A Reason to Riesling

Wineries to visit: Konzelmann Estate Winery, Stonechurch Vineyards, Strewn Winery

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Riesling is our unsung hero. Although eclipsed by the popularity of Chardonnay, Riesling is a true classic, thriving in our cool climate conditions.  We create gorgeous aromatic Rieslings that are notable for their fine balance of acidity (a citrusy freshness that makes them a great partner to a wide variety of foods) and mineral and fruit flavours. If you’re looking for a white wine that is versatile beyond compare, this is the wine to explore.

The Riesling is a grape variety that Cattail Creek Estate Winery loves to grow, because the result is a wine that they love to enjoy. Cattail Creek really likes to have fun with this grape variety for its versatility. The winery itself is located in the heart of the family’s Riesling vineyard, which has numerous lots of Riesling vines with different ages and different clones. The Dry Riesling is made in a crisp, refreshing style, or perhaps the Off-Dry Riesling will be more to your taste with its hint of sweetness. The Riesling Reserve is made from a blend of the family’s oldest Riesling vines planted in 1976 and a wonderfully unique clone of Riesling originating from France that produces amazing spicy and floral notes.

Herbert Konzelmann, fourth generation wine master in Germany, and founder of Konzelmann Estate Winery is celebrating 115 years of winemaking and 25 years of producing German-style Rieslings in Niagara. The winery showcases dry, off-dry, late harvest and Riesling Icewine.

Stonechurch Vineyards’ 2005 Riesling was so popular and well received that supplies ran out. The 2006 vintage has been developed in both dry and semi-dry styles to ensure there is plenty of selection for Riesling lovers. 

At Strewn Winery, Riesling is viewed as the under-recognized, over-achiever among Ontario wines.  Riesling's hallmark is acidity - the refreshing cleansing quality that makes it a wonderful companion for food - and it also lends itself to stylistic variation.  Strewn's "Terroir" Riesling is fully dry with a mineral, citrus palate and crisp acidity; Strewn Semi-Dry Riesling is more floral and tropical fruit with a hint of sweetness; and Strewn Riesling Icewine has complex aromas and a luscious texture.

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