On the 1st day of Christmas...

Hello everyone, tonight we begin the 12 wines of Christmas! My idea was simply inspired by the holiday season, because only one thing is better then Christmas music and the smell of pine....and thats a wonderful bottle of wine! Wine's I will be showcasing are great idea's for family, friends, or as a host/hostess gift. However, some of these wines may not make it passed your glass as they are all unique, inviting, local, and can be found at the LCBO.


BOLD-BIG-RICH-RED

2007 Stratus Petit Verdot


BOLD- because it breaks our cool climate viticulture boundaries. Stratus winery is located in Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL), and is known to grow varieties that are often questioned in the local growers community. This grape barely ripens in it's ideal environments (warmer climates such as in France or Argentina) and our cool climate and shorter growing season isn't exactly so inviting for this variety either. 


BIG- this particular vintage is kind of a big deal...2007 brought on a very warm and dry(er) growing season to NOTL which made the petit verdot show some serious potential. Typically this variety is used to blend with other Bordeaux style grapes such as  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec.  The wine maker at Stratus made a good call when he decided to showcase their petit verdot as a single varietal, after all it scored a 90.


RICH-this is a full bodied bottle of wine that is rich in its mouthfeel and tannins, offering great acidity levels to balance it out. You also have to be feeling rich this time of year to purchase it....it goes for $38.20 at the LCBO. 


RED-typical red wine fruit characteristics of dark cherry and blackberries are eloquently played on the nose. The palate offers front line dark chocolate, star anise and even hints of vanilla. Just like any full bodied red, this one can be cellared or stored for up to 5 more years.


If you have someone on your list who would appreciated a unique wine, this is it. The story of this Petit Verdot is one of brilliance, and defiance for the Ontario wine community.. 


Stratus is worth checking out, wether it be on line or visiting the winery. There persistence to bring a world of wines to our local community should be recognized by all! 


Stratus Website

Cheers friends!

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