to 2020. Before even tasting the wine I was excited to get it into my mouth. It was a 2007 (one of the best vintages in Niagara yet) and the varietal breakdown on the wine was 35% Cab Franc, 26% Syrah, 26% Merlot, 9% Cab Sauv, 2% Gamay, 1% Malbec, and 1% Petite Sirah. Typically you don't find too many blends in Niagara like the above but blended wines are coming back in style (see my writeup on Henry of Pelham's Sibling Rivalry).
So, I Poured myself a glass and tested it out... It was unlike anything I had tasted from Niagara before. It was beautiful, full bodied with great balance, a hint of dark blueberries and blackberries and potential to age for quite some time - but still can be enjoyed today.
The back label read - "The greater the challenge...the greater the Reward. This wine is a result of patience, hard work, and little serendipity...After blending the bottoms of the all the tanks, a careful and long process of separating the lees, from the wine has provided us with a wine this fruit forward and full bodied and ready to drink upon release. With your patience though this wine will reward with enjoyment past 2020."This wine is a must try. I also believe highly in its mantra - even though it isnt always easy to believe in, it is one for the memory books!
I was even able to meet Jeff the Winemaker at Marynissen, who I will have to thank next time I see him for making such a delicious wine! I also think we will be visiting Marynissen during our VIA RAIL WINE TOUR on Saturday September 12th. So book the date. I will be requesting that we all try Bottom's Up.
Bottom's Up to a great week, a fantastic wine, and Wines of Niagara on the Lake!
Click here to visit Marynissen's Webiste or become a fan of them on Facebook here
Ange
Bottom's Up to a great week, a fantastic wine, and Wines of Niagara on the Lake!
Click here to visit Marynissen's Webiste or become a fan of them on Facebook here
Ange
