Mes premières vendanges à Prince Edward County

My first harvest experience in Prince Edward County

My first harvest experience in Prince Edward County

Grange of Prince Edward

The great fireplace at Grange of Prince Edward

Spring has sprung, so why not write a post about what I did last fall? It’ll help to prepare the new season of course!

Camping season of course, as it is for my family and me a great way to explore lots of new places and to meet the most wonderful people around. But camping is also a way for me to hit the wineries that are on our vacation path, from this new season to the upcoming harvest.

I’ve been a winelover for quite some years now and I like to visit or re-visit with my family and friends some wineries we liked over the years. But one thing I didn’t did before was participate to grape picking during harvest.

I tried to be able to attend some picking activities in my home closer reach, but I wasn’t able to do so as rain mainly got in the way. The next place to try was then the beloved Prince Edward County! Located in South-East Ontario, a 4 hour drive from Montréal area, this was the place we’re we’ll have our first harvest experience. A great way to end a camping season too!

Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards & Estate Winery

There again rain played us all, as we were supposed to go at first at Grange of Prince Edward to pick up Gamay grapes, a real dream to me, one of the biggest fan of that grape! This didn’t stopped our host to gladly welcome all attendees who were there to give a hand during that harvest season.

Grange of Prince Edward Select wines

Grange of Prince Edward – Some of the Select range wines

The humble and really kind Maggie, of the mother-daughter winemaking team, still managed to taste through recently released wines of the “Select” range. From a more structured Pinot Noir to a bright an enjoyable Gamay (amongst my favorite there), then a Riesling just lively enough and a round and fruity Chardonnay wine.

Then we had the privilege to get serve a well comforting meal, paired with the wines we tasted. It was really enjoyed!

Bad weather did got away so we could walk in the vineyard and watch freshly picked Riesling grapes being crushed to produce what’ll become wine!

To taste such freshly pressed juice do help to see what the wine will be, help understanding how a basic product will become wine and what the winemakers have to work with.

Grange of Prince Edward

Freshly presed Riesling juice

All the explanations we received showed us how much work it is to farm vines, from all season long task to prepping them to survive winter. They do at Grange what most of the area wineries do, they select the best branches they can to did them down, putting soil over them to protect them against frost damage. This is so demanding! But every minute they spend working in the vineyard is worth it to allow them to make such great wines, despite all the challenges a cool climate environment can bring to them.

This was a great day, spent with amazing people, but still, something was missing. We wanted to pick up grapes!

 

Vue sur les vignes chez Grange of Prince Edward

Vineyard view at Grange of Prince Edward

Norman Hardie Winery

That the moment when a plan B came out. The following day, Norman Hardie was hosting a “Harvest Experience” day at his winery. This fell in at the right time, especially as this place is also amongst my favorite in Prince Edward County! This is where we would be harvesting rapes for the first time.

Norman Hardie - Vignes de Pinot Noir

Norman Hardie – Pinot Noir vines

It is a really romantic moment to look a fruit loaded vines, bathed in a warm sunlight from a beautiful fall day.

As it is always, this is a welcoming and generous place. From the morning they were prepping the day to help this moment be a success. Nice welcome, coffee was placed in our hands to help us out wake up a little. On one side a whole pork was slowly cooking over a fire and on the other side, the pizza oven was firing as the first pie were getting cooked. We couldn’t be happier, as our smiles showed, as we knew that this would be a great day!

Then we received our instructions; we would be picking Pinot Noir grapes, a second pass in the vines as riper fruit were already picked. The 30 volunteers jumped into the vines to get those beautiful grape bunches!

Even if we were not really used to this, it never lowered our excitement and fun! Even the kids enjoyed it more than we did anticipate.

 

Norman Hardie - Activité familiale

Our kids helping!

Lunch break was filled with amazing pizzas, as they always are, all that under the prettiest sun we could’ve wished for. As soon as we were over, we jumped back at our tasks looking to pick grapes in the close-by main building vineyard.

Our goal to be part of a harvest experience was to dig in, not to overview a process made by others. Mission accomplished!

Norman Hardie - Fruits de la récolte

The fruit we picked that day

We did managed to pick up enough fruit that day to produce up to 150 cases of wine! We were told that the Pinot Noir fruits would make a rosé, soon to be available (2017 summer). Can’t wait to have a glass of this wine (or a few bottles!)! Having the feeling of doing something in the winemaking process of a wine, even if it’s a lower role we played is kinda cool.

Then came the awaited lunch where we had the whole roasted pork that fulfilled our needs. Of course we did enjoyed some wine, especially the newly release at that time Gamay from Norman Hardie!

While being at the winery, we did taste the whole range of available and upcoming wines. We couldn’t have done less!

Taste many of Norman Hardie’s wine requires focus, but also notes! There was quite a lot, but it was so enjoyable as always! This is anyway, one of the main reason I visit wineries…

Most of the wines are single varieties and usually are from both region Norman Hardie is working with; Prince Edward County and Niagara. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, then the blends of whites (regions and varieties), the special ones (Cuvée des Amis was the best of them!), a rosé and of course then Gamay we enjoyed earlier.

Another to a beautiful stay inPrince Edward County

Happy, pleased, all smiling, this is how another stay in this amazing region has ended again. We love Prince Edward County!

We’ll be back for another harvest experience, but also long before that period as we like the place so much!

Prince Edward County

Thanks again Prince Edward County for being so enjoyable and welcoming!

Grange of Prince Edward Select Gamay Pinot VQA Prince Edward County 2014 

Grange of Prince Edward Select Gamay Pinot VQA Prince Edward County 2014 

Grange of Prince Edward Select Gamay Pinot VQA Prince Edward County 2014 

Light, bright and shiny ruby color. Nose of red berries, wet eart, spices and a light flowery breeze. Bringht and explosive red fruit flavors on the palate. A little lower acidity level that what I am used to from the region, but still have enough freshness. Spices burst on the finish that last for a good moment. This is one very enjoyable wine! Very good (89)

Made of  Gamay and Pinot Noir of equal share. Co-fermented. Aged in neutral French oak barrels. Alcohol level of 12,8% 

Available at the winery for 25,00$

Grange of Prince Edward’s website: grangeofprinceedward.com

Bambara Sélection represents them in Québec: bambaraselection.com

Grange of Prince Edward Select Gamay Pinot VQA Prince Edward County 2014 

Having a lunch with a view on the vineyard!

Trail Estate Gamay Noir VQA Ontario 2014

Trail Estate Gamay Noir VQA Ontario 2014 

Trail Estate Gamay Noir VQA Ontario 2014 

Light but young garnet color. Nose of sweet red berries, earth and spices. Flavors of sour and slightly sweet red fruit like sour cherries, cranberries, rhubarb and spices. Felt different from other Gamay I had from Ontario, it was vibrant, a little on the charming side, but I gladly enjoyed it! Very good+ (90)

Made from Gamay of fruits coming from the County (65%) and Niagara (35%). Aged 8 months in neutral French oak barrels. Total production of 98 cases. Alcohol level of 13%

Has been sold at the winery for 26,00$

Trail Estate Winery’s website: trailestate.com

Norman Hardie County Gamay VQA Prince Edward County 2014

Norman Hardie County Gamay VQA Prince Edward County 2014 

Norman Hardie County Gamay VQA Prince Edward County 2014 

Light ruby color. To me, this smells typicaly like a County wine with red berries, clay, spices with herbacious and salty notes. Flavors of sour berries with a lively acidity, strawberries, rhubarb, sweet spices and a tart finish that shows an amazing fresh and salty finish. This is a real treat to me. About the same quality of a 2016 Morgon from Marcel Lapierre we had at the same time, even if my heart goes to this wine. Excellent (91)

Made of Gamay. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels. Alcohol level of 10,5% 

Available at the winery for 29,00$

Norman Hardie Winery website: http://www.normanhardie.com

They are represented in Québec by Vin Dame Jeanne: vindamejeanne.com

Duo de gamay

Two Gamay wines – 2016 Marcel Lapierre Morgon and the featured 2014 Norman Hardie County Gamay

Domaine Marcel Lapierre Morgon 2016

Domaine Marcel Lapierre Morgon 2016 

Domaine Marcel Lapierre Morgon 2016 

Medium dark purple-ruby color. Nose where flowers, fresh red berries, earth and spices brings in freshness and balance as fruit ripeness is there. Follows on the palate crunchy and sour-bitter red fruit and a good acidity level. This wine is really fruit forward and with its lenght, everything is there to make this highly enjoyable! There is also, desides immediate satisfaction, depth and structure that makes this cellarable, but only if one have enough self-control not to drank them all quickly! Excellent (91)

Made of Gamay. Natural winemaking. Aged 8 months in 216 liters oak barrels. Alcohol level of 13%

Available in SAQ stores for 32,25$ (Code SAQ : 11305344)

Domaine Marcel Lapierre wines are represented in Québec by Rézin: rezin.com

 

Duo de gamay

Duo de gamay – Marcel Lapierre Morgon 2016 et Norman Hardie County Gamay 2014

Château Yvonne La Folie Saumur-Champigny 2014

Château Yvonne La Folie Saumur-Champigny 2014

Château Yvonne La Folie Saumur-Champigny 2014

Dark purple color. Nose of blackberries, crushed raspberries with a good amount of spices notes. Silky mouthfeel at first, then  the brightness of the wine shows all the goodness this type of Cabernet Franc can offer. The tart and sour fruit flavors on the finish brings in an enjoyable vibrant twist. Very good (89)

Made of Cabernet Franc. Aged 12 months, partially in oak casks and the other part in oak barrels of 4-5 usage. Certified organic by ECOCERT. Alcohol level of 12,5%

Available in SAQ stores for 27,30$ (Code SAQ : 11665534)

Rézin is the importer for Château Yvonne wines in Québec: rezin.com

Domaine J. Chamonard Fleurie La Madone 2015

Domaine J. Chamonard Fleurie La Madone 2015

Domaine J. Chamonard Fleurie La Madone 2015

Relatively dark and foggy purple color. Nose of blueberrie pastries on which one would’ve thrown on wet earth and a bunch of spices. Rich mouth feel without falling into heaviness, but doesn’t feel much complex either at this young stage of its life. To its defense, it gets much better with air and changes quickly so, if opened now, it should be followed over an entire evening of even opened one day to let it breathe then drank on the following day. That way the wine really gets more definition and even if it stayed a little shy, it was really drinking nicely and it’s not a hard task to go through the bottle! Very good+ (90)

Made of Gamay. Vines are planted on pink Granite soil on steep slopes. Natural winemaking. Ageing unkown. Jean-Claude Chanudet is behind the wine. Alcohol level of 13,5% 

Disponible à la SAQ pour 34,75$ (Code SAQ : 13108096)

Oenopole est l’agence qui représente le Domaine J. Chamonard au Québec: oenopole.ca

Domaine J. Chamonard Fleurie La Madone 2015

Domaine J. Chamonard Fleurie La Madone 2015

Château La Lieue Coteaux Varois en Provence 2015

Château La Lieue Coteaux Varois en Provence 2015

Château La Lieue Coteaux Varois en Provence 2015

Dark cherry red color. Nose of dark berries, spices, earth and herbal nose all in a fresh way. This got strenght on the palate with a good chewyness, but the silky moutfeel balance all that. Flavors are of the same profile as on the nose, quite enjoyable and helps making you want to pout yourself another glass! To pair with burgers of grilled meat dishes. Good+ (88)

Made of 35% Grenache Noir, 30% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 15% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 15% Carignan. Aged on lees in concrete tanks. Certified Organic. Alcohol level of 14% 

Available in SAQ stores for 13,25$ (Code SAQ : 00605287)

Represented in Québec by Vins Balthazard: vinsbalthazard.com

Château La Lieue Coteaux Varois en Provence 2015

Château La Lieue Coteaux Varois en Provence 2015

Domaine du Possible Tout Bu or not Tout Bu Côtes du Roussillon 2015

Domaine du Possible Tout Bu or not Tout Bu Côtes du Roussillon 2015

Domaine du Possible Tout Bu or not Tout Bu Côtes du Roussillon 2015 

Light ruby color. Nose of fresh red berries, aromatic herbs and sandy soil. May seems light on the palate, but the freshness, the red berries with the herbal notes, sweet spices and basil makes this wine so tasty. This wine IMO the perfect example of a chuggable wine! That may explain why we went through the bottle so quickly… Good+ (88)

Made of Grenache and Mourvèdre. Semi-carbonic maceration, then aged 12 months in old oak barrels. Alcohol level of 13%

Available in SAQ stores for 26,30$ (Code SAQ : 13117697)

For more information on Loic Roure, the man behind the Domaine du Possible: oenopole.ca/loic-roure

Oenopole represents them in Québec: oenopole.ca

Domaine du Possible Tout Bu or not Tout Bu Côtes du Roussillon 2015

Domaine du Possible Tout Bu or not Tout Bu Côtes du Roussillon 2015

Arboleda Carmenere Aconcagua 2015

Arboleda Carmenere Aconcagua 2015

Arboleda Carmenere Aconcagua 2015 

Dark and can’t see through purple color. Nose of dark berries, warm spices, green Bell pepper, bitter chocolate and a hint of smoke and sandy soil. Very silky texture on the palate, it’s balanced, not heavyness here and there’s a light bitterness on the finish. Flavors of black berries, chocolate, light but enjoyable and well blended green notes. Long finish, thid wine would pair well with meat dishes. Good+ (88)

Made of Carmenère. Aged 12 months in French oak barrels, 10% being new. Alcohol level of 14%

Available in SAQ stores for 21,95$ (Code SAQ : 11331614)

Vina Arboleda’s website: arboledawines.com

Sample proposed by Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits: markanthonywineandspirits.ca