(Nov. 13, 2013) — Many winemakers and their fellow oenophiles rank 2007 as the greatest vintage in Ontario history. By late summer, the lack of rain in the Niagara peninsula had resulted in near drought conditions. Prince Edward County, the VQA debutante which had just celebrated her VQA Designated Viticultural Area coming out party in June of that year, had experienced similar conditions but not quite as dry.

Four of the six wineries represented in this tasting are located in Prince Edward County, but five of the eight wines we’ll taste are made from Niagara grapes.

Bryan McCaw of WineAlign.com called the blended 2007 Tawse Niagara Pinot Noir the “best Ontario red wine I have ever had”, adding, “This wine changed my opinion on Ontario wine.” We’ll serve two single vineyard 2007 Tawse Pinot Noirs: Cherry Avenue Vineyard and 17th Street Vineyard. From Niagara’s Flat Rock Cellars we have the 2007 Black Label Reserve Pinot Noir (only 200 cases made).

From James Lahti’s Long Dog Winery in Prince Edward County, we have the 2007 Top Dog Pinot Noir which retailed for an astonishing $75.00 a bottle. Keint-he Winery’s 2007 Little Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir is our second “pure” Prince Edward County wine, both winery and vineyard located in the region locals call simply “The County”.

Two of the wines in our tasting are from The County’s Closson Chase Vineyards, allowing us to compare Niagara Pinot Noir and Prince Edward County Pinot Noir made by the same winemaker, Deborah Paskus. Deborah was also the vineyard manager tending the Prince Edward County vines.

To round out the tasting we feature a wine with a foot in both camps. Norman Hardie Winery is in The County but the 2007 Cuvee L Pinot Noir is a blend of Beamsville Bench and Prince Edward County grapes. We are pleased to have as our guest speaker for the evening Norman Hardie himself who tells us that there’s no 2007 Cuvee L Pinot Noir left at the winery.

As always with our tastings, this event will be strictly non-smoking, and we request your cooperation in not wearing any scented after-shave or perfume. Please don’t drink & drive.

Cancellations accepted up to November 8, 2013. See the event form for cancellation contact details. No reservations by phone, please. No confirmations will be issued — you will be contacted only if we are sold out. First come basis. Non-members may attend at guest rates, but preference will be given to members.

Download the event form if you wish to mail in your reservation cheque.