Canadian Wines From Pelee Island In The Middle Of Lake Erie

Canadian Wines From Pelee Island In The Middle Of Lake Erie - Episode #429

March 24, 2008

Gary Vaynerchuk still thinks that Canada is one of the hot up and coming areas in the world and puts a few wines to the test from a pretty cool area!

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Comments on this episode(258) Leave a comment ›

“As some have said, Ontario isn’t the place for good Canadian wine. Th…” by Quinn
“QOTD: I had a white wine from France, and I always thought of France a…” by ValerieM
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Pelee Island Gewurztraminer Reserve
2005 Pelee Island Shiraz
2006 Pelee Island Cabernet Franc

Links mentioned in todays episode.

258 Responses

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about 2 weeks ago

Quinn
As some have said, Ontario isn’t the place for good Canadian wine. They have a very short and very hot summer typically, and produce a lot of commodity grapes instead of the good stuff. BC, on the other hand, has a longer growing season, plenty of wonderful (cooler) micro-climates, and the hot (desert) Okanagan Valley. I’m saying this as a Canadian, who lives in Ontario, but misses his BC wines.
about 3 weeks ago

ValerieM
QOTD: I had a white wine from France, and I always thought of France as best at reds, but the white was excellent!!!!
about a month ago

Ivan C.
I’m not generally impressed with Ontario wines, and I live in Ontario. As far as Canadian wines, I’m all about the Okanagan Valley in BC.
about a month ago

MtnCharlie
I have only seen you dump a wine on one other episode, but all three, ouch! That was a great show for exactly what you are saying about preconceived notions.

QOTD: The 1992 Russian River Valley White Table Wine (Muscat) I recently had. Opened it as a lark with friends and found it enjoyable a week later. I thought this was going to be a vintage “cheap” wine and be undrinkable because of its age. Surprise.
about a month ago

charlie berg
Interesting show, Gary. You know, I got that same melted plastic weird kinda palate on a Charlottesville, VA. Norton wine by White House Vineyards. Hm. Also, I’ve never seen you actually dump bottles into the Jets bucket. dang.
QOTD: I tasted the Gemtree ‘Tatty Road’ Cab Franc, Merlot, P.Verdot blend 2003 from McClaren Vale Aus.
I never would have guessed that it was an Australian wine. It wasn’t that full bodied, no Jam, cinnamon or leather. It was all veggies and licorice, and even some ferrous minerals. I think my palate was expecting a typical Australian Shiraz and I was super-surprised by the almost old world quality of this interesting wine.
about a month ago

wannaBconnoisseur
Interesting!

Q-I had my first Gruner V from Austria not long ago and loved it!!
about a month ago

Dan-o
I had a Glaeser Cabernet Franc from California recently, which was so cool because it was like drinking a glass of celery and other vegetables.
about a month ago

Memphis Mike
I’m sure this is in the comments somewhere already but it’s pronounced PEE-LEE. I’m from Northern Ohio, Catawba Island. I’ve never had a good wine produced in the southern Ontario/Northern Ohio region. The limestone content in the soil is great for growing apples but no so much for grapes. I think you’re right on with what you’ve said in the past about wines tasting better on vacation because of the atmosphere and the lack of stress. That area is a huge vacation spot; Cedar Point is just a few minutes away. There are a ton of wineries in the area and I’m always surprised by how many people I meet that have vacationed there and talk about how good the wine is. It’s pretty much a local joke, but to each his own.
about a month ago

Dan A
Cool show, although dissapointing… I’m from Ontario, Canada, and I try Ontario wines often. I can’t stand Pelee Island wines personally (ok-I had one Pinot Noir that was nice). There are few and far between, but there are some really great wines. If you can find Daniel Lenko wines (they sell as they hit the shelf up here), they are great… The higher end wines is where you gotta go though… Peller Estates (Niagara) have serious stuff - NOT the lower-end, but the Signatures Series (CDN$45). The sad thing is: for that $45 bottle of very good Ontario wine, you can find a wine of equal quality elsewhere in the world for half the price… Crappy climate, what can I say! Cheers!
about a month ago

Karl Laczko
Those wines sucked big-time, but you’re right, you can’t generalise.

QOTD - I can’t really say, I tend not to have hard preconceptions to change. Maybe it was the Grant Burge “The Holy Trinity” 2002 GSM, which remionds me there are some nice red wines from Australia in the under $30 category!
about a month ago

Steen Larsen
Comment on Question of the day, Pinot Noir: I have been told that thissis a wine to be loved. I did not see it. Last night I finally found a Pinot noir I can enjoy. (Lulu B.) Also remember the ABC wine drinkers (anything but CHARDONAY). Look elsewhere. Australia, Is doing an incredible job.
about a month ago

Carlitos
As a follow up. Pretty much anywhere in Canada is just WAY too cold to barely ripen the grapes! Ok, it’s the same latitude as Mendocino and also as Spain or Italy! But it’s a completelly different climate with Arctic winds pounding you daily. The European equivalent would be wines from Denmark or Sweden. I’m not running to try and get them. Let’s admit it, you can’t grow vines everywhere and we’ll all be happier. And you know I’m not a fan of overripe wines, more like the opposite.
about a month ago

Carlitos
Dude! Quince paste and cheese! The dessert of Spain!!! Welcome to that taste profile!

QOTD. Really good question. Kudos! I guess a quick answer would be formerly unknown or unheralded Spanish regions that now are producing decent wines when 10 years ago when I was still there it was only drinkable mixed with 7up. That includes Jumilla, Yecla, Utiel-Requena, Cariñena and Calatayud… Also having the opportunity lately to taste more aged California wines from great producers also changed my perception that I had on them being just fruit and American oak.

And what are you thinking? Canada? Maybe for ice wine! I spent a week in the Niagara peninsula and only had a very few whites that we just ok. The rest was like what you had today. Good luck!
about a month ago

Josh in Burgundy
Bummer that canada struck out. I have two bottles of Canadian wine in my cellar that I am hoping are better then what you tasted.

QOTD: Domaine de Laporte 2001 Pouilly Fume La vigne de Beaussoppet, Incredible Sauv Blanc that was in Oak a little. Just beautiful all around. Wasn’t a huge Sauv Blanc person because I had not had a lot of Loire Valley Sauv Blancs and now I am almost a fiend
about a month ago

Boris Jazbec
WOW…To see Pelee Island crash and burn HARD really isn’t a surprise for me. If these wines were from the 1999,2000,2001 vintages I think they would have fared alot better. Back then the winemaker was putting out some great stuff. Since then a new winemaker is coming up with what was sampled here. Another point to keep in mind is that the Pelee Island area does have a unique terroir yet they are the only winery there. If you want to taste the wines from Canada that make us proud you have to explore the Niagara region, Beamsville Bench, Vineland, St. David’s Bench, Niagara on the Lake. There is about 100 wineries in this vast neighbourhood. The founding fathers of the modern day wine industry are enjoying over 30 years of making some of the finest wines from Ontario. Chateau des Charmes, Inniskillin, Reif, Konzelmann, Henry of Pelham, these are the pioneers. From there the sky is truly the limit. Angel’s Gate, Featherstone, Fieldings, Marynissen, Flat Rock, Coyote’s Run, Mike Weir, Cave Springs, I certainly can go on. The two other areas to check out is the Prince Edward County region, near Kingston, east of Toronto. They are making some kickass Pinot’s there and British Columbia, the Okanagan, Kelowna regions are world class producers like their brothers in Ontario. Tinhorn, Mission Hill, Burrowing Owl, Grey Monk just some of again about 100 wineries in BC to explore.

Thanks Gary for supporting our efforts. I look forward to more reviews. It’s great to get an honest opinion.
about a month ago

Harley Stan
Wow, straight to the spit bucket with all three. ouch!!!
QOTD- 2001 Arrowood Merlot, it did not act like a merlot and was a total surprise, I thought I was drinking a cab at first and had to double check.
about a month ago

yowens
Dude- brutal episode. Nonetheless, I’ll totally search out Canadian wines. QOTD: well, I’m drinking a Fess Parker reisling right now that I assumed would suck but I really like it- go Santa Maria
about a month ago

Peter Wood
Hi Gary - been away for a ten days and playing major catchup on my WLTV viewing. The last wine that made me change my mind about a category was Wakefield Shiraz 2006. A brilliant wine that made me want to try Australian Shiraz again, after years of just not giving them much thought.
about a month ago

latraviata
Thanks for plugging Canadian wines, despite your experience with the wines in this one episode.
QOTD: I did not like my first couple of Sauvignon Blanc wines but recently had one from Ontario (!) and it was fabulous!
about a month ago

Martin
We just had a really nice pink wine from Australia. Before that, my only experience was Grandma’s Beringer white zin.
about a month ago

jsuarez6
QOTD - I hate Chardonnay; at least I thought until I tried a 2005 Chablis. The wine was so good I could not believe it was made from chardonnay. The past few chardonnays I had tried were from California and all were over oaked, heavy, and even nausiating, I couldn’t even finish one glass.

I have explored more white burgundy wines and have found out that chardonnay can be made into a very good wine, at least good for my taste.
about a month ago

Neil
This EP was like Peleeing in the wind!
about a month ago

1kailuaboy
Gary I think you’re starting something again. I’m hearing some rumbling of distant thunder. What I’m hearing on Canadian wines is if you like ice wines, whites, and or red try the Okanagan region in BC. That’s IF you can get them as they are low producers and rarely make it very far.
about a month ago

Jake M
Actually GaryVee, the more I think about it, the more I think that Inniskillin’s International Series Sauvignon Blanc might be right up your alley.

I shared a bottle with a friend a couple months back and it had a really fun nose, and it RIPPED through your palate. Take a switchblade and *nnngnnn* (cutting motion while holding tongue with other hand). If you end up dropping by the great white north it’s one that you might consider seeking out (and I think it’s got great QPR).
about a month ago

Jake M
Gary Vee! I’m so sorry that you had to try Pelee Island wines, I’m from right near James H and Pelee Island Wines are a local joke. They’re the ones that you get in gift baskets and groan just a little. There are a few smaller Essex County producers that are doing good things, but for slightly easier to find decent/good wines, try Inniskillin or Jackson-Triggs. They’re both way more drinkable than the stuff you had to suffer through today.

QOTD: Red Guitar Navarra 2005. Such a heavy cinnamon component that it completely blew me away. I wouldn’t want that in every wine, but it made me really sit up and take notice of spanish wines as something that can be surprising.