Kwaf September 2021 Quarterly Wine Subscription Features
Autumn is here! We don’t know about you, but after the heat of this summer, we are looking forward to some outdoor fires, watching the changing leaves, apple picking, and enjoying the cooler, crisp air. This September we were proud to offer a really diverse and lovely selection of wines: from a Pinot Noir from Closson Chase, to a semi-dry Riesling from Peninsula Ridge. We also have for the first time, a Maréchal Foch — which is a hybrid red grape that originates in France, and comes to us from Front Road Cellars. Cheers to Autumn!
Red Wine Club Features
Closson Chase | 2019 Pinot Noir
Region: Prince Edward County
The first estate vintage from Closson Chase was produced in 2004, with only 10 cases of wine. Keith Tyers was named the winemaker in 2015 and has been making world-class wines ever since.
Tastes Like: Ripe red raspberry and plum, with some wood spice and florals. The structure is delicate, with fine, silky tannins.
Drink With: A roast chicken with different salads on the side, or save it for your Thanksgiving turkey with all the trimmings!
Price: $36.00 | Varietal: Pinot Noir | Percentage: 12.2% | Drink this: Now to 2028
Reif Estate Winery | 2019 Shiraz
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake
The Reif family created one of the original family wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake, founded in 1982. Their vineyard is located in Ontario’s warmest sub-appellation, where sun loving grapes produce rich, full-bodied wines reflecting the terroir of the area.
Tastes Like: Plenty of perfectly ripe plum and raspberry flavours, with a slight hint of black pepper. A classic, reliable Shiraz.
Drink With: A smoked brisket with a slightly spicy rub, a grilled mushroom pizza, or sweet and sticky BBQ’d ribs.
Price: $19.15 | Varietal: Shiraz | Percentage: 12.5% | Drink this: Now to 2026
Front Road Cellars | 2019 Maréchal Foch
Region: Norfolk County
This is the first time Kwaf has offered a wine from Norfolk County and the first time we have featured this winery in our quarterly offering!
Tastes Like: Ripe blackberry and black cherry, dark chocolate, vanilla, and smoke. It has a lovely rustic charm.
Drink With: Grilled salmon, or a BBQ’d steak with sautéed mushrooms. A lamb burger with tzatziki would work great too.
Price: $21.95 | Varietal: Maréchal Foch | Percentage: 13% | Drink this: Now to 2024
Cave Spring Vineyard | 2019 Cabernet Franc Estate
Region: Beamsville Bench
Cave Spring Vineyard was started by the Pennachetti family over 30 years ago and has since helped to pioneer the growing of many noble grape varieties on the Niagara Peninsula.
Tastes Like: Lush black raspberry, cranberry, and cherry, with hints of cedar and graphite, and some seriously silky tannins.
Drink With: A grilled burger, roast chicken, a vegetable tartine, or paired with soft cheeses like chèvre, brie, or feta.
Price: $34.95 | Varietal: Cabernet Franc | Percentage: 14% | Drink this: Now to 2027
Westcott Vineyards | 2019 Temperance
Region: Vinemount Ridge
Grant Westcott and Carolyn Hurst said goodbye to their corporate careers in Toronto and headed to Niagara to realize their dream of making quality wine.
Tastes Like: Plum, black cherry, blackberry, dried florals, some herbal notes, and subtle spice. The tannins are elegant and balanced.
Drink With: Cajun jambalaya, beef stroganoff, spicy tuna rolls, or fried calamari. Chicken and dumplings would be great here too.
Price: $19.99 | Varietal: Pinot Noir, Gamay | Percentage: 11.9% | Drink this: Now to 2025
Peninsula Ridge Estate Winery | 2016 Reserve Syrah
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Peninsula Ridge is ideally situated with breathtaking views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline. This is the debut for the winery in the Kwaf Quarterly offering!
Tastes Like: Juicy blackberries and black plums. The wine is balanced and offers secondary flavours of black pepper and cured meats.
Drink With: BBQ’d chicken, or pork tenderloin, a roasted leg of lamb and your favourite seasonal grilled vegetables.
Price: $30.15 | Varietal: Syrah | Percentage: 13% | Drink this: Now to 2025
White Wine Club Features
Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery | 2017 Semi-dry Riesling
Region: Niagara Peninsula
The winery opened in 2000 and Jamie Evans, the winemaker, has over 20 years of experience. This is the debut for the winery in the Kwaf Quarterly offering!
Tastes Like: Ripe peach, apple, lime, florals, and honeysuckle, in an off-dry style that is light-bodied and a pleasure to drink.
Drink With: Oysters on the half shell, sushi, Korean noodles, or a spicy jerk chicken would all be great options.
Price: $13.15 | Varietal: Riesling | Percentage: 11% | Drink this: Now to 2023
Drea’s Sauvignon Blanc | 2017 Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Niagara Peninsula
This wine was created by Andrea (Drea) Kaiser in tribute to her father Karl, a prolific winemaker. Karl would make Sauvignon Blanc for his daughter and wife every year, as it was their favourite wine.
Tastes Like: Classic gooseberry, lime zest, grapefruit, and some herbal notes. The result is a wine that is bright and fresh.
Drink With: Enjoy alongside a crisp green salad with Ontario goat cheese and a citrus vinaigrette, or with Vietnamese noodles.
Price: $26.70 | Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc | Percentage: 12.5% | Drink this: Now to 2025
Calamus Estate Winery | 2016 Pinot Grigio
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Description: Calamus, a boutique winery, planted their first 10 acre vineyard in 2000. They now have 42 acres of vineyard land, and to date, the winery has won over 100 medals for their wines.
Tastes Like: Apple, pear and stone fruit — reminiscent of white peach. There is some nice acidity and a tiny hint of minerality.
Drink With: Pasta smothered in a rich cream sauce, or grilled chicken breasts with a lemon-based marinade and Italian herbs.
Price: $16.95 | Varietal: Pinot Grigio | Percentage: 12% | Drink this: Now to 2023
Join Ontario's Wine Subscription!
Sign up for a subscription through Kwaf and enjoy your very own Ontario wine tasting on a quarterly basis.