London Born Wine Co.
We were proud to feature London Born Wine Co in September 2018.
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.
Tasting Notes
PINOT BLANC RESERVE, 2015
London Born Wine Co., Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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
– – – – – – – – – –
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
CABERNET FRANC HIGHLAND VINEYARDS, 2016
London Born Wine Co., Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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
– – – – – – – – – –
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
BLANC DE NOIRS SEC, 2015
London Born Wine Co. (formerly Aure Wines), Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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
– – – – – – – – – –
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
HOLBORN GAMAY NOIR, 2017
London Born Wine Co., Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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
– – – – – – – – – –
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.
SOUTH KENSINGTON PINOT BLANC, 2016
London Born Wine Co., Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical 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:
Food Pairing: Salmon burgers, grilled Portobello mushrooms, falafels with cucumber and dill sauce, pasta with cream-based sauces, roasted chicken with fresh herbs
DOCKLANDS MARECHAL FOCH, 2016
London Born Wine Co., Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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
– – – – – – – – – –
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.
CROYDON RIESLING, 2016
London Born Wine Co., Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical 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.
CAMDEN WHITE GAMAY, 2016
London Born Wine Co., Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: Niagara, ON
Varietal: Gamay
Vineyard: Various Niagara vineyards
Alcohol: 11%
Volume: 750 mL
Cases Produced: 83
Appearance: Deep salmon colour
Nose: Minerally, cherry nose
Palate: Light-bodied, dry, medicinal-herbal, sour cherry flavour.
Quality: Very Good quality. Chill well and drink now.
Critic Rating: 86 points – Tony Aspler
– – – – – – – – – –
Food Pairing: Mild cheeses, chicken and pork terrine and paté, spanakopita, black olive tapenade, roasted root vegetables, shrimp and grits, red lentil Dahl.
SOMERS TOWN VIOGNIER, 2016
London Born Wine Co., Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: Niagara, ON
Varietal: Viognier
Vineyard: Various Niagara vineyards
Alcohol: 11.3%
Volume: 750 mL
Cases Produced: 328
Appearance: Bright, clear. Very light straw-colored core.
Nose: Medium- aromatic intensity. Stone fruit, green apple, banana.
Palate: Medium acid, medium- body. Stone fruit, pear, hint of tropical fruit.
Quality: Very good+ quality. 88 points. Drink now.