Tawse Winery
We were proud to feature Tawse Winery in June 2024.
“Organic farming practices are the foundation of everything we do at Tawse Winery. These practices directly influence the health of our soils, the quality of our grapes and the complexity of our wines.” — Moray Tawse
Tawse is a family-owned estate winery, located on the lower slopes of the Niagara Escarpment, in the sub appellation of Twenty Mile Bench. Their 115 acres of vineyards are farmed organically, without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or insecticides. The unique geology of their vineyards and their non-interventionist approach to winemaking result in wines that reflect the terroir and express a sense of place. Their commitment to sustainable and organic practices, combined with outstanding winemaking, has solidified their position as one of Niagara Benchland’s top wineries.
Wines included in your package:
Enthusiast Red & White: 2021 Quarry Road Riesling, 2021 Quarry Road Pinot Noir
Enthusiast Red Only: 2021 Growers Blend Pinot Noir, 2020 Growers Blend Cabernet Franc
Enthusiast White Only: 2021 Quarry Road Riesling, 2020 Quarry Road Chardonnay
Expert Red & White: 2020 Quarry Road Chardonnay, 2020 Tawse Cabernet Merlot, 2020 Growers Blend Cabernet Franc
Expert Red Only: 2021 Quarry Road Pinot Noir, 2020 Tawse Cabernet Merlot, 2020 Growers Blend Cabernet Franc
Expert White Only: 2021 Carly’s Block Riesling, 2021 Growers Blend Sauvignon Blanc, 2020 Quarry Road Chardonnay
Master Red & White: 2015 Quarry Road Blanc de Blancs Spark Brut, 2021 Growers Blend Sauvignon Blanc, 2020 Quarry Road Chardonnay, 2021 Quarry Road Pinot Noir, 2020 Tawse Cabernet Merlot, 2020 Growers Blend Cabernet Franc
Master Red Only: 2021 Growers Blend Gamay, 2021 Tintern Road Pinot Noir, 2020 Tawse Cabernet Merlot, 2020 Growers Blend Cabernet Franc, 2016 Tintern Road Pinot Noir, 2019 Tawse Cabernet Merlot
Tasting Notes
QUARRY ROAD RIESLING, 2021
Tawse Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Vinemount Ridge
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Quarry Road Vineyard
Alcohol: 10%
Residual Sugar: 18.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,250
Appearance: Pale straw in colour.
Nose: Grapefruit zest bouquet with a light floral note.
Palate: Light- to medium-bodied, lime, and green peach flavours with a thread of minerality. Fresh and lively on the palate, well-balanced with a long, honeyed lemon finish.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now, but can be held for several years because of the vibrant acidity.
Food Pairing: Thai yellow curry, black cod with orange-miso sauce, fennel salad with dill and feta cheese, roasted coq au riesling, and seared scallops with herbs and garlic.
QUARRY ROAD PINOT NOIR, 2021
Tawse Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Vinemount Ridge
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Quarry Road Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 550
Appearance: Bright ruby in colour.
Nose: Earthy, barnyard nose with strawberry and raspberry notes with evident oak.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, elegant, lifted red berry flavours carried on lively acidity. Very Burgundian in style. Lovely mouthfeel, great length with a saline note on the finish.
Quality: 91 – 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drinking well now, but will enrich its bouquet with 3-4 years in your cellar.
Food Pairing: Quiche with mushrooms, onion, and gouda cheese, classic pepperoni pizza, grilled salmon with hoisin sauce, venison medallions with onion gravy, and roasted chicken thighs with spinach and shiitake mushrooms.
QUARRY ROAD CHARDONNAY, 2020
Tawse Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Vinemount Ridge
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Quarry Road Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 575
Appearance: Bright, white gold colour.
Nose: Lightly toasty, apple nose with a floral top note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, ripe pear and apple flavours. Well-balanced with racy acidity and nicely integrated oak.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2025.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Herbed goat cheese tarts, Indian aloo gobi with cauliflower and potatoes, herb-crusted sea bass with pea purée, chicken pot pie, and pork chops with gremolata.
GROWERS BLEND CABERNET FRANC, 2020
Tawse Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Select Niagara Peninsula vineyards
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 3,117
Appearance: Deep ruby in colour with a violet rim.
Nose: Toasty, spicy, blackberry nose with notes of vanilla and pencil shavings.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, well-extracted blackberry and blackcurrant flavours carried on racy acidity. Firmly structured with ripe tannins and a juicy finish.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Can be opened now, but hold for 1–2 years to allow the tannins and fruit to meld.
Food Pairing: Enchiladas with tomatillo salsa, steak frites, Spanish rice with chorizo sausage, roasted artichokes dipped in butter, and chicken paprikash.
GROWERS BLEND SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2021
Tawse Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: Lawrie Vineyard
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,075
Appearance: Bright. Pale straw colour.
Nose: Vibrant bouquet of gooseberry, stone fruit, green apple, and lemon.
Palate: Medium acid, medium-bodied. Tantalizing notes of peach, nectarine, tangerine, pear, and hints of lemon-lime. Well balanced with a long finish.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Creamy goat cheese with an ash-aged rind and crostini, alfredo linguini with peas, grilled tilapia with lemon and dill, Thai green mango and papaya salad, and turmeric-baked chicken on a bed of wild rice.
GROWERS BLEND PINOT NOIR, 2021
Tawse Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Select Niagara Peninsula vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 5,500
Appearance: Bright ruby in colour.
Nose: Earthy, raspberry nose with discreet oak and tealeaf notes.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, raspberry and red plum flavours with oak spice. An easy drinking Pinot.
Quality: 89 – 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Can be opened now, but will reward cellaring for 1-2 years.
Food Pairing: Smoked salmon over bagels with cream cheese and capers, barbecued pork ribs, Manchego and other sheep cheese with truffle honey, grilled rabbit with Morel mushrooms, and chicken wings in sweet soy sauce.
CARLY'S BLOCK RIESLING, 2021
Tawse Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Twenty Mile Bench
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Cherry Avenue Vineyard
Alcohol: 9.5%
Residual Sugar: 20 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 260
Appearance: Pale straw colour.
Nose: Minerally, lemon blossom, green apple bouquet.
Palate: Light- to medium-bodied, just off-dry, honeyed Granny Smith apple flavour with a long, lemon-lime finish. Lovely mouthfeel. Reminiscent of a Rheingau Kabinett.
Quality: 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now, but can be kept for several years. A distinguished riesling.
Food Pairing: Sushi maki, apple-stuffed pork loin, drunken noodles with crispy tofu, tandoori chicken, and fried calamari.
TAWSE CABERNET MERLOT, 2020
Tawse Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon (48%), Merlot (44%), Cabernet Franc (8%)
Vineyard: Various Niagara Peninsula vineyards
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 4,189
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Dark ruby red.
Nose: Intense aromas of blackberry, plum, green bell pepper, white pepper, and a touch of smoke.
Palate: Medium acid, medium+ tannin, medium-bodied. Dry. Opulent notes of dark cherry, cassis, licorice, a green vegetal note, and savoury green herbs. Ripe, grippy tannins. Excellent structure and balance with ripe tannins.
Quality: 91 – 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Decant and drink now or hold 2-3 years to further integrate tannins.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Grilled portobello burgers, turkey casserole with herbs and mushrooms, ribollita (Tuscan-style soup) with Swiss chard and cannellini beans, roast beef with garlic potatoes, and lamb souvlaki.
QUARRY ROAD BLANC DE BLANCS SPARK BRUT, 2015
Tawse Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Vinemount Ridge
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Quarry Road Vineyard
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 114
Appearance: Bright. Pale gold colour. Light effervescent bubbles.
Nose: Bright aromatics of red apple, lemon, baked bread, and hints of minerality.
Palate: Medium acid, medium-bodied. Lively peach, lemon-lime, tart green apple, and a nutty note on the finish. Great structure with balancing acidity and a fine mousse.
Quality: 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Avocado toast, creamy Brie bake with blackcurrant compote, grilled halibut in butter, lobster risotto, and a classic club sandwich.
TINTERN ROAD PINOT NOIR, 2021
Tawse Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Vinemount Ridge
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Tintern Road Vineyard
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 133
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Light ruby colour.
Nose: A floral nose with raspberry, menthol, savoury green herbs, and hints of white pepper.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium-bodied. Great balance with intense flavours of red cherry, cranberry, redcurrant, savoury green herbs, and a touch of black pepper.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Roasted beet salad with goat cheese, lamb chops with garlic and rosemary, black truffle fettucine, grilled swordfish with garlic and pepper, and filet mignon.
GROWERS BLEND GAMAY NOIR, 2021
Tawse Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Gamay Noir
Vineyard: Various Niagara Peninsula vineyards
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 5,500
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Light ruby-garnet colour.
Nose: Bold aromas of red cherry, raspberry, menthol, and a hint of black pepper.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium-bodied. Savoury notes of cranberry, blackberry, savoury green herbs, and a touch of baking spice. Good structure with grippy tannins.
Quality: 90 – 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now or hold 1-2 years for more integrated tannins.
Food Pairing: Falafels with tahini, duck terrine and crackers, ham sandwich with Dijon mustard, seared tuna with roasted butternut squash, and knackwurst (garlic sausage) on a bed of lentils.