While researching wineries I should visit in the Niagara region, I came across Kew Vineyards Estate Winery, which is a little east of Thirty Bench Wine Makers, and specializes in sparkling wine, I had to visit. Their original 1975 plantings are among the oldest in the region. They have a classy, Old World feel wine tasting room, and make their Traditional sparkling wines using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, just like in Champagne. I can recommend any of these sparkling wines. All are very good quality. Let me tell you about them.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Kew Vineyards Tradition 2017 – Made with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. It has a medium clear pear skin colour. Small bubbles. Medium intensity aromas of brioche, toast, and apples. Elegant aromas. Medium body with a mix of tiny creamy and biting bubbles. Dry with crisp apple flavour. Medium plus acidity. Light pepperiness and toast. A quality wine.
Kew Vineyards Blanc de Blancs 2017 – Made solely with Chardonnay grapes. This sparkling wine has a medium-plus intensity lemon colour. Tiny bubbles in the glass. Very light aromas of toast and apples. Medium-plus body with lots of tiny biting and creamy bubbles. Pears, apples and some sweet spices on the palate. This wine has a creamy texture. Dry with medium-plus acidity. Medium length.
Kew Vineyards Blanc de Noirs 2017 – From the winery, “The fruit was hand harvested from two different vineyards, including the Young Family Organic Vineyard. Juice from gentle, whole berry pressing was fermented in stainless steel. On lees for over two years, yeast contact in the bottle harmonized all of the elements together in this delicate, Brüt style wine.” Made with Pinot Noir grapes. This wine has a lighter, very translucent straw colour. Medium to large sized bubbles. Very light aromas of apples with a hint of peach. Dry, fuller body with medium sized biting and creamy bubbles. Toast and bruised apple flavours. Medium-plus acidity.
Kew Vineyards Rosalie 2018 – This rose sparkling wine is made with Pinot Noir grapes. From the winery, “This 2018 Rosalie is the fifth vintage of our well known “Rosalie” Rosé Sparkling Wine. Named in honour of our proprietor’s mother, Rosalie is a stunning example of how a Pinot Noir Rosé sparkling can be both refreshing and decadent.” It has a light peach skin colour and tiny bubbles in the glass. Light stone fruit aromas, primarily peach along with a hint of toast. Dryish, fuller body with medium-plus acidity. Very creamy medium-minus sized bubbles. Stone fruit flavours plus some fruit skin bitterness and toast. I also picked up some cherry flavour. Medium length finishing with a touch of tannins.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
You can purchase these wines online through the Kew Vineyards website. A selection of these sparkling wines are available at Ontario’s LCBO.