Niagara College Teaching Winery | 2023
Niagara, Ontario
The Niagara College Teaching Winery is the first facility of its kind in North America. Located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, there is a terrific amount of viticultural knowledge in the region and the terroir is a global destination for those with a passion for winemaking and a desire to contribute to its growth and development. The NC Teaching Winery has a history of producing award-winning, 100% VQA wines from head winemaker Allison Findlay and former head winemaker, Gavin Robertson.
Wines included this month
September 2023
Enthusiast Red: White: 2022 Balance Dry Riesling, 2020 Dean's List Meritage
Enthusiast Red Only: 2020 Dean's List Cabernet Sauvignon Unfiltered, 2020 Balance Merlot Cabernet
Enthusiast White Only: 2018 Balance Brut Riesling, 2020 Dean's List Viognier
Expert Red: White: 2022 Balance Dry Riesling, 2020 Dean's List Meritage, 2020 Gastronomy Shiraz
Expert Red Only: 2020 Dean's List Meritage, 2020 Balance Merlot Cabernet, 2021 Balance Pinot Noir
Expert White Only: 2018 Balance Brut Riesling, 2018 Dean's List Chardonnay, 2020 Gastronomy Chardonnay
Master Red: White: 2022 Balance Dry Riesling, 2018 Balance Brut Riesling, 2018 Dean's List Chardonnay, 2016 Balance Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, 2020 Dean's List Meritage, 2020 Dean's List Merlot
Master Red Only: 2020 Dean's List Meritage, 2020 Balance Merlot Cabernet, 2021 Balance Pinot Noir, 2019 Tom Thomson Red, 2020 Gastronomy Shiraz, 2019 Dean's List Fortified Cabernet Sauvignon
BALANCE DRY RIESLING, 2022
Geographical Indication: VQA Beamsville Bench
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Niagara College Teaching Vineyard
Alcohol: 11%
Residual Sugar: 5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 333
Appearance: Clear, bright. Light straw colour.
Nose: Wonderful notes of white flowers, tropical fruit, peach, lemon, and hints of minerality.
Palate: Medium acid, light body. Nicely balanced with flavours of nectarine, grapefruit, orange, lemon, and a touch of baking spice.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Roasted chicken caprese, creamy Tuscan butter shrimp, grilled cod with tomatoes and thyme, snow crab legs with garlic butter, and vegetarian pho.
DEAN'S LIST MERITAGE, 2020
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietals: Merlot (57%), Cabernet Sauvignon (21%), Malbec (11%), Cabernet Franc (6%), Petit Verdot (5%)
Vineyard: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc – Concession 5 Vineyard; Petit Verdot & Malbec – Lizak Vineyard
Alcohol: 14%
Residual Sugar: 0 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 413
Appearance: Deep purple in colour.
Nose: Cedary, spicy nose of black fruits.
Palate: Well extracted flavours of blackcurrant and plum with toasty oak notes. Great mouthfeel.
Quality: 90 – 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Can be consumed now but will reward cellaring for 1–2 years.
Food Pairing: Filet mignon, grilled lemon-herb portobello mushrooms, Brie crostini with honey and prosciutto, penne with sausage and fennel, and pulled pork sandwiches.
DEAN'S LIST VIOGNIER, 2020
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Viognier
Vineyard: Smith Farms
Alcohol: 14%
Residual Sugar: 2.1 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 152
Appearance: Clear, bright, lemon yellow in colour.
Nose: Spicy, peach pit nose with a thread of minerality.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted peach and lemon flavour with a floral note.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2024.
Food Pairing: Pomegranate and honey-glazed chicken, lobster risotto, beef enchiladas, bacon and cheese perogies with caramelized onions, and cinnamon-roasted butternut squash.
DEAN'S LIST CABERNET SAUVIGNON UNFILTERED, 2020
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard: Concession 5 Vineyard
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 0 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 204
Appearance: Dense purple-ruby in colour.
Nose: Cedary, spicy, blackcurrant nose with vanilla oak notes.
Palate: Medium-bodied, richly extracted black and redcurrant flavours, with grainy but ripe tannins and a lively core of acidity.
Quality: 89 – 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+ / Outstanding. A well-balanced wine that needs 1–2 years to harmonize its tannins.
Awards:
Bronze - 2023 All Canadian Wine Championships
Food Pairing: Shepherd’s pie, beef teppanyaki, sous vide prime rib roast, smoked tofu with roasted vegetables, and blackened halibut.
BALANCE BRUT RIESLING, 2018
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Huebel Farms
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 295 (6-bottle cases)
Appearance: Pale straw in colour with an active mousse of tiny bubbles.
Nose: Apple and grapefruit zest bouquet.
Palate: Light-bodied, crisply dry, apple and grapefruit flavours. Sustains well on the palate to a lengthy, fresh, lemony finish.
Quality: 89 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+. Drink now or hold 1-2 years.
Awards:
Gold - 2023 National Wine Awards of Canada
Food Pairing: Honey-pepper coconut shrimp, pulled pork nachos, Hawaiian pizza, spanakopita, and sheet pan chicken parmesan.
BALANCE MERLOT CABERNET, 2020
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietals: Merlot (80%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%)
Vineyard: Concession 5 Vineyard and Lizak Farms
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 1.8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 475
Appearance: Deep purple colour.
Nose: Cedary, spicy, plum and blueberry nose with oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, elegant, floral plum and red berry flavours. Well-balanced and harmonious. Well-structured with ripe tannins.
Quality: 89 – 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+ / Outstanding. Can be opened now but will reward 1-2 years cellaring.
Food Pairing: Ribeye steak, coq au vin, red wine lamb burgers, crispy pork bites with creamy horseradish sauce, and black cherry-filled chocolate truffles.
DEAN'S LIST CHARDONNAY, 2018
Geographical Indication: VQA St. David's Bench
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Niagara College Teaching Vineyard
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 0 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 183
Appearance: Clear, bright. Golden colour.
Nose: Intense aromas of white flowers, buttered popcorn, pine, and hints of oak spice.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Delightful flavours of green apple, grapefruit, lemon-lime zest, and baking spice. Great mouthfeel.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Brie spinach dip with baked pita, shrimp alfredo, cilantro and lime-grilled salmon, sautéed chicken with cherry tomatoes and roasted artichokes, and caramelized onion and garlic butter focaccia.
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