The Wine Ladies

‘Oscars’ of the Ontario wine industry

The ‘Oscars’ of the Ontario wine industry were delivered to thunderous applause at the Cuvée Awards last weekend. This spectacular red- carpet black tie Gala hosted by Fallsview Casino Resort glittered as Niagara’s culinary stars shared the spotlight with Ontario wine celebrities. This sparkling evening celebrates the Cuvée Award winners- the exceptional wines judged by the winemakers themselves and is the kick-off to an entire weekend of Cuvée celebrations.

Georgia and I always dreamt of walking the red-carpet at the ‘Oscars’. Little did we know it would be in our very own back –yard! What was very evident that evening is that we have a lot to be proud of here in Ontario. We have arrived on the culinary and vinous world stage.

The incredible culinary talents that evening included Celebrity Executive Chef of Peller Estates, Jason Parsons, who prepared a platter of Foie Gras, Black Truffle Potato Salad, House Cured Elk Bresola, 147 degree Quail Egg and Truffle Brioche, Icewine Poached Lobster, Smoked Bacon, Alberta Parmesan and White Bean Salad, Riesling Braised Pear, Blue Ice Tart, Icewine Caramelized Onions.  Simply to die for!


Above: Celebrity Executive Chef of Peller Estates Jason Parsons

The dynamic and sought after Chef Mark Hand whose career includes openings of On The Twenty and the Niagara Culinary Institute at Niagara College wowed us with his whole roasted Cumbrae Farms Beef Tenderloin with “Broken Press” Rub Celeriac & Ernite Bleu Mash & Kettle Fried Parsnip Chips. This dish sizzled and we were completely captivated by its elegance and charm. Our culinary adventure continued with one of the most passionate and professional chefs in the Niagara area, Erik Peacock , the Executive Chef and proprietor of one of our favorite restaurants the Wellington Court Restaurant in Saint Catherines who’s stylized cuisine assortment of dishes resulted in pure delight. Erik’s city to smart-casual, approachable fare in the country that evening was a Lobster Chaud Froid, and Verjus Jelly, Lamb Tartare, Quails Egg, Jalapeno and Mint Pesto, Duck Pierogi, Truffle Crème Fraiche and Bacon Vinaigrette. Simply over the top! Incroyable! Un grand merci! This is just a sampling of the evening’s cuisine, the choices went on and on.


Above: Erik Peacock , the Executive Chef and proprietor of Wellington Court Restaurant

And for desert, what caught our eye was the simply incredible array of cakes, pastries, chocolates and desserts prepared by Criveller Cakes of Niagara Falls. These exquisite pastries, masterpiece wedding cakes and selection of truffles and chocolates were simply amazing. The white Lily cake was simply outrageous in its beauty and imagination. Wow.


Above: The fabulous Lily Cake and assorted delights by Criveller Cakes of Niagara Falls.

And now to the wines and the winners who took home the “hardware” of the evening.

The Cuvée Awards are unique in that they are the only awards in Canada where the winning wines are chosen by the winemakers themselves, and this peer review makes Cuvée one of the most meaningful competitions for Niagara winemakers. Fifty-two Ontario wineries submitted over 190 white, red and sweet wines for a variety of awards. This year 41 winemakers tasted these 190 different wines in 3000 wine glasses and over 1000 bottles of wine. The tasting is done blind, and the only information that the judge is given is the varietal and vintage of the wine. All wines were also rated to ensure that they met the Cuvée Standard of Excellence and therefore merit pouring at the Cuvée Gala.

If you like to hear about this first hand tune in this weekend Saturday March 7th, 2009 at 10 am on 1050CHUM as we welcome Liz Palmieri, with the Cuvee Awards for a rundown on who took home the “hardware”, as well as Dr. Allan Jackson, Co-Founder and Proprietor of Jackson-Triggs Vintners, one of the esteemed winners.

Above: Dr. Allan Jackson, Co-Founder and Proprietor of Jackson-Triggs Vintners, one of the esteemed winners.

And the winner is….. 1st place GOLD winners. For a complete list of all winners ( 2nd and 3rd place) go to the Cuvee website. Congratulations to all!


Red Wine
Thirty Bench Wine Makers
Small Lot Cabernet Franc 2006

Limited Edition Red Wine
Creekside Estate Winery
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

White Wine
Legends Estates Winery
Riesling Reserve 2003

Limited Edition White Wine
Cattail Creek Estate Winery
Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2007
And
Creekside Estate Winery
Viognier 2007

General List Red Wine
Dan Aykroyd Winery
Cabernet Shiraz 2007

General List White Wine
Jackson Triggs Niagara Estate Winery
Proprietors Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Sparkling Wine
Hillebrand Estates Winery
Showcase Sparkling Riesling 2006

Sweet Wine
Inniskillin Wines
Riesling Icewine 2007

Limited Edition Sweet Wine
De Sousa Wine Cellars
Cabernet Franc Icewine 2006

Meritage
Tawse Winery
Meritage 2006

Pinot Noir
Niagara College Teaching Winery
Dean’s List Pinot Noir 2007

Cabernet Franc
Thirty Bench Wine Makers
Wine Makers Small Lot Cabernet Franc 2006

Merlot
Harvest Estates Winery
Merlot 2006

Syrah/Shiraz
Creekside Estate Winery
Broken Press Shiraz 2006

Red Assemblage
Wayne Gretzky Estate Winery
Shiraz Cabernet 2006

Riesling
Legends Estates Winery
Riesling Reserve 2003

Gewurztraminer
Calamus Estate Winery
Gewurztraminer 2007

Chardonnay Musqué
Cave Springs Cellars
Chardonnay Musqué 2007

Sauvignon Blanc
Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery
Sauvignon Blanc Wismer Vineyards 2007
And
Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery
Fumé Blanc 2006

Chardonnay
Peller Estates Winery
Signature Series Chardonnay Sur Lie 2007

White Assemblage\Hillebrand Estates Winery
Winery Trius White 2007

Tony Aspler Cuveé Award of Excellence
Darryl Brooker, Hillebrand Estates Winery

Cuveé Gold Award
Inniskillin Wines
Cabernet Franc Icewine 2007

Cuveé Award of Excellence in Viticulture
Martin Schuele, Schuele Vineyards


Above: Creekside Estate Winery the Slum Dog Millionaire winner of the most awards at Cuvée 2009


Above: Niagara College Teaching Winery Dean’s List Pinot Noir 2007 Gold medal winner at Cuvée 2009