Liebling Wines is the Oppenlaender family's mission to showcase the single vineyards they tend and the vines they grow. Grape-growing has been part of their family's history for five generations, originating in Germany, and now, with their family, in Niagara. Crafted in collaboration with winemaker friends, Liebling Wines connects the passion of grape growing with winemaking.
Fogolar Wines
Winemaker, Marc Pistor, offers a portfolio of ultra small-batch VQA wines that honour his Friulian roots surrounding the concept of the fogolar, or hearth, the traditional gathering place to share food amongst family and friends. Pistor produces an elevated lineup of riesling and cabernet franc that are true to vineyard, varietal, and vintage.
Wines included this month
November 2024
2-Bottle Red & White: 2023 Liebling Sauvignon Blanc, 2019 Fogolar Picone Cabernet Franc
2-Bottle Red Only: 2023 Liebling Gamay, 2020 Finite x Fogolar Red 2-Bottle White Only: 2023 Liebling Riesling, 2023 Liebling Sauvignon Blanc
3-Bottle Red & White: 2023 Liebling Sauvignon Blanc, 2023 Liebling Gamay, 2019 Fogolar Picone Cabernet Franc
3-Bottle Red Only: 2023 Liebling Gamay, 2021 Fogolar Cabernet Franc, 2020 Finite x Fogolar Red
3-Bottle White Only: 2023 Liebling Riesling, 2023 Liebling Sauvignon Blanc, 2018 Fogolar Chardonnay
6-Bottle Red & White: 2023 Liebling Riesling, 2023 Liebling Sauvignon Blanc, 2018 Fogolar Chardonnay, 2023 Liebling Gamay, 2020 Finite x Fogolar Red, 2019 Fogolar Picone Cabernet Franc
6-Bottle Red Only: 2023 Liebling Gamay, 2021 Fogolar Cabernet Franc, 2020 Finite x Fogolar Red, 2020 Fogolar Picone Cabernet Franc, 2021 Fogolar Oppenlaender Cabernet Franc, 2022 Liebling Cabernet Franc
Appearance: Very pale straw in colour.
Nose: Grassy, gooseberry bouquet.
Palate: Medium-bodied, crisply dry. True varietal character. Green passionfruit flavour. Great length.
Quality: 90 points - Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2025.
Food Pairing: Tuna tataki with ponzu sauce, grilled halloumi with honey and walnuts, clam chowder, potato and leek galette, and cheeses like goat cheese, Manchego, and aged cheddar.
Appearance: Deep purple in colour.
Nose: Spicy,cedary nose of black plum with vanilla oak notes.
Palate: Medium-to full-bodied, dry, plum flavour carried on fresh acidity.
Quality: 90 points - Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now or hold till 2026.
Food Pairing: Beef bourguignon, turkey roulade with wild mushroom and truffle, slow-roasted Turkish lamb, gnocchi with Gorgonzola, pear, and walnut sauce, and spinach and cheddar quiche.
Appearance: Pale straw in colour.
Nose: Lime zest nose with light floral note.
Palate: Light-bodied, dry, grapefruit and lemon flavours. Fresh and lively on the palate.
Quality: 90 points - Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now or hold 1 - 2 years. The bold acidity will preserve it.
Food Pairing: Mac and cheese with crispy bacon garnish, grilled zucchini and eggplant salad with sweet peppers and citrus vinaigrette, and cheeses like feta, aged Gouda, and blue cheese.
Geographical Indication: VQA Four Mile Creek
Varietal: Gamay Noir
Vineyard: Creek Road Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Cases Produced: 141
Appearance: Ruby colour.
Nose: Cherry pit nose.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, sour cherry and red plum flavours with lively acidity. Chillable.
Quality: 90 points - Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2025.
Food Pairing: Roasted duck with cherry sauce, fennel-crusted pork chops, pan-seared salmon with herbed butter sauce, cranberry and walnut-stuffed acorn squash, and soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and Taleggio.
Appearance: Golden colour.
Nose: Toasty, baked apple nose with oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted apple and pear flavours ending on a macadamia nut note. Great length.
Quality: 90 points - Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2025.
Food Pairing: Roasted chicken with thyme and garlic, baked Brie with cranberry sauce, mushroom and truffle risotto, and cheeses like fontina, havarti, and Camembert.
Appearance: Deep ruby-purple in colour.
Nose: Cedary, blackcurrant and blackberry nose with oak spice.
Palate: Full-bodied, dry, black fruit flavours. Well-balanced, well-integrated oak, finishing on ripe tannins.
Quality: 90 points - Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now but will reward holding 1 - 2 years.
Food Pairing: Braised short ribs with polenta, lamb lollipops, lobster and saffron risotto, wild mushroom and truffle tagliatelle, and cheeses like Petit Basque, Bucheron (Goat Cheese), and Grana Padano.
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Garnet colour.
Nose: Smoky, violet nose with hints of oak spice.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Dry. Bold notes of dark raspberry, blackberry, black tea, and savoury green herbs. Well-balanced with
chewy tannins.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Decant and enjoy now or hold 1-2 years.
Food Pairing: Venison stew with juniper berries, pork chops with apple cider glaze, saffron risotto, roasted eggplant steak with chimichurri sauce, and cheeses like Taleggio, feta, and goat cheese.
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Dark ruby red colour.
Nose: Elegant bouquet of violets, black cherry, plum, tobacco, and oak spice.
Palate: Medium acid, medium+ tannin, medium body. Dry. Intense notes of cassis,
dark chocolate, black tea, sage, and black pepper. Well-balanced and structured
with bold tannins. Age-worthy.
Quality: 90 – 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Decant well and enjoy
now or hold 2-3 years.
Food Pairing: Spiced lamb meatballs with mint yogurt sauce, coq au vin, turkey osso buco,wild mushroom and Gruyère tart, and cheeses like smoked provolone, pecorino toscano, and Mahon.
Geographical Indication: VQA Four Mile Creek
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Oppenlaender Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Cases Produced: 46
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Garnet colour.
Nose: Deep aromas of blackcurrant jam, anise, and allspice.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Rich flavours of Maraschino cherry, blackberry, baking spice, and black pepper. Excellently structured with
nicely integrated tannins.
Quality: 90 – 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Decant well and drink now or hold 1-2 years.
Food Pairing: Rib steak with arugula salad, game hen with prunes and olives, lamb ragù pappardelle, roasted cauliflower steak with hazelnut romesco sauce, and cheeses like aged Gouda, smoked cheddar, and Taleggio.
Geographical Indication: VQA Four Mile Creek
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Oppenlaender Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Cases Produced: 87
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Dark garnet colour.
Nose: Notes of cassis, blackberry, green pepper, savoury green herbs, baking spice, and a hint of menthol.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Savoury flavours of dark cherry, blackcurrant, a green vegetal note, and black pepper. Great structure
with firm tannins.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Braised short ribs with root vegetables, smoked duck breast with cherry compote, chicken with tarragon and mustard crust, stuffed acorn squash with quinoa and cranberries, and cheeses like fontina, Roquefort, and Emmental.
