Niagara, Ontario

When you think London, you might not think wine...but we do! Our family has come a long way to make the wine we love, right here in Canada. Wine that people love to drink and wine we love to share!

London Born is owned and operated by the Hoare family who are originally from London, England. Our historic 1800's 50-acre estate, Highland Vineyard was purchased in 2007 and at that time the farm's principal crop was Concord grapes used for making juice. Since then we have removed these vines, keeping two rows for prosperity and have installed drainage and irrigation to the north of the farm where we have planted vinifera vines with our first vintages released in 2010. Our varieties are Gamay, Cabernet Franc and Riesling. We have kept the existing 50+ year old Marechal Foch vines with their small crop of grapes; the care given these produces an intensely flavoured, satisfying full-bodied wine.

London Born Wine Co. Wines 2018 wines included in monthly subscriptions

September 2018

PINOT BLANC RESERVE, 2015
CABERNET FRANC HIGHLAND VINEYARDS, 2016
BLANC DE NOIRS SEC, 2015
HOLBORN GAMAY NOIR, 2017
SOUTH KENSINGTON PINOT BLANC, 2016
DOCKLANDS MARECHAL FOCH, 2016

PINOT BLANC RESERVE, 2015

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: Niagara, ON
Varietal: Pinot Blanc
Vineyard: Various Niagara vineyards
Alcohol: 13%
Volume: 750 mL
Cases Produced: 45

Appearance: Golden straw in colour
Nose: Peach pit bouquet with a light floral note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, ripe peach and Asian pear flavour with a creamy mouthfeel and lively acidic finish.
Quality: Very Good+ quality. Drink now.
Critic Rating: 88 points - Tony Aspler

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Food Pairing: Grilled Black Cod (sablefish), egg-based dishes such as Eggs Benedict and quiche, antipasto, soft cheeses, sushi, and salads. 

Comment:
You may be more familiar with London Born Wine Co. than you think! Previously named Aure Wines, this Niagara winery was re-branded by the Hoare family from Britain who have been cultivating vines and making wines for over 10 years. Starting with Gamay, Cabernet Franc, and Siegerrebe grapes, the winery now has an ample portfolio that stretches from Pinot Blanc to White Gamay to Marechal Foch.

This Pinot Blanc Reserve was aged for 10 months in neutral oak. It has a lovely rich mouthfeel with toasted almonds, oak spice, and a squeeze of orange citrus on the palate. Savour it and enjoy!

- Jackie McLachlan, Founder, My Wine Canada

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CABERNET FRANC HIGHLAND VINEYARDS, 2016

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: Niagara, ON
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Highland Vineyards
Alcohol: 13%
Volume: 750 mL
Cases Produced: 188

Appearance: Opaque purple in colour
Nose: Cedary, slightly spicy nose brambleberry with notes of vanilla oak.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, black plum and dark chocolate flavours with powdery tannins.
Quality: Very Good+ quality. Hold long term (3-5 years).
Critic Rating: 88 points - Tony Aspler

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Food Pairing: Charcuterie, venison sausage, Greek salad with feta cheese, lamb kebabs with mint sauce, ravioli with cheese and spinach, roasted red pepper soup, eggplant with parmesan.

Comment:
Our tasting team loved this Cabernet Franc with its hints of black pepper, black currant, and licorice. An extra kick of tannins gives the wine a nice balance and structure. Enjoy!

- Jackie McLachlan, Founder, My Wine Canada

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BLANC DE NOIRS SEC, 2015

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: Niagara, ON
Varietal: Gamay
Vineyard: Various Niagara vineyards
Alcohol: 11%
Volume: 750 mL
Cases Produced: 265

Appearance: Very pale in colour with a light mousse of tiny bubbles
Nose: Minerally, apple
Palate: Light-bodied, dry, crab apple and lemon flavours with good length. Fresh and lively on the palate
Quality: Very Good+ quality. Drink now.
Critic Rating: 89 points - Tony Aspler

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Food Pairing: Smoked salmon canapés, blintzes with caviar, Gouda cheese with black grapes, parmesan-topped popcorn, Indian and Thai curries. 

Comment:
London Born Wine Co.'s Blanc de Noirs Sec is always a delight. Made using the Charmat Method, this sparkling wine is fruit-forward and lively with a hint of sweetness. It’s a wonderful sipping wine that is marvellously food friendly too. Enjoy!

- Jackie McLachlan, Founder, My Wine Canada

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HOLBORN GAMAY NOIR, 2017

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: Niagara, ON
Varietal: Gamay
Vineyard: Various Niagara Vineyards
Alcohol: 12%
Volume: 750 mL
Cases Produced: 230

Appearance: Deep ruby colour
Nose: High-toned, minerally, red plum nose.
Palate: Lifted, cherry and balsamic flavours with lively acidity and a touch of bitterness on the finish.
Quality: Very Good+ quality. Drink now.
Critic Rating: 88 points - Tony Aspler

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Food Pairing: Roasted chicken with savoury herbs, pulled pork with tangy fruit salsa, grilled salmon with dill sauce, roasted squash with butter and pecans, quinoa-crusted onion rings.

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SOUTH KENSINGTON PINOT BLANC, 2016

Geographical Indication: Niagara, ON
Varietal: Pinot Blanc
Vineyard: Various Niagara vineyards
Alcohol: 11.5%
Volume: 750 mL
Cases Produced: 315

Appearance: Bright, clear. Straw-coloured core, lighter rim.
Nose: Medium aromatic intensity. Hint of tropical fruit, stone fruit, minerality, green apple.
Palate: Medium body, medium acid. Stone fruit, green apple, citrus.
Quality: Very Good quality. 86 points. Drink now.

Awards:

Gold - 2018 Ontario Wine Awards


Food Pairing: Salmon burgers, grilled Portobello mushrooms, falafels with cucumber and dill sauce, pasta with cream-based sauces, roasted chicken with fresh herbs

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DOCKLANDS MARECHAL FOCH, 2016

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: Niagara, ON
Varietal: Marechal Foch
Vineyard: Various Niagara vineyards
Alcohol: 11%
Volume: 750 mL
Cases Produced: 141

Appearance: Deep ruby-purple in colour
Nose: Savoury, black plum nose
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, tart red plum flavour with an herbal note, nicely balanced with ripe tannins.
Quality: Very good+ quality. Hold short term (1-2 years).
Critic Rating: 88 points - Tony Aspler

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Food Pairing: Tomato-based pasta and pizza, arugula salad with nuts and caramelized cherry tomatoes, roast beef dinners, lamb chops with rosemary and thyme, roasted green peppers stuffed with wild rice and mushrooms.

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CROYDON RIESLING, 2016

Geographical Indication: Niagara, ON
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Various Niagara vineyards
Alcohol: 11%
Volume: 750 mL
Cases Produced: 271

Appearance: Bright, clear. Very light straw-coloured core.
Nose: Medium aromatic intensity. Fuzzy peach candy, vanilla, stone fruit.
Palate: Medium+ acid, medium- body. Stone fruit, green apple, minerality.
Quality: Very Good quality. 87 points. Drink now.

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