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Wine Appreciation Through Education |
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R. R. # 1 4037 Cherry Avenue Vineland, Ontario L0R 2C0 905-562-5685 |
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| Lakeview first appeared on my radar when I realized I'd put quite a few of their wines on my short list. I was able to confirm this first impression when I invited Lakeview to participate in a wine club tasting. I couldn't have made a better choice. Boutique manager Regina Fosse showed up with a carload of wonderful wines that just blew the audience away. Just as impressive was her knowledge of the wines, which contributed enormously to the evening |
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Like many of Niagara's wineries, Lakeview began as the hobby-dream of an amateur winemaker. In 1986, Eddy Gurinskas purchased a small vineyard on the Iroquois Bench near the western border of Vineland, near Beamsville. It didn't take long for Eddy to be persuaded to open a commercial winery, and in 1991, Lakeview cellars opened their doors. Eddy now busies himself with the duties of winemaker while business partners Larry Hipple and Stu Morgan deal with vineyard management and business management respectivley. Despite a recent overhaul and expansion, the winery retains its boutique feel. The tasting room appears quite small from the outside, but comfortably fits a sizeable number of guests around the tasting bar. There is no restaurant, but the patio overlooking Lake Ontario is available for picnic lunches in good weather. If you have a group to entertain, the winery can arrange food service either on the patio or in their very popular banquet room. The winery boutique is open year round and is well worth a visit. Here are my notes from a recent visit to Lakeview, plus a few that are featured at Cuvée 2003. (Look for other Lakeview wines on LCBO and Vintages shelves.) |
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Brilliant pale almond-gold. Subtle aromas of sweet oak atop floral, apricot, almond, Macintosh apple, and pear aromas. Quite full with a spicy acidity and just a hint of oak on the back palate. Very good balance — smooth and silky yet full and spicy. Full bodied and long with an even development. A good match for roast beef and BBQ chicken. Look for it in the LCBO's "Craft Winery" section. (307165) |
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Vibrant honey-lemon colour. Aromas of quince, dried fruits, apple, and a hint of pine sap. Suggests spicy oak; chablis-like with a solid citrusy spine. Very full bodied and long. Well done and bargain priced. Use as you would any chardonnay. (530477) |
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Bright pale lemon-lime colour. Almond paste, lemon zest and ginger aromas. Just a hint of sugar with a bright acidity — smooth, delicate and lemony. Medium body and length. Somewhat simple but a good quaffer. Try with ham, risotto, or BBQ sauces. (307157) |
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Bright, full lemony gold. Forward lychee and tangerine with nuances of grapefruit. Creamy with a slightly sweetish aspect. Slightly smokey on the back palate. Spicy acidity with candied citrus flavour. Quite full bodied with very good length. A good match for glazed pork, Chinese or Indian foods. LCBO "Craft Winery" section. (535625) |
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Bright light ruby colour. Aromas of cranberry, ripe berries and raspberry with hints of leather and tobacco. Firmish tannins, juicy berry flavours and a spicy acidity. Good body and length. Rather tannic for Gamay which makes it a good match for beef tenderloin. (433672) |
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Bright deep garnet colour. Delicious aromas of smoke, licorice, plum, and a hint of cedar. Round and yummy, with oodles of berry flavours, crisp yet supple acidity and silky soft tannins. Good body and length. A very flexible wine that will serve as a quaffer or a match for lighter meats. Try with tomato sauces, pork, steak, or mushroom dishes. (307181) |
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Inky black cherry colour. Sweet, spicy oak runs the show. Classic Baco bite on the palate, with huge oak and berry flavours supported by soft tannins and firm acidity. Fat, long and juicy. An awesome experience. (Winery only) |
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Deep garnet colour. Sweet berries, chocolate and pencil box on the nose. Yummy sweet berries, silky tannins and a cool acid spine. With medium-full bodied, it's un-serious, easy-going and shows lots of stuffing. (476192) |
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Deep black cherry colour. True port character accompanied by vanilla, smoke and cedar. Fat, rich and chocolatey. Full, long and spicy. A decadent treat. (Winery only) |
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Aromas are pure icewine, very full and lush on the palate. The modest amount of sugar suggests the wine might work with food (perhaps pork with fruit) but that might spoil the experience. Light, not too sweet, and delightful. |
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Brilliant ruby/candy apple. Oodles of sweet honey, glazed peaches, and raspberry preserves on the nose. Subtle, not too sweet, with lots more red berries on the palate. Very good body and length. Calls out for vanilla ice cream, or maybe fruit salad topped with vanilla yoghurt. (Winery only) |
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Tasting Date: Jan 17/03; Feb 1/03 |
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