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(264) Leave a comment ›

“Pelee makes some incredible wines – their Merlot and Pinot Noir are bo…” by Robert
“Funny enough, my wife just started a wine blog about Canadian Wines an…” by Ray Slakinski
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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.

264 Responses

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March 24, 2008

Moselman
Couple or three Canucky points, Gary:

1) A Canadian Number Eleven is reserved for Mark Messier, and

2) Mothballs and rotten oranges? That’s just Ontario!

3) When it comes to critiquing Canadian wines, Ora-gone-onions make good “organ” players…

QOTD â€“ MANY moons ago, on tasting the first German wine on a holiday tour of the Moselle, a heavenly riesling, and realizing that this grape juice could be seriously good stuff. And addicting, in a good sort of way.
March 24, 2008

Rick from Alabama
recently tried a Tokaji (sp?) from Hungary… very pleasantly surprised. immediately bought more from WL.
March 24, 2008

aronowm2
QOTD: L’ardenza cottanera 2001. Never had a mondeuse wine before. especially from Sicily. 77 pts Wine Spectator. Blew my mind. up yours WS.
March 24, 2008

Sev
Interesting show, I have definitely never seen Gary trash wines like that. Glad you kept it honest but the dumping of the bottles was a bit too much for me. I mean, someone (probably more than one person actually) invested a lot of time and a lot of themselves into all that wine. Also, if they were so shocking to you, because of their awkwardness/absurdity or whatever, wouldn’t they be an excellent tasting opportunity for your staff? I’m just saying…

QOTD: Most of my Chardonnay experience has been California, but I recently had a Chardonnay from Handley Cellars of Anderson Valley, and a Meursault from Pierre Andre that made me really rethink my Chard attitudes.
March 24, 2008

amgryger
QOTD: Thinking of recent wines, I haven’t paid much attention to Nero D’Avola, but decided to give the Terre Del Nero D’Avola a try yesterday and I was quite pleasantly surprised. It finishes out with a sort of tomato and sweet basil component that I think would make it killer with pizza.
March 24, 2008

Porter
QOTD: Rocky Gully Riesling, which I know you’ve tried on the show. And also the Hanenhof Viognier. It showed me that Australia can make restrained wines with good acidity/fruit and not be over the top.
March 24, 2008

E
The ‘97 Lopez de Heredia rose I had over the weekend changed my whole perspective on what a rose could be, most of my perspective on what a Rioja could be, and probably a few other perspectives beyond that. Wild stuff.
March 24, 2008

tuscanbob
Ouch babe…the canuck vinos flamed out, eh?

QOTD: I’ve recently had two different bottles of dry rose that have completely changed my mind about that category: 2006 Turkey Flat (blend of Grenache, Syrah , Cab Sauv and others from Aussie) and a 2005 Tenuta Guado al Tasso (Antinori) Bolgheri Scalabrone. As a result, I’ll be popping plenty of pink this spring/summer.
March 24, 2008

Chris
Still looking, still expanding, I’m relatively new to wine and have not yet been shocked by anything. Looking forward to it though.
March 24, 2008

David M Roberts
An episode or two back you had a self-proclaimed Thunder Show, but THIS really comes closer to what the show’s all about. While the wines may not have been winners, the commentary was creative and well-put, and you brought something new to the table, along with sound observations.
March 24, 2008

Antony
I’m trying to get more of an angle on German wine – so the answer to your question is going to be a recent Reisling. Am also pretty turned on by some Minervois I tried recently – seem to remember it was always a bit dodgy… or was I just buying the cheap stuff. I really agree that the South of France has upped its game of late. Just a shame that there is also a distinct trend to imitate the super fruity Australian style when really they can do much better. One love.
March 24, 2008

luvgrapesqueezings
QOTD: I’ve been enjoying Cotes de Castilion wines lately.
March 24, 2008

Ondra
QOTD: Gran Feudo dry RosÃ© from Chivite winery in Navarra, Spain. Really interesting category of wines to have with poultry on fine Provence herbs. It certainly changed my opinions about rosÃ© wines.
March 24, 2008

thefanjestic
Qotd: Michele Tete Beaujolais – I had never had a beaujolais before, but I always thought they were cheap wines. That wine has made me want to try more!
March 24, 2008

Bobby Wino
I recently had my first wine from NY state. Surprisingly delicious. I never associated New York with wine so they don’t tend to catch my eye on a shelf but I went for it and was not disappointed.
March 24, 2008

Jim in Atlanta
Last Wednesday I was at a wine tasting where we tasted several wines blind and were asked if we could guess where they were from. One was a pinot, one an acidic white, and another a light red wine. They were all quite good and seemed to come from a cool climate. We guessed eight different countries and were all wrong. We found out that they were from Brazil. Not only were they my first wines from Brazil, but they did not taste like anything from South America. Who would have guessed???
March 24, 2008

chenrys
We have also had those disappointing wine experiences…but appreciate that you shouldn’t judge an area by a few wines.

QOTD: We tried and purchased a Sauvignon blanc from Chile that was surprisingly delicious, unexpected and reasonably priced.
March 24, 2008

Shawn
Hey I am from Toledo, Ohio, and The Lake Erie Islands are about 45mins from here!

Pelee Island is pronounced “PEE-le” by the locals (everyone I’ve ever heard says it that way…)

Also, there are some great wines made on neighboring Middle Bass Island – a few miles away!! The Islands are an awesome place!

Great Show, Gary!!
March 24, 2008

Jack2112
Have you heard enough gripes of the spit bucket bottle pour? Yes? Too bad, it was still wrong. at least let the staff drink and “learn” along with you.

QOTD: Just had a 1998 E Guigal N Rhone wine that was amazing. It’s not completely MY cup o tea, but it was the first wine that I’ve ever had that TRULY exemplified the “meat” flavor and smell in a wine. It’s truly, truly amazing to me that a beverage made of fermented grapes can taste EXACTLY like smoked sausage. What a wonderful world we live in…
March 24, 2008

Marshall
QOTD: I recently re-discovered sauvignon blanc after having a good Graves wine and Sancerre wines. I realized how amazing this grape truly is. Previously, I bad-mouthed the grape for being just a lite apertif and nothing more , but now after trying more I love it!
March 24, 2008

Ben F
They all can’t be winners….
March 24, 2008

Kristen
Ouch GV, this was a tough one. I have to say, I second Chris Barnes’ comments. If you do dump them, at least do so off camera….then invite the CKC’s to drink what’s left (with the grain alcohol and Hawaiian Punch, of course)!

QOTD: 2005 Alma Rosa Chardonnay. It’s a wonderful chard, one I’ve recommended to many friends and customers at the wine shop. This was the first CA chard I had that wasn’t over-oaked or one that was dominated by the Butter Bandit. It had lovely citrus on the sniffy-sniff and some great acidity.

And it’s so true, you can’t judge a wine region by having a handful of wines. You’ve inspired me to try and find new South African wines that I’ll like.
March 24, 2008

Joe Giampapa
I recently had a wine and cheese party at my house and I opened a bottle of Lebonese Wine that everyone was surprised and impressed by including myself.
Pre-concieved I thought this wine would be a pass but the more I drank it the more I enjoyed it. 2002 Chateau Kefraya from Lebanon. A rich, spicy red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, MourvÃ¨dre, Carignan, Cinsault and Grenache. I will seek it out again.
March 24, 2008

portland guy
Hmmmm — better check your geography — Pelee is a bit more ‘north’ of Mendocino (apprx 41d v 39d), and it’s not in the ‘middle’ of Lake Erie, but the far western end. And to suggest that since it is on the same (or within 150kms) latitude as Mendocino,it should have equally similar growing conditions for quality grapes means you haven’t experienced the ’subtle’ differences in their climate. Canadian wines in top 3 emerging hot wines?? Come now, GV. This show gave a good example of sucky Canadian wines — which they virtually all are — aside from ice wines.

QOTD — A high end Sav Blanc from Patty Green (Panama White) — proved to me that for a price you can have a memorable ‘white’ experience.
March 24, 2008

J-Pipes
And no shout out? OH Gary…. ya better get your arse up here now and make it up to us Canadians—- and believe me, Mister, these guys will do up an offline in style!
QOTD: Eric Kent 2005 Chardonnay… before I liked Chardonnay!