I had the pleasure of hanging out with Sommelier Rebecca Hawkes at last week's hospitality symposium called "Terroir: A Sense of Place" at U of T's Hart House (eau-de-vie.ca). Rebecca and I ended the day off at two hip & happening wine bars: Trevor Wine Bar (38 Wellington St. E.) and Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar (jkkitchens.com) both in the St. Lawrence Market area. It was great trying new wines with Rebecca throughout the day, so we've got Rebecca to recommend 2 wines and answer 2 questions about wine.
2 Wines
1. Le Clos Jordanne, Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard 2004 Niagara, Canada - Pinot Noir : $35
This Bench-land Pinot Noir (grown on the bench of the escarpment in Vineland) delivers fresh berry fruit, feminine floral-ness and loads of finesse. I love that this winery is a partnership between Niagara and Burgundy, France. This Pinot is a versatile wine and a will only get better with time in the cellar. Wine is available at Vintages, LCBO.
2. Domaine Weinbach, Pinot Gris Altenbourg, Cuvee Laurence 2004, Alsace, France
This Grand Cru vineyard in Alsace has the best location for Riesling, Pinot
Gris and Gewurztraminer. Organic and Bio-dynamic methods in the Vineyard and winery ensures that each cluster is at its very best, which is evident in the wine. Rich baked apple with a tingly, refreshing acidity balances the off-dry sweetness of the wine. This Pinot Gris is available through Lifford Wine Agency (liffordwineagency.com)and Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar will be featuring this wine soon. Approximately $80 Retail
2 Questions
1. What do you love about wine?
I love that wine is a beautiful combination of two art forms: nature’s purest expression combined with human intervention and creativity.
2. What's the difference between a good wine and a great wine?
The grapes. To have a great wine you have to start with great grapes, which all starts in the vineyard. The wine grower and winemaker have to work hand in hand together to produce a great wine. Nevertheless, the people that you’re with and the setting that you’re in can make all the difference as well!
Rebecca works as a Lifford Sales Agent and also runs her own at-home wine tastings. She can be reached at: tutoredtastings@gmail.com
Cheers,
Paxton
