by Jamie Drummond
Whether or not Chardonnay makes the best Ontario wines is beside the point for Bill Redelmeier. The biodynamic grower and owner (with wife Marilyn) of Niagara’s Southbrook Vineyards, figured it ought to be a rallying point for international recognition because it is so widely grown across the province. On May 17 Redelmeier will bring Chardonnays (and winemakers) from 32 wineries from Niagara and Prince Edward County to Canada House in London for a gala tasting he’s dubbed “Seriously Cool Chardonnay”, as in “cool climate”. Expected to be in attendance will be super-critics Jancis Robinson and Oz Clark. Jamie Drummond caught up to Redelmeier as he prepared for the trip. – Malcolm Jolley
The 34 Ontario VQA Chardonnays from 21 wineries to be poured at Canada House in London on May 17, 2010 include:
Cave Spring Cellars CSV 2003
Cave Spring Cellars CSV 2005
Cave Spring Cellars Dolomite Brut Sparkling 2006
Chateau des Charmes Barrel-Fermented 2007
Chateau des Charmes Musqué 2008
Closson Chase Kocsis Vineyard 2007
Closson Chase South Clos Vineyard 2007
Colio Estates Musqué 2007
Coyote’s Run Black Paw Vineyard 2008
Creekside Estate Queenston Road Vineyard 2008
Flat Rock Cellars Reserve 2007
Flat Rock Cellars The Rusty Shed 2008
Henry of Pelham Barrel-Fermented 2007
Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve 2007
Hidden Bench Tête de Cuvée 2006
Hidden Bench 2007
Hillebrand Showcase Wild Ferment 2008
Huff Estates South Bay Vineyard 2007
Huff Estates Cuvée Peter Huff Blanc de Blanc Sparkling 2006
Lailey Brickyard Vineyard 2008
Lailey Old Vines 2008
Le Clos Jordanne LCJ Vineyard 2006
Le Clos Jordanne Talon Ridge 2007
Malivoire Moira Vineyard 2004
Malivoire Moira Vineyard 2005
Malivoire Mottiar Vineyard 2007
Norman Hardie Unfiltered 2008
Peller Estates Signature Series Sur Lie 2007
Peller Estates Signature Series Sur Lie 2008
Peninsula Ridge Reserve 2007
Peninsula Ridge Beal Vineyard Inox Reserve 2005
Pillitteri Estates Chardonnay Icewine 2007
Ravine Rowan Vineyard 2008
Ravine Rowan Vineyard Reserve 2008
Rosehall Run Rosehall Vineyard 2008
Rosehall Run Cuvée County 2008
Southbrook Poetica 1998
Southbrook Poetica 2005
Southbrook Triomphe Certified Organic 2008
Tawse Quarry Rd Vineyard 2007
